In this episode, we explore the joys and challenges of blending holiday traditions as multicultural and interfaith families. From menorahs to Christmas stockings, gumball trees to Secret Santa exchanges, we share stories of how we navigate the holiday season while honoring our children’s diverse cultural and religious identities. We also dive into the role of holiday music in creating joy. Whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, a mix of both or something entirely different, this episode is all about finding connection and magic during “the most wonderful time of the year”.

Topics Discussed:

• Blending cultural influences and creating new traditions for our children
• The role of holiday decorations and music in creating a festive atmosphere
• Differences between European and American holiday celebrations
• The joy and meaning behind gift-giving and thoughtful gestures

Spreading Holiday Cheer Together:
Celebrate the season with us by taking part in the holiday magic! Drop us an email at cultureclashparenting@gmail.com or head over to Instagram and let us know:

• Your favorite holiday gifts—both received and given.
• Your favorite holiday songs (and/or ask Marisa for her curated playlist that includes favorites like “Hanukkah Blessings” by Barenaked Ladies.

--
We want to hear from you! Share your personal stories of parenting across cultures or suggest topics for future episodes!

And don’t forget to like, follow, and subscribe and leave us a review.

Connect with Us:

• Instagram: @cultureclashparenting
• Email: cultureclashparenting@gmail.com

This episode was loving produced by Marisa & Astrid.
Music and editing by Lonely Heaven Music

In this episode, we dive into the delicious world of holiday foods across cultures! From Thanksgiving leftovers to Christmas goose, foie gras, and mulled wine, we share stories of the dishes that make our holidays special. We discuss how our favorite traditions have evolved as cross-cultural parents, blending the flavors of our childhoods with the customs of the countries we now call home. Hungry yet? Tune in to explore the festive meals and treats that bring us joy and connection during the holiday season.

Topics Discussed:

• Thanksgiving traditions and recipes, including sweet potato variations and stuffing
• Exploring European holiday staples: goose, foie gras, and raclette
• Chocolate traditions, from Hanukkah gelt to Advent calendars and Swiss cauldrons
• Superstitions and traditions, including lucky New Year’s foods like black-eyed peas, seafood, and German lead pouring

Download Our Holiday Recipe Book:
We’ve gathered the recipes we discussed in this episode into a downloadable recipe book for you to enjoy and share. Download it here

What’s on your holiday table?
Whether it’s a favorite family recipe, a new cultural twist, or a lucky food tradition, we’d love to hear your stories. Send us your recipes and memories, and let us know if you’re okay with us sharing them in our global holiday cookbook.

--
We want to hear from you! Share your personal stories of parenting across cultures or suggest topics for future episodes!

And don’t forget to like, follow, and subscribe and leave us a review.

Connect with Us:

• Instagram: @cultureclashparenting
• Email: cultureclashparenting@gmail.com

This episode was loving produced by Marisa & Astrid.
Music and editing by Lonely Heaven Music

In this episode, we kick off our holiday series with a lively discussion about blending and preserving holiday traditions from our cultures. We specifically talk about three favorites (that all revolve around food!): Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Chandeleur. We share our experiences as parents navigating holiday celebrations across countries and traditions and how we're teaching our kids the meaning behind each holiday while juggling the busy season.

Tune in to hear our stories, laughter, and tips for making the holidays meaningful, no matter where you are.

Topics Discussed:

• The challenges and joys of blending holidays from multiple cultures
• How food traditions create connection during the holiday season
• The differences between European and American celebrations of Thanksgiving, Halloween, and Chandeleur
• Teaching kids about gratitude, family, and cultural traditions

Vocabulary Shared in This Episode:

• Thanksgiving (English): A harvest holiday centered around gratitude, food, and family gatherings and celebrated on the 4th Thursday of November
• Das Erntedankfest (German): Literally "the harvest thank festival," a religious harvest celebration
• Halloween (English): Celebrated on October 31, known for costumes, candy, and spooky fun. In other traditions, this day is observed as Samhain or All Hallows’ Eve, marking a time to honor the dead and the transition into winter.
• Trick or Treat (English) / Un bonbon ou un sort (French): The iconic phrase kids use to ask for candy
• Allerheiligen/Toussaint (All Saints’ Day): Celebrated on November 1, a day to honor the dead and remember loved ones who have passed away, often marked by visiting cemeteries and leaving flowers.
• Sankt Martin/Martinstag (German): Celebrating Saint Martin of Tours on November 11th with lantern parades and baked treats
• Weckmann (German): A sweet bread shaped like a gingerbread man with a pipe, traditionally given on Sankt Martin's Day
• Chandeleur (French): Also known as Candlemas, a Christian holiday commemorating the presentation of Jesus at the temple. In modern France, it is primarily celebrated by making and eating crêpes, with traditions like flipping crêpes for good luck.

We Want to Hear from You:
What are your favorite holiday traditions, and how do you keep them alive across cultures? Do you celebrate any of the holidays we discussed, or have a unique tradition to share? We’d love to hear your stories! Send us a message or tag us on Instagram to join the conversation.

--
We want to hear from you! Share your personal stories of parenting across cultures or suggest topics for future episodes!

And don’t forget to like, follow, and subscribe and leave us a review.

Connect with Us:

• Instagram: @cultureclashparenting
• Email: cultureclashparenting@gmail.com

This episode was loving produced by Marisa & Astrid.
Music and editing by Lonely Heaven Music

Episode 3: Parenting in Translation – Why One Word Means So Much Across Cultures

In this episode, we dive into the fascinating differences in how the concept of "parenting" varies across cultures, starting with a surprising fact: the word "parenting" doesn’t even exist in some languages, like French and German! We discuss how these linguistic differences reflect deeper cultural expectations around raising children and the role of parents. From whether parents should help with homework to when kids are expected to walk to school independently, we share our own experiences and insights as expats navigating parenting in new cultures.

Topics Discussed in This Episode:

• The absence of the term "parenting" in French and German, and what it reveals about cultural values
• Different expectations around parental involvement in homework
• Balancing independence and guidance, especially in school and social settings
• How language and culture influence perceptions of "good parenting" and autonomy

Vocabulary Shared in This Episode: Parenting/Parenthood

• French: "La parentalité (parenthood) and “élever” (to raise)
• German: “Die Elternschaft" (parenthood); Die Erziehung” (child-rearing) and "erziehen" (to raise)

We want to hear from you!
Tell us how parenting is viewed in your culture. Is there even a word for it?

--
We want to hear from you! Share your personal stories of parenting across cultures or suggest topics for future episodes!

And don’t forget to like, follow, and subscribe and leave us a review.

Connect with Us:

• Instagram: @cultureclashparenting
• Email: cultureclashparenting@gmail.com

This episode was loving produced by Marisa & Astrid.
Music and editing by Lonely Heaven Music

In this episode of Culture Clash Parenting, Marisa and Astrid dive into the humorous and sometimes embarrassing world of "faux amis," or "false friends"—words that sound the same across languages but mean completely different things. They share personal stories of language mishaps and explore how such experiences shape their lives as expat parents. From accidentally calling their kids rude names to confusing medical terms that lead to near heart attacks, they laugh through the chaos and lessons of navigating language barriers.

Topics Discussed in This Episode:

• Understanding "faux amis" and the funny language mix-ups they create
• How language differences can lead to embarrassing (or hilarious) situations with kids, family, and friends
• The courage to speak and make mistakes as a foreigner in a new country
• Tips for using humor and resilience as tools for adaptation and growth
• Encouragement for listeners to embrace language mistakes and the learning they bring

Key Takeaways:

• Language barriers can create surprising (and often humorous) misunderstandings. Learning from these moments is essential to adapting in a new culture.
• Having an accent or making mistakes in a foreign language is a sign of courage and effort. Marisa and Astrid encourage others to celebrate their bravery.
• Sharing these humorous moments helps create a sense of community and resilience among those navigating cross-cultural experiences.

A Few of Our Favorite Faux Amis

• Download your FREE PDF of the faux amis we mentioned in this episode here.

--
We want to hear from you! Share your personal stories of parenting across cultures or suggest topics for future episodes!

And don’t forget to like, follow, and subscribe and leave us a review.

Connect with Us:

• Instagram: @cultureclashparenting
• Email: cultureclashparenting@gmail.com

This episode was loving produced by Marisa & Astrid.
Music and editing by Lonely Heaven Music

In the debut episode of Culture Clash Parenting, co-hosts Marisa Raymond and Astrid share their powerful journey of friendship, beginning in an online miscarriage support group in 2006. Both women, hailing from different parts of the world—Marisa, an American living in France, and Astrid, a German who moved to the U.S.—discuss their shared experiences of loss, cultural differences in healthcare, and the emotional toll of miscarriage.

Marisa reflects on her challenges navigating the U.S. healthcare system, including difficulties accessing prenatal genetic testing, and contrasts this with the care she received when experiencing another miscarriage in France. Astrid opens up about her miscarriage experience in the U.S. and the challenges with finding support in a foreign land.

Together, they emphasize the critical role of community and support during difficult times, especially for those living abroad. With warmth and empathy, they encourage listeners to share their own stories of loss and offer suggestions for building support systems across cultures.

Key Takeaways:

• You are not alone—finding support, whether online or in person, can make a significant difference in your healing journey.
• Cultural clashes in healthcare systems can add challenges, but navigating these with the help of others brings strength.
• Humor, empathy, and love are essential tools for coping with loss and raising children in multicultural environments.

Resources Mentioned:

• October 15th Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day—a day dedicated to raising awareness and providing support for families who have experienced pregnancy loss.

--
We want to hear from you! Share your personal stories of parenting across cultures or suggest topics for future episodes!

And don’t forget to like, follow, and subscribe and leave us a review.

Connect with Us:

• Instagram: @cultureclashparenting
• Email: cultureclashparenting@gmail.com

This episode was loving produced by Marisa & Astrid.
Music and editing by Lonely Heaven Music