Viva la Mami - Latina Motherhood, Modern Parenting, Latina Well-Being

145. How I'm Navigating 4 Months in Mexico

• Jessica Cuevas • Season 5 • Episode 145

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In this week's solo episode, I'm sharing what life really looks like four months into our move to Mexico as a family of four. I'm hustling, navigating new routines, and learning what it means to be truly present with my family in a culture that prioritizes connection over constant productivity.

I also get vulnerable about the guilt I feel seeing my community struggle back in the US, the unexpected ways my body is adjusting to a new altitude and climate, and why I'm obsessed with how involved Mexican parents are in their kids' education. I'm also sharing what it's like to experience my first Navidad season in Mexico and how having five hours to myself in the mornings has completely transformed my mental health.

For detailed show notes, visit vivalamami.com/episode145

What You'll Hear:

  • The real difference between being a tourist and actually living in Mexico
  • What it's like adjusting to new weather, altitude, and a completely different pace of life
  • The guilt and complexity I'm navigating while watching my community face struggles back home
  • Why moving outside the US might be the reset your family needs right now

Resources Mentioned

SHOP MY NEWEST PRODUCTS - "How to Get Dual Citizenship in Mexico" E-Guide & Digital Course 🇲🇽 🇺🇸

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I just feel like I am having. More ability to focus on my things in the morning, and then once the kids are done with school, I can then focus my time to them. And overall, that gives me the sense of like. Happiness and like fulfillment. Um, I guess in my parenting, but also in my own wellbeing. And I'm loving it. I am seriously loving it Ola, welcome to the Viva Lame podcast. I'm your host, Jessica Cuevas, and this is my first solo episode, and I don't know how long, as you've probably heard in previous episodes. I think for the last like five episodes I've been sitting down with my husband. As we shared more information about our Vida here in Mexico, and I decided to have the solo episode just so that I can kind of share my perspective and give you kind of an update about what has been going on. We've been living in Mexico since July, and we have hit the four month mark of us like a. Fully living La Vida here in Mexico. And I just wanted to give you all an update as far as with how I'm feeling, how we're doing, what it's really like now that we are kind of like past that honeymoon stage. Uh, and really living La Vida here as a Mexican dual citizens. and so I'm really excited to share and give you kind of an update. I don't have anything scripted. I just wanted to kind of speak from the heart and share with you how we are doing and how I'm feeling and what we have been up to. And so we have been in Mexico for four months. It's technically gonna be four months. We officially moved to Mexico. When was it? Like July 27th. I think that that was the date. And we stayed for a couple days at my grandparents residential in Guanajuato. Which is about an hour and 15 minutes away from Leon. And we officially moved into our home here in Leon on August 1st. So we still haven't hit the four month mark yet living in this house that we're renting. But um, it's definitely been close to four months in total, uh, since living in Mexico. And, and I can tell you we are not. Tourist. And a lot of the times when people reach out to me, they're like, you know, and they're probably thinking that my life is just like, you know, going to the beach or just going out and things like that. But no, we, we are a part of the community, we. Are now just kind of immersed into the life here in, in Mexico. Now, I can only speak specific to Leon Guanajuato because that's where we're at. We are basically in central Mexico right by, you know, Elba. So it's like the lowest um, altitude of Mexico. So we're surrounded by a bunch of mountains and we're not in a beach, we're not in a resort. Uh, in fact, I wanna go to a resort and a beach sometime soon, but that will be during, uh, the kids' breaks or when Alex has PTO time because he still has a, um, an American nine to five job. And so. For us, we are not living La Vida as if we were on vacation. We are definitely hustling. We are in a routine. We are just as if we lived in the United States, but obviously it's in a whole different setting, in a whole different environment. And so that's something that I kind of wanted to share because a lot of times people just think that we have this freedom and the flexibility. While I do, just because I don't have a traditional nine to five, at least right now, um, I'm still like all over the place, right? I am managing my own business. I freelance, I have a contract job that is temporary and I'm a mom, and so that makes. Me very busy. So no, I'm not just like laying down and reading a book. I wish I had that time and, and it's still an adjustment period. I think. Um, the first three months have definitely been all about adjustments and, you know, trying to get into the rhythm of things. And while a lot of that has been. Kind of like integrated into how our life used to be back home in Chicago with our kids. Uh, some parts are a little different in terms of, you know, just like being outside more. And I think it's more environmental that has really made a big difference in how we're doing and how we're feeling in, in our days. however, Alex might have different feelings just because again, he has a nine to five and he's basically stuck at home all day. so that's kind of like a little bit of a difference between us too as adults. But overall, I mean, I think we're doing well. I think with this new adjustment, this new environment, the kids are definitely loving it. Oh my gosh. Like they are. Just having a blast. Like just this evening today we went out to dinner, uh, and that's something that we've been able to do more just like having a. More of that family time during the, the evenings after school and after Alex gets outta work, like we are spending more time outside because we're able to compare, like this time around in Chicago, like it's kind of impossible to go outside because it's either raining or super cold and just the weather is, it's, it's a little rough in Chicago during this time of year, but for us, like now that we are experiencing what fall is and. Most likely in the winter it's gonna be, it's gonna feel very different. But we basically went out to dinner today and it was outside and the kids were just running. They made new friends. They always make new friends, and it's just, they're just having the time of their lives like I am honestly so glad that we did this. I'm so glad that we, took on this big leap and moved to a different country, and especially in a place like Leon Guanajuato, where the climate is very, like, moderate. You know, nothing really changes, climate wise during the year. And so this is basically how it'll feel like where it's gonna be, what. 70, 80 degrees during the day when the sun's out. Right now, because it's fall, it's getting cooler. Like yes, it does get cold at night when the sun is down. So at least, we'll we have that kind of like a difference between the, the temperatures, but it's definitely going to feel a lot different come winter when usually back home we kind of suffer. I wouldn't say that we have, seasonal depression, but. As I have gotten older, I just like. Couldn't stand the winter. And so it'll be interesting. Maybe I'll give you all an update once winter comes, but for now, the kids are having a good time. We are too. Speaking of weather, like it's definitely felt a little different. Like I'm used to seeing the changes of like the color schemes of like the trees. Leaves falling. Like that is my favorite part about living in, in the Midwest where we get to experience all four seasons e in Chicago, right now, like I'm sure it's very beautiful and where you get to see the leaves and, even though it does get cold, like it's still moderate enough to go outside and have a walk. And so here it's, it still feels like the same, right? It still feels like summer except for the, for the mornings where it's a little cold. I think the coldest the other day when. went as low as like 45, which for me it's nothing because we're used to like what, negative 10 degree weather in Chicago. But yeah, like I, the other day, I honestly like, I guess I kind of felt a little irritated with the sun. Uh, the sun is right in front of you and maybe that day I was like, overstimulated where the kids were just like all over me. And then I had this, like, the sun literally in front of my face and I was just like, oh my gosh, I just wanna like be in a dark room. And so, yeah. So I've definitely felt like the heaviness of the sun, the sun is closer to you and, uh, and yeah, it, it's, it's pretty. Intense. Um, I would say like, unless you are in a shaded area, it's you're fine. But if you're in front of the sun, especially when you're driving, or you know, for me, like when I pick up the kids, it gets very hot and I'm just like, uh, like I want to be in a cooler, darker space. And I guess this is probably my body adjusting to a different, climate and also different altitudes, even though like we're in El Vaj, Chicago is still like the plains, right? Like we're not nowhere near mountains and Aki and Guanajuato, we are surrounded by mountains and, and maybe the altitude and the levels are different. Same thing with the air quality. And so, I think I've definitely felt my body a lot. More different, um, than we compared to when we first moved in. Like I think it's probably going through this transitional phase of like adjusting to the environment and the climate and the altitude and all of that. But overall I feel good. even though my body is kind of transitioning into this new sort of, phase, I guess of like living in Mexico spiritually, like emotionally, like internally, inside, like I feel good and I think. I'm not as pressured as I was in the US I feel like the US is just like this constant. I. Wheel that you're just like, like a hamster in a wheel, right, where you're just like constantly going and going and going, going, going, and I feel like here in Mexico, I'm able to just like relax and take a couple breaths, even though I'm still in a heavy routine. I'm still in a heavy schedule with pickups and drop offs and just trying to get everything done within a given day. For some reason it just feels different and, and that's something that a lot of people mention to me, especially for those that had moved outside of the US where they're like, you know, you're still gonna hustle and everything, but the essence of time is gonna be different. And that's how I've been feeling. And I feel like for some reason. Adding so many things into my schedule because it feels like I have time and yeah, like it, it's just very different. I also feel pretty good with, with just like being closer to Alex, and I think it's because. Our kids are in school and I feel like I don't get to, um, create like activities and trying to like stimulate them and trying to keep them busy. Like I allow the first part of the day to myself and even with Alex, like even though he's working, like I give him company and we kind of chitchat. And, and I like that because he works from home. Like we get to like connect without any interruptions, right? And um, and it's nice to just have five hours to myself during the morning. And so with that alone, like I'm able to do work, I'm able to. Do laundry, right? That's, that's for me, that's important. I prefer to do laundry in like in the mornings, and that also allows me to just focus on myself. So recently, not recently, but I think like a, a month in, when we moved in, Leon, we subscribed for a gym membership. And so I've been going to the gym and so I am able to just like focus on myself and I really like that. Compared when I was in Chicago, like even last year, even though Diego was in school for like, what, three hours. I was still home with Mateo and, and I felt like I just didn't have enough time to even give him the attention because I was doing other things. And so, yeah, like I just feel like I am having. More ability to focus on my things in the morning, and then once the kids are done with school, I can then focus my time to them. And overall, that gives me the sense of like. Happiness and like fulfillment. Um, I guess in my parenting, but also in my own wellbeing. And I'm loving it. I am seriously loving it and. Had we been in the United States, like we wouldn't be able to do this. Like, I wouldn't be able to go to the gym. We wouldn't be able to like afford childcare specifically for Mateo because he's still not preschool aged. And in Illinois preschool can be free for some families and for others it's not. It's just like an option. And so, yeah, like we're able to do this and that's something that I've, I love and yeah, I'm, I'm having a good time. As far as with like how my family is doing, everyone's doing great. Like I said, the kids are loving it. They love school. My gosh. And school in itself is like very different compared to the United States. Lemme tell y'all like there's just so many activities. There's a lot of communication that is just. Between families, the, the parents. So WhatsApp is like literally blowing up every single day. I feel like almost every hour because of like things that we need to be privy about. Like for example the kids are gonna do like this holiday show, right? And so I'm really excited for that, even though we're gonna miss it because we are going to CIA Mexico to see Bad Bunny. But I'm very excited, at least like in the preparation of the show. And so, you know, like. They're just giving us all of these instructions on like how to prepare, how to dress up your kids. All the kids are gonna be uniformed. Like exactly alike. And I'm just like, oh my gosh. Like I guess that's just how it is when you have kids in school. But I wasn't expecting just like the level of involvement that you have to commit to with your kids. Like, not that I'm saying that I wouldn't have been involved in school if we had stayed in the United States Middle. I feel like there's like higher expectations for parents to just like be present, with their school aged kids. And one example is recently the parents got invited to like a workshop for that the school hosted. It was a very interesting workshop. It basically had to do about like how you should dedicate time to your kid and, play with them, like spend at least 15 minutes. How like screen time is not really beneficial to your kids. Obviously all of the stuff that we know and that research shows, right? But. I just love that there were so many families. I mean, there were so many dads, so many couples together, even with like their baby infants who came and I believe it said it was voluntary. I, I don't think that it was a requirement for parents to show up to this workshop because it was offered, and even though it was like voluntary, like so many people showed up and I'm, I'm just so impressed. Get. The parents here in Mexico are just like so invested in their kids' education and it's not just like taking them to school, but it's almost like they have a sense of responsibility to be an involved parent. And for me, that is awesome. Definitely like guilt comes in, especially for Alex because he is not able to have that flexibility, um, to, to be there. And I think it's just the US culture. Like again, he's still maintaining his US job and he is still conforming to like that corporate America type, um, type of role. Had it been like him having a job in Mexico, there would be more flexibility because honestly, like almost all of the parents that were in that workshop were in their uniform or they were professionally dressed. They were going to work after the presentation. But the fact that this workshop when. When I asked the teacher like, how long this was gonna take, she's like an hour plus, 30 minutes probably for q and a. No, that this workshop took like almost three hours. I kid you not, and still parents were still there. And so I just love that families are able to have that flexibility because their jobs are not like demanding them to stay, in their jobs and, and so that's a difference too, where. You know, the culture is a lot different because I think for companies and just like society in general in Mexico, like they prioritize on families, like families come first and that's why like the parents don't have any issues with, you know, staying for like an almost three hour workshop. So I thought that was cool. As far as with what we're doing right now, I mean, we are getting ready for the holidays, so that's kind of like the main focus of like we're preparing for, Navida, the Posadas. So also the kids' school is kind of having us prepare for that too. We are hosting Thanksgiving, so we're still keeping some traditions. From the United States and we're just merging them or bringing them over here, not that we're trying to colonize or whatever, fiddle, Thanksgiving has always been a tradition for me and my family. Not that I'm saying that we are promoting. You know, genocide, but it's more so like spending family time. Like we're spending that quality time with family here who live in Leone and we're inviting them and my prima's daughter who was born in the US but they moved here when she was like in kindergarten, is just very excited to, to celebrate Thanksgiving again because she was what, like five years old when she last like celebrated this and now she's 11. So it had been years now that she didn't have the opportunity to like, you know. Um, celebrate Thanksgiving and so I'm excited for that. Um, I'm also excited for Navida. We're definitely gonna spend in El Rancho where my, where my family's from. So, um, my grandma usually does like Ada and I'm just excited to like, um, be a part of Launi and create meals and, you know, do the traditional things that we had done at home, like back in the us but obviously. They're from Mexico, and so seeing this and living it and just experiencing Christmas for the first time in Mexico, I am very excited and I feel like people are just nuts. I feel like I'm in Whoville right now. everyone is just obsessed with Christmas. Like literally this is what, middle of November and. Early November, actually, like as soon as Dia de MUTOs was over, everyone started to decorate the naida. Like I kid you, not the malls, the shopping centers, like the storefronts, the neighbors, like everyone has been decorating and um, just like. I'm just here with one pair of lights. Like I'm, I'm not gonna decorate as much, but hey, kudos to you. So I think everyone just gets very excited for, for Naida, and that's something that I definitely heard from the locals here. And you know, as we probably know growing up as Mexicanos or even Latinos in general, like Christmas is such a big thing for us and it's just so cool seeing it and witnessing it and. And I just keep wondering where do people bring the money? Like how are they making money to afford all of these things? I just wanna know. I, I just wanna know, I wanna know what the locals are doing so that way I can, you know, meet them somewhere. But yeah, like I, I am very excited for the holidays. Like I said, we're going to Mexico, so we're gonna see Bad Bunny, and we are so excited just because it'll be me and Alex and we're gonna. Do like a quick little getaway, uh, for us to spend some time together. I'm also gonna meet up with another Prima, who's from Chicago and she's traveling with her Amiga, um, to see the concert as well. So there's a lot of good things that are happening and it's always exciting to see family that is traveling from the US and coming back home, uh, for a little bit of time. Like one came. To, um, to El Deela, uh, during the de MUTOs. And it's just really cool to just like know that they are visiting and we're like staying here. I think that's cool. Like I think that that makes me feel legit that I am literally living here and, um, that I'm like the local one. Right. And we're the ones that are probably providing transportation to the airport or like. The tour guides. And so that's what makes it really cool and different, uh, this time around. And so as far as with like how I'm feeling with just like things that have been going on right now in our world, it's definitely been challenging and, and this is something that I have been struggling and navigating, with my emotions and my thoughts and my feelings. it's really hard to know and see, at least through social media and people that I know, it's really hard to see that people are suffering right now back home in the us. It's still my home. Okay? Like, even though I left, it's still my home. It's my hometown, but. It's just really difficult to know that there's so many people struggling right now, and that is because of the current situation that has been going on. You know, with deportations, uh, people being detained for no reason, people just being assaulted and, really hurts me. we made the choice and the decision to. Flee the US for different reasons. It wasn't because of deportations, it wasn't because of like threats on that, like it was because we made the choice to have a different life and. In a way, I'm feeling a little bit of guilt and, and I've been struggling with that and that is because it hurts knowing that people in my community are. Struggling right now. And it's not just the, the whole issue on like ice and deportations, but it's also like the economy and affordability and just like a, a lot of people have been reaching out to me and they're, they've been saying how horrible they've been, and I feel bad, like I genuinely feel guilty because here I am, I basically escaped this. Momentum that is going on right now in the United States. And, and it's not like I wanna disconnect myself or my family from the US and from like, the people that are still there. And so it makes it very, I don't know, it just, for me at least, or maybe I'm overthinking it, I don't know. But for me, I, I, I feel complex with it. Obviously my home is still the US. We fled it to have a different life, a better life, really. And it's not like I am purposely ignoring the people that are in the US or you know, the, the problems that are going on right now. In a way, it was kind of like perfect timing, I guess. It, it happened to be the right time to move and. Yeah, like even though it, it was an awesome decision that we made, I still feel like I, I still feel guilt and I don't wanna make myself seem like I am better than everyone else. Like I don't wanna make myself seem like I am having the best life and being on vacation mode every day. Right. Because that's not the reality. but the fact that we are in a different country despite everything that it, that we left behind, it's giving us an opportunity to just. Be more present with our kids. For me, I'm present with myself and Alex, like, I'm only worried about my family, and we're just able to focus on. Our own family unit and our own problems instead of just like what's around us. And I think it's because we are in a different culture. We are in a different society. We are in a different country. And yeah, I've been battling with that and, and I just wanted to share that, you know, like in a way I feel really grateful that we've been able to have this opportunity to move outside of the us. I feel lucky, I feel blessed, you know, I feel great, but then again, whenever I hear people talk about their issues or, you know, whenever I see things on social media and I'm just like, man, like f. Fuck. You know, I, I feel horrible and part of me, it's like, how can I bring my people, like anyone that I am cool with, how can I bring them here or how can I help them to see the other side of things, right? That the grass is always greener on the other side, and, and I just, I hope that I'm not here to sound. I don't know, insensitive, right? About the situation. But if for some reason a little voice is telling you just move or just go somewhere, leave the us, then take that as a sign. And I've shared this in previous episodes of the Living in Mexico series. we share a lot about what we've done and how we've navigated this transition moving from the US to Mexico as a family of four. And so please. Take these tips of advice and, you know, kind of like our experience as a way that it is possible, it can be doable. And sometimes we just have to push the fear aside and just like listen to ourselves and, and obviously talk with this, with your partner. Talk to your family about this. You know, like your kids or whatever, if they're older, but know that there's. Another side of this that can help you feel a little bit more relieved. I'm not saying to leave everything behind because I still feel connected to Chicago. I still feel connected to the us but you know, at least right now, my priorities are a little different and I'm being kind of like present in the moment. Like I'm not looking back, I'm not looking forward. Like honestly, I don't know what we're gonna do like a year from now or, you know. How many months do we have left with our car permit? We have a what? 8, 9, 10, 11? Yeah. We have like eight months left for us to renew our permit or if we wanna legalize it here so that we can just stay here forever. I don't know. I don't know that, I definitely don't know if we're going to, you know, go back or stay here. But all I know is that I am present right now and, With us not living in such a toxic culture, it's allowing me and my family to really be present with each other. And so even if you want that, like that little teeny, tiny benefit of, you know, moving outside of the us, then take this as a sign. Like maybe it's time for you and your family to move. Just saying, and if in case you are a descendant of Mexican parents, I have my newest digital products and they are called how to get dual citizenship in Mexico. I am offering my Eide, so it's a digital. 15 page guide that will walk you through the process. If you kind of wanna do it alone without anyone helping you. It's kind of like a list of check boxes, that you can fill up. Then you can have the e guide and that is$15. But if you want someone to kind of walk you through it and give you a more like step. By step approach. Then I am offering my course, my digital course, and that involves five different modules that will literally walk you through the process specifically on how to get dual citizenship in Mexico. And I share a lot of information, a lot of information that I definitely did research on, but it was. Mostly based on my experience and the experience of others that I've guided and helped, uh, through this process in getting their dual citizenship. And that one is$75, but it also includes the egu as well. So if you're interested, just go to my website, which is viva la.com/. Forward slash shop and you'll see my products there. So please help a sister out because I definitely did this out of love and out of like me wanting to just bring my people here to Mexico at least, or at least to get dual citizenship. And that way you can decide to come back to the motherland whenever you want without any, uh, restrictions or anything like that. So, get my Egu or digital course@vivala.com slash shop. Yeah. So overall, These are the updates that I have for you. Let me know if you have any questions or anything else that you wanna hear more about or see more about, whether if it's on social media or YouTube. Uh, you know, I am in this kind of new era of living in Mexico and being a mommy of two little ones and really what it's like in terms of. Being a Mexican American, going back to the motherland, going back to where our family is from and um, and I'm also creating content in Spanish. And that way, can connect with me and that way they can understand my perspective and understand. Why we decided to move to Mexico. So I would appreciate you to subscribe, follow, uh, download the episodes, don't forget to rate and review the podcast so that way mommies can, find Viva la Mommy. So that way they don't feel isolated in their motherhood journey. And just like to at least live vicariously through our experience in our Viva here in Mexico. I also wanna give you a quick update, and that is I will not be posting any new episodes until the new year. And the reason why is because we're basically on the holidays. I mean, next week is Thanksgiving, and after that it's like a blur just trying to prepare and get things ready for the holidays. Also, my kids are off school for three weeks. I kid you not three weeks, like they have a three week. Holiday break, which I'm just, I don't know what I'm gonna do, but I'll probably send them over to my parents in Elcho. But yeah, I just wanted to give you that heads up that, you won't be hearing from me For what? Like. Almost two months, but I also need a break. I've been throwing a bunch of podcast episodes weekly for the past, I don't know how many months. And as a solopreneur and mama and a wifey and a woman overall, like I, I definitely deserve a little bit of a break. And so you won't be hearing any new episodes until. Early January, and so I'll make sure to announce that on social media. If you haven't yet followed me, I am on Instagram, TikTok on Instagram. I am Viva la and on TikTok, I am Viva Lacore'cause someone took my name. But yes, you are more than welcome to. Follow me and check me out on social media because I'll be posting a lot through that source. But for now, I am taking a. Brief break, from podcasting so you won't be hearing from me, but I do wanna wish you a super wonderful holiday season. I know that this year has been especially hard on Uni Dad, and for those of you who have been directly impacted by family separations, I, I am here for you. I am with you. I see you. I really hope that justice gets served I really hope that you still get to enjoy the holidays. In whichever way or form that you will celebrate, I'm sending you a little bit of magic to you, and that way you can, have that spirit up because I am hopeful that things will get better. And so, yeah, I hope that you all enjoy the holiday season. I wish you nothing but, peace, love, and success, especially in the new year. Hope 2026 is better for you and all of us in uni, dad. But yeah, if you have any new topics that you wanna hear on the podcast, please let me know. I do have two forms that, you can fill out. One of them is if you have any topics that you want me to talk about. Another one is if you have any experts that could potentially be guests on the show. So feel free to fill that out as well. This is with the intent of having Latina moms to, be a part of a community where oftentimes we are misrepresented, or. Where our voices aren't heard. Right. We've always heard that term. And so let's dismantle that, especially through a podcast. Right? our voices definitely deserve to be, Outspoken and heard. So yeah, I hope that you can still follow me. Listen to previous episodes. I do have over 140 something episodes for you to listen if you're new here. Um, so please catch up during the holidays, but I wish you all well knows in the new year. All right, am well, thank you so much for listening in the next episode.