In this candid episode of Blinidan Brown Girls we dive deep into the topic of adult friendships, especially as we navigate motherhood and the intersections of our lives. We explore the nuances of friendships that grow, change, or sometimes fade away, and how these relationships shape our journey. From the challenges of finding like-minded mom friends to understanding the dynamics of friendships that no longer serve us, we get real and raw about what it means to maintain meaningful connections in a world that’s constantly shifting…. And becoming more disconnected with each day.

Whether you're balancing relationships, dealing with life's transitions, or simply looking for a space to reflect on your own friendships, this conversation is for you. Tune in as we unpack the layers of trust, connection, and the different roles that friendships play in our lives, all while keeping it real and relatable. Don't miss out on this heartfelt discussion—hit play and let's get into it!

What we discussed:

• Cultivating Friendships in a New place
• Grieving friendships that were lost over time or distance
• A dating app for mom friends - we wish!

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Join us for more real conversations on navigating mixed-race relationships, motherhood, and culture. Follow us on Instagram @BlindianBrownGirls for updates and more insights!

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Episode Summary:

In this episode, we talk about how where you grow up can change how you look and act. Can you tell where someone is from just by looking at them? We discuss how traits like hair, mannerisms, and even the energy people give off can hint at where they come from. We also explore the idea of epigenetics – how your environment affects your physical traits over time.

We touch on the differences between growing up in individualistic societies, like the U.S., and collectivist cultures, like India, and how this shapes people's confidence and behavior. The conversation also covers the unique experiences of raising mixed-race children and the importance of names, looking at how names can impact how people see and treat you.

What We Discussed:

• Can you tell if someone is from India, Africa, or elsewhere just by their appearance?
• How the environment you grow up in affects your physical traits, like hair.
• The difference between growing up in collectivist versus individualistic cultures.
• Raising mixed-race children and helping them shape their own identity.
• The importance of names and how they influence people’s perceptions.

A Few Things We Said:

• “I can almost always tell if someone’s Indian and grew up in India, just by their hair and mannerisms.”
• “We come from an individualistic society, but we’re bringing collectivist ideas from our parents. That shifts the way we show up in the world.”
• “Epigenetics is the mix of our genes and our environment, which decides how certain traits, like hair, are expressed.”
• “Raising mixed-race children, especially when they’re part Black, is a different experience from raising kids who are part White.”
• “So much of how we act is influenced by how other people see us. It's hard not to be affected by that.”

Connect with Us:

Join us for more real conversations on navigating mixed-race relationships, motherhood, and culture. Follow us on Instagram @BlindianBrownGirls for updates and more insights!

Subscribe:

Don’t miss out! Subscribe to Blindian Brown Girls on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast platform. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review!

In this episode of Blindian Brown Girls, we dive into the unique challenges of raising mixed-race kids, especially when it comes to navigating hair and identity. From daughters wanting hair like Elsa’s to sons proudly rocking their curls & their mixed race heritage, we explore how beauty standards, societal expectations, and even family opinions shape our children’s perceptions of themselves.

We talk about the differences in how boys and girls are treated when it comes to hair, how parents' and grandparents' views influence their sense of identity, and what it means to raise children who are proud of every part of who they are.

Things get raw as we share personal stories about our own struggles with hair growing up and how we’re trying to instill confidence and pride in our children’s natural beauty. Whether it’s dealing with cultural beauty standards, supporting our kids through identity questions, or finding a balance between cultural traditions and self-expression, this episode is a must-listen for anyone navigating the intersections of race, identity, and parenting.

What We Discussed:

• The struggle of helping our mixed-race daughters love their curly hair when they want it to look like Elsa's straight braid.
• How boys’ curls are often praised while girls face stricter beauty expectations.The cultural and family pressures that come with hair and beauty standards, and how these influence our kids’ self-perception.
• The impact of societal beauty standards on our children’s sense of identity, especially for Black and mixed-race kids.
• Raising kids with pride in their mixed heritage and helping them navigate the pressures of cultural expectations.

A Few Things We Said:

• “She’s four years old and she’s watching all the Disney movies and it's beautiful because I love her love for herself, but it’s still such an innocent thing because she’s starting to grapple with, ‘Why can’t I have Elsa’s hair?’”
• “Boys with curls? People flock to them. Girls with curls? It’s like the standard is so much higher for them.”
• "My daughter has curls, but they don’t grow that long. I pull it out straight, and it’s still not where other kids' hair is. And long hair is the standard”

Please Connect with Us!

We’d love to hear your stories and thoughts! Follow us on Instagram @BlindianBrownGirls and join the conversation. Share how you’re navigating hair and identity with your kids and let’s keep this important dialogue going.

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Stay updated and never miss an episode! Subscribe to Blindian Brown Girls on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast platform. If you’re enjoying our show, drop us a review—your feedback keeps us inspired and helps us grow!