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Jenny Corredor Varela is a native speaker, Spanish coach and program creator. With more than 21 years of experience, she has helped children, adults and families learn this beautiful language whether they speak Spanish at home or not. In the Spanish for Children and Families podcast, she shares great tips for language acquisition, overcoming challenges and raising bilingual children. She also shares Spanish lessons and helpful resources.
www.jencova.com
info@jencova.com
FB group - Mundo Fantastico - Spanish for Children
Ep14 - What Grandparents Teach Us About Language, Love, and Legacy
You’re listening to the Spanish for Children and Families podcast.
Today’s episode is a little different and one that’s been on my heart for a long time. It is both a tribute and a reminder.
A tribute to my dad who has played a huge role in my life and my children’s lives and a heartfelt celebration of grandparents and the beautiful, often overlooked role they play in raising bilingual children.
It’s also a gentle reminder to all of us:
Grandparents matter more than we realize… especially in our bilingual journey.
We’ll explore the unique ways they shape language, culture, and connection — and why their presence, even from far away, can make a big difference. You may think bilingual parenting is all about you… but what if grandparents are actually a missing link?
Whether you’re a parent, a grandparent, or somewhere in between, this episode is an invitation to reflect, reconnect, and celebrate the imperfect, meaningful moments that create lasting bilingual bonds.
When I shared that this episode has been in my heart for a long time is because I’ve actually been working on it since Christmas… when my dad came to visit from Colombia and spent time with our family here in New York.
He still lives there, and I live here so when we’re together, we really treasure the time. It’s sacred. Precious.
Full of laughter, late-night conversations, and that warm, comforting feeling you can only get from having your parent close by.
I started learning English in Colombia, as a little girl. And guess who taught me my building blocks?
My dad.
He would sing to me in English. Encourage me to practice words.
Cheer me on when I got frustrated.
He made it fun… and most importantly, he made me feel safe while learning.
Years later, he did the same for my children.
He practiced Spanish with them, shared jokes, played little games, and even created secret code words.
One of our favorites? Burro.
It’s a long story that won’t fit in this episode…
but the true magic of it is that any time one of us hears that word, in any context, it makes us laugh. Every time.
I didn’t have the luxury of having my dad close by as my children were growing up, so when they were little, I used to fly to Colombia and spend weeks at a time just to make it count.
But here’s the thing I’ve learned…
You don’t need to spend weeks at a time to make it meaningful.
If you’re lucky to have grandparents nearby, make the time.
Time passes quickly.
And we always feel like “I’ll do it tomorrow.”
But as my dad wisely says:
“Mañana nunca llega.”
Tomorrow never comes.
And now? The bond he created with my children goes far beyond language.
To this day, they call him for advice. To share milestones.
He became their guide, their cheerleader… and their bridge between cultures.
He has always been happy. Positive. Playful. Wise.
And even now, his presence in our lives is a reminder that language isn’t just taught — it’s lived.
Let’s zoom out for a moment.
Grandparents can play a massive role in raising bilingual children — and not just by speaking the language.
They bring:
Emotional support
Cultural traditions
Stories that aren’t in any textbook
Food, music, humor, and wisdom that only they can pass down
Real studies in family language acquisition have shown that children are more likely to retain and actively use a second language when it’s tied to deep emotional connection and consistent use at home — and grandparents, especially heritage speakers, are a powerful part of that.
But it’s not just for the kids.
It nourishes the grandparents, too.
It gives them purpose. It makes them feel involved. It fills their soul in ways nothing else can.
Even when they live far away — like my dad — you can make time.
Schedule video calls. Share voice messages.
Make your kids available for those special little moments.
And when grandparents are no longer with us…
Keep them alive through stories.
Talk about them in the target language.
Show pictures. Tell your child, “That curiosity you have? It reminds me of your abuelito.”
Let them feel that connection.
But I Know, It’s Not Always Easy
I’ve seen both sides.
When my children were young, I faced resistance from my in-laws.
They’d say: “They’re going to be labeled.”
“They’ll get confused.”
It wasn’t easy.
But I didn’t give up.
I didn’t get angry because I knew that also came from a place of love and fear to the unknown.
Instead, I set boundaries lovingly. I kept going. Sometimes i would share an article or any additional information that would help them understand a little more and see the amazing benefits of being bilingual. (Sinde note, episode 1 and 2 are a great starting resource: one is Why teach Children Spanish at home and the other is Brain Plasticity, Early Childhood and Learning Spanish)
And guess what?
Years later,They started to brag about my children speaking another language. They are very happy and I often hear them say: “My grandson speaks three languages!”
(My oldest speaks Chinese, Spanish, and English — and trust me, he was the one I had to fight hardest for.)
It’s possible.
Even if your family doesn’t understand your “why” yet — stay rooted in it.
Let them be part of the process gently.
Maybe they can help read a bilingual book with your child — one reads in Spanish, the other in English.
Let them participate in a way that feels natural and fun.
Now, I want to offer you three questions — just for reflection.
You don’t have to journal them. You don’t have to share them.
Just take a breath… and see what comes up:
How have the grandparents in your life influenced your child — emotionally, culturally, or linguistically?
What stories, songs, or traditions could your child learn from a grandparent that no book or app could ever teach?
When was the last time you intentionally created space for your child and their grandparent to connect — even for a few minutes?
Remember What Doesn’t Get Scheduled…
We schedule everything else — dinner with friends, date nights, haircuts…
So why not schedule time with our parents and grandparents?
It might be a video call.
It might be a walk.
But whatever it is… make the time.
It matters more than we know.
One of my favorite quotes, “What doesn’t get scheduled doesn’t happen" is most often attributed to Michael Hyatt, a leadership mentor and productivity expert. It is also sometimes paraphrased by productivity authors like Tony Robbins and Stephen Covey.
“What doesn’t get scheduled doesn’t happen.”
Pause and think about it for a second, and if this episode stirs something in you right now.
Make that call. Make the time.
It’s good for your child, and it’s soul-feeding for their grandparents.
And here’s a little idea before we wrap up...
If you’re not sure how to include grandparents in your child’s language journey — or you want to create something meaningful together, consider this:
🎙️ Record them reading a story to your child.
It can be in Spanish, English, or both.
It doesn’t have to be perfect.
It doesn’t have to be rehearsed.
But it will become a bridge, a memory, and a keepsake your child will treasure for years to come.
In fact, this is the first of two episodes dedicated to grandparents.
The next one features a bilingual children’s book, “We Are All Connected / Todos Estamos Conectados”, read by my dad.
That simple idea of recording my dad reading a story is what inspired the next episode.
We sat down to preserve a moment, and without even realizing it, we created something much bigger:
a shared memory, a whole lot of laughter, and a lasting gift.
Both episodes are inspired by language, love, and legacy a gift I thought I was creating for my children,
but that, without knowing it, became a gift for me, too.
So whether it’s a bedtime tale or a silly rhyme, hit record.
Let their voices live on in your child’s ears and heart.
And yes… stay after the outro for some of our bloopers.
Because life’s happiest moments often show up in the imperfect ones
when things don’t go as planned,
when we mispronounce a word,
when we laugh at the same line over and over again...
That’s where the real joy is.
Perfectly imperfect, just like family.
Oh! and before I go, if you’re a parent or an adult starting the journey of learning Spanish yourself…
I will be opening the doors to Transforma, my signature program for adults learning Spanish with clarity, heart, and support. I am opening the doors to only 10 founding members.
It’s designed for real beginners — no pressure, no perfection — just a path that actually works.
Details will follow in the upcoming weeks. If you would like to be on the priority list, send me an email at info@jencova.com
You will see it here in the show notes!
I’d love to welcome you inside.
I hope you had as much fun listening as we did creating this episode!
¡Hasta la proxima! I can’t wait until we meet again!