In the seven years that I’ve been a mom, I have found some new interests, passions and ahem fixations. One of them being to find the best playgrounds in town.
I never used to worry about that before I had kids. Or, the finest pacifiers, best swimming lessons and kid friendly (read: loudest) restaurants. Nope. I never used to wonder about those either.
But some of my interests have stayed exactly the same. Eerily, oddly, obsessively: The same. (more…)
For most of us, it is impossible to predict what it will be like to juggle the responsibilities of life, work and family until we’re actually in the trenches. Looking back, I really had no clue.
At around 26-weeks pregnant (with twins), I clearly remember my supervisor’s reaction when I explained my post-maternity leave plans. I would take the maximum allowance of 12 weeks unpaid-leave (yes, I know…don’t get me started), return to work part-time at three months, then full-time at six months.
My supervisor at the time – a supportive mom of three – proceeded to laugh at me. “What? You don’t think it’s realistic?” I responded. She smiled knowingly and gently suggested that I wait and see how things go.
But the truth is, I hadn’t really thought it through at all. With so many practical things to focus on, the theoretical aspects of impending parenthood had escaped me. I had no idea how life would change once the babies arrived, so it seemed safe to stick to what I knew and assume that I’d keep working. (more…)
My childbearing days are over. There, I said it. Now I can move on and go about my life as normal.
Sigh.
If only it were that easy.
Being raised in the Southern United States, specifically Arkansas, the long standing joke is that we are all hillbillies and women are kept barefoot and pregnant. In reality, we are actually a modern society with running water and indoor toilets. However, as a woman, from a young age our focus is trained on marriage and motherhood, specifically in that order. (more…)
I remember a long time ago, before my wee lad was born, I would notice mothers or pregnant women, and I seemed to notice that there were two types: the ones that were beautiful, elegant and always poised and the other type, who weren’t.
I would think “why don’t they look after themselves?” I mean, how difficult can it be to put on a pair of nice high heels and some mascara?! Why didn’t these women make a little bit of an effort?
There was never a question in my mind what type of mother I was going to be! ( And just in case you were wondering, I was going to be elegant, always wearing clean and freshly ironed clothes, my handbag matching my shoes and so on) (more…)
Once I became pregnant with my second child, I had several mothers tell me “Don’t be afraid that you won’t love another like your first. You will!” Because the topic came up so often, I felt that I was an oddball to not be worried about this. I feel like I have a lot of love in my heart, and I couldn’t wait to give it!
No, I had my mind on other things. When I found out that I was having a second daughter, I became caught up in daydreams wondering how she would be so different from my older daughter and who she would be.
So, I often found myself feeling like I was turning pages until I found the answer in a book, but only the pages were days and the book is life. And….I’ve got to learn to be patient.
But, let’s face it. Do you know any sisters that are so alike? I, myself, am one of three sisters, and we’re all so very different. So strange to think that we’re from the same parents and grew up in the same house! (more…)
Jennifer Burden is the Founder and CEO of World Moms Network, an award winning website on global motherhood, culture, human rights and social good. World Moms Network writes from over 30 countries, has over 70 contributors and was listed by Forbes as one of the “Best 100 Websites for Women”, named a “must read” by The New York Times, and was recommended by The Times of India. She was also invited to Uganda to view UNICEF’s family health programs with Shot@Life and was previously named a “Global Influencer Fellow” and “Social Media Fellow” by the UN Foundation. Jennifer was invited to the White House twice, including as a nominated "Changemaker" for the State of the World Women Summit. She also participated in the One Campaign’s first AYA Summit on the topic of women and girl empowerment and organized and spoke on an international panel at the World Bank in Washington, DC on the importance of a universal education for all girls. Her writing has been featured by Baby Center, Huffington Post, ONE.org, the UN Foundation’s Shot@Life, and The Gates Foundation’s “Impatient Optimists.” She is currently a candidate in Columbia University's School of International and Public Affairs in the Executive Masters of Public Affairs program, where she hopes to further her study of global policies affecting women and girls. Jennifer can be found on Twitter @JenniferBurden.
Follow Me:
