During the last six months, life for parents has not been easy. Here at #Latinaboomermom, we intentionally created an opportunity to offer resources, tools, and tips for parents via our weekly IGLives. Last week, our IGLives Summer Series ended with a bang with two Puerto Rican moms who have taken FB and IG by storm with their account, Madres en Cuarentena.
I found Maritere and Sylvi one day by accident, (or was it a Godincident?) on a very low day after my mom died. I had been crying all day and I was very sad. I came by their page and was intrigued. I click on the video of that day and was laughing so hard my husband couldn’t believe his ears. My sadness went away and all I could think of was, “I have to call my sister and tell her about these two moms!”
As luck would have it, my sister has known both of these young moms pretty much all their lives. They went to the same school as my nieces and the parents have been friends for years. “You should invite them to do an IGLive with you, my sister Marisol suggested. They have given hope to so many moms out there that needed it at this time.”
Funny, witty, creative, and, oh so, honest and real, their space is like walking into the light when all you have seen is darkness. Like a breath of fresh air, the video messages tell a story of everyday moms like you and me, but in character, and depending on which character is speaking, we are able to relate to her feelings and emotions. For example, Altagracia’s character is Dominican and she lives in Orlando., Olguita is the Cuban character, María Joaquina is the Mexican character, Martina es de Argentina, Fulanita is Puerto Rican and Connie is the American character and all her videos are in English and so on. Yuderkis is Sylvi’s character and is also from PR. The genius behind the story ideas and in front of the cameras is Maritere. The expert producer and know it all technician, Sylvi.
The two of them make for an incredible team that makes us laugh, cry, accept, move on, and believe that anything is possible and that we, all parents, will get through this pandemic experience in one piece.
Maritere is the mom of three boys and lives in Orlando. She has studied theater and acting but up until now, didn’t have the opportunity to put her artistic talent to good use. Sylvi has a two-year-old and lives on the island. She studied journalism and is now a reporter for the CBS affiliate in San Juan. Both of them are raising bilingual.
I invite you to watch our IGTV in Spanish!
To catch their videos in English (and in Spanish), and feel the joy, check out Madres en Cuarentena or visit them on Instagram @madres.en.cuarentena.
Thank you, Maritere and Sylvi!