As A Little Girl Growing Up In Colombia

Growing up as a little girl in Colombia means learning to find joy in the cracks of hardship. She is taught to be pilas (sharp) but also cariñosa (loving). She plays hopscotch on sidewalks where, ten years earlier, paramilitaries might have walked. She dreams of being a doctor or a reina (queen). She grows up bilingual: one language of words, and another language of survival, rhythm, and loyalty to her tierra . She is not a victim of her context. She is, as Colombians say, a la orden —ready for whatever comes.

Language in Colombia is sweet. A little girl quickly learns that she is not just "pretty"; she is linda , hermosa , rica , or tesoro . as a little girl growing up in colombia

: Colombian family life often revolves around the mother, who is frequently the primary caregiver and emotional anchor. Girls observe mothers who are expected to balance household management, career, and a societal pressure to maintain a "perfect" appearance. Growing up as a little girl in Colombia

Greeting everyone in the room with a kiss on the cheek is not just a formality; it is mandatory. A Colombian girl learns early that she must greet tías, tíos, and neighbors with a warm "buenos días" and a kiss. This fosters a sense of community and belonging. She is rarely alone. She grows up surrounded by extended family, where cousins are often treated like siblings, and godparents ( padrinos ) play an active, authoritative role in her life. She dreams of being a doctor or a reina (queen)

. As a little girl, I learned that love was measured in extra helpings of avocado and the patient way my grandmother braided my hair while telling stories of "La Llorona" or "El Sombrerón." These myths made the mountains feel alive, as if the very earth held secrets just for us.

Juliana looked at me the way you look at a cockroach that has learned to wear a uniform. She turned to her friend and whispered, “ Qué pena .”