Even though a huge number of ladies in our lives are mothers, somehow we forget to nurture and pamper them on the big day. Here are four ways to honor them and inspire yourself.

1. Host a networking brunch. Does your sister hope the four-star meals she cooks end up in a restaurant some day? Host a brunch for well-connected foodie moms to help her chase her dream. It will also inspire you and create the chance to connect with ladies you wouldn’t have known otherwise.

2. Book a special girls’ night out. You know your comadre would spend more time with you if she had someone to watch the kids. She’s been there for you through the worst, so show your gratitude by paying for a babysitter and taking her to a musical or a spa day. There are plenty of things her esposo won’t do!

3. Enroll her in a one-day class. Whether it’s a Spanish refresher course or intense all-day yoga, let her be the nurtured one, if only for a day.

4. Write a poem. Don’t have the funds or the time to plan something elaborate? Do something simple and from the heart. Whether you’re a natural-born singer or writer, create a homemade ode to the lucky lady. It will give you a chance to express yourself and show her you care. Have her kids help out for a personal touch.

Photo: @iStockphoto.com/digitalskillet

As a parent, part of your role is to be an ambassador -- to give a nuanced, intimate portrait of what it means to be Latino. Fortunately, there are small touches that you can incorporate into your daily home life that will help your child feel connected to you and your culture.

Stories at Bedtime
Goodnight Moon and The Cat In The Hat should be staples of every little one’s childhood library, but so should Abuela and Chato’s Kitchen. Build a selection that covers a variety of topics, from authors of various backgrounds, to introduce children to multiculturalism -- a key facet of what it means to be American.

Break Time in the Playroom
Create songs and games in Spanish to keep your little one engaged in the language or your padres. You can also set your DVD language so that, with the right programming, you can turn Disney’s Cinderella into Cenicientas -- without having to wave a magic wand.

Connect in the Kitchen
Food is one of the major transmitters of culture, so make sure the meals you share with your child are a cultural and culinary smorgasbord of ethnic delights. Urge your kids to identify what their favorite family foods are so you can share in the preparation and enjoyment together.

Learning Together in the Living Room
Look for opportunities to sit down together and personalize the lessons your child is learning. For example, if he or she recently studied Women’s History Month, discuss why Sonia Sotomayor made history, as well as other trailblazing American women. This will keep you connected and help you engage with your children in a relevant way.

Giving your child the gift of an affirmed and informed cultural identity is key to helping them navigate their identities in the larger world. As you confidently and easily blend American and Latino cultural traditions, they will as well.