1. EachPod
EachPod

What Grandparents Teach Us About Language, Love, and Legacy

Author
Jenny Corredor Varela
Published
Mon 04 Aug 2025
Episode Link
https://share.transistor.fm/s/05814fbd

Episode 14 – What Grandparents Teach Us About Language, Love, and Legacy

Today’s episode is a little different and one that’s been on my heart for a long time.

It’s both a tribute and a reminder.

A tribute to my dad, who has played a huge role in my life and in 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.


Inside This Episode:

  • A personal story of how my dad helped me learn English in Colombia
  • How he later became a language mentor and joy-bringer for my children
  • Why time with grandparents doesn’t have to be long to be meaningful
  • How their presence supports language, culture, and emotional growth
  • What to do if grandparents live far away — or are no longer here
  • Overcoming resistance from family members who don’t yet understand your “why”
  • How to gently include grandparents in your bilingual journey
  • 3 reflection questions to help you reconnect and reimagine the role of elders
  • A powerful reminder: “What doesn’t get scheduled, doesn’t happen.”
  • A simple idea to try this week: record a grandparent reading a story
  • A special teaser for next week’s episode: my dad reading We Are All Connected

Reflection Questions:

  1. How have the grandparents in your life influenced your child — emotionally, culturally, or linguistically?
  2. What stories, songs, or traditions could your child learn from a grandparent that no book or app could ever teach?
  3. When was the last time you intentionally created space for your child and their grandparent to connect — even for a few minutes?

Coming Next:
A bilingual book reading, “We Are All Connected / Todos Estamos Conectados”, read by my dad.
This simple recording became a beautiful shared memory — and I can’t wait to share it with you.


An Invitation:  If you’re a parent or an adult beginning your Spanish learning journey…  I’ll soon be opening the doors to Transforma, my signature program for adults learning Spanish with clarity, heart, and support.

I’m inviting just 10 founding members for this special first round.
It’s designed for real beginners — no pressure, no perfection — just a path that actually works.

Details will follow in the coming weeks, but if you’d like to be on the priority list,
send me an email at
[email protected].

 Stick around in the next episodes a few bloopers from our recording session because life’s happiest moments are often found 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.

Thank you for being here.
 ¡Hasta la próxima! I can’t wait until we meet again. 💛

Share to: