Every mother regardless of their cultural background develops a shorthand with which they communicate with their kids. Shoot moms can say volumes to their kids with just a look. You know it's true, you know there is that look that a mom can shoot a kid which will stop a kid dead in his/her tracks. There will however always be times when a look won't do it, when a mom has to say something, but it's not necessarily exactly what she is thinking.
We can refer to this indirect ways of saying what you mean to your child without actually saying what you mean as momisms. Every mom has momisms. Some momisms are shared across cultures. Some momisms are more prevalent in particular cultures than in others. I am becoming a master of Latina momisms.
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I've been a mother for less than five years now and the truth that you turn into your mother is becoming more and more apparent as I find myself adopting some of my mother's momisms.
Of course I have to share a few of them with you because you never know when you might need them. So here you go!
Latin Momisms
What mami says…
What mami actually means…
We'll see/ veremos
Yeah, that's not gonna happen.
¿Somos iguales?
You're being disrespectful. No me tutees.
You know how your father is…
Papi does exactly what I want him to and don't you forget it.
Have you seen my chancla?
My chancla is about to smack some sense into you.
Is that what you're wearing?
You better go change, I don't want to be victim of el qué dirán
You look so full of life.
Better lay off those chicharones 'cause you're putting on weight.
How do you think I feel?
Enough about you, what about me?
Can you please help me clean the house?
You better clean this house top to bottom if you know what's good for you!
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