6 Pieces Of Advice Latinas Would Give Themselves Before Becoming Mothers

Latina moms give the best advice to first time mothers. We took to social and gathered some honest and sound advice that Latinas would give to their pre-motherhood selves.

Beyond the physical strain on your body and the pain of labor, motherhood orchestrates a dramatic reordering of one’s life. It is a profound metamorphosis that reshapes every aspect of a woman’s existence.

Here are 6 pieces of advice latinas would give themselves before becoming mothers.

1. Dont Lose Your Sense of Self

Jasdomin Santana, a 37-year-old Dominican author based in Delaware, struggled with postpartum depression after her first child. 

Her expectations of an immediate and magical bond with her baby were shattered by the feelings of isolation and anxiety that consumed her.

“Motherhood stretches you emotionally, you question yourself and lose parts of who while trying to give your kids everything,” she says.

“I wish someone had told me that protecting my identity and my mental health would be just as important as caring for my children.”

She hopes mothers ask for help, set boundaries, and make space for themselves during that time of overwhelming change. 

2. It’s Ok For Parents To Make Mistakes

Yefri Areli, a 30-year-old Salvadoran-and-Guatemalan mom in California, says that in her culture, mothers feel as though major sacrifice is a part of this new chapter of life. 

It’s a tall order to live up to, and she wants to break the cycle of shame.

“You’re building a new person from scratch. And even though you’re older, you too start from scratch,” she says.

“It’s okay for you as a parent to make mistakes. It’s your first time being a parent. You’re doing the best that you can.”

3. Tune Out Outside Noise

Jessy Mendoza, a 37-year-old Nicaraguan news producer based in New Jersey, was catapulted into adulthood when she became a young single mother at the age of 18.

When she saw others her age move forward in their career and college, or celebrate their 21st birthday, she grew resentful of her situation. 

Now, as her daughters are growing older, she wishes she had trusted her own instincts from the beginning and ignored the toxic commentary that made motherhood and her insecurities more challenging. 

4. Build A Support System

Jessica Cuevas, a 36-year-old mom, had to develop the ability to lean on those around her when things got hard. 

Growing up, her mother was on top of everything all the time, from doing the laundry to scheduling doctor’s appointments.

She didn’t realize at the time just how much more detail and energy would go into navigating everyday life when you have a child. 

Asking for help got her through her first years of motherhood. 

“I realized I was trying to carry everything alone and found myself becoming the ‘angry mom’ I didn’t want to be,” says Cuevas.

“I recognized that I needed to build my support system more intentionally, whether that meant leaning on my husband more or reaching out to family and friends.”

5. Be Ready For Priorities To Change

Ashley Arinez, a 36-year-old mom from Georgia, completely shifted her priorities when she became a mom. 

The professional career that she spent building for more than 10 years was no longer her main focus.

Arinez is the first-generation daughter of Mexican immigrants and the first to graduate from college in her family.

By prioritizing her children over her career, she felt as if she was abandoning her family’s dreams. 

“But in the end, I learned to put aside those expectations and fully embrace what I wanted and needed,” says Arinez. 

6. Expect Physical And Mental Challenges

Johnette Cruz, a 42-year-old Puerto Rican news anchor in Indiana, discovered that she had an immune disorder after her pregnancy caused her to fall incredibly ill. 

She wishes she was more prepared for potential health challenges.

“Carrying my child and knowing how to handle my body afterwards taught me to be grateful for what God gives you,” she said.

“I can no longer have children and I barely was able to carry the one I have. I am so blessed that I was able to have one son and to experience motherhood.”

Quick Recap

In the absence of a universal manual for motherhood, the voices of those who’ve lived it become invaluable. The wisdom shared by these Latina mothers underscores the importance of cultural nuance, generational knowledge, and emotional honesty in navigating the unpredictable terrain of parenting.

Their stories remind us that while no two motherhood journeys are the same, we are never truly alone in them.