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 Ms. V. (South Korea) | Dec 28, 2011 | Death and Dying, Japan, Motherhood, World Motherhood
Someone very dear to me lost their child this past Thanksgiving. The aching in my heart for this mother and her family is constant and intense, and yet I know that it cannot compare to the heartache my dear friend must be feeling.
If it were anyone else, I would be surprised by the strength and grace with which my friend is handling this loss, but with her I am not surprised. She is the embodiment of spirit, awareness, strength and dignity to which I aspire. She is who I want to be when I grow up. Even in her grief her heart remains open.
When I first heard the news, I experienced the usual emotions; shock and disbelief, sadness and anger. Almost immediately after my only thoughts were: I would die if I lost my child. This could happen to me. This can never happen. What can I do to make sure this never happens? And then the unsettling answer: Nothing. (more…)
Ms. V returned from a 3-year stint in Seoul, South Korea and is now living in the US in the beautiful Pacific Northwest with her partner, their two kids, three ferocious felines, and a dog named Avon Barksdale. She grew up all over the US, mostly along the east coast, but lived in New York City longer than anywhere else, so considers NYC “home.” Her love of travel has taken her all over the world and to all but four of the 50 states.
Ms. V is contemplative and sacred activist, exploring the intersection of yoga, new monasticism, feminism and social change. She is the co-director and co-founder of Samdhana-Karana Yoga: A Healing Arts Center, a non-profit yoga studio and the spiritual director for Hab Community. While not marveling at her beautiful children, she enjoys reading, cooking, and has dreams of one day sleeping again.
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by World Moms Blog | Dec 25, 2011 | Canada, Salma, South Korea, USA, World Moms Blog Itinerary
Merry Christmas, Happy Hannukah, Happy Holidays! No matter where you are or what you’re doing today, we at World Moms Blog wish you a day full of peace, joy and love.
We are starting off this week in New York, with Maman Aya! In the midst of the festive season, one thing at the forefront of our minds is yummy food! Maman Aya talks about cooking delicious, healthy snacks with her son.
On Tuesday, we are in Canada with Salma. At this time of year, when we are trying to promote peace and goodwill, love and tolerance, Salma is faced with the prospect of her son becoming the “token brown kid”. Read about how she handles it.
Fly with us to South Korea on Wednesday to hear from Ms. V., who gives us a sobering reminder that not every gets to hug and kiss their children. This mom is brave enough to ponder a thought that all of us find unbearable.
On Thursday, we are back in New York, and guess what? Allison Charleston is back! She took a break, and now returns to tell us about an effect of TV on children that has not really been given much attention: it makes them want to want their mothers to buy stuff! Welcome back, Allison!
And on Friday, we will be in New Jersey with World Moms Blog founder Jennifer Burden, who brings us our last regular post for 2011.
On Saturday, we close out the year with the Saturday Sidebar led by Eva Fannon. The World Moms give their thoughts on an important topic – chime in with your answers to the week’s question!
We are delighted to offer BIG congratulations to one of our writers, Margie Bryant from Arkansas, who had a Christmas Eve she will never forget. Her man got down on one knee in front of her whole family, and proposed! And yes, she accepted the proposal! Congratulations and wishes for a long and happy life together, Margie!
In the first week of January we will be taking a blogcation, so we now take this opportunity to wish you all a happy and prosperous (and safe) New Year.
— 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 | 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 Maureen | Dec 22, 2011 | Health, Indonesia, Parent Care, Scoops of Joy
These past few months have been really stressful in this household. Yes, I live with my parents and my two younger brothers. It’s considered common, here, in Indonesia, for children to remain living with their parents until they get married – or in my case, until they get divorced and move back home.
Late October my father fell ill due to twenty-something years of dealing with Type 2 Diabetes. He got so sick from gangrene on his left foot that he had to fly back to Jakarta because he didn’t want to have his surgery in Zambia alone. It was by a pure miracle he made it back to Jakarta after such a long flight.
We took him to the hospital immediately, and the doctor said surgery was the only way out. (more…)
by Melanie Oda (Japan) | Dec 21, 2011 | Holiday, Japan, Motherhood, World Motherhood
Christmas in Japan is pretty much an unadulterated Gimmee Fest. Santa is everywhere, baby Jesus? って誰？Who’s that? I like to call it Christmas, Inc.
A good comparison would probably be the American version of Valentine’s Day. I mean, sure, there’s a religious tradition in there somewhere, but it’s been so warped that now it’s really just a chance for kids to exchange cards and yours truly to eat too much chocolate. (Valentine’s Day in Japan is totally backwards, but I’ll save that for February.)
Here most people celebrate Christmas on the evening of the 24th. They eat fried chicken and “Christmas Cake,” which is usually a strawberry and whipped cream topped vanilla sponge. Interestingly enough, Kentucky Fried Chicken (known in Japan simply as Kentucky) is strongly associated with Christmas. (more…)
If you ask Melanie Oda where she is from, she will answer "Georgia." (Unless you ask her in Japanese. Then she will say "America.") It sounds nice, and it's a one-word answer, which is what most people expect. The truth is more complex. She moved around several small towns in the south growing up. Such is life when your father is a Southern Baptist preacher of the hellfire and brimstone variety.
She came to Japan in 2000 as an assistant language teacher, and has never managed to leave. She currently resides in Yokohama, on the outskirts of Tokyo (but please don't tell anyone she described it that way! Citizens of Yokohama have a lot of pride). No one is more surprised to find her here, married to a Japanese man and with two bilingual children (aged four and seven), than herself. And possibly her mother.
You can read more about her misadventures in Asia on her blog, HamakkoMommy.
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