The Cherished Role of Tías in My Children’s Lives

July 29, 2024

In our culture, all Latinos have extended families which are often beyond the bloodline. We embrace a tradition and history of adopting people close to our lives as part of our family. Those people gain the title of Tías or Tíos. As an only child, I grew up with tías, tíos, primos, and primas my whole life. Now, my children are filled with love and support from the few meaningful friends I have added to my life as a family.

Growing up in a Mexican family, I have always been surrounded by a network of supportive and loving individuals who go beyond the boundaries of traditional family ties. My mom’s friends always made sure to be there as the tías I needed by my side. This custom has been a blessing. Now my children have been fortunate to experience the love and guidance from non-blood relatives. These women, who might be long-time family friends, new friends, or colleagues, have embraced my children with open arms, love, and wisdom.

Tías and My Children

My children’s tías have provided them with emotional support and guidance. Whether it is support and guidance with learning proper Spanish, enhancing their robotics skills, or even something as simple as taking them some churros, their tías have been there for unconditional love and support. Beyond any guidance and mentorship, they are also wonderful role models. My daughters can see the power of education and dedication to serving in the classroom and beyond. My son can see how his passion for sports can still be combined with a successful academic degree.

These amazing people have been in key moments of my children’s lives. My son had two kindergarten teachers who, with time, became more than just mentors, they became familia. These women have been in our lives for over five years, and we have seen him grow up into this 12-year-old boy who is living his No Sepo stage in life. They have also seen my daughters grow up since day one and live with us in milestones like the upcoming beginning of our pre-k journey.

My mom’s friends have become tías to my children too, they have seen my mom embrace her grandmother’s stage and cherish those moments with her while they enter that stage themselves. My tías enjoyed my pregnancy with us, loved and supported us as we embraced this new life, and showed us kindness when we needed it the most. They are tías abuelas and that is a title that has even more impact than any other one in the world.

Family is More Than Blood

I cherish my memories of going to my tias and feeling so welcomed by everyone, getting a Christmas gift or an easter basket because I am part of their familia. My tíos spoke with kind advice and support as my quinceañera would take place and I did not have my dad for our dance. All these small yet powerful actions made an impact on my life.

My mom would always say, “Nunca vas a necesitar mas de 1 mano para contar tus amigas verdaderas” which is so true, I can say that the few true friends I get to see in my life are only a few but worth the world. That is why, in our family, we celebrate and embrace the tías who have chosen to be part of our lives. They have taught us that la Familia is not defined by a family tree. Tias have demonstrated that unconditional love and support are priceless.

Friendships that began by working together or taking classes in the same high school. Those friendships were built with compassion, love, trust, and joy. What makes these friendships even more meaningful is growing up together, seeing each other succeed in life, and building a family of your own. All these meaningful milestones build that special bond in which your children become accustomed to seeing your friends as part of their lives and the importance of the role of tías.

A Final Thought About the Role of Tías

The role of tías in my children’s lives is a beautiful embodiment of my family values. It highlights the importance of acceptance, integration, and the power of love that transcends blood relations. Our tías are a constant reminder that family is about the connections we nurture and the love we share.

Gracias tías, gracias por estar a el lado de mi mama en todos momentos, por siempre querernos y apoyarnos. Gracias tías por el darme la oportunidad de tener familia que me queria de verdad sin tener que tener un vinculo de sangre alguno.