Keeping tradition alive in a non-traditional family
Keeping holiday traditions alive
Our family recipe for Guatemalan tamales has been passed down from generation to generation. I want to continue this tradition with my daughter. While my husband is used to turkey and ham for the holidays, I make the extra effort to include tamales too. Gathering around food sets the stage for cross-cultural conversación.
Soundtrack to a mixed-culture home
We love filling our home with music because we think memories attach to songs. I use Pandora to create playlists that mamá, papá, and bebé will love. We listen to an eclectic mix that includes Beny Moré, The Beatles, Chavela Vargas, John Coltrane, Jaguares, and the baby’s Yo Gabba Gabba favorites.
Sharing family leyendas
The story goes that my grandfather just wouldn’t propose; until one day, my grandmother penned him a mysterious letter. Soon after, they were married. No one knows the contents of the letter, but I think it’s a lesson in the power of writing. I want my daughter to know all our family legends and feel connected to the past.
Bilingual bebé
Raising a bilingual baby requires commitment, especially when your spouse does not speak Spanish. It can be hard to be the only Spanish-speaker at home, but interactive Spanish books help me out. They make learning fun for my little one, and even dad tries to read along.
Sweets from my childhood
Whether it’s a delectable guayaba roll or an empanada de dulce de leche, our favorite bakery helps us sweeten our mouths with tradition. The baby loves getting a bite.
Woven across time
This handmade dress was a gift from my mother. Like most new moms, I received a lot of baby clothes, but this one little dress feels special enough to keep forever. It’s embroidered with quetzal birds, a symbol of freedom. I want to teach my daughter all the symbols and stories of our culture.
