Swedish Dad's Journey in Shanghai

Finding Balance as a Father in Shanghai

I never imagined I’d call Shanghai home. As a Swedish dad raising two boys in one of the most fast-paced, dynamic cities in the world, my life looks nothing like what I envisioned years ago. Yet, here I am—building a business, growing a blog, and parenting in a place that feels both exhilarating and challenging at the same time.

Living in Shanghai means constantly balancing two worlds. It’s where my Scandinavian roots meet the vibrant, ever-changing energy of this massive city. It’s where my boys are growing up surrounded by a culture so different from the one I grew up in, and I can already see how it’s shaping them into open-minded, adaptable individuals. But as exciting as it is, it’s also a constant exercise in figuring out who I am in the middle of it all.

Some days, I feel like I’ve got it all together—managing client calls, brainstorming blog posts. Other days, I’m stretched so thin that it feels impossible to give 100% to any one thing. Juggling the roles of entrepreneur, creative, and father is messy, exhausting, and, honestly, sometimes overwhelming. But it’s also the most meaningful work I’ve ever done.

What keeps me grounded are the small, everyday moments—like when my sons ask about my work or share their own wild ideas for the future. Those conversations remind me why I do what I do. They’re the reason I stay up late to finish projects, why I pour my heart into my blog, and why I’m building something I hope will matter not just today but for years to come.

This blog isn’t just about the wins or the perfectly curated moments. It’s about the reality of living far from home, figuring out my identity as a father and a creator, and showing up every day—even when it’s messy. Because at the end of the day, I’m not just building a business or a blog; I’m building a life, one that my sons can look back on and hopefully feel inspired by.

Raising Global Kids in a Dynamic City

Raising children in Shanghai as a Swedish father has been one of the most eye-opening and humbling experiences of my life. Every day, I see how this city shapes not just their worldview, but mine as well. Shanghai is a place of contrasts—fast-paced, constantly evolving, and filled with opportunities, yet it’s also a city where we’ve had to work hard to carve out our sense of home. Parenting here has challenged me to think differently, adapt constantly, and embrace a version of fatherhood I never imagined.

One of the most profound things about raising my sons in Shanghai is watching them grow up between two cultures. They’re fluent in a language I’m still learning, effortlessly navigating situations that would have completely overwhelmed me at their age. It’s fascinating to see how naturally they switch between speaking Swedish at home and Mandarin with their friends, blending pieces of each culture into who they are. They’re growing up with a global mindset, and I can already see how it makes them more curious, empathetic, and resilient.

But it’s not always easy. There’s a bittersweetness to being so far from where I grew up. I sometimes wonder if they’ll ever fully understand the smells of a Swedish forest after a rainstorm or the joy of summers by the lake—things that defined my own childhood. At the same time, I see the beauty in what they’re experiencing here. They’re learning to thrive in a city where things move fast, where traditions meet innovation, and where they’re surrounded by people from all walks of life. That kind of environment is teaching them lessons I could never give them alone.

Living abroad has also changed me as a parent. It’s made me more intentional about the values I want to pass on. I want them to know where they come from, to feel rooted in their Swedish heritage even as they grow up in this bustling city. We bake cinnamon buns together, tell stories about Sweden, and celebrate holidays in ways that might look a little different here but still carry the same meaning. At the same time, I’ve learned to let go of some expectations and lean into the unfamiliar. It’s okay that their childhood looks different from mine—what matters is that they feel supported, loved, and free to become their own people.

Parenting here has also forced me to grow in ways I didn’t anticipate. The challenges of living in a foreign city—figuring out systems, finding a sense of community, navigating cultural differences—have taught me patience and flexibility in a way nothing else could. Those lessons spill over into every part of my life, from how I approach my work to how I deal with the everyday ups and downs of family life. Shanghai has a way of pushing you out of your comfort zone, but it’s also shown me that some of the best growth comes when you’re willing to step into the unknown.

At the end of the day, I remind myself that what my sons are gaining here far outweighs what I sometimes feel they’re missing. They’re learning that the world is big, that differences are something to celebrate, and that home isn’t just one place—it’s something you create together. Watching them grow in this unique environment reminds me to embrace the chaos, let go of perfection, and trust that the love and effort we put into building this life will shape them into the kind of people who can thrive no matter where they go. And honestly, they’re shaping me just as much as I’m shaping them.

Balancing Business Dreams and Family Realities

Building a business while raising kids is like trying to balance on a tightrope with a thousand things pulling at you from every direction. The chaos, the exhaustion, the constant switching between work mode and parent mode—it’s a lot. There are nights when I finally sit down at my desk after the kids are asleep, staring at the screen, barely able to keep my eyes open. And mornings when I wake up before the sun, hoping to steal a couple of quiet hours to tackle projects before breakfast. Those moments are tough, no doubt about it. But they’re also some of the most rewarding.

When my boys burst into my workspace mid-thought or mid-call, I’ll admit it can feel frustrating in the moment. But then I catch myself. I remind myself why I’m doing this—to build something meaningful not just for me, but for them too. I want them to see what hard work looks like. I want them to grow up knowing that it’s possible to dream big, put in the effort, and create something of your own. Those interruptions, as chaotic as they might be, are also little reminders of my purpose.

Some of the best moments happen when the lines between work and parenting blur in ways I never expected. There was a night when my older son couldn’t sleep and wandered into my office. I was in the middle of tweaking a design for a client, and instead of sending him back to bed, I decided to let him stay. He pulled up a chair, and we ended up talking about what I was working on. He asked questions—about colors, shapes, why certain things were in certain places—and before I knew it, he was brainstorming ideas with me. It wasn’t just a work moment; it was a connection moment. And it’s those kinds of experiences that remind me that what I’m building isn’t just a business—it’s a way to show my kids that creativity and effort can turn ideas into something real.

Of course, there are plenty of times when it feels like I’m failing on all fronts. Days when work deadlines loom, the kids are fighting, and I’m running on fumes. The guilt creeps in—did I spend enough time with them today? Was I too distracted during dinner? Did I give my clients the attention they deserve? It’s easy to spiral into self-doubt. But then I remind myself that this isn’t about perfection. It’s about presence. About showing up as best as I can, even when it feels messy.

What keeps me going is knowing that these late nights and early mornings aren’t just about the hustle. They’re about building something that will give my family more freedom, more opportunities, and more security in the future. I want my boys to see that their dad didn’t settle for good enough. I want them to understand that the hours I spend working aren’t just hours away from them—they’re hours invested in creating a life that’s better for all of us. And I hope, one day, they’ll look back and see the love that’s woven into every decision I’ve made.

It’s not easy to juggle it all, but that’s where the meaning comes from. When I’m editing a blog post or wrapping up a client project in the quiet of the night, I know I’m doing it for something bigger than myself. And when my boys tell me they’re proud of what I’ve built, even in their simple, kid-like way, it’s like a shot of adrenaline straight to the heart. Because in those moments, I see it: the hard work is worth it.

Balancing Fatherhood, Ambition, and Everyday Moments

There are days when the weight of being both a father and an entrepreneur feels almost unbearable. The guilt sneaks in during those quiet moments—when I’m typing furiously at my computer and catch a glimpse of my sons playing in the corner of my eye, waiting for me to join them. Or when I realize I’ve been so caught up in meeting deadlines that I forgot about that promise I made to help with their school project. It’s like a constant tug-of-war, trying to be everything to everyone, knowing deep down that it’s impossible to give 100% in every direction all the time.

But here’s the thing I’ve had to learn the hard way: perfection isn’t the goal. For years, I thought being a great dad meant being at every soccer game, never missing a bedtime, and always having the right answer when life threw them questions. And I thought being a great entrepreneur meant endless hustle, sacrificing sleep, and saying yes to every opportunity. But the truth? It’s messier than that. Some days, I knock it out of the park as a dad—reading extra bedtime stories, being fully present for their little victories, or helping them through their struggles. Other days, work demands everything from me, and I rely on a quick hug and an I’ll be there in a minute that I don’t always follow through on.

What’s helped me navigate this is shifting my focus from perfection to presence. When I’m with my kids, I try to be with them—not scrolling through emails on my phone or distracted by a to-do list running through my head. Even if I can’t give them endless hours, I’ve realized that those minutes of undivided attention mean more than trying to stretch myself so thin that I end up giving them only half of me. And when I’m working, I try to remember that it’s okay to let my kids see my effort, my passion, and, yes, even my struggles. I want them to understand that working hard for something you believe in is a part of life, but it doesn’t make me love them any less.

Then there are those moments of pure pride—the ones that remind me why I’m walking this tightrope at all. Like the time my youngest told me, I want to do what you do when I grow up because you’re making cool things. Or when my oldest told his teacher that his dad is building a business so we can have fun together. Those words hit me like a jolt of energy, a reminder that even though I often feel like I’m falling short, they see something entirely different. They see effort. They see love. They see me trying, even when it’s messy. And that’s enough.

But let’s be real—it’s not always pretty. There are still days when I feel like I’ve let everyone down. Days when I snap at my kids because I’m stressed about work or when I miss an important email because I was focused on being present for my family. Those moments sting, and the guilt can linger far longer than I’d like to admit. But I’m learning to forgive myself, to see those moments not as failures but as reminders that I’m human. I can’t always be perfect, but I can always try to do better tomorrow.

And here’s the unexpected beauty in all of this: my kids don’t need me to be flawless. They need me to show up, to admit when I’m wrong, and to let them see the real me. They’ve taught me that what matters most is the effort, not the outcome. I may not always get the balance right, but the fact that I care enough to try—that I’m constantly adjusting, learning, and growing—means more than I realized.

At the end of the day, I remind myself that the tension between fatherhood and entrepreneurship isn’t something to solve; it’s something to embrace. It’s in those struggles and imperfect moments that the most meaningful lessons are born. My boys are growing up seeing their dad chase his dreams while loving them fiercely, and I hope that shows them it’s okay to dream big, fail sometimes, and always keep going. That’s a legacy I’m proud to build.

Lessons My Sons Teach Me About Business

Patience, curiosity, and adaptability—my sons have taught me more about these qualities than any business book or seminar ever could. Watching them navigate the world with their wide eyes and open hearts has fundamentally changed the way I approach my work. It’s funny how, in trying to teach them about life, they’ve ended up teaching me some of the most valuable lessons about being an entrepreneur.

Take patience, for example. If you’ve ever tried to explain something complicated to a child, you know it requires slowing down, breaking things into smaller pieces, and finding a way to make it relatable. My boys have a knack for asking questions—lots of questions—and sometimes it tests my limits. But over time, I’ve realized that this process of simplifying and explaining isn’t just for their benefit. It forces me to reevaluate my own understanding. I’ve started approaching my work the same way. When I sit down with a client or tackle a new project, I think about how I’d explain it to my kids. What’s the essence of this idea? Why does it matter? Stripping things down to their core has brought so much clarity to my business decisions, and it’s helped me connect with my audience in a much more authentic way.

Curiosity is another big one. Kids have this incredible ability to see potential and possibility in everything. A cardboard box isn’t just a box to them—it’s a spaceship, a castle, or whatever their imagination can dream up. That kind of boundless creativity is contagious. When I see my sons diving headfirst into a new idea or exploring something with endless questions, it reminds me to stay curious in my work, too. Instead of sticking to what’s safe or comfortable, I try to approach challenges with that same sense of wonder. What if I tried this? How could I do it differently? Their curiosity has made me bolder in experimenting with new ideas and more open to learning along the way.

Adaptability might be the hardest but most valuable lesson of all. Kids are constantly thrown into situations where they have to adjust—new schools, new friends, new routines—and they handle it with such resilience. Watching my boys thrive in an environment like Shanghai, where so much is unfamiliar to them, has inspired me to embrace change in my own life and business. There’s a freedom that comes with accepting that things won’t always go as planned. Instead of resisting when something unexpected comes up, I’ve learned to pivot, problem-solve, and move forward with confidence. Whether it’s a project that takes a different direction or a tough decision that needs to be made, their example reminds me that adaptability isn’t a weakness—it’s a strength.

One of the most surprising things I’ve discovered is how much explaining my work to my kids has reshaped how I think about it. When they ask me what I do or why I do it, I have to break it down into terms they’ll understand. That process of simplifying doesn’t just make my work clearer to them—it makes it clearer to me. Why am I passionate about this? What’s the impact I want to create? Those conversations have forced me to get to the heart of my purpose and have made my work feel more intentional and fulfilling.

It’s not just about the lessons themselves; it’s about how those lessons show up in the way I lead, create, and connect. I approach my team with more patience. I brainstorm with more curiosity. I handle challenges with more adaptability. My sons might not realize it now, but they’ve shaped me into a better entrepreneur, and for that, I’m endlessly grateful. Every day, they remind me to see the world through fresh eyes, to ask questions, and to keep evolving. And honestly, that’s been the secret to building something meaningful—not just for my business, but for my life as a whole.

Building a Legacy Through Words and Purpose

When I started blogging, I thought of it as a way to grow my business—an extension of my work that could help me connect with clients and share ideas. But over time, it’s become something so much deeper. It’s a space where I can capture the moments that make up this wild, unpredictable journey of fatherhood, entrepreneurship, and life far from home. It’s where I document the highs and lows, the lessons learned, and the memories made along the way. And more than anything, it’s a way to leave something behind for my sons—a record of not just what I did, but why I did it.

When I sit down to write, I think about them. I think about the day they’ll be old enough to read these words and see the life we built together through my eyes. They’ll get to see the late nights and the early mornings, the challenges I wrestled with, and the small wins that kept me going. They’ll see the love that’s woven into every post—the love for them, for the work, for this life we’re living. And I hope it shows them that there’s value in creating something meaningful, even when it’s not easy.

Blogging has become a way for me to show them what it looks like to dream out loud. To take an idea and turn it into something real, even when there’s no clear path forward. I want them to see that you don’t have to wait for permission to start something new or chase something that matters to you. You just have to begin. I hope these stories remind them that it’s okay to take risks, to try and fail, and to keep moving forward because that’s where the magic happens.

Through these words, I want to give them a glimpse of the imperfect, messy beauty of balancing ambition with family. I want them to see that I didn’t always get it right, but I showed up every day and gave it everything I had. I want them to understand that success isn’t about never stumbling—it’s about having the courage to get back up and keep building something you believe in. And when they read about this chapter of our lives, I want them to feel proud—not just of what I created, but of the fact that I created it with them in mind.

This blog isn’t just a business tool or a creative outlet. It’s a letter to my sons. It’s a way of saying, This is what mattered to me. This is what I fought for. And this is why I never gave up. Someday, they’ll have their own dreams to chase, their own families to nurture, their own stories to tell. I hope they look back on these words and see what’s possible when you build a life with purpose and heart.

And maybe, just maybe, it will inspire them to do the same.

Finding Purpose in the Chaos of Everyday Life

Balancing fatherhood, blogging, and entrepreneurship has been a journey filled with challenges, lessons, and moments of pure joy. It’s not a straight line—it’s messy, unpredictable, and often requires more than you think you have to give. But it’s in that messy middle where the magic happens, where the growth occurs, and where you realize what truly matters. It’s about showing up every day for the people you love and the work you believe in, even when it feels impossible to give your best to both. And it’s about knowing that you’re not alone in figuring it out.

As I reflect on this journey, I want to encourage you to do the same. What does balance look like for you? What values guide you as you build your family, your business, or your creative projects? Whether you’re a parent juggling work and home life, an expat navigating new cultures, or someone chasing a dream while trying to stay present for the people you love, know that your efforts matter. Even on the days when it feels like you’re falling short, the very act of trying speaks volumes.

And if you’re building something—whether it’s a business, a blog, or a personal brand—you don’t have to do it alone. Through my work at Middle Earth Consulting, I’ve helped entrepreneurs, creatives, and business owners design websites and strategies that truly reflect who they are and what they stand for. It’s about creating something meaningful, something that aligns with your values and allows you to focus on what matters most. If you’re ready to take the next step in building your vision, I’d love to help you make it happen.

No matter where you are in your journey, take a moment to acknowledge the work you’re putting in. Celebrate the wins, learn from the challenges, and keep moving forward—because the life you’re building is worth it. And if I can support you in any way along the way, I’m here. Let’s build something meaningful together.