Mijas and motherhood: How Latinas carry the weight of generations
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In San Antonio, where Latino culture shapes much of daily life, many women are mothering in two directions — raising children while carrying the weight of aging parents.
Why it matters: Multigenerational motherhood is a quiet force in many families, but the personal toll on matriarchs often goes unseen, even by the caregivers themselves.
The big picture: While caregiving is a challenge for many, Latinas often face familismo, a family-first value that often turns caregiving into a generational obligation.
We spoke with four women whose perspectives reveal how this kind of motherhood shows up not just in homes, but in our community.
Heather Eichling, Youth Do Vote founder
This local mother describes herself as part of the sandwich generation — raising young children while also caring for an aging parent. She's leading a busy nonprofit, parenting two kids, and supporting her mother after a recent stroke.
- "You just keep going, even when it's hard to get out of bed. It's mostly about endurance, but also finding community," she says.
- "I think we're afraid to talk about it, or we're embarrassed. But when we do, then you realize that is strength too — it's strength in your community."
Julieta Hobbs, counselor
Hobbs works with many Latina moms in San Antonio who are overwhelmed by emotional labor. She says they are shaped by cultural values like loyalty, sacrifice and respect, especially in multigenerational households, which are common here.
- "It can be great to have this built-in support system, but if you're ignoring what your needs are or not asking for help, it can become a struggle," she says.
Belinda Román, economist
Román, a St. Mary's University associate professor, researches the unpaid work of women. She estimates unpaid caregiving, which includes child care, cooking and elder care, could be worth $100,000 a year.
- "This is the dark matter, it's what's keeping the stars afloat. So this is where it all starts. And if women didn't do what they did, nobody could go out that door and do anything."
Grace Bastidas, editor-in-chief of Parents.com
Bastidas has encountered many of these stories since launching Familia last year, a Parents initiative that explores caregiving in Latino families throughout the U.S. She says Latina moms are beginning to challenge old norms by setting boundaries and getting comfortable with asking for help.
- "Latinas are embracing self-care over self-sacrifice. Many of us grew up with mothers who prioritized everyone else's needs above their own, but today's Latina moms are saying 'no más.'"
The bottom line: Multigenerational motherhood is a role many Latinas carry with love, but even the most devoted caregivers need space to rest, recharge and be supported, too.
- "Latina caregivers are so resilient and powerful," Hobbs says. "These are women that are high achieving and know how to get the job done. Sometimes people see this strength and forget that rest — whether it's emotional, mental or physical — is also a necessity."