Thriving, striving and surviving: Balancing Hormones and Harmony in Family Life

The Two AM Club: "Collecting Stories: A Discussioncast on Embracing Diverse Approaches to Raising Children Around the World.

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The past few weeks have been a whirlwind of high hormones, heated arguments, and moments of peace since Munanui’s birth. We’re dealing with the emotional rollercoaster of hormonal changes and our stubbornness, trying to balance planning with spontaneity and manage minor disagreements.
In this episode, we discuss how to maintain a strong relationship amidst the challenges of parenthood, including adapting to a new city without a support system. We talk about our activities like swimming and thermal spas, and strategies for self-care. We also compare our small city life in Germany with our previous bigger urban adventures in cities like Beijing and Tokyo, exploring how different environments impact our parenting and connections.
Tune in for heartfelt reflections and practical insights on navigating the ups and downs of parenting and partnership.
In this episode, we dive into the contrasts of living in a smaller German city compared to our past adventures in bustling urban centers like Beijing, Tokyo, and Dubai. We reflect on the unique joys and quirks of small-city life, from forest festivals and wild park visits to the amusing challenge of dealing with the sudden influx of insects that seem to arrive with every season. While the pace of life here is slower, it offers a refreshing connection to nature, and we share how we’ve been rediscovering some of the simpler pleasures of outdoor activities.
Parenting in a new environment without a strong support system presents its own set of emotional challenges, especially when hormonal changes come into play. We open up about how these shifts have impacted us, leading to mood swings, emotional turbulence, and sometimes, moments of isolation. Revisiting childhood memories and enjoying the local swimming pools and thermal spas have been our way of grounding ourselves, but we also discuss the importance of seeking medical advice and finding the right balance between self-care and parenting duties.
Our relationship has seen its share of ups and downs, and stubbornness is one of the key reasons our arguments tend to flare up. Whether it's small disagreements that escalate or deeper issues that take time to resolve, we explore how navigating these moments while juggling parenting responsibilities can be challenging. Through it all, we share the steps we've taken to improve communication and reduce conflict, with a focus on mutual understanding and patience.
In this episode, we aim to connect with listeners who might be facing similar struggles, highlighting that even though our environments may differ, the emotional and personal challenges of parenting and relationships are universal.

Chapters

1. Thriving, striving and surviving: Balancing Hormones and Harmony in Family Life (00:00:00)

2. Summer Adventures in Germany (00:00:19)

3. Navigating Changes and Mood Swings (00:06:53)

4. Balancing Hormones Through Exercise (00:11:44)

5. Understanding Relationship Dynamics and Emotions (00:26:05)

6. Navigating Communication and Understanding Relationships (00:30:55)

7. Parenting Challenges and Finding Balance (00:35:23)

8. Promoting Diversity and Inclusivity (00:48:41)

9. Thriving and Surviving, No Baby (00:56:33)