Where in the world do you live? And, are you from there?
I am originally from Georgia, but was raised in New Jersey since the age of 2. I went to college in North Carolina and lived there for 13 years. About 2 years ago, we moved to South Carolina.

What languages do you speak?
English and some Spanish

When did you first become a mother?
I was 28, in graduate school and had been married for 5 years. It was a welcomed surprise and I had my baby boy a month after I graduated.

Are you a stay-at-home mom or do you work?
Actually, I do both.

Why do you blog/write?
I find it therapeutic to write.

How would you say that you are different from other moms?
I thought long and hard about this one because my answer really depends on who I am being compared to. Then, something popped in my head….Hands Across the Sand. This is essentially a public protest to offshore drilling. At a certain date and time, people gather at the shoreline of the beach and hold hands for a half hour to make a statement. Last year, I brought my children with me and they held hands on the beach with me and over 200 people. We were all upset by what was happening with the oil spill in the gulf and I saw this protest as a way to teach my kids that their voice matters. I want them to know that they can stand up for what is important to them. The beach is a way of life for us, so drilling off our coast is a huge threat on many levels. I knew this was going to be peaceful and after it was over, we would spend the day at the beach, enjoying what we were trying to protect.

What do you view as the challenges of raising a child in today’s world?
The violence and greed that goes on in our world is disturbing. I know I cannot shelter my kids from everything, but I do my best to model and teach them kindness, understanding and compassion. I want them to be a part of what is good about our world and they are.

How did you find World Moms Blog?
The founder is a friend and when I heard her ideas, I jumped at the chance to be involved.

What do you like best about writing for World Moms Blog?
I find it fascinating to read about the lives of moms across the globe. We all share the common bond of motherhood, yet there are other factors of our lives that are so different. I love learning about the way people do things, why they do them and what their perceptions are on a number of issues and other cultures. I find that it opens my mind to things that I never thought before. Having a blog like this breaks down misconceptions and makes the world more personal.

This is an original post to World Moms Blog by Maggie Ellison of South Carolina, USA.

Photo credit to the author. 

Maggie Ellison

Maggie is so grateful to be raising her 2 children with her husband in the low country of South Carolina. Life at the beach is what she’s always known, although living in SC is new to this NJ native! The beauty of the live oaks and the palmettos takes her breath away on a daily basis and being able to go to the beach all year is a dream for her. Art and music have also always been a part of Maggie’s life, and she is happy that her family has the same love and appreciation for it that she does.
Maggie and her family are also very active. Her husband coaches both kids in soccer, and they like to spend their time outdoors kayaking, biking, swimming, camping, etc. They try to seize every moment they can together, and they feel that it’s not just the family time that is important. They want their kids to know a life of activity and respect for the outdoors, expose them to new things and teach them about the world! Maggie and her family are no strangers to overcoming life's challenges. They've had to uproot their family several times when jobs have been lost in the economic crisis.
They also lovingly face the challenges of having a child diagnosed with special needs. Through all this, Maggie has learned to celebrate the good times and never take them for granted. Her family is everything to her, and she is incredibly grateful for every day she has with them and for every moment she has shared with them. Not a day goes by that she doesn’t tell them she loves them and how lucky she is to be her kids’ mommy. How sweet!

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