Where in the world do you live? And, are you from there?
I live in Kimberley, the diamond capital of South Africa. Kimberley is a smallish, dusty town that gets extremely hot in summer – living here sometimes requires a good sense of humour, ha! I was born and raised just a short distance from here – in Bloemfontein in Central South Africa.
What language(s) do you speak?
Our home language is Afrikaans, but I’m fluent in English as well. South Africa has 11 official languages, plus a number of unofficial ones, so I’m really far behind as far as that goes!
When did you first become a mother?
I was blessed with a beautiful, peaceful little girl at the beginning of 2012 at the age of 34. My son, a busy, happy little guy, was born 22 months later at the end of 2013. It’s been an overwhelming, busy and blessed two-and-a-half years – what an amazing adventure!
Is your work: stay-at-home mom, other work at home or do you work outside the home?
I’m in the very privileged position to work from home as an ecologist. I feel extremely blessed to be able to be here for my kids all day (we have a nanny who looks after them while I work) and be able to do a job that I love.
Why do you blog/write?
Writing is my passion – I love, love, love it! Combining writing with my other passions, namely my kids, running and healthy living, is pure bliss.
How would you say that you are different from other mothers?
I’m quite a health nut! At the age of two-and-a-half my daughter has never seen or tasted something like a soda and very rarely eats junk food – we just don’t keep it in our house. She and her brother both love fruits and veggies – perhaps because it’s all they know? I also love running with both kids in our double jogging stroller – it’s one of our favourite things to do!
What do you view as the challenges of raising a child in today’s world?
There are so many! Keeping them safe in a country known for its high crime rate; teaching them to value and accept themselves in a society where pressure is immense to be and look a certain way; teaching them to respect others in a world where respect for others is on the decline; teaching them to be active and take care of their bodies in a world where technology makes everything so easy… The list goes on and on. Only by grace!
How did you find World Moms Blog?
I love reading about other mothers’ experiences on this crazy adventure called motherhood. An online search led me to World Moms Blogs, where I’ve found so many inspirational stories about moms from all over the globe – I love it!
This is an original, interview post for World Moms Blog from our new writer in South Africa and mum of 2, Karien Potgieter. You can read more about Karien’s running adventures through life at her personal blog: Running the Race
Karien Potgieter
Karien Potgieter is a full-time working mom of two toddlers. She has a master’s degree in ecology and works in the conservation sector in beautiful South Africa. Her other big passion, apart from her family and caring for the environment, is running. To date she’s participated in races on three continents and in six countries and she dreams of travelling to and running in many, many more. You can follow her and her family’s running adventures on her blog, Running the Race (http://www.runningtherace.co.za).
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Welcome to WMB Karien! I look forward to reading all about your adventures in motherhood!
Thanks very much, Maman!
Welcome 🙂 Look forward to reading your stories at World Moms Blog!
Thanks so much, Purnima!
Karien,
Officially, Welcome to World Moms Blog!! I’m so excited that you are writing with us! I didn’t know you were an ecologist — ideas are popping in my head!!
Hello from the USA to South Africa!!
Jen 🙂
Thanks so much for the welcome, Jen! Heehee – I’d love to hear those ideas…!
Welcome Karien. Looking forward to getting to know you via posts and WMB.
Thanks so much, Nadege – much appreciated!
Great to learn a little about you Karien and looking forward to hearing about your life experiences!
We’re also very health orientated in our household and hardly ever eat anything that’s not homemade.
Welcome aboard from another newbie!
🙂
Thanks so much, Ann Marie – it’s always great to “meet” a fellow healthy-living mama! Can’t wait to read your posts!
Thanks for joining us at WMB Karien – look forward to reading your posts 🙂
Thanks very much, Eva – I feel so blessed to be a part of this caring community of mamas!
Welcome Karien! Afrikaans fascinates me, so close to Dutch/Flemish we can actually understand each other’s mothertongue although we live miles and miles apart!
I love that you go jogging with you kids in the stroller! Just a month ago, I picked up jogging again, and my kids (5 and 8) insisted on joining me. So now we go for a family jog three times a week! We bought them ‘real’ running shoes just yesterday, they were so proud!
Looking forward to reading you!
I love that you go jogging with your kids – what fun family memories! I used to go running with my dad when I was in school and at university – some of my all-time favourite memories 🙂 .
Welcome! I can’t wait to read more from you 🙂
Thanks so much, Tara – much appreciated!