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When Claire Sweet, a financial whiz and friend, turned her life from single motherhood to one of financial stability among her alpacas. This episode is packed with Claire's wisdom as we delve into the importance of financial planning and the freedom it brings to parents and families. If you've ever felt like a passenger in your own financial journey, our heart-to-heart on shifting to a 'co-driver' role in relationships, embracing transparency, and advocating for personal financial independence will resonate with you.

Embarking on parenthood introduces a kaleidoscope of choices, and in this heart-to-heart, I share the impact of diverging from my upbringing to embrace both the structure and spontaneity in raising my children. We discuss the layered decisions of parenting styles, from routines to boarding school choices, reflecting on how these shape our children's independence and our familial bonds. For parents juggling career and family or pondering the significant moments in their children's upbringing, our conversation provides a heartfelt look into making these critical choices with financial and personal awareness.

As a parent, I know the importance of setting an example in financial responsibility, and Claire and I provide tangible strategies for teaching children the value of money through real-life scenarios. From budgeting for video games to grocery shopping, we share how we're guiding our kids to differentiate between needs and wants and the significance of saving for the future. For those seeking to empower their children with financial literacy or looking to connect further with Claire's expertise, this episode is an invaluable resource for nurturing financially savvy future generations.

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Life In A Can - For all the travel adventures
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Life In A Can - For all the travel adventures
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Global Trailblazing - Nikki's amazing global kids club and kids social network!
Africa Childrens Development Trust - Nikki's bit of good in the world #givingback

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(Note - Audio not crisp, but content on point!)

Ever found yourself on the receiving end of parenting advice you didn't ask for, or maybe you've even dished it out without invitation? I've been there, and in today's episode, it's me Nikki and I get real about the complexity of parenting as we wade through a sea of opinions and advice. Listen to my candid reflections on the beautiful mess that is raising children—where my partner Ian and I grapple with blending our distinct parenting styles, and the delicate balance between firmness and fairness becomes our dance floor. This heart-to-heart isn't just about my story; it's an invitation to honor your unique parenting path and to embrace the diversity that makes each family's journey special.

The world is our classroom—quite literally. Our story took a turn towards the extraordinary when we chose to educate our children through the lens of world cultures. As we chronicled our transition from a conventional UK life to globe-trotting with purpose, I peel back the layers of our world-schooling adventure, from Europe to potential horizons in Central America, America, Canada, or Southeast Asia. I open up about the family's collective decision-making and the media's spotlight, which brought both support and scrutiny. Through it all, I celebrate the robust growth and global perspective our children are gaining, making this episode a profound look at how one ordinary family is crafting an exceptional educational tapestry—one country at a time.

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Life In A Can - For all the travel adventures
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Global Trailblazing - Nikki's amazing global kids club and kids social network!
Africa Childrens Development Trust - Nikki's bit of good in the world #givingback

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Have you ever found yourself moonlighting as an impromptu dance choreographer for your kid's latest social media escapade? You're not alone! Join me, Nikki Collinson-Phoenix, and the vibrant Amanda Yoa as we swap war stories from the parenting trenches where sleepless nights meet the hilarity of perimenopause. This episode is nothing short of a salute to the rollercoaster journey of raising mini-humans, with a side of karaoke conundrums and the ever-present choice between a wet wipe or a glass of wine.

Together with Amanda, we peel back the layers of generational parenting molds and the pursuit of something greater than perfection—authenticity. It's a candid exchange about the pressures that come with motherhood and the realization that our actions are the blueprint for our children's future. We tackle the portrayal of parenting in social media, sharing our commitment to providing a strong, nurturing foundation for our kids—a stark contrast to our own childhoods. Our kids deserve to write their own stories, and we're here to arm them with confidence, values, and the knowledge that they are loved.

The conversation takes a pragmatic turn as Amanda, a mompreneur at heart, spills some real talk about the juggling act of managing motherhood and entrepreneurship. From sidestepping the comparison trap on social media to the importance of having a backup meal when Chick-fil-A takes its Sunday break, this chat is loaded with nuggets of wisdom. So, grab your headphones, pour yourself a glass, or reach for that trusty pack of wet wipes, and join us on Wet Wipes and Wine for a dose of realness, laughter, and invaluable insights. See you there!

To connect with Amanda:

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Life In A Can - For all the travel adventures
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Global Trailblazing - Nikki's amazing global kids club and kids social network!
Africa Childrens Development Trust - Nikki's bit of good in the world #givingback

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As the clouds over England cast their usual grey palette, Ian's and my return to the UK couldn't dampen the vibrant tales we're sharing over a favorite bottle. Our latest Wet Wipes and Wine Podcast episode is a toast to the nomadic joys and trials we face as we swap Bulgarian sunshine for British drizzle and dive into the nitty-gritty of residency paperwork. Reuniting with loved ones has rekindled the wanderlust in our children, and we're unpacking the mixed bag of emotions that comes with long-awaited hugs and the inevitable pull of the road ahead.

It's not all passports and packing though; our hearts beat with the rhythm of Uganda, where our vocational training initiatives are changing lives. Pull up a chair as we recount how the pandemic's shadow couldn't dim the spirit of the women and children in the slums who are now threading their futures with newfound skills. From the pride in their successes to the birth of Swaga Shirts, you'll hear how Ian's vibrant wardrobe inspired a fashion line that's sewing seeds of hope back in Africa. Our online youth club, Global Trailblazing, is also inviting the next generation to join this tapestry of change, weaving their own stories of global community and kindness.

We're ending with a bang—or rather, the buzz of a successful launch. Swaga Shirts has finally strutted onto the scene, and the tale of its journey from pause to full-speed ahead is as colorful as its collection. You'll get a backstage pass to the hustle leading up to our Big Festoon debut, where the support from friends like Dani Wallace reminds us that it takes more than fabric to fashion a dream. Ian chimes in too, sharing his vision for our brand and the future that beckons us, possibly as far as Paris Fashion Week, ha ha! So, refill your glass and join us for a celebration of life's unexpected yawns and yeses, all wrapped up in a podcast episode that's as eclectic and spirited as our travels.

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Websites:
Life In A Can - For all the travel adventures
Remote Solutions - Where Nikki helps others create extraordinary lives
Global Trailblazing - Nikki's amazing global kids club and kids social network!
Africa Childrens Development Trust - Nikki's bit of good in the world #givingback

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Remember the moment your sweet child's voice cracked for the first time, or when eye rolls became their second language? That's right, we're tackling the tumultuous terrain of teen parenting with executive health coach and consummate parent Lindsay Randerson. Our banter spans the gamut from deciphering mood swings to merging old-school parenting with new-age dilemmas, all while keeping our health and humor intact. Pour a glass of patience (or wine) and get ready for a session of laughter-laced wisdom that might just see you through those door-slamming days.

Lindsay and I don't shy away from the sticky subjects: the tightrope walk of giving freedom versus setting boundaries, and the moments when our own childhoods echo loudly in our parenting choices. We share stories of when to let our kids stumble, and the life skills that are as essential as they are empowering. Whether it's navigating morning chaos or confronting the darker corners of adolescence, we reaffirm that it's a journey of growth—for our teens and us.

As we wrap up, we cozy into the concept of self-care, a lifeline for any parent knee-deep in the teen years. Lindsay and I discuss how carving out time for ourselves isn't just a luxury, it's a necessity that teaches our kids to value their own mental health. So join us as we hold onto that metaphoric rope, offering steadfast support to our children while remembering to secure our own oxygen masks first. After all, a parent who breathes is a parent who can handle anything—even teenagers.

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Websites:
Life In A Can - For all the travel adventures
Remote Solutions - Where Nikki helps others create extraordinary lives
Global Trailblazing - Nikki's amazing global kids club and kids social network!
Africa Childrens Development Trust - Nikki's bit of good in the world #givingback

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NOTE: Christmas is discussed, not for childrens ears!

Ever tried to light a spark of romance amidst the domestic jungle that is parenting? Then you'll crack up over our makeshift Bulgarian love nest, complete with a log burner and walls that have seen better days. This episode of Wet Wipes and Wine is all about the art of keeping date night alive, even when your eyelids are staging a protest. We spill the beans on 'Lipgate'—trust me, it's a saga you won't want to miss—and how a burnt lip became an unlikely protagonist in our family chronicles.

Who knew a six-year-old could be your biggest cheerleader? As I nervously tiptoe through the book-launching battlefield, Raifs's unwavering encouragement is the unexpected wind beneath my wings. We also chat about the evolution of our date nights—from the UK to caravan escapades!

Strap in for a walk down memory lane, sprinkled with the oddities of recollection, movie debates, and the endearing mix-up of words like "deluxe." As the festive cheer inches closer, we muse over Christmas Eve traditions, sheepdog shenanigans, and the joy and heartache of fostering adorable fur-babies. From the poignant transition of Santa-skepticism to the comedy gold of our kids' verbal bloopers, this episode promises a blend of warmth, wit, and a little wine-soaked wisdom. Join us, and let's toast to the chaotic, beautiful mess of parenting!

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Websites:
Life In A Can - For all the travel adventures
Remote Solutions - Where Nikki helps others create extraordinary lives
Global Trailblazing - Nikki's amazing global kids club and kids social network!
Africa Childrens Development Trust - Nikki's bit of good in the world #givingback

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Have you ever had one of those days where everything that could go wrong did, but by the end, you wouldn't change a thing? That's the type of authenticity Andrea Haas brings to the table in our latest episode of Wet Wipes and Wine. She's a Seattle-based mom, educator, and entrepreneur, and like many navigating the unpredictable waves of parenthood—complete with tech mishaps, smoky log burners and a dodgy web cam!

Join us for an episode that's like the best kind of parenting day—messy, joyful, unpredictable and perfectly imperfect!

Parenthood can feel like an emotional rollercoaster, with some of the steepest drops coming from the challenges of fertility. Andrea and I uncork the often unspoken realities of this journey, sharing stories that span from heartache to hope. We touch on the mystery of unexpected conception during treatment breaks and the complex emotions that follow. As we celebrate the distinct personalities and learning styles of our children, we're reminded that each one adds a unique flavor to the family blend—whether they're navigating a new book or mastering multiplication tables.

Balancing the demands of parenting with the necessity of self-care is akin to walking a tightrope while juggling fire. We delve into the strategies for managing those inevitable public meltdowns and the critical importance of tuning into our own needs amidst the beautiful chaos. Andrea also shares valuable resources for educators, underscoring the importance of community and shared experiences in our collective parenting adventure. So pour another glass, and let's raise a toast to the wild ride of raising kids and the unfiltered stories that bind us all.

To connect with Andrea visit:
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Facebook: @nikkicollinsonphenix
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Websites:
Life In A Can - For all the travel adventures
Remote Solutions - Where Nikki helps others create extraordinary lives
Global Trailblazing - Nikki's amazing global kids club and kids social network!
Africa Childrens Development Trust - Nikki's bit of good in the world #givingback