Bibi Bakker lives in Spain with her family, close to the sea. Her days move between work, home, and time outdoors, shaped by small routines and the rhythm of raising two children years apart. Here, she shares her perspective on motherhood as it has taken shape over time.

Name / age / age of your kid(s)

Bibi Bakker, 35 years old, one child aged 11 and one child aged 1.

What was your wild ride? (A crazy or unforgettable parenting moment)

Well, one funny Wildride was when my daughter had a yes day. I had to do everything she said. We had some rules, but eventually I ended up in McDonald’s with underpants on my head, wearing a bathrobe and ordering a McFlurry 😅.

And maybe it’s also good to share that being a mother and having a difficult time can be a Wildride too. When I had a burnout, I couldn’t give all the attention to my daughter that I wanted to. Luckily, I have an amazing husband and father for our children, who helped me a lot during that period.

What’s in your bag?

My bag is a bit messy inside. I always have my phone and my wallet in it, and some cash, because in Spain people often pay with cash. I also have some gemstones in there, some business cards, and lip balm.

Tell us something about you: your hobbies, things you do with your kids, or a daily moment you enjoy

I’ve been living in Spain for several years now, and it has brought so much more peace into my life. Here, I guide meditation sessions, breathwork sessions, and energy work, which I truly love doing.

I also created a beautiful online journey called Holy Moly Journey, where I take participants on a magical six-week online journey with themselves and the group. It’s a deep and inspiring experience of connection, growth, and discovery, with all the holistic elements included.

In my free time, I love being outdoors, going for walks and exploring beautiful places in Spain with my husband and children. We also really enjoy good food: cooking delicious meals at home and going out to enjoy great restaurants together. These simple pleasures bring us a lot of joy.

What’s your go-to song for a fun walk or ride with your kid?

My little one loves the song Si Antes Te Hubiera Conocido by Karol G. And now, whenever this song comes on, the whole family starts singing and dancing along.

If you had a day off just for yourself, how would you spend it?

Oh, that sounds like heaven. I would get a massage, go to the sea, meditate, and I think I would actually do nothing… just be.

It’s also on my bucket list for my husband and me to go to a hotel this year, stay there for a whole day and night, order room service, and watch TV all day.

I’m curious to see if we will have done this by the end of the year. Because we live in Spain, it’s difficult to leave our children with someone overnight since we don’t have family here.

What’s your favourite place to go on a mini adventure with your kid?

We live just five minutes from the beach, and it’s one of our favourite places to go. Every Friday we have “ice cream day” for our oldest daughter, so we go to the beach to get an ice cream.

What surprised you most about parenthood?

I was surprised by how much you learn about yourself through your kids, especially your patience! 😉

If you could give one piece of advice to a new parent, what would it be?

It’s okay not to feel okay sometimes. Try to be present and enjoy the little moments and all the changes your little one goes through.

What’s your number one trick to get your child to fall asleep?

Before bed, I usually give my oldest daughter a short meditation to help her end the day in peace. Then I sing a special song we’ve been singing since she was a baby. I hope I’ll be able to keep singing it for many years to come, until she eventually moves out.

What’s a funny or surprising habit your child has?

My youngest has a funny little habit. Every time she’s drinking, falling asleep, or sitting in the carrier, she puts her fingers in my mouth. I think it’s her way of staying connected to me. It’s incredibly sweet, although sometimes a bit annoying when I’m trying to talk or eat something.

What does your perfect weekend with your family look like?

For me and my family, the perfect weekend can look like two different things. One version is simply being at home together, spending time in and around the house. We love having a barbecue, playing games, listening to music together, and sometimes even singing along together. Those slow, cozy moments together are really special to me.

But another kind of perfect weekend is going on a little city trip. We book a nice hotel, explore the city, go shopping, enjoy good food, and discover new little adventures together. We do this once or twice a year.

What’s been your biggest “oops” moment as a parent so far?

An “oops moment.” Yeah, I’ve had those more than once.

The last time, we were in a little breakfast café and my one-year-old daughter wanted to grab her drinking cup. I looked away for a second, and she took the lid off. Suddenly the tea went flying onto the bench next to us and all over a man’s clothes.

Oops! 😅

What’s something you wish you could tell your past self as a brand-new parent?

There is about a ten-year gap between my oldest and my youngest daughter. I notice that I do things very differently now compared to when I first became a mother. Back then I was very young, and I mostly did what I thought I was supposed to do.

Now, in this new season of motherhood with my youngest daughter, I let things go much more. I’m more conscious and much less focused on everything people say about what is supposedly best for your child.

So if I could say something to my younger self, it would be: really trust yourself. Don’t let others make you doubt yourself. You know best what your child needs. And most of all, don’t feel guilty.

Trust yourself. You know best what your child needs.

But also: be clear. With my oldest, I tended to give in quite easily and promise things. She could get her way quite well, and now that sometimes makes it hard for her to hear “no” when she wants something. That’s something I will do differently with my youngest. No will simply mean no.

What’s the sweetest compliment you’ve ever gotten from your child?

One thing I found really sweet was when my daughter came up to me and said, “Mom, I love you so much, even when I’m angry.”

It’s not really a compliment, but it’s the first thing that came to mind.

Maybe family life is remembered this way in the end. A bathrobe in McDonald’s. Tea spilled across a café bench. Music playing somewhere in the background. Singing and dancing together. The relief of being helped when it’s needed. A child saying something so simple it stays with you for years.