How Immigrant Parents Can Help Their Children Stay Connected to Their Culture

This Hispanic Heritage Month, Mrs. C’s Podcast welcomed Maritza Gomez, entrepreneur and founder of MG Custom Printing, to share her journey of reconnecting with her roots and the lessons she’s learned along the way. Born in Mexico and raised in the U.S. from the age of nine, Maritza opened up about how she found pride in her identity and why preserving cultural traditions matters for future generations.

Why Culture Matters

For Maritza, reconnecting with her heritage was not immediate. Like many children who immigrate at a young age, she found herself losing touch with her culture while adjusting to school and life in the U.S. It wasn’t until college and her work as a business owner that she began to rediscover her identity.

Being surrounded by Latino vendors and communities reminded her that representation, whether in language, art, or business, is powerful. 

Tips for Parents and Teachers

Throughout the conversation, Maritza shared practical ways adults can help children stay connected to their culture:

• Be true to your roots Encourage children to embrace who they are, even if their language skills or traditions look a little different. Identity is something to honor, not hide.

• Teach the language If there’s a second language in your family, pass it on. Even if it skipped a generation, teaching children their family’s language helps them stay connected to their culture.

• Celebrate cultural diversity at school and at home Organize culture nights or family events where food, music, and traditions from different backgrounds are shared. This creates safe spaces for children to learn and be proud of where they come from.

• Give children grace Children navigating school, family responsibilities, and cultural identity may not always “know everything.” Parents should support them as they learn to balance both worlds.

• Lead by example Whether it’s playing music in Spanish, cooking traditional dishes, or telling family stories, children notice how adults live out their culture every day.

Maritza reminds us that honoring culture is about more than one person; it’s about standing on the shoulders of those who came before us. Parents, teachers, and mentors play a key role in passing down traditions so that children grow up confident in who they are.

Want to learn more about Maritza’s story? Listen to the full episode of Mrs. C’s Podcast here.