A Cuban mother living in the United States stirred up social media yesterday with a TikTok video where she openly discusses her parenting choices, unfazed by criticism from other moms online.
Cindi (@cindimartin325), who describes herself as a Cuban educator without immigration papers and has been in the U.S. for four years, shared a nearly three-minute video addressing six topics she finds "controversial" within the Latin motherhood community on the platform.
“These are the things I don’t care about as a mom, based on my experiences and my child’s characteristics. I’m not judging anyone’s methods; I’m simply sharing mine,” she clarifies at the beginning of the video.
Embracing Screen Time and Sugar
The first topic she tackles is allowing her child to use screens from a young age, contrary to the "zero screens" trend among some TikTok moms.
“If you can raise a child without screens, congratulations. I didn’t manage that, and it’s okay,” says Cindi, admitting that she has let her child watch a phone while she showers, as a practical solution for a working mom.
She also supports her child's consumption of sugar, including candies, chocolate, ice cream, and soda, whenever she sees fit, arguing that she grew up the same way and has no health issues.
Sending Her Child to Cuba Alone
One of the more debated points is her decision to send her child to Cuba alone, due to her inability to travel without proper documentation.
“I’m an educator, I don’t have papers, and I’ve been here for four years. I haven’t felt more fulfilled since coming here than when my family gets to see my child,” she explains.
Her child has already made a trip to the island without her and plans are set for another visit with trusted relatives.
Regarding the conditions in Cuba, including the power outages, Cindi is straightforward: “That’s how all the kids live in Cuba, and no one has died. They grow up more humble than those raised here.”
Her goal, she says, is for her child to grow up grateful: “For when my child grows up, to be humble and compare the situation of both places and be thankful for the life he has in this country.”
The Reality of Bicultural Parenting
Cindi advocates for daycare from 18 months old, calling it “the best decision” she could make as it allows her to work and maintain independence.
She also lets trusted people discipline her child when he misbehaves, without intervening, because she wants to raise him with clear boundaries: “I want to raise a child who knows the limits between right and wrong.”
And on Saturdays, she skips cooking, opting for McDonald’s, KFC, or pizza, reasoning that her child eats rice and beans the rest of the week, and she needs a break too.
Cindi’s video is part of a growing trend among Cuban parents in the U.S. sharing their bicultural parenting experiences on TikTok, challenging the ideal of "perfect" motherhood with the everyday realities of working immigrant families.
Other creators have produced similar content, such as a Cuban in Tampa teaching his child the value of money through real work, and a Cuban father training his baby not to be overly sheltered, along with critiques of Cuban parents substituting love with gifts and technology.
In this ongoing debate, a Cuban woman in the U.S. captured the dilemma of sending children to the island with a viral phrase: “In Cuba there’s no power, but there are hands waiting for them.”
Cindi’s video received 193 likes and 56 comments, with reactions split between those who resonate with her pragmatic approach and those who question some of her choices.
Exploring Parenting Choices in a Bicultural Context
Why does Cindi allow screen time for her child?
Cindi allows screen time for her child as a practical solution to manage her time as a working mother, acknowledging that while it deviates from the "zero screens" trend, it works for her family.
How does Cindi justify sending her child to Cuba alone?
Cindi justifies sending her child to Cuba alone due to her inability to travel without immigration papers, emphasizing the importance of family connections and cultural exposure.
What is Cindi's approach to her child's diet?
Cindi allows her child to consume sugar, including candies and soda, based on her own upbringing without health issues and believes in moderation rather than strict restrictions.