NETHERLANDS: Interview with Mirjam of Apples and Roses

NETHERLANDS: Interview with Mirjam of Apples and Roses

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

I live in the Netherlands but I was born in Surinam. 

 What language(s) do you speak?

I speak Dutch, English and Surinamese and I also have a rudimentary knowledge of German and French.

 When did you first become a mother?

I became a mother almost eleven years ago, when I gave birth to my son Jason.

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

I was a stay at home Mom but for the past couple of years I have been working one day a week. I still feel like a stay at home Mom, though.

 Why do you blog/write?

I started to blog because I needed an outlet for my creativity and a space where I could express myself. Once I started, it became so much more: a document for my kids; a report of my journey and struggle with depression; a place to inspire and encourage others; a special spot on the internet to honor my soul and mostly a mirror in which I could see myself in a positive way.

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

This is such a tough question to answer! I think I am different because of my background. I  had some difficulties early in life that have permanently influenced my personality. I choose not to say damaged because I find, as a result, I can still grasp the concept of childhood. I still completely know what it feels like to be a child. That makes it easier to place myself in the shoes of my kids. And that is a big part of the way I parent my kids.

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

It is my opinion that society nowadays encourages self-centeredness. It is all about self-fulfillment, self-development. I want to raise my children to be compassionate. I would like for their lives to be a blessing to others, that they not only live for themselves. 

How did you find World Moms Blog?

I found World Moms Blog via Twitter.

This is an original interview and our second post from our new writer in the Netherlands and mother of two, Mirjam.

Mirjam

Mirjam was born in warm, sunny Surinam, but raised in the cold, rainy Netherlands. She´s the mom of three rambunctious beauties and has been married for over two decades to the love of her life. Every day she´s challenged by combining the best and worst of two cultures at home. She used to be an elementary school teacher but is now a stay at home Mom. In her free time she loves to pick up her photo camera. Mirjam has had a life long battle with depression and is not afraid to talk about it. She enjoys being a blogger, an amateur photographer, and loves being creative in many ways. But most of all she loves live and laughter, even though sometimes she is the joke herself. You can find Mirjam (sporadically) at her blog Apples and Roses where she blogs about her battle with depression and finding beauty in the simplest of things. You can also find Mirjam on Twitter and Instagram.

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