This week on Growing Up Spanglish, we’re joined by Dominican-American media host, marketing coordinator, FAMU grad, and proud mama Ashley Flete for the first of a two-part conversation about parenting, boundaries, and healing out loud. Ashley grew up in a traditional Hispanic household — old-school values, tight-knit family, summers in DR. But now as a mother, she’s raising her daughter with more intention, more emotional safety, and a different kind of love. In Part 1, we talk about: Choosing not to rush into marriage for tradition’s sake Reparenting yourself while raising your kid Saying no to old expectations — even from your own family Teaching your child to feel, speak up, and set boundaries And redefining what respect looks like in a modern Latino family Whether you’re a parent, a cycle breaker, or healing your inner child — this one’s for you. 🎧 Listen now and come back next week for Part 2. ⏱️ TIMESTAMPS 00:00 – Word of the Day: Criar (to raise) 02:00 – Meet Ashley: Dominicana, mama, FAMU grad, creative 04:00 – Growing up with both sets of grandparents & big family values 06:00 – What generational commitment looks like through Ashley’s eyes 10:00 – When you realize your parents were hurting too 11:00 – Rejecting the pressure to marry just because you’re pregnant 13:00 – Breaking cycles + earning your parents’ respect as an adult 18:00 – Parenting with intention: how Ashley parents her 6-year-old differently 24:00 – Boundaries, being seen, and asking: “Do you still love me if I stop playing the role?” 27:00 – From people-pleasing to self-rediscovery 30:00 – Teaching her daughter consent, emotional processing, and critical thinking 33:00 – Passing on Dominican culture: food, dance, and summer trips to DR 36:00 – The “grandparent effect” – how they’re softer with grandkids 39:00 – Addressing mental health + the guilt of healing when they didn’t get to 46:00 – “Your ceiling is your kid’s floor”: rethinking generational privilege 50:00 – Do I owe my parents a seat at the table? 53:00 – Learning to say: I love you, and this still hurt me. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices