by Maureen | Nov 25, 2011 | Eye on Culture, Indonesia, Scoops of Joy, Toys
The November 19th Saturday Sidebar question was so interesting I couldn’t help but take a deeper look into the whole gender issue, especially from an Indonesian mother’s point of view.
(Disclaimer: it is not easy to characterize the existing patriarchy in Indonesia, as there are more than 200 ethnic groups organized along patrilineal and matrilineal lines. Also, I have no experience raising a girl here in Indonesia–-in fact, I had no experience in child rearing before my son was born. And finally, before I became a mother myself, I never paid much attention to how people raise children here.)
About two years ago, when my son was a toddler, who dearly loved stuffed animals, I took him to a store here in Jakarta. He immediately grabbed a stuffed pig off a bottom shelf and started loving it. The store attendant quickly made a comment that caused my defensive mama-bear mode to jump into action: (more…)
by Maureen | Oct 26, 2011 | Indonesia, Motherhood, Parenting, Scoops of Joy
Growing up in Indonesia, I don’t really remember hugs, cuddles and the like. Yes, of course, there was the dutiful kiss on the cheek once in a while that felt more like a custom. It is not in our culture to say “I love you.”
In their own way, I know my parents love me and my brothers. We, the children, tended to show our love with actions, such as paying respect to our parents, never arguing or talking back and being, pretty much, good kids.
Our upbringing was laden with disciplines ala Dutch style. My parents were stern and
(more…)
by Maureen | Oct 4, 2011 | China, Indonesia, Motherhood, Parenting, Scoops of Joy
I’ve been lucky enough to look at motherhood from different cultural aspects. From the American side, the Indonesian side and to a glimpse of the Chinese side.
When I was still in the States, I lived a life like most American stay-at-home moms do. I cooked; I cleaned; and, I took care of my son, the ex husband and my stepsons to the best of my ability with the help of my ex husband, of course.
Then I came home for the first time to Indonesia when my son was 9 months old. We flew over 23 hours to introduce him to my parents and my family, just him and me. (more…)
by Maureen | Sep 22, 2011 | Bilingual, Family, International, Life Lesson, Motherhood, Scoops of Joy, Working Mother, World Interviews, World Moms Blog Writer Interview, Writing
Where in the world do you live? And, are you from there?
At the moment I’m living in Jakarta the capital city of Indonesia. Having both parents from different Indonesian ethnic backgrounds plus spending large chunks of my life living around remote mining areas of Indonesia, it’s always tough when people ask where I really came from so in short, I am Indonesian. When I was married, I used to live in upstate- New York and in a small town called Dothan in Alabama before moving to China for a couple of months. I’ve been back in Indonesia permanently since 2009.
What language(s) do you speak?
Indonesian and English although I speak a tiny – emphasis tiny – bit of Dutch and if it can even be counted, I can say a few lines in Mandarin, courtesy of being there for a little bit.
When did you first become a mother?
I became a mother 5 weeks earlier than my initial due date thanks to my severe pre-eclampsia. My son was born on December 7, 2006 from an emergency c-section after a whole month of being bed ridden. (more…)
The November 19th Saturday Sidebar question was so interesting I couldn’t help but take a deeper look into the whole gender issue, especially from an Indonesian mother’s point of view.
