Where in the world do you live? And, are you from there?

I currently live in Bern, Switzerland. I am originally from the United States. I was born in New York, hopped around to Ohio, Thailand, Malaysia, Michigan and then landed in Texas where I now say I’m “from”.  As my family settled down in Texas I married a man, who is on a mission to see the world.  Our adventures have taken us to Washington, D.C., Bogotá, Colombia and now on to Bern, Switzerland.

What language(s) do you speak?

I speak English. And also “survival Spanish”…you know the kind with really bad grammar that gets you through the grocery store and across town in a taxi but won’t earn you the respect of linguists!   I must admit, though, that while living in Bogota my survival Spanish got us faster service sometimes than my husband’s fluent Spanish!

When did you first become a mother?

I became a mother a little over 4 years ago with the birth of my first son. I would have to say, though, that really “becoming a mother” has come gradually as we have grown and matured together. When I became a mother all I wanted to do was be a mother but it has taken time to get in my groove.

Are you a stay-at-home mom or do you work?

I am a stay-at-home mom currently. I previously worked as a Speech Language Pathologist for pediatrics. I first worked in an early intervention program in Texas and then opened a private practice upon arriving in Bogotá. I loved my work outside of the home but I must say I feel so blessed to be able to be home during these early years of my children’s lives.

Why do you blog/write?

I blog as a way of processing this crazy life…in hopes that it might bring encouragement to others. Whether it be our cross-cultural lifestyle or the day-to-day of being a mom there is always something laughable! Some might find me to be sarcastic and maybe a tad too honest in my writing but I think it is so important to be real about life as a mom and wife, and sometimes it isn’t sunshine and butterflies!  I love writing and enjoy making the investment of time to help family and friends feel connected even though we are so many miles apart.  You can find my blogging here.

How would you say that you are different from other mothers?

Eeek! I don’t know if I am much different than other moms. I often see other moms as having their act together and seeming much more relaxed.  My oldest son was diagnosed with cancer at 9 months of age so I think sometimes I take things too seriously and need to remind myself to enjoy the small joys!!

What do you view as the challenges of raising a child in today’s world?

I find it challenging to find a balance between letting my boys discover things on their own by taking risks and protecting them from all of the unknowns. It is hard to release control of the reigns and sit back and watch them navigate. I want my kids to see the beauty in our world and to know that when they see things that are dark and scary that they can make a difference to make our world a brighter place. In a world that seems very “to each his own at times” I want my children to learn to serve others and be generous!

How did you find World Moms Blog?

I found World Moms Blog through another Foreign Service blogger.  And what a great resource it has been for me! It is such a neat community of moms coming together to offer one another encouragement and support!

This is a first-time, original post to World Moms Blog from our new mom of two in Switzerland, Kristen Kolb. You also can find Kristen writing on her personal blog:  Seasons Worth Savoring.

The photograph used in this post is attributed to the author.

Kristen

Kristen is a stay-at-home to two little boys, Jackson (4 yrs) and Owen (nearly 2 yrs). She was born in New York, but eventually made her way down to Texas. She and her husband, Seth, met in Dallas and were married in December 2005. Nine months into their marriage Seth received a call that he had landed his dream job, one catch, it involved world wide assignment. The adventure took them from Texas to Washington, D.C., on to Bogotá, Colombia and then back to Washington, D.C before bringing them to Bern, Switzerland! Kristen and her family have currently lived in Bern for more than 1 year, where her husband works for the US Department of State. Four moves and 2 children in nearly 6 years of marriage have made for quite the adventure in motherhood! Kristen finds motherhood to be one of the most humbling and character building things she has ever experienced. The responsibility of raising boys with integrity and respect at times feels daunting, but she couldn’t imagine doing anything else! Kristen is a Speech Language Pathologist but has taken time away from working to focus on her family. Although she enjoys the travel and adventure involved in her husband’s career, she often finds herself feeling far from home and working to make the most of time abroad! On her blog, Seasons Worth Savoring, Kristen writes about daily life with two little boys, including her experiences as she navigates a foreign culture and walks by faith. In her free time, or rather in her busy time with two boys attached to her legs, Kristen enjoys cooking, photography, antique and thrift store shopping, working on crafts, and blogging.

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