SAUDI ARABIA: To God We Belong, And To Him We Shall Return

How do you talk about death to children? It is one thing to talk about it in the abstract, but a whole other thing when you have to tell them someone they know and love died.

I remember my first true experience with death. I was maybe around 9 years old. I was at school one day sitting in the middle row of desks. I turned and saw that one of my closest friends had turned red and was shaking in her seat.

She fell to the ground, some of the children around her got up to see if she was ok, and I just stood there. (more…)

Mama B (Saudi Arabia)

Mama B’s a young mother of four beautiful children who leave her speechless in both, good ways and bad. She has been married for 9 years and has lived in London twice in her life. The first time was before marriage (for 4 years) and then again after marriage and kid number 2 (for almost 2 years). She is settled now in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (or as settled as one can be while renovating a house). Mama B loves writing and has been doing it since she could pick up a crayon. Then, for reasons beyond her comprehension, she did not study to become a writer, but instead took graphic design courses. Mama B writes about the challenges of raising children in this world, as it is, who are happy, confident, self reliant and productive without driving them (or herself) insane in the process. Mama B also sheds some light on the life of Saudi, Muslim children but does not claim to be the voice of all mothers or children in Saudi. Just her little "tribe." She has a huge, beautiful, loving family of brothers and sisters that make her feel like she wants to give her kids a huge, loving family of brothers and sisters, but then is snapped out of it by one of her three monkeys screaming “Ya Maamaa” (Ya being the arabic word for ‘hey’). You can find Mama B writing at her blog, Ya Maamaa . She's also on Twitter @YaMaamaa.

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Travel Itinerary for the Week of September 5th!

Join us this Labour Day Monday for a post from Fire Crystals, our Kuwait-born mom who now lives in India. She loves reading, writing, computers, and of course, her family. She also loves eating food cooked in the kitchen, although she’s not too interested in its production! Come see what she has to say!

On Tuesday, we are in Ohio with Amy Hillis. Amy’s kids keep her on her toes, but she still manages to write and be an active advocate for organ transplant awareness, and she is in the process of resurrecting her inner artist! No matter what subject matter she chooses to write about, it is sure to keep you reading until the very last word and wishing there was more.

On Wednesday, we head over to Massachusetts with homeschooling (brave!) mom Courtney Cappallo. In her post, Courtney ponders the question of what actually constitutes a “bad” word. Is it the word itself or the manner in which it is used?

And on Thursday, we are off to Saudi Arabia to hear from Mama B. from her fascinating corner of the world, she likes to write candid accounts of the challenges of raising kids who are confident and independent. She has lots of great stories to share, so come on over for a good read!

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 Asta Burrows of Norway on Tuesday, and on Thursday we hear from new writer Frelle of North Carolina!

We need votes! World Moms Blog founder Jennifer Burden has been nominated as a Mom who is changing the world. To vote for her, click here. And we have been nominated for “Best All-Round Mom Blog” on Parents. Please vote for us here!

In other news this week, Amy Hillis had some of her artwork publicly exhibited for the first time since the loss of her son Nathaniel ten years ago. Congratulations, Amy!

Next weekend, one of our Canadian writers, Robin Farr, will be talking at an event about how blogging has helped with her recovery from post-partum depression. Good luck, Robin, and thank you for shedding light on an important issue that affects so many women!

— 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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Travel Itinerary for the Week of August 22nd!

On Monday, we are in in Minnesota with Third Eye Mom, who talks about a topic that is on the forefront of many parents’ minds right now. How do cope with our children starting Grade One and the realm of full-day schooling? Go on over, have a read, and commiserate with this Mom who feels that her child is growing up too fast.

On Tuesday, we head over to Saudi Arabia to hear from Mama B. She lives in Riyadh, comes from a big happy family, and is now a busy mom to three kids. She offers some great insights from her fascinating corner of the world.

On Wednesday, we are back in the United States with Arizona mom Dr. Jeanelle Marshawn. This mama has recently undertaken a trip to New York to help start off one of her sons in a new and really exciting phase of his life. She is rightfully proud of him, and all of us at World Moms Blog wish him all the best.

And on Thursday, we will be in Israel with Susie Newday, who writes a moving and thought-provoking post about what it’s like to know that the baby you are carrying will at some point become a soldier. She describes the transition from anxiety to calmness in a post that is guaranteed to keep you reading until the end.

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 one brand new writer, and one of the originals, who we have already grown to love. On Tuesday we will get to know more about Tara B. from Washington, and on Thursday we will welcome Maman Aya from New York!

In news this week, World Moms Blog is going to the UN! Our founder and editor-in-chief Jennifer Burden will be sitting in the press box at the Social Good Summit. How exciting is that!

Finally, on this day in 1923, it became illegal for dancers in Kalamazoo, Michigan to gaze into the eyes of their partners.

— 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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SAUDI ARABIA: Spare The Rod?

I just read an article on the first real-time study to be done on spanking. Researcher George Holden originally set out to study how often parents shout at their children. He asked the parents to tape their interactions with their children and was surprised to hear how often they spanked or slapped their children and even more surprised at the reasons.

One parent slapped her child for turning the pages of the story book she was reading him. Another mother spanked her child for approaching the stove (which was not on). And yet, another one slapped her child 11 times in a row because the child was fighting with his sister. (You’d think she would realize it’s not really working!)

The study spanned people from different backgrounds and races, so as not to be bias in one way or another. The parents were told that it was about their interactions with the children, and they were asked to roll the tape from when the children came home from day care or school until bed time. (more…)

Mama B (Saudi Arabia)

Mama B’s a young mother of four beautiful children who leave her speechless in both, good ways and bad. She has been married for 9 years and has lived in London twice in her life. The first time was before marriage (for 4 years) and then again after marriage and kid number 2 (for almost 2 years). She is settled now in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (or as settled as one can be while renovating a house). Mama B loves writing and has been doing it since she could pick up a crayon. Then, for reasons beyond her comprehension, she did not study to become a writer, but instead took graphic design courses. Mama B writes about the challenges of raising children in this world, as it is, who are happy, confident, self reliant and productive without driving them (or herself) insane in the process. Mama B also sheds some light on the life of Saudi, Muslim children but does not claim to be the voice of all mothers or children in Saudi. Just her little "tribe." She has a huge, beautiful, loving family of brothers and sisters that make her feel like she wants to give her kids a huge, loving family of brothers and sisters, but then is snapped out of it by one of her three monkeys screaming “Ya Maamaa” (Ya being the arabic word for ‘hey’). You can find Mama B writing at her blog, Ya Maamaa . She's also on Twitter @YaMaamaa.

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Travel Itinerary for the Week of July 11th!

This week we will be reading some first-time posts from new writers who we have recently gotten to know through the interview questions. We will also meet a new writer for the first time, as well as welcoming back a beloved writer who had to take a break as a result of a personal tragedy.

On Monday we be in Saudi Arabia with Mama B. She talks about the fine line that divides spanking and child abuse, and gives us a glimpse into her own views on this controversial topic.

On Tuesday, we head to Minneapolis, where Third Eye Mom gives us a candid and very brave account of her experiences with post partum depression. This is an important topic that is not talked about enough, despite its frequency.

On Wednesday, we fly north of the US border to beautiful BC, Canada. MamaRobinJ, who we met last week, talks about a subject that many of us have had to deal with: maternity leave! What is maternity leave like in Canada compared to everywhere else? Read this post and find out!

And on Thursday, we are off to Australia, where Inspiration To Dream tells us about one of her more memorable vacations. After reading this story, I think we will all be able to agree that this holiday was definitely memorable, though not necessarily for the right reasons!

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, we meet one new writer and one returning writer. On Tuesday we welcome back Amy Hillis from Ohio. Amy took a break following the illness and passing of her son. She has constantly been in our thoughts, and we are thrilled to hear from her again. On Thursday we will head to Arizona to meet Dr. Jeanelle Marshawn Lanham, who has created a center for helping teens.

— 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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SAUDI ARABIA: Interview With Mama B

SAUDI ARABIA: Interview With Mama B

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

I live in Riyadh, the capital city of Saudi Arabia and I am from there as well. I lived in London twice in my life, 4 years before I got married, studying graphic design, and 2 years after marriage while my husband was getting his masters (and I was attempting to finish my bachelors degree. It didn’t quite work out though). Both my husband and I dream of one day owning a house in Primrose Hill and living half the time here in Riyadh and the other half in London. How exactly we are going to do that still eludes us but we know one day it will happen.

What language(s) do you speak?

Arabic, English and I understand French but have failed to speak it fluently despite my mothers best efforts throughout our childhood and young adulthood to get us to speak it (she is fluent). (more…)

Mama B (Saudi Arabia)

Mama B’s a young mother of four beautiful children who leave her speechless in both, good ways and bad. She has been married for 9 years and has lived in London twice in her life. The first time was before marriage (for 4 years) and then again after marriage and kid number 2 (for almost 2 years). She is settled now in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (or as settled as one can be while renovating a house). Mama B loves writing and has been doing it since she could pick up a crayon. Then, for reasons beyond her comprehension, she did not study to become a writer, but instead took graphic design courses. Mama B writes about the challenges of raising children in this world, as it is, who are happy, confident, self reliant and productive without driving them (or herself) insane in the process. Mama B also sheds some light on the life of Saudi, Muslim children but does not claim to be the voice of all mothers or children in Saudi. Just her little "tribe." She has a huge, beautiful, loving family of brothers and sisters that make her feel like she wants to give her kids a huge, loving family of brothers and sisters, but then is snapped out of it by one of her three monkeys screaming “Ya Maamaa” (Ya being the arabic word for ‘hey’). You can find Mama B writing at her blog, Ya Maamaa . She's also on Twitter @YaMaamaa.

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