Every day they spread lots of love to hundreds of thousands of followers on Instagram. In a lovely chat with dads Johan and John Valencia, we talked about life with toddlers, the respect they have for each other, the importance of surrounding yourself with supportive people, and sorting out unnecessary "musts" in life.

– We are Johan and John Valencia, two fathers to our daughters Miriam and Astrid.

– We live a very normal toddler life with preschool/school every day and that constant struggle to get there on time in the morning. While the kids are with their friends, we work. Then we pick them up after snack and go home for a little play or some activity before dinner and later bedtime.

– Right now we don't have a book in the works, but it would have been great fun to write a standalone sequel to "Miriam and the Magic Sweater". We often get asked if there will be another one, because it has been incredibly appreciated by readers, both young and old.

– We love family life and are so incredibly happy about our daughters. It feels so incredibly wonderful that we have experienced parenthood, something that none of us took for granted.

– Our world. Today, the climate is incredibly harsh, both in everyday life and especially digitally. We try to spread positive energy in our social media and teach our children how to think and be in order to do good, both to ourselves and to those around us.

– It could be anything. We love to travel and discover new places with the kids. But we also like to go to our country house and visit John's parents, who are very close to the kids.

– Two new projects to be launched that we have been working on for a long time. One will be released in mid-June and it will be fun to try something we have never done before.

But of course life with the children, watching them grow up and become a year older. Miriam is starting first grade, which feels absolutely incredible.

– We have enormous respect for each other. Since we are married parents of young children AND work together, we see a lot of each other. There are many different relationships that we need to have with and for each other. Without the basic respect and love, this would have been difficult because it is clear that we think differently about things or maybe pull in different directions in some work issue. Then we have to go back to why we chose to have our lives this way and see the differences as strengths.

– That the future may be uncertain but it is in your hands. Nothing is impossible and we all have choices and opportunities. Take advantage of yours and make sure to surround yourself with good people who lift and support you. Many things that we experience as "musts" we can actually sort out. Yes, this also applies to relationships that don't feel good.

– I, John, would say my parents who have been there and supported me throughout my life from the time I came to them when I was 9 months old. It couldn't have been better and I am eternally grateful to them for everything I have experienced with them. Then I also say Johan for his patience, of course with the children, but also with me.

– In addition to all the fantastic books at OLIKA, we would like to suggest giving yourself the gift of time. Check your calendars and re-prioritize so that you have more time for peace, quiet and reflection. Maybe you are a person who stresses through life and one day discovers that five years have passed and you have no idea what you have done. Our tip is to stop, breathe and think about what makes you feel good. Maybe you want to change path or just direction - you decide!

Thank you so much for the chat! 💖