by Mamma Simona (South Africa) | Jan 9, 2012 | Motherhood, South Africa, World Motherhood
I’m 42 yrs old, and the only New Year’s Resolution I have managed to keep is the one I made several years ago to stop making New Year Resolutions!
It took me that long to stop setting myself up for failure. You see, for as long as I can remember I’ve always felt that I just simply was “not good enough” so, every year, I’d promise myself that this year I’d finally be “good enough” if I lost 30 pounds, started exercising, became better at housekeeping and cooking healthy food, whilst at the same time started earning more money and volunteering at my kids’ school and donating more to charity and writing a novel and, and, and, and …. my list never ended!
Invariably, before the end of January, all my good intentions had been crushed by reality (“the road to hell is paved with good intentions”), and I would end up feeling even more useless than before!
So what changed? You know the saying that if you don’t respond to the “tap on the shoulder” the Universe will “drop a piano on your head”? Well, several years ago, I woke up in the worst pain I’d ever been in (except, maybe, for when I was in labour), and for several months we didn’t know what was causing it. (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 | Jan 8, 2012 | France, South Africa, Tara B., The Advocates of Human Rights, Third Eye Mom, USA, World Moms Blog Itinerary
Happy New Year and welcome back to our writers and our readers!
We are starting off our first blogging week of 2012 in South Africa, where Mamma Simona talks about New Years resolutions. Do you make them? Do you keep them? This mom tells us her own views and the circumstances in her life that caused her to re-evaluate her priorities.
On Tuesday, we’re in Washington with Tara B., who a while ago entertained us with a post about her quest for domesticity. Now, she tells us how she is finding her inner domestic goddess as she starts to conjure up some delicious meals.
On Tuesday evening, we have a social good post from Nicole @ Third Eye Mom. She talks about fundraising for Nepal and the Shot@Life campaign.
On Wednesday, we head off to Europe, where A Lady In France tells us about her first post-partum OB/GYN appointment. Some aspects of French culture that she discusses may surprise you – only in France!
On Thursday, Jill Barth in Illinois reflects on the fact that after spending treasured time together over the holiday season, families all over the world are returning to their regular routines. She gives us some great pointers on how we can cope with the return to normality, and how we can avoid the let-down that so often happens after a great time.
On Friday, we are in Arizona, where Dr. Jeanelle tells us that there are ways to make New Years resolutions that are achievable. She gives us pointers on how we can set our goals going into 2012, and more important, how we can stick to them.
On Saturday, check out the Saturday Sidebar with Eva Fannon, where the World Moms give their thoughts on an important topic, and chime in with your answers to the week’s question!
— World Moms Blog
Our World Moms Blog logo was designed by the creative Erica Joyner Designs in Virginia, USA.
The 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 | Dec 23, 2011 | Canada, Eva Fannon, India, Indonesia, Israel, Malaysia, Norway, Oceania, Polish Mom Photographer, Scoops of Joy, South Africa, South Korea, Susie Newday, The Alchemist, Third Eye Mom, Unintentionally Brilliant, USA
Today, we bring you festive cheer from around the globe! Read the special holiday messages from our World Moms…
Alison Lee of Malaysia writes:
“May your holiday season be filled with love, laughter, family, friends and joy.”
Asta Burrows of Norway writes:
“Happy Christmas everyone! Hope you all manage to avoid the stress, and just enjoy this holiday ”
Dr. Lanham of Arizona, USA writes:
“Have a blessed and happy Christmas and New Year!”
Eva Fannon of Washington State, USA writes:
“Wishing you a joyous holiday season that gives you precious moments to share with loved ones.”
Inspiration to Dream of Australia writes:
“Christmas to me is about family and friends and creating wonderful memories to carry you through the year. So, I hope you’re all creating amazing memories with your loved ones this year.”
Jennifer Burden of New Jersey, USA writes:
“Wishing you a healthy, happy and peaceful holiday season around the globe!”
JPrestholdt of Minnesota, USA writes:
“Wishing you and your family joy this holiday season and peace in the new year.”
Kirsten Doyle of Ontario, Canada writes:
“May your family and friends surround you with love and joy this Christmas. May beautiful memories of departed loved ones warm you from the inside. May your dreams come true in 2012, and may you party hard this Christmas with the knowledge that calories consumed at this time of the year don’t count.”
Kyla P’an of Massachusetts, USA writes:
“Who better to understand a holiday celebrating the birth of a baby than mothers? So, from a blogging Mom on this side of the world to Moms everywhere, Merry Christmas!”
Maman Aya of New York, USA writes:
“Happy holidays to all of you and your friends and families. I hope 2012 is a healthy, happy and prosperous year for everyone!”
Ms. V of South Korea writes:
“Wishing all a peaceful holiday filled with the spirit of giving and gratitude. Joy to the world!”
Polish Mom Photographer of California, USA writes:
Many thanks to Polish Mom Photographer for supplying us with the wonderful image accompanying this post.
Simona Rinfreschi from South Africa writes:
I wish everyone a Healthy, Happy and Peaceful Festive Season, irrespective of personal beliefs. Personally, I love “Merry Christmas”, though. 🙂
Best wishes from Cape Town, South Africa, Simona. xoxox”
Susie Newday of Israel writes:
“Wishing everyone a year and life of tolerance, love, health and inspiration. May this year be the start of a time of peace and understanding that spreads person by person around the world.”
Tatterscoops of Indonesia writes:
“May the holiday bring you lots of joy, peace and most importantly love to share with everyone near or far.”
The Alchemist of India writes:
“Here is my greeting – I wish you all joy, grace and precious time with your beloved family and friends this holiday season. May the spirit of christmas be with us all through the year.”
ThirdEyeMom of Minnesota, USA writes:
“Wishing you peace, happiness and health in 2012!”
TwinMom112 of Pennsylvania, USA writes:
“No matter what you believe in this holiday season.. believe in yourself and the spirit of love, family and friendship. Sending love this season from my heart to yours.”
Unintentionally Brilliant of Nevada, USA writes:
“Happy Hanukkah and Merry Christmas!
May this New Year be filled with health, happiness, and – most of all – love.”
– World Moms Blog
Photo credit to Polish Mom Photographer.
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 | Dec 3, 2011 | Childhood, Cooking, Culture, Family, Family Travel, Food, Holiday, Husband, International, Italy, Japan, Kids, Living Abroad, Motherhood, Multicultural, Parenting, Religion, Rox is Brilliant, Salma, Saturday Sidebar, South Africa, Tara B., Toys, Travel, World Motherhood
As the holidays approach, we asked our World Moms Blog writers to…
“…tell us about a holiday/cultural tradition that you are excited
about sharing with your child(ren) this year.”
Check out what some of our World Moms had to say…
Kyla P’an of Massachusetts, USA writes:
“There are two things I get really excited about each year:
1. setting out our family creche. We add one piece each night until Christmas Eve, saving the baby. On Christmas morning, baby Jesus magically appears and the kids get excited about discovering him there.
2. Advent calendars, my mom has devotedly given me an advent calendar every year of my life for the past 39 years and now she sends them to my kids too…this year we have a chocolate one and a Playmobile one to look forward to.” (more…)
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 | Nov 26, 2011 | Canada, Motherhood, Parent Care, Parenting, Ruth Wong, Saturday Sidebar, Singapore, South Africa, The Alchemist, Third Eye Mom, USA, WMB Saturday Layover, World Moms Blog, World Motherhood
This week’s Saturday Question comes from World Moms Blog writer Maggie Ellison. She asked our writers,
“What has been the best part of parenting so far?”
Check out what some of our World Moms had to say…
Dr. Lanham of Arizona, USA writes:
“The best part of parenting for me has been to hear my boys tell me they appreciate HOW I’ve raised them. Let’s me know they were listening! 🙂 ”
Maggie Ellison of South Carolina, USA writes: (more…)
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 Kirsten Doyle (Canada) | Jul 19, 2011 | Autism, Canada, Kids, Motherhood, Parenting, South Africa, Special Needs, Working Mother, World Interviews, World Moms Blog Writer Interview
Where in the world do you live? And, are you from there?
I was born in South Africa and started earning Frequent Flyer miles at a very young age due to the international nature of my Dad’s job. My childhood homes included Connecticut and Milan, Italy (this was when I was too young to appreciate the art of fashion shopping). As an adult, (more…)
Kirsten Doyle was born in South Africa. After completing university, she drifted for a while and finally washed up in Canada in 2000. She is Mom to two boys who have reached the stage of eating everything in sight (but still remaining skinny).
Kirsten was a computer programmer for a while before migrating into I.T. project management. Eventually she tossed in the corporate life entirely in order to be a self-employed writer and editor. She is now living her best life writing about mental health and addictions, and posting videos to two YouTube channels.
When Kirsten is not wrestling with her kids or writing up a storm, she can be seen on Toronto's streets putting many miles onto her running shoes. Every year, she runs a half-marathon to benefit children with autism, inspired by her older son who lives life on the autism spectrum.
Final piece of information: Kirsten is lucky enough to be married to the funniest guy in the world.
Connect with her on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Be sure to check out her YouTube channels at My Gen X Life and Word Salad With Coffee!
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I’m 42 yrs old, and the only New Year’s Resolution I have managed to keep is the one I made several years ago to stop making New Year Resolutions!
