In this episode, hosts Anjelli and Annika shake up the usual mom-friend chat by asking each other five questions — some silly, some deeper — that go beyond the default sleep, food, and daycare talk. They share their current favorite non-parenting media (Danish reality TV, Untamed by Glennon Doyle, and parenting audiobooks), reflect on what they'd do with three uninterrupted hours to themselves, and discuss the advice that got them through the baby phase (accepting phases, co-sleeping, baby-wearing, free play, and avoiding comparison). They talk childhood friendships — from inner circles to low-maintenance friendships that pick up right where they left off — and laugh over chaotic first-time parenting moments. The episode wraps with their Mum-Light (a sweet reunion after a week apart and catering Copenhagen's world championship event) and Mum-Low (ear infections and teething struggles).

0:00 — Intro & episode concept

1:00 — Q1: Favorite non-parenting media (Danish reality TV, Untamed, audiobooks)

6:24 — Q2: Three uninterrupted hours to yourself

10:00 — Q3: Advice that helped in the baby phase (co-sleeping, free play, avoiding comparison)

16:49 — Q4: Childhood friendships & low-maintenance friends

24:57 — Q5: Funny chaotic parenting moments

28:59 — Mum-Light: Daughter reunion & Copenhagen championship catering

33:16 — Mum-Low: Ear infection & teething struggles

36:50 — Wrap-up & next episode teaser

In Episode 15 of Mum Brains Abroad hosts Anjelli and Annika dive into the messy, unspoken realities of motherhood — from postpartum rage and the shame that follows, to the exhaustion of sleep deprivation and the comparison trap on social media. They unpack why Denmark banned the cry-it-out method, how baby temperament plays a bigger role than any sleep training technique, and how the "no sugar, no screen" promises they swore by before becoming moms slowly crumbled. The conversation explores losing patience (especially during the night), the chaos of toddler food battles and daycare drop-offs, and the vulnerability that comes with being reborn into a new identity as a mother. They wrap up with their mom lows and highs of the week — tantrums and messy apartments on one hand, thriving toddlers at daycare on the other.

• 00:00 – Intro: The things nobody talks about
• 00:20 – Postpartum rage: emotions no one prepares you for
• 01:50 – The shame of anger vs. the empathy for depression
• 03:30 – How long does postpartum really last? (Hint: longer than you think)
• 04:00 – Sleep deprivation & the constant comparison trap
• 07:30 – Denmark's ban on the cry-it-out method: the science and the guilt
• 10:10 – Baby temperament: the missing piece in the sleep conversation
• 12:10 – Losing patience: why it hits hardest at night
• 14:10 – The daycare drop-off struggle: socks off, shoes off, 10 minutes lost
• 16:00 – Breaking the "no sugar, no screen" promises we swore we'd keep
• 18:50 – Ice cream culture in Denmark and setting food boundaries with others
• 20:30 – Vulnerability, identity shifts, and why community matters
• 22:00 – Mom low & mom high of the week: tantrums, mess, and thriving toddlers at daycare
• 26:30 – Wrap-up & see you next episode

In this episode of Mum Brains Abroad, hosts Anjelli and Annika unpack whether the Danish parenting dream is real — or just a very good marketing campaign. They dig into the structural support that makes Denmark famous for family life: 52 weeks of shared parental leave, heavily subsidized childcare, a 37-hour work week, and Copenhagen ranking as the #1 most livable city in the world. But they also get honest about what the brochures don't tell you: the messy reality of parental leave pay, the loneliness of raising children far from extended family, and the cultural distance that comes with Danish reserve.

Anjelli shares how growing up in the Philippines meant going back to work after just three months and relying on nannies, while Annika reflects on her German upbringing where moms stayed home for two to three years. Both discuss the guilt of sending their babies to daycare early, the universal struggle of the first postpartum year, and the mom groups and family-friendly infrastructure that help — but don't replace — having your tribe nearby. They wrap up with their mom lows (sleepless nights, teething, and medical uncertainty) and mom highs (beach trips, creative toddler activities, and falling in love with this age).

TimestampTopic

0:00

Welcome back and episode intro — what's on the agenda

0:48

Danish parental leave: 52 weeks shared, 9 weeks earmarked for fathers, and the messy reality of pay

2:17

Childcare in Denmark: guaranteed daycare from 6 months, parents pay only 25% of real cost

3:05

Work-life balance: 1,380–1,560 annual working hours, 37-hour weeks, only 1–2% work 50+ hours

4:00

Janteloven — the Law of Jante and Danish social conformity

5:00

Denmark ranks 3rd in the 2026 World Happiness Report

5:35

Copenhagen named #1 most livable city in the world for 2026

6:02

Is Denmark a fairytale? The myth vs. the marketing

6:36

The "no classrooms" myth — how one extraordinary case becomes the national narrative

10:15

Growing up in the Philippines: 3 months maternity leave, nannies, no daycare culture

12:30

Growing up in Germany: 2–3 years at home, no daycare before kindergarten

14:30

The guilt of early daycare and the relief of flexible work

17:30

Why the first postpartum year should be supported everywhere — no matter the country

19:00

Family-friendly infrastructure: changing tables, baby-friendly cafes, and kommune-organized mom groups

21:30

International moms groups and building community as an expat

23:15

Not romanticizing — just grateful: acknowledging privilege without dismissing the hard parts

24:00

What structural support can't replace: loneliness, distance from family, and missing your culture

25:45

Mom lows: sleepless nights, teething pain, and medical uncertainty

28:30

Mom highs: beach birthdays, creative toddler activities, and loving this stage

29:45

Outro — share your story @mumbrainsabroad

Find us on Instagram: @mumbrainsabroad

The tradwife movement is everywhere on social media — but what does it actually mean, and could two moms living in Denmark actually do it? Anjelli and Annika unpack why women are drawn to traditional roles, the paradox of "modern tradwives" earning income online, and how Denmark's gender equality makes this lifestyle hard to imagine. They reflect on their own upbringing, the pressure to "do it all," and ultimately answer the big question: if money didn't matter, would they stay home?

Timestamps:

• 0:00 — What is the tradwife movement?
• 1:33 — Why it's gaining traction now
• 6:40 — Are men driving this too?
• 9:10 — The modern tradwife paradox
• 11:30 — Denmark, equality, and the death of chivalry
• 22:00 — What our parents' marriages looked like
• 27:30 — Could we be tradwives?
• 33:00 — Why women need a seat at the table
• 35:55 — Mom Light & Mom Low
• 41:03 — Outro

Let us know what your thoughts about the tradwife movement

Find us on instagram @mumbrainsabroad

Welcome back to Mum Brains Abroad! After a summer break, Annika and Anjelli are back with a topic close to every expat's heart: identity. Who were we before we moved abroad — and who did we become?

Anjelli shares her journey from the Philippines, where she worked in nonprofits after a finance degree, to arriving in Denmark at 27 with big ambitions and very little money. Annika reflects on her move from Germany to Australia at 20, discovering her Australian roots, and then relocating to Copenhagen for her partner — and eventually landing a fully-funded PhD position.

Together they explore the identity shifts, confidence losses, financial realities, and unexpected growth that come with building a life in a foreign country. From Anjelli starting a free salsa club that drew 100 people, to Annika realising she felt at home in three countries at once — this episode is full of honest, relatable stories for anyone who's ever felt like they belong everywhere and nowhere.

They also share their mum highs and lows of the week, wrapping up with a call for your questions and topic suggestions.

Follow us: @mumbrainsabroad

TIMESTAMP SUMMARY

0:00 – Intro — who were we before we moved abroad?

0:42 – Anjelli's background: nonprofits, finance & life in the Philippines

4:12 – Anjelli arrives in Denmark at 27 — money, uncertainty & survival

5:00 – Annika's story: Australia at 20, discovering her roots, long-distance love

11:29 – Moving to Denmark: losing confidence, building a new life

14:37 – Finding your people — international friendships & falling in love with Copenhagen

15:34 – Anjelli on confidence: always hopeful, always resourceful

18:00 – What was the first thing that changed when you moved?

18:58 – Financial reality check: from comfort in the Philippines to bare minimum in Denmark

20:44 – What moving abroad gave us — growth, opportunities & new dreams

22:59 – Anjelli starts a free salsa club — 100 people show up!

25:41 – Annika pursues a PhD in Denmark — a door Australia couldn't open

27:59 – Do you feel like you belong anywhere? Reflections on home

33:00 – Mum lights & lows: daycare wins, beach days & exhaustion

37:06 – Outro — share your expat story & follow us @mumbrainsabroad

In this episode, Anjelli and Annika tackle a question sent in by a listener: How do you manage deadlines and unforeseen circumstances — like when your child is suddenly sick?

Both hosts share what their workdays actually look like: Annika is finishing her PhD in Denmark (hello, thesis deadline on Christmas Eve!), while Anjelli runs a family-friendly café/community space she co-founded with her husband. Despite having flexible jobs, they both know that flexibility doesn't mean easy — it often means working late into the night to make it all work.

They talk about how motherhood completely changed their relationship with time, the mental load of being the "flexible parent," what it really means to work within nap schedules, and how building a support village makes it all possible. Plus: a peek into what a typical day actually looks like for each of them.

This episode is full of honest, relatable moments for any mum trying to show up fully — at work and at home.

💬 Got a question, a topic request, or just want to share your experience? We'd love to hear from you! Send us a message on Instagram: @mumbrainsabroad

TIMESTAMPS

• 0:00 – Welcome & celebrating Episode 10 + listener questions
• 0:40 – The listener question: managing deadlines when your child is ill
• 1:04 – What does Annika's work as a PhD student actually look like?
• 6:42 – What does Anjelli's work running a café look like?
• 10:41 – How motherhood changed their work lives
• 15:13 – A typical day: Anjelli's schedule (café + toddler)
• 20:16 – A typical day: Annika's schedule (PhD + toddler)
• 22:49 – What actually happens when everything falls apart?
• 23:14 – Anjelli's approach: urgency, money mindset & working past midnight
• 25:12 – Building your village (teaser for next episode)
• 26:48 – Annika's approach: accepting the situation & flexible deadlines
• 28:44 – What does work-life balance look like in your country? We want to know!
• 29:43 – Final takeaway: good enough IS good enough

On today's episode of Mum Brains Abroad, we welcome our very first special guest expert — Friederike Steinbeck, a yoga teacher, yin yoga specialist, and nervous system educator based in Copenhagen. This episode was produced by Anjelli and the conversation was led by Annika.

Friederike breaks down why understanding your nervous system is one of the most important things a mother can do — not to become a "perfect calm mother," but to build a compassionate relationship with your own body. She explains how motherhood rewires your nervous system, what regulation actually means (hint: it's not about being calm all the time), and how to read the early signals your body is sending before it reaches the breaking point.

We also get super practical: Friederike shares simple, under-one-minute tools you can use whenever you're overwhelmed, from breathwork to grounding, slowing your walk, releasing your jaw, and even screaming into a pillow. Plus, she shares three powerful journaling prompts to help you start recognizing your own patterns. These will also be posted on our socials (see our instagram account details below).

Whether you're in survival mode, struggling with sensory overload, or just curious about why motherhood feels so hard on your body — this episode is for you.

• 0:00 — Welcome & intro to our first guest expert, Friederike Steinbeck
• 2:43 — Why every mother should understand her nervous system
• 4:02 — What is the nervous system? Sympatheticus vs. parasympatheticus explained
• 7:39 — How motherhood changes and affects the nervous system
• 16:28 — What "regulation" actually means (it's not about being calm)
• 23:14 — "The body whispers before it screams" — reading your body's signals
• 40:59 — Practical under-1-minute tools to regulate your nervous system
• 52:55 — 3 journaling prompts to understand your nervous system patterns
• 56:46 — Final message for every mother: "You're not failing"

Instagram: @mumbrainsabroad

Friederike´s Instagram: @friederike.steinbeck

Summer in Copenhagen hits different when you've got a toddler and no clear routine. In this episode, Annika and Anjelli talk candidly about what summer actually looks like as expat moms in Denmark — from daycare closures and substitute pedagogues to summer houses, swimming spots, and the legendary Thomas Dambo giants hidden across the city.

They also compare summer culture in Denmark with their home countries (Germany and the Philippines), discuss how they're juggling work and childcare during the long school break, and share their honest mom lights and mom lows of the week — including midnight swims, weaning struggles, and toddlers who think they're invincible.

Topics covered:

• 0:55 – Summer plans: building a business vs. summer houses & a Norway fjord cruise
• 4:46 – How daycare & school breaks work in Denmark (including the summer merge model)
• 8:51 – Free activities & family events in Copenhagen
• 11:06 – The Thomas Dambo giants: Copenhagen's hidden wooden troll sculptures
• 17:54 – Summer house life: what a day actually looks like with a baby
• 25:52 – How summer compares to Germany & the Philippines
• 25:24 – Mom light & mom low of the week

Instagram:@mumbrainsabroad

Episode Summary:

In this episode of Mom Brains Abroad, hosts Annika and Anjelli dive into a fun and candid Q&A using ChatGPT-generated questions about motherhood, parenting abroad, and chasing ambitions while raising little ones. Recording from a Copenhagen heatwave, they reflect on what it truly means to build a life — and a family — far from home.

From cargo bikes and forest kindergartens to the realities of Danish parental leave, the episode takes a heartfelt and honest look at the joys and challenges of expat motherhood. They discuss the tension between career ambitions and family life, unpack the myth of work-life balance, and share relatable stories about the parenting rules they vowed to keep — until they didn't. The episode wraps up with their weekly Mom Light and Mom Low, including a tender milestone moment and a gut-wrenching playground incident.

⏱️ Timestamps

• 0:00 – Intro & welcome
• 1:00 – If you could import one thing from home to make parenting easier, what would it be?
• 6:21 – The most Copenhagen parent thing you've caught yourself doing
• 12:08 – The biggest myth people back home have about raising kids in Denmark
• 19:48 – Have you ever felt like you're chasing two dreams at once — a career and a family?
• 31:35 – A parenting rule you swore you'd never break — until you had kids
• 46:48 – Mom Light & Mom Low of the week

Instagram: @mumbrainsabroad

In this deeply honest episode, Anjelli and Annika — two expat moms living in Copenhagen — open up about what it's really like to raise children far from home and family. They share the emotional weight of missing milestones, the guilt of choosing a life abroad, and the grief that comes with aging parents living thousands of miles away — feelings that many expat parents carry quietly.

Anjelli and Annika explore how community becomes a lifeline when you're building your "village" from scratch in a new country, and why connecting with fellow expat parents can feel like therapy. They also discuss the unexpected freedom and joy in raising your child on your own terms, away from family pressure and generational expectations.

The episode closes with their "Mom High & Mom Low" — from the challenges of teething and work-life balance to the heartwarming moments of found family stepping in to help.

• 0:00 – Introduction: Anjelli and Annika on raising kids far from home
• 0:03 – The grief of missing milestones & wishing grandparents were near
• 6:04 – Building your village from scratch as an expat parent
• 11:03 – Have you ever questioned staying abroad after having kids?
• 17:15 – Advice for new expat moms: trust your instincts & ask for help
• 21:37 – Episode takeaways: the strength of a small family unit & parenting freedom
• 24:30 – Mom High & Mom Low: teething, work-life guilt, and chosen family moments

Instagram: @mumbrainsabroad