INDIA: My Decision: SAHM vs. Working-Mom

Where I live in India, you hear a lot of criticism or praise about whether you are a stay-at-home-mom (SAHM) or a working-mom (WM) or even if you convert from one to the other.

It has been almost ten months since I became a SAHM, but I still receive judgments about my decision. Just check out these conversations…

Conversation # 1

Me: Wait a minute, why should you say sorry because I left my job? I am actually enjoying it…

Person X: No, No, I am still sorry that it had to happen this way…

Me: What? You insist that I should receive your apologies? Fine. Thank you. Oh well, it’s not like anyone died or anything.

Conversation # 2

Person Y: You lost it? I know, hard times… Economic recession, right?!

Me: I DID NOT LOSE my job. I just quit because that’s what I wanted and that’s what I chose to do. (more…)

Purnima Ramakrishnan

Purnima Ramakrishnan is an UNCA award winning journalist and the recipient of the fellowship in Journalism by International Reporting Project, John Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies. Her International reports from Brazil are found here . She is also the recipient of the BlogHer '13 International Activist Scholarship Award . She is a Senior Editor at World Moms Blog who writes passionately about social and other causes in India. Her parental journey is documented both here at World Moms Blog and also at her personal Blog, The Alchemist's Blog. She can be reached through this page . She also contributes to Huffington Post . Purnima was once a tech-savvy gal who lived in the corporate world of sleek vehicles and their electronics. She has a Master's degree in Electronics Engineering, but after working for 6 years as a Design Engineer, she decided to quit it all to become a Stay-At-Home-Mom to be with her son!   This smart mom was born and raised in India, and she has moved to live in coastal India with her husband, who is a physician, and her son who is in primary grade school.   She is a practitioner and trainer of Heartfulness Meditation.

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Travel Itinerary for the Week of August 8th!

On Monday, we go to sunny California to hear from A. Roselyn as she tells us about her experiences with acupuncture. Read all about how she turned to alternative medicine to help her overcome “baby blues” and feel like herself again.

On Tuesday, are north of the US border, with Carol at If By Yes in beautiful British Columbia. Come listen as she tells us what happens when the daughter of a church minister marries an atheist, and what this means for the baptism of the children!

On Wednesday, we go all the way to India to visit with The Alchemist, engineer-turned-writer. The Alchemist confesses that being a stay-at-home-mom to a busy preschooler is exhausting, but she loves it.

And on Thursday, we go full circle as we return to California, this time to hear from Polish Mom Photographer! This stay-at-home mom has lived a life of travel and adventure, and is now pursuing her dreams of becoming a professional photographer.

On Friday Eva Fannon leads us in the Friday Question. Be sure to check it out and chime in with your answers!

In writer interviews this week, we will hear from two new writers! On Tuesday we are profiling Susie Newday from Israel, and on Thursday we will be in Brazil getting to know Eco Ziva!

In news, Jennifer Burden represented World Moms Blog at the Blogher ’11 convention. We can’t wait to hear all about it.

— World Moms Blog

Our World Moms Blog logo was designed by the creative Erica Joyner Designs in Virginia, USA.

World Moms Blog

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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INDIA: Interview with The Alchemist

INDIA: Interview with The Alchemist

Where in the world do you live? And, are you from there?

I now live in Chennai,India. I am from a smaller town, around 350 miles from here. I lived in the same house and even had the same room for twenty-five years of my life.

I did my entire schooling, college education and even post-graduate education there. After getting married, I settled down here in Chennai with my physician husband and son.

I have never moved much in my life, have strong roots and hopefully don’t intend to move out of this home anytime soon.

What language(s) do you speak?

I speak English, Hindi (India’s National language) and Tamil (my mother tongue). I read and writer the same three languages. I am not great at picking up languages, rather I should say, the necessity has never been there. (more…)

Purnima Ramakrishnan

Purnima Ramakrishnan is an UNCA award winning journalist and the recipient of the fellowship in Journalism by International Reporting Project, John Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies. Her International reports from Brazil are found here . She is also the recipient of the BlogHer '13 International Activist Scholarship Award . She is a Senior Editor at World Moms Blog who writes passionately about social and other causes in India. Her parental journey is documented both here at World Moms Blog and also at her personal Blog, The Alchemist's Blog. She can be reached through this page . She also contributes to Huffington Post . Purnima was once a tech-savvy gal who lived in the corporate world of sleek vehicles and their electronics. She has a Master's degree in Electronics Engineering, but after working for 6 years as a Design Engineer, she decided to quit it all to become a Stay-At-Home-Mom to be with her son!   This smart mom was born and raised in India, and she has moved to live in coastal India with her husband, who is a physician, and her son who is in primary grade school.   She is a practitioner and trainer of Heartfulness Meditation.

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Travel Itinerary for the Week of July 25th!

On Monday, we will be in Mexico with Dee Harlow, who will soon be undertaking the next in a series of moves. Dee and her family move with the kind of regularity that would drive most of us round the bend, and she describes how they manage to keep getting their stuff from one place to another.

We have a guest post on Tuesday! Jennifer D’Ambrosio of New Jersey talks about an issue that many of us struggle with every single day: balancing life with a busy job, a long commute and motherhood!

On Wednesday, we head over to Illinois to hear from Polish Mama on the Prairie. She has lost of interesting stories to share about her escape from Communism as a baby, her role as Mom in a bicultural family, and her quest to keep her Polish heritage alive for her children.

And on Thursday, we will be in Massachusetts with Kyla P’an. Kyla talks about keeping our self-identity when we become parents, not losing our individuality to our roles as Moms and holding onto our own dreams and aspirations as we raise our kids.

On Friday Eva Fannon leads us in the Friday Question. Be sure to check it out and chime in with your answers!

In writer interviews this week, we will get to know Galit Breen from Minnesota, and on Thursday we are profiling The Alchemist from India. Every writer interview reveals interesting tidbits about our contributors, and these ones are no different!
Do you like our site?  Be sure to “Vote for us” daily by clicking on the Picket Fence Blog link in the bottom right hand column of our site, or by clicking here.
— World Moms Blog

Our World Moms Blog logo was designed by the creative Erica Joyner Designs in Virginia, USA.

World Moms Blog

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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MALAYSIA:  Interview with Alison Lee (Writing, Wishing)

MALAYSIA: Interview with Alison Lee (Writing, Wishing)

Where in the world do you live? And, are you from there?

I live in Kuala Lumpur, the capital city of Malaysia. I was born and raised in Ipoh, a smaller city about 135 miles north of KL (as it is affectionately known to locals).

What language(s) do you speak?

I speak English, Malay and Cantonese. I understand a smattering of Arabic, courtesy of my in laws who are originally from Libya.

When did you first become a mother?

In 2009, when I was 33.

Are you a stay-at-home mom or do you work?

I stay at home with my two sons, after a 10 year career in public relations, events management and marketing. (more…)

Alison

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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Travel Itinerary for the Week of July 18th!

On Monday, we start the week in Minnesota with Galit Breen. Galit discusses a topic that was touched on here a couple of weeks ago that many people are all too afraid to open a dialogue about: race relations. Specifically, she talks about ways to educate our children about the differences between people.

On Tuesday, we will have our first post from Dr. Jeanelle Marshawn of Arizona. This busy mom of teenagers has lots of interesting stories to tell. She is fluent in American Sign Language, and she is endeavouring to make the world a better place through her non-profit teen foundation.

On Wednesday, we head on over to Massachusetts to hear from Courtney Cappallo. Courtney talks about a question that moms have agonized over since the dawn of time: how do you know when you’re done having kids?

And on Thursday, we will visit Amy Hillis in Ohio. It has been a while since we had a post from Amy because she’s had some very heavy loads to deal with in her life, and we are very happy to welcome her back. Last week she reintroduced herself in her writer’s interview. This week she will dive back in with a regular post. Welcome back, Amy!

On Friday Eva Fannon leads us in the Friday Question. Be sure to check it out and chime in with your answers!

While our regular posts this week are all-America, our writer interviews are international. On Tuesday we will profile scheduling editor Kirsten Doyle from Toronto, Canada. On Thursday we will get to know Alison Lee from Malaysia.

— World Moms Blog

Our World Moms Blog logo was designed by the creative Erica Joyner Designs in Virginia, USA.

World Moms Blog

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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