Imperfect Parenting

One month from now, our family moves continent. Life is full of beautiful surprises, leading us to the unknown. It’s time to come back to self and purpose. We often look at all the reasons we “can’t do things differently. In the end, we are the ones who must choose more. There is no time like now to live well. Tonight blog goes deeper:) Support the show As MENTIONED in the podcast:  Times are stra...

This week it’s Mats turn to reflect and talk about his birthday wishes for both himself and you. He reflects on a year at home, talks about his own flawed parenting style and the short comings it has led to. He also talks about how complicated motherhood seems, from a fathers view. He mentions friendship and how important it is to them keep alive amidst the parenting madness. He gives a word on co...

Yes, that was a play on words!  On one hand, this episode with Jana Chan shows her on the other side of the dark storm of introspection and challenging days alone with her 3 year old.  And, she is ever happy for more space as they house sit and have an adventure with horses farm animals and more and stay in one area a while longer.  Yet, as we spoke outside the call, Jana confessed that she as wel...

Today's podcast is all about motherhood and being on our path and purpose.   Wishes and dreams are make to be real. Follow what feeds you.  Let nothing pass you by.  When your own new year comes.. follow your dreams and live fully for you.. and for your kids and family..  No waiting, no excuses.. LIVE.. and live well and as you are meant to. The simplest, yet not always easy piece is that whe...

This week's episode is dedicated to my older mom, Diana, as she just had a birthday.  And, for daring to be an older mom when mom's back then didn't do that as often as they do these days and it was an uphill climb many a day, especially often on her own (like many of us, partnered, or not!) Life is too short.  We have to create!  Yet, to get there, so much has to be moved aside, cl...

Kristin Johnson and I talk about keeping social media in check.  The importance of using the “think button” and manners in various areas of the internet, including online dating! We also dive into not letting fear stand in the way of our dreams and just going for it. Would you like more on Kristin and this topic? Please, go to our blog for further information. And, for anyone wanting to go even de...

Ariel speaks with Natalie about life as an expat, being a mom of two and continuing on her own path as woman, le leche league and baby wearing consultant and more. The path of an expat is a complicated one.  The expat life often means you will get more of a travel and a seemingly exotic life while giving family cultural experiences than they would have had at home.  Yet, it as well means being far...

Karolina (Dobrovska) Kvas Inspires me in so many ways!  This 2nd part is going to re-shape the way you look at limitations and frustrations in working as a mom.  And, as well re-working her own look. She is brave in sharing her own Imperfect Parenting moments in a way most of us are terrified to be.  Karolina shows us how to shift what we did that we miss, that we are striving to keep in our lives...

Karolina (Dobrovska) Kvas joins Ariel in a discussion about expat realities, the energy of starting again, how motherhood effects work and the realities of truly working toward minimalist living. Without hesitation, Karolina, shares her brave story of “letting go of attachment”, while pregnant; downsizing life from a distance.  And, how she took on the minimalist challenge!  Could you let go of 50...

It’s a new phase in Imperfect Parenting as Ariel Andersson deepens purpose and path and takes listeners along for the journey. Future episodes will more and more be coming back around to guiding us all back to purpose and path, through the ever overwhelming madness of family life, reconnecting us with ourselves and what we are meant to do.  Each week another step forward, an inspiring story from o...

Chris and Holly Santillo talk with Ariel about their latest book, Resilience Parenting, going on the road with family and how to use life and failure to teach our kids well.  Life is an opportunity to teach our kids.  How are we using those opportunities?  Do we fail well and teach by example of our own failures and successes?  Holly and Chris' book guides us through stories of families, mart...

Every summer, school ends and the holidays begin either a dream or nightmare for parents.  If both parents are working most of the summer, it means somehow managing care and activities of kids.  If there is a chance for a holiday, there is that intense reality of exploring, while managing the needs of every age and character involved. Midsummer/Midsommar has different purpose and symbolism between...

To kick off a new phase with Imperfect Parenting, Ariel Andersson talks with Daniela Mendoza of Mexico and Sweden.  This conversation happens live, on location at Hato Gard, Sweden in Lisa’s Western Cafe, full with authenticity, spirit of both Native American and Western history and culture. Daniela is fiercely creative and clear with her visions for her future as woman, wife, writer and mom.  She...

Ariel Andersson has an inspiring conversation about rescue dogs, teaching animal kindness and altruism through children’s books with Marla Stahl, writer and creator of Woof books. Mom, writer, and educator of kindness, Marla tells the story of each of her books and how they came to light.  She also reminds us, through her own story and stories of her mom and friend, Charlotte, that we can create,...

Jana Chan explores more than just Australia with her family.  She talks openly with Imperfect Parenting Podcast about realizing her true needs, her own struggles on the road and finding her path to “presence” and joy.  Listen and hear her secrets to success.  And, the power-full Moments on the road that led many of us listening, to re-evaluate many things in our own lives. At home, on the road and...

It’s World meditation day and so we kick off the day meditating, as a whole family, for peace, joy, balance and abundance for the world. And, Ariel and Mats Andersson celebrate 5th anniversary of marriage and come back around to discussing the importance of celebrating key moments and benchmarks in our lives.  We cannot just get mired in daily realities and leave the love and special moments behin...

Ariel Andersson connects with Petra who is on the road with her family and 4Human21 Project asking Californians and U.S., "What would you ask the world?"     In the last weeks since we 1st spoke with them, Petra and Ondrej have found deeper clarity on their project which comes through clearly in the video they made that you really must see before listening to the podcast . Parenting whil...

Last summer, Suzy and I started our conversation about her son's recent diagnosis of being on spectrum.  She spoke to me about her family's journey and how finding out Paul was Autistic was both intense and a relief.  The real journey happened in this past year as Suzy and her family muddled through red tape and discovery of programs and support along the way.  At last, not only do they...

Fertility seems to be a constant topic, as  soon as are beyond egg harvesting age of 28.  Older moms are immediately considered risk and choices seem to dwindle with each year. Because “they” say so. But, is that the only reality possible? Witches night, in Prague allows us to let go of that which holds us back, weighs us down and doesn't serve us, anymore.  And, the next day, May day, has ma...

Ariel Andersson and Yustin Castillo discuss another mindfulness technique to help balance our daily family lives. Somatic meditation is about body signals and awareness.   Yustin walks us through parent/kid/teen meditations in both Spanish and English.  These can be done by young adults or alone, with parents and others to help check in with our bodies, seeing what somatic knowledge is available t...

Each day, as parents, we hope to give our kids/teens all they need to manage daily realities and all the ups and downs that come along with the beauties and ugly moments of life.  This meditation is meant as a tool for both parents and their kids/teens to use together or on their own.  Just one more tool in their tool basket to use, to add to all that you have taught them.  To be aware of all that...

Meditaciones somáticas / sensaciones con Yustin Castillo, en español. Cada día, como padres, esperamos darles a nuestros hijos / adolescentes todo lo que necesitan para manejar las realidades diarias y todos los altibajos que vienen con las bellezas y los momentos feos de la vida. Esta meditación está pensada como una herramienta para que los padres y sus hijos / adolescentes puedan usar juntos o...

Ariel and Mats Andersson talk about the importance of family ritual and Easter traditions experienced in Czech, Moravia, Northern California and Armenian American cultures.  Why do these moments and rituals feel essential for our lives? Prague and Moravian Easter/Velikonoce traditions will always hold strong memories for us. What memories still run strong for you? Whether religious, spiritual, or...

The truth about mom’s on their own, with Jana Chan.  We are not always alone, yet when we are, it is a while other ball game. Even when with a partner, often one partner takes things more lightly and doesn’t lose as much of their own life as the other, therefore.. all is different.  On the road, an expat mom or at home, being on our own, away from support system/family/friends has deep effect.  Ja...

A mini-cast to celebrate Ella-Day.  Some days we never forget. Birth-day.  We all have purpose. Have you looked your kids in the eyes and really “seen” them, lately? Let’s remember all the goodness, today, mixed with all beautiful imperfection. Review+ share your favorite episodes with 1 friend.   Thank you for your support: Join us on Facebook , Stitcher , Apple Podcasts , Castbox, Spotify and mo...