Mom: Carmen (64)

Daughter: Olivia (33)

Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Mom Occupation: Internal Physician and Manager at a medical practice

Daughter Occupation: Family Medicine Physician

The Cuban Doctors

When you’re Cuban, the word “family” takes on a whole new meaning. Carmen, the matriarch, is the glue that holds the entire, massive family together. With over 30 cousins she stays in touch with every last one, making sure that everyone is connected and included. In a family that’s so close, it’s no wonder that Carmen is so tied to her two daughters; her bond with Olivia, however, is next level. As the only two doctors in a family with more heads than you can count, their connection runs deep.

In both being doctors, Olivia and Carmen are also extremely comfortable with their bodies. When Olivia was a little girl, Carmen gave her daughters an in-depth tour of their vaginas using a mirror. It’s not weird; it’s medical knowledge! When Olivia lost her virginity, she called her mom immediately to tell her the big news. In stride, mom then explicitly described to her daughter how to have perfect sex. No holds barred. “There hasn’t been a point in my life where I haven’t been nude with my mom,” Olivia admits. If Olivia is on the toilet peeing, her mom can be in the glass shower right beside her. They’ve even skinny dipped in Mexico together. These two hold nothing back. Because they are both medical professionals, they also seek each other’s medical advice. Olivia will have her mom examine her body for any mumps, lumps, moles, or strange looking rashes. When Olivia had a scare in her behind, she had her mother examine her rectal cavity and quickly diagnosed the issue as the common hemorrhoid. 

Ever since Olivia was 5, she wanted to follow in her mom’s footsteps and become a doctor. Being a doctor, though, presents a very unique set of challenges. From having patients pass away to watching patients go through sickness with no support, the emotional burden of the career is not something easily shouldered alone. Olivia has been able to lean on her mother for a level of support and understanding that few else can provide. Now, Olivia and Carmen text constantly and talk on the phone daily, relying on each other to get through the ups and downs of the medical field. Even if Carmen’s advice is met with the occasional eye roll (or the side comment of, “That’s not how we do it anymore, Mom!”), Olivia knows how precious her mom’s help is.

Olivia has an older sister named Natalie who has a very different relationship. Natalie is married to a woman and expecting her first child. This is naturally exciting news for the entire family, but Natalie desires healthy boundaries with Carmen, whereas Olivia does not. Natalie has solicited the help of a therapist to help to define boundaries with Carmen, Olivia, and herself. With the upcoming baby, Natalie needs to cut ties in a healthy and independent way and thinks that Olivia should do the same. 

Olivia is still in awe of her mother. She has admitted to being desperate for her mom’s validation, but she’s not always enthused by what Carmen has to say. Olivia asks for her mom’s opinion on literally everything, from the clothes she’s wearing daily to the venue she’s picking for her wedding. When Olivia doesn’t like Carmen’s opinion, though, she’ll get angry at her mom. For years, Olivia and Carmen fought over Olivia’s boyfriends as Olivia sought Carmen’s approval. Now, with Olivia planning her wedding to a man mom has approved of (and even met within 24 hours of their first date), Olivia’s gone through six different venues and failed to pick a single one simply because she can’t get her mom to approve of a venue she likes. Kevin feels helpless to plan his own wedding, knowing that both Olivia and Carmen are going to battle it out.  In spite of the disagreements, in all the wedding searching, Olivia has ultimately said, “I really just want a big family pig roast.” 

One of the biggest family traditions within Carmen and Olivia’s family is the massive annual Cuban pig roast. For over 30 years, the family has thrown this event, inviting everyone under the sun to come party. With a bumping DJ, loud music, and a rowdy crowd, cops are sure to show up every year, and time and time again, they’re invited to join in on the fun. There’s even a “pre-pig” party the night before for injecting the pig with the seasoning. With a new baby in the family, a wedding to plan and two doctors, there’s always fights, fun, chaos, stress in this big, crazy Cuban family!