Guest Post, Author: Jasmine Celesté Cepeda

Hello! My name is Jasmine Celesté Cepeda. I am a Latinx, Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Psychotherapist, and writer. I am the author of the book: “12 Ways to Cope With Your Latina
Mom & Her Difficulties: a guided journal.”

The inspiration for this book came from two places. The first place is my experience in facilitating groups with Latinx individuals struggling with their mothers. Being involved, and continuing to facilitate these groups has brought clarity to the similar and overarching complaints that many Latinx folks experience.

My second inspiration for writing this book was the fact that it did not exist -- a book by a Latinx author about coping with your Latina mom was not out there. There are many amazing books written about abusive, narcissistic, or emotionally immature parents and mothers, but they are all written by white folks, hence, my call to action!

My intentions for this book are to help folks explore the psychological consequences of having a mother with difficult behaviors, as well as the specific Latinx and individual context for their mother’s behaviors.

I also want to help folks set boundaries and act towards their self-validation and self-protection. I want to help people re-mother (or reparent) themselves -- to help build their self-reliance, self-worth,
and self-compassion.

Regarding the title of this project: I did not want to promote a false narrative that Latina moms are inherently “difficult”; or all the same. Hence, I describe some of their behaviors and personality traits
as "difficult" not who they are.

I dedicate this guide to my Latinx community.