by Alison | Jan 17, 2012 | Family, Malaysia
Family traditions – every family has at least one, particularly during the holidays.
I was asked a few months ago what my family traditions were.
I racked my brain and sadly, came up with nothing.
Not a thing.
My little family of three, soon to be four, is relatively new. We’ve been married just over four years and our son has just turned two. Most couples go into a relationship carrying traditions from their respective families – be it decorating the Christmas tree a week before the actual date; opening presents the night before; collecting personal ornaments, each with a story; celebrating birthdays with an experience and no cake; pizza night every Friday and game night every Saturday.
We came into our marriage empty handed, as far as traditions went. Our families were not big on celebrating occasions, especially birthdays and anniversaries, so we ended up being the same. (more…)
Alison is a former PR professional turned stay-at-home mother to two boys. Growing up in a small city of Ipoh, Malaysia, Alison left home at 17 to pursue her studies in the big city of Kuala Lumpur. At 19, she headed to University of Leeds in England and graduated with a degree in Communications. Returning home to Malaysia in 1999, she began a 10-year career in public relations, event planning, and marketing, working for various PR agencies and one of the world's biggest sports brands. After a decade of launch parties and product launches, concerts and award shows, international press junkets and world travel, Alison traded all that in for a life as a first time mother in 2009, and has not looked back since. Aside from writing for her blog, Writing, Wishing, Alison is the Founder and chief social media strategist for Little Love Media.
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by World Moms Blog | Jan 15, 2012 | Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Scoops of Joy, USA, World Moms Blog Itinerary
This week we start off with Dee Harlow, who currently resides in Virginia. How many of us stopped working when we had our kids, and several years later went through the angst of re-entering the workforce? This mom is preparing to take the plunge!
On Tuesday, we’ll be in Malaysia with Alison Lee. Many of us have family traditions – little things we do that are meaningful to us in some way. Alison tells us about the role she would like family traditions to have in her life.
Put your thinking caps on, because on Wednesday we are launching another caption contest! Come see what Animated Woman has in store for us! Also, we will announce the winner of the last caption contest!
On Thursday, we head off to Indonesia, where Tatter Scoops addresses an important subject. Is it ever OK to stigmatize women based on what they wear? And how do we teach our children to grow up with respect for the opposite gender in a world full of sexual discrimination and stereotypes?
On Friday, we stay international as we go to Japan to hear from Hamakko Mommy. As many of us start to break re-evaluate our New Years Resolutions, this mom tells us how they ring in the New Year in Japan.
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 Alison | Oct 6, 2011 | Childhood, Family, Life Lesson, Malaysia
Image used with permission from E By Elaine
When I think back on my childhood memories, I see moments — like it’s on a patchwork quilt.
I am two. My second brother pushes me, and I fall and land on our pet dog, Rufus. Sweet, gentle Rufus turns his head as I land, then growls and snaps at my ear. I remember being horrified and offended at the same time. At my brother. Lesson learned – watch where you fall, little one.
I am two and a half. I sit proudly with my baby sister in my lap. I smile at her, she’s my new doll. Except she moves, and gurgles! I’ve never loved anything or anyone more. Lesson learned – sisters are awesome.
I am four. In kindergarten, a bigger girl pushes me off the swing. I shrug, walk to the sand pit and start digging with a little spade, pouring sand into a bucket. She comes over, snatches the spade off me, throws it. Outwardly, I shrug. Inwardly, my four-year old self holds a deep-seated grudge that would last for over 20 years. Lesson learned – forgive and forget.
I am six. Running, screaming from my second brother (again) wham! Right temple makes contact with a wall, sneakily hiding behind a thick curtain. Six-year old head splits, blood spills and a scar forms, forever reminding me of this lesson learned – watch where you’re going, literally and metaphorically. You never know what’s behind that curtain.
I am seven. My nanny and the housekeeper, who’s looked after me since I was born (I was told) is leaving. There are tears. From my mother. She told me years later she was terrified of having to look after 4 children all by herself. She couldn’t even cook. Lesson learned – never, ever depend on just one person. Also? Learn to cook.
I am eight. My parents are out for the night, leaving us kids with my 13 year old brother in charge. He slights me in a manner which I can’t recall now. I threaten to tell my father. I do. I hear yelling, then screaming. He’s being belted. I lie in bed and whimper, thinking how much trouble I’m now in with my brother. Lesson learned – don’t be a telltale.
I am ten. Standing behind my second brother (yet again), who’s holding a lit match, balancing on the bathtub, as he lights the old-fashioned water heater. A swift turn of the body, a lit match goes straight into my eye – fortunately, my reflexes are faster than my screams. Result, a burned eyelid and no lasting effects. Lesson learned – stay away from your sibling who seems to attract danger.
I am twelve. Teetering on the edge of puberty. I pick a fight with my younger sister, ten. It’s a battle of hair pulling, scratching and arm biting. Result? I get blamed and punished. Lesson learned – older siblings are supposed to know better.
What lessons did you learn from your childhood?
This has been an original post to World Moms Blog by Alison Lee in Kuala-Lumpur, Malaysia. She can also be found blogging at Mama Wants This!
Photo credit (with permission) to E By Elaine.
Alison is a former PR professional turned stay-at-home mother to two boys. Growing up in a small city of Ipoh, Malaysia, Alison left home at 17 to pursue her studies in the big city of Kuala Lumpur. At 19, she headed to University of Leeds in England and graduated with a degree in Communications. Returning home to Malaysia in 1999, she began a 10-year career in public relations, event planning, and marketing, working for various PR agencies and one of the world's biggest sports brands. After a decade of launch parties and product launches, concerts and award shows, international press junkets and world travel, Alison traded all that in for a life as a first time mother in 2009, and has not looked back since. Aside from writing for her blog, Writing, Wishing, Alison is the Founder and chief social media strategist for Little Love Media.
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by World Moms Blog | Oct 2, 2011 | Indonesia, Malaysia, Mexico, Scoops of Joy, USA, World Moms Blog Itinerary
Starting this week, we have five regular posts a week – even more great reading from our phenomenal moms!
On Monday we are in Illinois with Jill Barth. Jill writes a thought-provoking piece about natural elements – like water – that humans tend to take for granted until they do not have it.
On Tuesday, we fly on over to Indonesia to hear from new writer Tatterscoops. This mom, who has lived in very diverse cultures, has had the opportunity to see her role as a mother from a number of different angles. Come read as she shares her experiences.
On Wednesday, we are back in the United States, with Frelle from North Carolina. Frelle is a busy mom of four kids. She is an advocate of attachment parenting, and has been brave enough to homeschool her kids. She also says that she leads by example where it comes to body piercings and tattoos.
On Thursday we are abroad again, as we join Alison Lee in Malaysia. Alison has always had writing in her, and had childhood aspirations to be a journalist. Life took her in different directions, and she has held a number of PR roles, including one at Nickelodeon (fun!) Now she has her gorgeous son, and she is rediscovering the inner writer in her.
And for our first regular Friday post, we hear from Carri Brown in California. You know how most little girls ask their parents for a pony? Carri asked and asked and asked, until her father bought her one in desperation. She has been somewhat vocal all her life, and it now appears that her two-year-old is following in her footsteps!
On Saturday, check out the Saturday Sidebar and chime in with your answers to the week’s question.
In writer interviews this week, on Tuesday we will hear from Dee Harlow, who the last time we heard from her, was in the process of packing for a move from Mexico.
— World Moms Blog
Our World Moms Blog logo was designed by the creative Erica Joyner Designs in Virginia, USA.
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 | Sep 9, 2011 | Canada, Family, Friday Question, India, Israel, Malaysia, Motherhood, Parenting, Third Eye Mom, USA
This week’s Friday Question comes from World Moms Blog writer, Kyla Pa’an from Massachusetts, USA. She asks:
“What do you do to maintain balance between being a mom and being an adult?”
This is what the World Mom Blog writers had to say.
Kirsten Doyle of Toronto writes:
Oh my, I just had to pick myself up off the floor, I was laughing so hard at this one! It is a hard thing to balance. Even when I am not physically with my kids, I am thinking about them. What they need, where they are, whether I need to buy anything or arrange anything for them…
But I suppose my sanity comes from my running. Not only does it keep me in shape and give me some much-needed time to myself, it allows me to actually see some thoughts through to completion! That just doesn’t happen when I have two little monkeys hanging onto me! (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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Family traditions – every family has at least one, particularly during the holidays.
