¿Do You Ever Question If Speaking Only Spanish at Home Is “Too Much”?
Have people told you raising your kids in español here in the U.S. won't work? Or do you sometimes wonder if you're doing bilingual parenting “right”?
In this episode, Janny Perez sits down with Erika Fernández-Pacheco, a Dominican and Ecuadorian sports journalist, content creator, and mamá behind Curls and Sports.
Erika made the intentional decision to raise her two daughters Spanish-only at home—even after friends told her it wouldn't work. She shares why Spanish became a priority for her family, what Spanish-only parenting actually looks like day to day, and how she handles bilingual fatigue, Spanglish, English at school, and the realities of raising bilingual kids in the U.S.
You'll also hear about family priorities, reading in Spanish, screen time, staying present, and why connection comes before language.
Most importantly, Erika has a message for any mamá who's been doubted:
Trust your gut.
Timestamps:
05:15 — “They Said It Wouldn’t Work”
06:45 — Why Spanish Became a Priority
08:32 — The Reality of Spanish-Only at Home
10:47 — What a Spanish-Speaking Day Looks Like
12:43 — Why Reading Matters
17:02 — The Power of Putting the Phone Down
20:28 — Creating Real Connection With Your Kids
22:55 — Connection Comes Before Language
23:55 — It’s Never Too Late
27:45 — Why You Need a Bilingual Parenting Plan
30:50 — Trust Your Gut
32:38 — Seeing the Payoff
Join Janny’s Free Masterclass
Ready to feel more confident raising your bilingual child?
Join Janny's Free Confident Bilingual Parenting Masterclass on September 29, 2026.
👉 https://masterclass.milegasi.com/l/US2JxA
Connect With Erika
Curls and Sports: @curlsandsports
Connect With Janny
Instagram: @milegasi
Podcast: The Latina Mom Legacy
Website: milegasi.com
And if you need support on your bilingual parenting journey, join the Latina Moms Raising Bilingual Kids community on Facebook.
