Beyond Sharenting: Using Social Media to Change Narratives About Intercultural Families

When I first started writing and sharing as "Nwanyiocha", I imagined my audience as distant strangers. People somewhere out there on the internet, maybe in the diaspora, maybe curious about Nigeria, maybe just stumbling across my posts. That distance made it easier. I could write openly without overthinking. After all, nobody who actually knew me was reading, right?

Then some of my videos started going viral. Suddenly, people recognized me across Nigeria, and even at foreign airports, though it was still mainly Nigerians who came up to me. It felt surreal. And yet, whenever I went back to Switzerland, I was still completely incognito. I could walk through Zürich without anyone giving me a second glance. That strange contrast of being noticed in Nigeria, but being invisible at “home” always amused me.

But slowly, the lines began to blur. One day, my mum mentioned that her neighbor was following my page. Another time, my brother told me his colleagues were reading my posts. I was stunned. Suddenly, it was not just anonymous faces scrolling by. It was people who knew my family, people from work, even parents from my children’s school. That felt like a whole new level of exposure, and honestly, I was not prepared for it.

And then came the publication of my book (Books). Until then, Nwanyiocha had been my art name, my way of keeping a little distance between “online me” and “real-life me.” But with the book, for the first time, my pseudonym and my real name were publicly connected. Anyone could google my name and immediately find my channels. Future colleagues, potential employers, even people I may not want to share my private life with could stumble across my reflections with one simple search. And the truth is: the internet never forgets. I often wonder how that might affect me one day.

With visibility also came criticism. I have even been accused of “sharenting”, of exposing my children for content. That hurt, because I always felt that anyone truly following my page would understand it’s not about me or my kids, but about something much bigger.

To show that children growing up with roots across continents can be seen as privileged, not disadvantaged.

My motivation has never been likes or clicks. It has always been to show that intercultural marriage can be about love and choice, not just papers. To show that speaking Igbo or eating fufu is not limited to Igbos, but something anyone can enjoy. And to show that children growing up with roots across continents can be seen as privileged, not disadvantaged.

And some of the messages I receive confirm just that.

Reading something like this deeply moves me. Because it confirms what I have always hoped to achieve: that this is not just about my children or our story. It is about other families making bold decisions, parents rethinking how to raise their children, people embracing a culture that once felt distant to them. Imagining how many parents have started speaking Igbo to their kids after watching Ezenwa do it is just pure bliss. Knowing that something I shared can ripple out in such a meaningful way is humbling beyond words.

Of course, I still have my doubts. Being visible on social media also means spending many hours on my phone, and I sometimes wonder if that makes me a poor role model for my kids. But then I remind myself of the other side. This journey has taught me skills I never expected to learn, from video editing to storytelling, from voiceovers to understanding algorithms. And beyond the technical part, it has brought people into my life who have become true friends, not just online connections. In many ways, this whole experience has been a school for me too, one I never imagined attending.

So yes, I still question myself. I weigh every story I share. I try to keep some moments sacred, just for us as a family. But the feedback I get from my followers reminds me that sharing can have real impact. And if by telling our story I can spark reflection, connection, or even pride in someone else’s journey, then it is well worth it.

Last but not least

Last but not least, I decided always to end my blog posts with an Igbo proverb or quote and a song (not necessarily Igbo) that speaks to my heart. Feel free to share your favourite proverbs or a song you are currently listening to!

Igbo quote of the week: Akụkọ na-akụkọ na-eweta akụkọ ọzọ.

Translation: One story leads to another story. (Meaning: Sharing stories creates more stories, more lessons, more connections.)

My song this week: “Udemba” by Umu Obiligbo

Disclaimer

This blog is neither scientific research nor a social study; instead, it is written with much appreciation for the Igbo culture, from the subjective perspective of the author, based on personal experience. Generalizations must be read with care, as no truth is true for everyone. And most importantly, this blog is to be read with a smile and a pinch of salt (or pepper in this context).

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