I’ve been thinking a lot lately about the intentionality behind raising bilingual children, especially as we recently made the move to Mexico. When I had the chance to sit down with Lucía Garrett, the founder of Pato Pato and the brilliant mind who actually coined the term “Spanish-first kids,” I knew this conversation would be game-changing for so many of us raising little ones in this beautiful, complex journey of bilingual parenting.
What Are Spanish-First Kids?
Lucía opened my eyes to something I’d been doing instinctively but hadn’t named. Spanish-first kids are children who, from birth, are primarily exposed to Spanish before English enters their world. It’s that crucial stage where one or both parents speak only Spanish to their children, creating strong linguistic roots before the dominant language – English, in our case here in the US – takes over.
And let me tell you, when English takes over, it happens fast.
Why This Stage Matters So Much
What struck me most about our conversation was Lucía’s explanation of why this approach works. When we give Spanish a head start, we’re essentially creating strong roots that can withstand the inevitable flood of English that comes from school, friends, and the world around our kids.
Mateo is actually part of a research study at Loyola University in Chicago, and the researchers have found that the first three to four years of a child’s life are absolutely crucial for intentional bilingual parenting. It’s not just about exposure—it’s about dominance during this critical period.
The Guilt Is Real, But It Doesn’t Have to Win
One of the most honest parts of our conversation was when we talked about bilingual guilt. That pressure from family members who worry our kids won’t learn English properly. The self-doubt when we don’t know a word in Spanish and have to ask Siri quickly. The fear that we’re somehow doing our children a disservice.
Lucía said something that really stuck with me: “Guilt means you care, but guilt doesn’t move the needle.”
She reminded me that our kids are incredible at filling in the gaps. When I stumble over a word while watching El Rey León to Diego and he corrects me, that’s not failure, that’s exactly how this is supposed to work. They’re absorbing the language from multiple sources: us, cartoons, music, other family members. We don’t have to be perfect Spanish teachers; we just have to be consistent Spanish speakers.
Practical Strategies That Actually Work
What I loved about Lucía’s approach is that it’s rooted in real-life experience. She’s been speaking only Spanish to her children since they were born, even though her husband doesn’t speak Spanish. At the dinner table, when she talks to the kids, it’s in Spanish. When she talks to her husband, it’s in English. It’s become so natural that she didn’t even realize she was doing it until her sister pointed it out.
Her biggest piece of advice? Pick a strategy you can maintain long-term. If speaking only Spanish feels overwhelming, start with bedtime stories every night. Consistency beats perfection every single time.
The Community We All Need
Perhaps the most important thing Lucía and I discussed was how isolating this journey can feel. When you’re in rural Ohio (like she was) or even in a diverse city but without other families doing the same thing, it’s easy to feel like you’re on an island.
This is why I’m so passionate about building community through Viva la Mami. We shouldn’t have to do this alone. Whether it’s finding families locally or connecting through social media, having other parents who understand this intentional choice makes all the difference.
Redefining Madrehood, One Spanish Conversation at a Time
When I asked Lucía how she’s redefining madrehood, her answer gave me chills. She said she’s the loudest person in the room, and she’s redefining her motherhood by being the loudest in the room in her own language. She doesn’t apologize for speaking Spanish to her kids in public. She doesn’t switch languages because strangers might not understand.
That confidence? That’s what our kids see. That’s what they absorb along with the language itself.
The Journey Continues
As I listened back to our conversation, I was reminded that raising Spanish-first kids isn’t about creating children who only speak Spanish forever. It’s about giving Spanish the foundation it needs to thrive alongside English. It’s about intentionality in a world that will naturally pull our children toward English.
Lucía’s work with Pato Pato—creating toys that support learning IN Spanish, not just learning Spanish—represents this bigger vision of supporting the whole child’s development in their heritage language.
For all the mamas listening who might be feeling behind or inconsistent, remember what Lucía said: bilingualism doesn’t have a deadline. Whether you’re starting with a baby or finding ways to re-introduce Spanish with older children, there’s always a place to begin.
The most important thing? See this stage through. Be patient with your children and with yourself. And remember, you’re not just teaching a language. You’re giving your children roots in their culture, confidence in their identity, and the gift of thinking in the language of their corazón.
Show Notes
This week, we welcome Lucía Garrett, founder of Pato Pato and the brilliant mind who coined the term “Spanish-first kids.” As someone currently raising Spanish-dominant children myself, I was so excited to dive deep into this intentional approach to bilingual parenting. Lucía shares why the Spanish-only stage is so crucial for our kids and how we can stay confident in our choices, even when family members question us or when we feel like we’re not doing enough.
What You’ll Hear:
- What it means to raise “Spanish-first kids” and why this approach gives Spanish the head start it needs before English takes over
- How to handle pressure from family, self-doubt about your Spanish skills, and the fear that your kids will learn incorrectly
- Real tactics from families successfully raising Spanish-first children, including how to handle mixed-language households
- Why isolation is one of the biggest challenges and how finding your tribe makes all the difference
- What to do when your kids start resisting Spanish and try to switch to English
Ways to Follow Lucía:
- Instagram: @play_patopato
- Website: playpatopato.com
- Facebook: @playpatopato1
About Our Guest
Lucía Garrett | Founder of Pato Pato
Lucía Garrett is the founder of Pato Pato, a Latina-owned brand dedicated to empowering parents to raise confident Spanish-speaking children. Born in Argentina and raised in Mexico City from age two, Lucía moved to Los Angeles at 17 without speaking English. After navigating the challenges of learning English as a senior in high school, she built a successful career in advertising, working with major American clients on Spanish-language campaigns before starting her own event marketing agency with her husband.
Now based in Northwest Arkansas with her two young children, Lucía has become a leading voice in bilingual parenting through her groundbreaking concept of “Spanish-first kids,” a term she coined to describe children who are intentionally raised with Spanish as their primary language before English exposure. Through Pato Pato, she creates interactive toys and resources that support learning IN Spanish, not just learning Spanish, while building a vibrant online community of parents committed to raising bilingual children. Lucía homeschools her peques and continues to speak only Spanish to them, demonstrating that with intentionality and confidence, families can successfully maintain heritage languages even in English-dominant environments.
