A man with a plan. .
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It’s your world, I’m just living in it! 🌎 .
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It is so easy to feel a little lost post baby. To feel like your world has suddenly become nothing more than sleepless nights, soothing, hugging, playing, worrying. .
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It’s easy to feel like your needs and goals, career and dreams have suddenly disappeared. .
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As we start to imagine our world with a second baby, I am reflecting a lot on my identity and how it will, once again, be altered completely. On how I can use this new experience, our big move, as an opportunity to find me. To let my interests, passion and ambition surge even while staying present with hawksley and maybe growing another little being.
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The best source of inspiration to do this? Other mamas. The best listeners? Other mamas. The tribe mamas need when the going gets tough? Other mamas.
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So mamas, where has motherhood taken you? How has it altered your ambition? And oh my... talk to me about Baby two!
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My Families Abroad Facebook group is waiting!
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#lifeabroad #livingabroad #momtruths #familyabroad #expatfamily #facebookgroup #findyourtribe #motherhood #momshelpingmoms #mindfulmama #meditatingmama #momlife #momboss #mommyinfluencer #mominspiration #mommymotivation #parenthood #momsofboys

Looking into the eyes of a mother bear like “I feel you, mama.”
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I want to hear YOUR best mama bear experiences.
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All mamas have felt it. The urge to step up. The instinct to protect your child even if it is from a kid their own size. It takes a fair bit of restraint to try to chill out and not casually hip check that four year old bully out of the way (yes, Hawksley may be two but generally "his size" is a four year old). .
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Moving abroad, even after multiple moves, means facing changes and anxieties beyond that of the standard life. Is it worth it? Absolutely. Is it easy? I can't say that it is. And what comes out when we are a touch too anxious or out of our element.... mama bear. .
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The best strategy to tame her rather than let her go full grizzly on unsuspecting children? Know what you are up against. .
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Expect that children will be mean, pushy and untamed. Expect that other mamas might be aggressive or that fellow passengers will be less than impressed that they get to share the next ten hours with a toddler. And while yes, defending your child in ACTUAL emergencies or unsafe and harmful scenarios is totally okay, finding your less-than-grizzly dialogue to manage high stress scenarios helps a LOT.
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So instead of yelling "f%$# off" to the lady in the row next to me telling me how to calm my sobbing child or pushing over other children, I am prepared to tame my inner mama bear and take some deep breaths before letting her rage. .
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Your turn....Good mama bear stories? Your best strategies to tame the beast? Let's hear it!
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#mamabear #polarbear #travelling #wanderlust #torontozoo #balinext #ourlifeabroad #movingtocountrynumberfour #canadiansabroad #surffamily #mother #lifeasamom #mamalife #lifeabroad #familyabroad #familiesabroad #lifeisanadventure #adventureswithkids #adventuresasafamily #movingtoasia #panamanian #canadatopanama #canadatobali #lifeasanexpatmom #expats #momlife #momtruth #motherhoodunplugged

Alright, I’m gonna say it.
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This self care movement? Lovely concept. Bullshit in practice.
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Hear me out.
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As a mom, it can be really really hard to fit in self care. To find the time, the child care, in some cases the cash flow to make self care happen. Should it be a priority? Hell yeah. But where in your mega list of priorities does it fall?
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It isn’t for lack of want or even lack of effort but when you’re kid woke up an hour earlier than expected or your husband has a course to finish or it’s a tight month of travel, of finances. When you’re all sick. it is awfully hard to prioritize “self care” over the plethora of things that need doing.
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Sure, the laundry can wait but me not doing the laundry so that I can enjoy 7 minutes while the bub sleeps isn’t my idea of self care, it’s simply procrastination and I’m going to pay for it later.
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Running off to a yoga class? A total dream. Except when drop ins are $20 and you’ve got a crazy expensive move on your hands plus unexpected medical nonsense.
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So sometimes “self care” means yoga with the little. Sometimes it means giving yourself a break by accepting that a spa visit isn’t in the cards. .
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And those insta moms nailing a balanced self care heavy life? Good on them! Maybe they can lend me their babysitter and come paint my toenails while I sip a cool rose. .
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#justsayin #momtruth #motherhoodunited #momlife #thedarksideofmotherhood #momhumour #selfcare #amiright #familyabroad #familyhelp #toddlermayhem #toddleryoga #yogawithmom #yogimama #yogamamas #canadianmom #summeryoga #familyyoga #bringthekids #adventureswithkids #mondaysasamom #playfulmama #eatplaylove #parenthood #mindfulmama #ineedsleep #tiredmom #momsunite

Parenting = constantly managing who has been fed and dealing with regular bouts of totally unfounded hunger or absolute refusal to eat. .
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....meanwhile forgetting to feed yourself. .
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I wish there was a food fairy who could magically feed my family and not make a mess.
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This is the closest thing I found.
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@marketsmor #truth #momtruth #momlife #lifeontheroadwithkids #lifeabroad #visitingcobourg #yum #veganeats #healthyfamily #hummustime #healthyfood #familypicnic #ontario #canadalife @togoware

Even "See you later's" aren't easy.
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Cobourg, Spicer clan, and these little dudes, it has been magical. .
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Toronto Vancouver Tokyo Singapore Bali
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#gratitude #thankful #familytime #familyfirst #livingabroad #makingmoves #nextstep #thenextlag #travelwithkids #itisntgoodbye #missingfamily #adventureswithkids #kidsontheroad #flightswithkids #travellingwith kids #familytravel #familyexpats #parentingabroad #parenthood #motherhood #familyincanada #canadianabroad

Since we technically had three weddings (yes, THREE) I figure I should have three posts... especially since these beauties just popped up.
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We have had a pretty incredible five years of marriage, travelling, living abroad and adding a very special member to our family. .
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What has gotten us this far? Maybe it is the humour, the way we are able to spill all and be totally real with one another, our genuine friendship or mutual love for adventure. .
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It is sometimes work, mostly fun and not always a lot of sleep. But I wouldn't want to do it with anyone else. .
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What's your secret?
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#lifetogether #weddingpics #marriage #tropicalwedding #destinationwedding #fiveyearsago #marriedwithchildren #lifewithyouabroad #lifeabroad #momlife #fitness #fitmom #fitfamily #beachfamily #beachmama #yogimom #yogafamily

Yep, still handsome.
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#fifthanniversary #thirteenyearstogether #weddingseason

Five years! Just look at how far we have come and how far we have yet to explore.
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Our world wouldn’t be the same with out you. Your endless love, support and laughter for Hawksley and I (and our family and friends) plus your passion and drive that you bring to making this 🌎 a better place for us all. ❤️
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Happy Anniversary @miguelpicante ❤️❤️❤️ Thank you for choosing me. .
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#happyanniversary #marriage #lifeabroad #marriedlife #expatmarriage #family #love #13yearstogether #fifthanniversary⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

You know you are eyeball deep in parenthood when you’re riding a sketchy carni pink elephant just to bring joy to your toddler.
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It wasn’t until it started moving that I began to wonder if a riding fibreglass animal that felt a bit too circa 1957 was really worth the risk.
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Thankfully, wobbles and creaks were masked by big grins and laughter.
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We take huge risks FOR our children without blinking an eye - usually of course, the risk wouldn’t directly put them in harms way!
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Our big move to Bali is feeling like a big risk all around. The reality? It’ll be amazing for him, for us to be able to grow our family. For the chance to have him attend an amazing school, experience an amazing culture, grow, thrive.
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But it isn’t without risk. Nothing is. .
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Living abroad is so much more than travel or global opportunities. It’s more than adventure. It goes way beyond careful planning and mindful preparation.
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It isn’t for everyone and it usually isn’t forever. But it is a bit like this pink elephant. Loads of trepidation before the big move but somehow, it all turns out better than expected.... or so I’m hoping! 🤞🏼
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We land in Bali on the 21st of July. So we are taking in all of the Canadian fun (and family) that we can!
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Even sketchy rides!
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#parenthoodunited #parenting #momtruth #momlife #momabroad #parentingabroad #familyabroad #livingabroadwithkids #adventureswithkids #bringthekids #kidsplay #summerfun #canada #canadiansabroad

The most beautiful places have more to do with the beautiful people who exist there than the place itself.
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Reflecting on some of our fave places (and people), while visiting some of the spots closest to our hearts and preparing to go somewhere that we hope will fall into the very same category. .
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#transitions #familiesabroad #expatlife #nomadlife #bringthekids #travelwithkids #cambutal #friendship #family #balinext #canadanow #panamathen #expatfamily #adventureswithkids #adventuretime #kidsabroad #globalkids

This whole parenting thing. The joy of seeing this crazy world through their eyes. The insanity of learning more since they came into this world than you ever did before. .
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What have I learned?
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Poop can always be cleaned up.
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Even the tiniest moments are more precious than the big events.
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Family is where it’s at.
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Joy is a result of being true to your deepest self. Even when your deepest self is buried under the mom life. .
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Your deepest self might involve being a half naked mama playing with soggy chalk on the floor while surrounded by a total disaster. .
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The people around you who don’t truly SEE you, get it or are just plain assholes...they are of no matter!
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The dexterity of your nipples matters. .
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Sleep is not to be taken for granted.
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When you question your sanity? Applaud yourself for being sane enough to question yourself.
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When someone else questions you? Have the strength to admit when you’re wrong, the integrity to know when you’re right and the power to walk away.
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#mompower #parenthood #motherhoodrising #momtruths #momlife #lifeabroad #liveabroadlife #livingabroadwithkids #parentingabroad #globalclassroom #learnfromkids #travellingkids #kidswhotravel #nomadfamily #baliherewecome

It isn’t always this easy. Sometimes it feels impossible.
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In this crazy life we all seem to be trying to have it all. To be well rested but stay up late, be the best mom without having time to care for ourselves, take naps AND have time to get it all done. To work and stay at home. To live abroad but still feel close. To stay focused when mom brain and a toddler are against you. To Be a mom and still just be yourself. .
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Sure, there are times that things fit together. But truthfully, it sometimes feels like things don’t more often than they do. .
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I wouldn’t trade it for the world, but I would sure trade one of those tantrums for a nap, a hard day for an easy one and the occasional dining experience that doesn’t involve hot wheels on the table. .
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To the mamas having one of those days, I see you. ❤️❤️❤️❤️🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻
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#momtruth #momlife #adventureswithkids #momtruths #lifeasamommy #kidsmood #childrenabroad #globalclassroom #travelholic #traveltheworld #travelwithkids #familyliving #familytime #momtime #mommingainteasy #momming

Reasons not to nap:
1. “Agua hose”
2. Need to play
3. Thirsty
4. Hungry
5. Would prefer to grab at mom’s boobs
6. Foot is itchy
7. Blames toot on mama and says it is too stinky to sleep
8. Foot is still itchy
9. Not tired
10. It’s too bright outside
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The most compelling argument was totally the need to use the hose.
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None of the arguments worked. But a bit of rocking sure did. 😴
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#momlife #todderlife #naptime #lifeabroad #familymagic #familytime #familyabroad #canadiansabroad #waterfun #sensorygames #momtruth #gardeningwithkids

Transitions are so much sweeter when you are spending them with loved ones.... they also happen to be SO much harder when that transition is taking you very very far away.
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How have you supported your littles with big transitions? And do all you #familiesabroad cope with goodbyes? .
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#lifeabroad #familyabroad #transitionsabroad #balinext #expatliving #grandparents #toddlerlife #goodbyesarehard #nextcountry #bringthekuds #adventureswithkids #travelwithkids

Potty training. Jungle style.
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#canadianjungle #whatsthatyousee #toronto #urbanjungle #familyabroad #yyz #panamababy #thirdcukturekid #toddlerlifeabroad #mindfulparenting #pottytraining #familytravels #adventureswithkids #travelwithkids #holidayswithkids #lifeabroadwithkids #globalclassroom #parentingonthefly #momtruth #dadlife #fundad #dadjokes
#babyabroad #junglebaby #forestschool #canada #baliwithkids

About

So Fresh. . . .

is everything wellness. Devoted to providing the most incredible experiences to individuals, groups and families, we are an organization that offers retreats, collaboration, family travel, parenting and wellness advice. Our programs and services are based upon true, honest community engagement and affiliation with incredible people, retreat centres and ethical companies.

ABOUT LAUREN. . . .

I am Lauren Spicer MA PMP CHN RYT, founder of So Fresh. Originally from Toronto, Canada I noticed a huge gap in the health and wellness industry abroad. My journey started as an effort to spread holistic nutrition, wellness and fitness knowledge and services across Panama. My own experiences, background and education enabled me to begin making strides in wellness efforts for communities in both Canada and Panama. Later expanding to Costa Rica and beyond. Together with my sister, Vanessa Jewett we have been able to expand So Fresh into an exciting and ever evolving business that incorporates our love for parenthood, travel and family wellness.