by Tara Bergman (USA) | Aug 28, 2012 | Kids, Life Lesson, Motherhood, Parenting, Tara B., USA, World Moms Blog, World Motherhood
My six year old son has a resuable water bottle with a pink top that is covered with bees and daisies.
When it’s time to replace our son’s gear, we let him choose what he likes without telling him things are specifially for boys or girls. However, most things are marketed to boys (with monsters, bugs or vehicles) or to girls (with flowers, crowns and birds). This marketing seems everywhere from a young age, with advertisements showing boys holding the “boy” stuff and girls with the “girly” stuff. From toys to flatware, everything is divided.
Do I mind this early play into gender stereotypes? Yes and no. I am ok with having multiple versions of a toy in different colors available, but I would prefer they were not marketed to a specific gender. And if I am being honest here, I have fallen in step with the divide. My son wears lots of blue and zero pink. Would I mind him wearing pink? No, but I buy what is easy and available, and I don’t go out of my way to get him t-shirts that span the color of the rainbow. If he asked for a pink t-shirt, I would do my best to find him one.
In the meantime, I am educating my son about choosing what he likes and being confident with those choices regardless of advertisements.
My son first became aware of these gender rules in preschool. When we were looking for a replacement for a broken toy, he asked if it was OK for him to get the pink “girl” one rather than the blue “boy” one. I explained it was the exact same device, but just in different colors, so he could pick whichever one he preferred. He ended up with the blue one, and I made a mental note that the days of “that’s for girls” was coming. (more…)
Tara is a native Pennsylvanian who moved to the Seattle area in 1998 (sight unseen) with her husband to start their grand life adventure together. Despite the difficult fact that their family is a plane ride away, the couple fell in love with the Pacific Northwest and have put down roots. They have 2 super charged little boys and recently moved out of the Seattle suburbs further east into the country, trading in a Starbucks on every corner for coyotes in the backyard. Tara loves the outdoors (hiking, biking, camping). And, when her family isn't out in nature, they are hunkered down at home with friends, sharing a meal, playing games, and generally having fun. She loves being a stay-at-home mom and sharing her experiences on World Moms Network!
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by Mamma Simona (South Africa) | Aug 27, 2012 | Motherhood, Older Children, South Africa, World Moms Blog, World Motherhood
I often get told how “lucky” I am to have such a great relationship with my 19 year old son and my 16 year old daughter. I usually smile and agree that I am, indeed, lucky to be blessed with such a great husband and kids.
Is it just luck, though? Gary Player (the golfer) famously said; “The more I practice, the luckier I get!” With that in mind, I decided to think about what my husband and I did which (I believe) made us “lucky”! Who knows, maybe some of these tips will improve your luck too!
1. Discipline: Before I conceived our first child, my husband and I talked a lot about our families of origin. We discussed how we were disciplined and how we felt growing up. I come from a broken home – a home which was fragmented even before my parents finally divorced – and I remember feeling very insecure because rules and punishments were very inconsistent. (more…)
Mamma Simona was born in Rome (Italy) but has lived in Cape Town (South Africa) since she was 8 years old. She studied French at school but says she’s forgotten most of it! She speaks Italian, English and Afrikaans. Even though Italian is the first language she learned, she considers English her "home" language as it's the language she's most comfortable in. She is happily married and the proud mother of 2 terrific teenagers! She also shares her home with 2 cats and 2 dogs ... all rescues.
Mamma Simona has worked in such diverse fields as Childcare, Tourism, Library Services, Optometry, Sales and Admin! (With stints of SAHM in-between). She’s really looking forward to the day she can give up her current Admin job and devote herself entirely to blogging and (eventually) being a full-time grandmother!
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by World Moms Blog | Aug 26, 2012 | World Moms Blog Itinerary
On Monday we will be in lovely Cape Town, South Africa, with Mamma Simona. Simona has the kind of positive relationship with her children that makes her the envy of other parents of teens. She tells us what her secret is.
On Tuesday we head to Washington to hear from Tara B., who discusses the role of gender-based marketing in our children’s lives. Would you buy your boy something that would typically be used by a girl, and vice versa? Tara tells us her views and how she handles it with her own child.
Next up also on Tuesday is a post from Elizabeth Atalay about a women from Rhode Island who began her own non-profit and is helping to provide food to people who need it most in Africa. An inspiring story!
On Wednesday, we’re off to Egypt, where Nihad talks about a dilemma she faced in the raising of her children. How would she balance discipline with love? Was she going to be critical of every mistake her children made, or was she going to focus on encouraging them to value themselves?
On Thursday, we’re back in the United States with Illinois mom Jill Barth. This mom talks about the dilemma faced by many moms who work outside of the home, and whether we are sending our kids the rights messages about the way the world is supposed to be.
We end this multinational week in France, with a post from Lady Jennie, and her topic is vacationing with children.
On Saturday, check out the Saturday Sidebar with Purnima, where the World Moms give their thoughts on an important topic, and chime in with your answers to this week’s question!
Our giveaway this week is a gorgeous scarf from Indonesia, donated by our contributor, Maureen from Tatterscoops! To be entered to win, comment on the blog from Sunday, August 26th through Saturday, September 1st EST! (Check our sidebar this week for a photo!)
— World Moms Blog
Our World Moms Blog logo was designed by the creative Erica Joyner Designs in Virginia, USA.
This World Moms Blog Travel Itinerary is written by Kirsten Doyle @ Running For Autism
World Moms Blog is an award winning website which writes from over 30 countries on the topics of motherhood, culture, human rights and social good. Over 70 international contributors share their stories from around the globe, bonded by the common thread of motherhood and wanting a better world for their children.
World Moms Blog was listed by Forbes Woman as one of the "Best 100 Websites for Women 2012 & 2013" and also called a "must read" by the NY Times Motherlode in 2013. Our Senior Editor in India, Purnima Ramakrishnan, was awarded the BlogHer International Activist Award in 2013.
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by World Moms Blog | Aug 25, 2012 | Eva Fannon, Purnima, Saturday Sidebar, Tara B., The Alchemist, Truly Rich Mom
This week’s Saturday Sidebar is a spin on one of the writing prompts from Mama Kat’s Pretty Much World Famous Writer’s Workshop:
“Aside from your kids, pets, your husband, your coffee and your wine, what makes you smile?”
Check out what some of our World Moms had to say…
Ana Gaby @ Stumble Abroad of Indonesia writes:
“Seeing my friends back home after a year or two and starting off just where we left off, traveling and trying new food, reading books by my favorite author and feel that I’m keeping up with his publications and being able to stop for a minute and thank God for all His blessings.”
Alison Lee of Malaysia writes:
“Cupcakes, ice cream and chocolate. Yes, I have a one track mind!”
Eva Fannon of Washington State, USA writes:
“Since I’ve been living in Seattle, I have a new found appreciation for blue skies. A sunny day with a clear blue sky always makes me smile. (And when it’s sunny, I do believe we have some of the bluest skies I have ever seen!)”
Jennifer Clark Johns of Virginia, USA writes:
“Hitting the gym and having an amazing workout, hanging with friends (which I don’t get to do often enough!), being alone with a great book, spending time with my family, a glass of wine by the campfire with my Hubby, seeing that the laundry is done (again, a rarity!), my favorite tunes on the radio. And for the first time in I don’t know how long, I took a bubble bath. Yep, definitely smile-worthy! :-)”
Karyn Van Der Zwet of New Zealand writes:
“Friends, sunshine and open spaces”
Kirsten Doyle of Ontario, Canada writes:
“Running! I get a real kick out of that endorphin high!”
Lady E of Indonesia writes:
“Yoga, dance, good friends, travel, things I read, people doing good in the world, people being silly in the world. I try to smile a lot!”
Mamma Simona of South Africa writes:
“My FaceBook friends who post such witty things, good memories and good comedies like Big Bang Theory.”
Meredith of Nigeria writes:
“Curling up on the couch under my favorite blanket with a great book and a glass of wine, going out with some of my great friends and being able to be myself around them:)”
Tara B. of Washington State, USA writes:
“Looking back through old photographs of family and friends.”
Purnima of India writes:
“Ice creams, restaurants, art galleries, book shops, looking at babies smiling, my bedroom with the complete bed all to myself with the AC switched ON and nobody at home, of course with a great book.”
Truly Rich Mom of Philippines writes:
“Feeling God’s affirmation and assurance, hearing a favorite worship song, reading funny quotes, hanging out with friends, traveling, good photos, articles that are inspiring :)”
Travel Lady with Baby of Quebec, Canada writes:
“Music on and a dance party, a good run, an uninterrupted bath, travel, hiking, a freshly made bed, a good book, good food, and good company, and finding fabulous shoes on sale!”
What about you… what makes you smile?
And do you have a question you would like to pose to our WMB writers? If so, email us at wmbsidebareditor@gmail.com to see what they have to say.
Don’t forget to visit us tomorrow to check out the travel itinerary for next week posted by Kirsten Doyle!
– World Moms Blog
Photo credit toRob Boudon. This photo has a creative commons attribute license.
World Moms Blog is an award winning website which writes from over 30 countries on the topics of motherhood, culture, human rights and social good. Over 70 international contributors share their stories from around the globe, bonded by the common thread of motherhood and wanting a better world for their children.
World Moms Blog was listed by Forbes Woman as one of the "Best 100 Websites for Women 2012 & 2013" and also called a "must read" by the NY Times Motherlode in 2013. Our Senior Editor in India, Purnima Ramakrishnan, was awarded the BlogHer International Activist Award in 2013.
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by Natalia Rankine-Galloway (Morocco) | Aug 24, 2012 | Being Thankful, Culture, Family Travel, Husband, International, Language, Life Lesson, Living Abroad, Motherhood, Moving, Multicultural, Tunisia, World Motherhood, Younger Children
As anyone who has executed an international move knows, the process is as much excitement as pure terror. In addition to the myriad concerns flying through your head about never seeing your cherished belongings again, there is the fear of the unknown. Where will I buy milk? Will I find a circle of friends? Will I be able to learn the language? What on earth have we signed ourselves up for?
As I make the final preparations and move onto my final five fingers to count the days until we move to Tunis, I have found a way to categorize, if not altogether deal with my fears. I’m a compulsive organizer…what can I say! If I can’t solve a problem, it is at least sitting in the right pile.
As a wife, I fear for the demands that this move will place on my husband’s time. This fear is mitigated by the fact that since we found out about this move, he has been as giddy as a school boy… more excited by his chosen profession than he has been in a long while.
As a mother, I fear for my 18 month old’s fragile understanding of his little world and how we are about to shatter it. He won’t be waking up in the same room, his little friends will all change, and people will be speaking to him in strange tongues, just as he was getting the hang of this English nonsense. But I take comfort in the fact that, although he may not remember this year, it will permanently lodge itself in his psyche, and that I will love discovering this new world through his eyes.
As an entrepreneur, I fear that I won’t be able to accomplish all that I have set out for myself in this upcoming year. While this move is offering me numerous opportunities, I doubt my ability to seize them and to properly maintain my control over the business I have so carefully built over the past year. But as with all things in business, the reward is in the risk….and if nothing else, I will blog my little heart out!
As a woman, I fear the changing political climate in Tunisia. As the country struggles to find its footing after the Jasmine Revolution and the ouster of long-time dictator Ben Ali, a long repressed undercurrent of conservative Islamism is attempting to take hold. What implication this holds for the women of Tunisia, no one can yet say. The nation seems, to this outside observer, to be
so fiercely proud of its moderate stance on women’s rights that a curtailing of their ability to work outside the home or a mandatory enforcement of the hijab seems unlikely. But I am excited to be able to come to know these women and experience first hand how they will play a role in determining their country’s future.
As a traveler, and especially as a traveler with a small child in tow, I fear the baggage, and the train schedules, and the changing of diapers in public restrooms. But I am also happy to infuse my tourist dollars into the many
Tunisian communities desperately missing their visitors since they launched the Arab spring and to discover the vast historical, cultural and culinary treasures my new home has to offer. I can’t wait to introduce you all to my new home as I get to know it thoroughly.
Have you endured the stresses an thrills of an international move? What coping measures have you used to get through it?
This is an original post to World Moms Blog by our new writer and newly exported “Tunisian,” Natalia Rankine-Galloway of Culture Baby.
The image used in this post is credited to ReeccaLeeP. It holds a Flickr Creative Commons attribution license.
Natalia was born a stone's throw from the Queen's racetrack in Ascot, UK and has been trying to get a ticket to the races and a fabulous hat to go with it ever since. She was born to a Peruvian mother and an Irish father who kept her on her toes, moving her to Spain, Ireland and back to the UK before settling her in New York for the length of middle and high school. She is still uncertain of what she did to deserve that.
She fled to Boston for college and then Washington, D.C. to marry her wonderful husband, who she met in her freshman year at college. As a military man, he was able to keep her in the migratory lifestyle to which she had become accustomed. Within 5 months of marriage, they were off to Japan where they stayed for a wonderful 2 and one half years before coming home to roost. Baby Xavier was born in New York in 2011 and has not slept since.
A joy and an inspiration, it was Xavier who moved Natalia to entrepreneurship and the launch of CultureBaby. She has loved forging her own path and is excited for the next step for her family and CultureBaby.
Natalia believes in the potential for peace that all children carry within them and the importance of raising them as global citizens. She loves language, history, art and culture as well as Vietnamese Pho, Argentinian Malbec, English winters, Spanish summers and Japanese department stores...and she still hopes one day to catch the number 9 race with Queen Liz.
You can find her personal blog, The Culture Mum Chronicles.
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