Trading Perfect for Present + Creating Magical Family Memories

She Who Wanders

Apr 14

A Convo with Susan from Mama and Minis Adventures

Meet Susan. Mom of two boys originally from Tanzania and now living in Las Vegas, she’s an outdoor enthusiast who loves sharing about all things health, fitness, travel, and motherhood. She’s passionate about giving her boys lots of opportunities for adventures outside and ways to push their limits and learn what they are capable of. A faithful adventurer, Susan focuses her energy on living in the present moment and making time to do what she loves while bringing her children along for the ride.

Tell us a little about you and your family like where you’re from, where you live now, how old are your kids and anything interesting or unique you’d like people to know.

I am an outdoor family travel blogger from Tanzania, and based in Las Vegas, NV where I live with my family. I have two sons, Mfalme, 8 and Nkosi, 6 who equally love and enjoy every kind of adventure and outdoor activities.

I love your focus on giving your kids “the gift of happy memories.” What is a common factor in the happy memories you’ve created as a family? What do you think is the most important element of these moments?

I just want my kids to look back on their childhood and feel nothing but warm fuzzies. Kids learn through play and present-centered connection. So, as a mama, I try to give them just that. It’s not about being perfect as a parent but my goal has always been to remember to be present - something that I think helps create beautiful family memories.

The Great Wanderlust is all about moms stepping outside of the box and diving deeper in both travel and in life! The mission is to inspire mamas and families to feel fully alive through adventure and exploration! What is your great wanderlust? What most makes you come to life?? Take us back to a moment when you felt that.

I love traveling, exploring, and trying new things. I didn't want motherhood to stop me from doing the things that make me happy. So, I let motherhood be a continuation of all my adventures and that's how Mama And Minis Adventures was born. I wanted my children to love and enjoy their natural surroundings, and what better way than to allow them to experience that firsthand?

Your post on International Women’s Day, where you shared all the different stories of strong and faithful women in the Bible was so powerful! What is the story you are communicating to the world? What legacy are you passionate about creating throughout your life?

I just want everyone to know that they have a purpose in life and that they are valuable despite their past, mistakes or circumstances. Your failures do not define you. Life is a journey and we must remember to encourage one another. We each have to remember that closed doors, disappointments, failures, and no’s are a part of life, but we must not dwell on that. Just work hard and keep going. My favorite verse is Micah 7:8 “...when I fall, I shall arise…” So, I take inspiration from some of the women in the Bible who, against all odds, achieved their dreams.

What are some everyday routines or rituals that help protect you from the noise of the world and stay focused on the vision you’re creating for yourself and your family? What are some ways you protect and nourish your mental health?

I am a very spiritual person, so prayer and meditation on a daily basis are a must in helping protect me from the noise of the world and in helping me stay focused on my vision that I am creating for myself and my family. Spending time outdoors has also been a big part in my healing journey.

As someone who believes in letting kids engage in healthy, but risky activities, what benefits do you see in this and why do you think it’s so important? What are some examples of activities that some parents would deem unsafe, but you consider to be a positive experience for your kids? What are some tips you’d give for being able to emotionally handle seeing your kids take risks?

My goal is to help and guide my kids to gain independence, even at a young age. I have always allowed and encouraged them to engage in healthy, but risky play, because it is essential for their motor skills, balance, coordination, and body awareness etc. Healthy, but risky activities have given them the opportunity to challenge themselves, test limits, and explore boundaries. This has given them a sense of accomplishment, and the opportunity to learn from their mistakes and about injury risks. The list of benefits is endless, and I love that risky play has helped them develop less fear and manage sticky situations which have then turned into learning experiences for them.

I encourage my kids to try new things and decide for themselves if it's something that they like and worth pursuing. We love every kind of adventure from climbing trees, to hiking, to exploring inside caves, swimming in rivers, to kayaking, to playing in mud and dirt, and the list goes on. Nothing is off limits for us, just as long as it's healthy, risky play. The boys always have adult supervision, but at the same time, I keep my distance to allow them to explore, play, and learn their way.

Some tips that I would love to give other mamas on how to emotionally handle seeing their kids take risks is to remember that children want and need risky play. Kids need emotional and physical resilience and what better way to learn than from taking risks? Learning how to respond flexibly to difficult situations in life is very important for them and it helps raise their confidence rather than putting them in danger.

Your faith is so encouraging. What are some ways you keep the faith and stay strong when life brings challenges that feel too heavy to overcome? How do you stay centered and even grateful through trails?

Gratitude is everything! I am learning to live and enjoy life’s journey with all its ups and downs. Just like everyone else, I have my good days and not so good days but I stay rooted in my faith as a Christian mama.

Where are you off to next and what are you most looking forward to about it?

I am looking forward to a trip to Sedona, AZ in the next couple of weeks.This is a trip that has been months in the making and lots of planning on my part. I am most excited about exploring hiking trails, the red rocks of Sedona, history, geology, restaurants, and the legends that have made Sedona famous.

Is there a question you wish I would have asked or anything else you’d like to share with other mamas relating to travel or life?

My advice for other mamas is to not postpone traveling with kids until “they get older.” While the idea of traveling with young kids might seem overwhelming, the important thing to remember is this: it will end, you will get there, and you will survive. Kids love and enjoy exploring new places and things just as much as we do. You just have to plan your trips accordingly, be patient with yourself and your little explorers, go with the flow, and enjoy it.

Who inspires you to dig deeper in travel and life?

My mom inspired me to dig deeper in travel and life and I am grateful for all the lessons that I learned from her and I love that I get to pass that knowledge and love of travel to my sons.

Here are some recommendations on some amazing mamas that I think you should feature next: @dineodowd @bornabackpacker + @myadventuregang