Family Is Everything #LaFamiliadeHoy

Disclosure:  This is a compensated campaign in collaboration with Johnson & Johnson and Latina Bloggers Connect.  All thoughts are my own.

Johnson & Johnson and Univision have launched a campaign to find an authentic, modern and active family to become "La Familia de Hoy".  La Familia de Hoy means Today's Family which I completely feel my family and I are.  Being progressive and involved are two of the biggest reasons why I feel we're una familia de hoy.  When we made the decision in 2012 to homeschool our son Duke and broke the news to our families, we knew there would be a lot of questions.  He would be the first one in our family to be homeschooled and none of them understood exactly what that meant.  I didn't expect them to, my parents and my in-laws are real old school - it sounded like a wild idea to them (and still is).  Back in their days, you sent your kids to school and that was it but not with today's family - we explore any and every option open to us (instead of being bound to rules) which makes me super excited to share my favorite familia - The Jimenez Family!  To them and us, family is everything.

What caught my attention was that The Jimenez Family is huge.  I read a little more about them and found out that there are 3 brothers (Juan, Alejandro and Andres - Juan's family is featured) and they live in 3 homes right next to each other connected by their backyards!  I immediately knew they were my family because my grandparents had homes on huge pieces of land that they shared with their kids! The other reason I loved about Los Jiménez is that Juan owns his own business and Bivianna works for him - talk about the American dream!  Both of them are also involved in volunteering in their community.  Aside from living next to family since ours are all in Texas, we share the same passions!  

Log on to Univision.com and vote for your favorite familia to become the spokesfamily for Johnson & Johnson in 2014!

My Parents Inspire Me #InspireCare #LATISM

Growing up I never really understood the way my parents parented.  Especially when I was a teenager.  I had a curfew.  All of my friends didn't.  I couldn't go to slumber parties.  I couldn't have friends over.    I made my room my haven and lived on the phone.  They were so strict.  I remember crying myself to sleep a couple times because I couldn't go hang out at the mall with my friends.  Crying so hard into my pillow and saying, "I hate you Mom" under my breath.  I always thought all my friends that got to do what they wanted were the lucky ones.  It wasn't until I had kids of my own that I began to appreciate my parents and realized I was the lucky one.      

My parents are my inspiration to be the best mother I can be.  All the rules I thought were harsh when I was a teenager was because they cared.  I understand now that all they were doing was trying to protect me from a rough world.  I know now that all my parents wanted was the best for me, just like I want the best for my own children.  Being raised their way made me independent and not have to depend on others.  My parents taught me not to be a follower and work hard.  It made me a strong woman and ultimately, a great mom.  In some ways, I'm raising my kids with the same values my parents raised me but in my own light.  I learned to trust my children.

Now that they are grandparents, I know that they are happy with the way I parent.




Johnson & Johnson and its partners support global motherhood with programs that meet the needs of moms and babies in the U.S. and around the world.  Get involved in raising awareness about global motherhood by using your social networks for social good!

Attending LATISM 2012 in Houston?  Stop by the Johnson & Johnson suite in Arboretum II to discuss the work they do!

These photos represent a few of the many programs supported by Johnson & Johnson and its partner organizations to serve the health and well-being needs of communities and people around the world.  To read more about these programs and others that help us care for those in need, please visit our website:  http://www.jnj.com/connect/caring/

Disclosure:  This is a compensated post in collaboration with Johnson & Johnson and Latina Bloggers Connect.  All opinions are my own.