by Shaula Bellour (Indonesia) | Feb 15, 2012 | Child Care, Domesticity, Family, Indonesia, International, Motherhood, Shaula Bellour, Twins, USA, World Motherhood
One feature of living in this part of the world is the availability of affordable household help. In many ways it’s a wonderful thing, but it also takes some getting used to.
When we lived in the U.S., I was a typical multi-tasking mom – juggling work, two babies, one dog, a frequently traveling husband, and a 100-year-old house. I had a part-time childcare arrangement to cover my working hours, but given the steep hourly rate, in my mind even a quick errand had a “cost”. I would occasionally splurge on a house cleaner as a gift to myself – usually before family visited (and always a “deep clean” because it was so rare).
During those busy days, I would often daydream about how nice it would be if we didn’t have to spend our precious downtime scrubbing, sweeping, and mowing. How lovely it would be to have more time and energy for other things. How much easier life would be. (more…)
Shaula Bellour grew up in Redmond, Washington. She now lives in Jakarta, Indonesia with her British husband and 9-year old boy/girl twins. She has degrees in International Relations and Gender and Development and works as a consultant for the UN and non-governmental organizations.
Shaula has lived and worked in the US, France, England, Kenya, Eritrea, Kosovo, Lebanon and Timor-Leste. She began writing for World Moms Network in 2010. She plans to eventually find her way back to the Pacific Northwest one day, but until then she’s enjoying living in the big wide world with her family.
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by World Moms Blog | Feb 12, 2012 | Motherhood, Shaula Bellour, Shot@Life, World Motherhood
On Monday, we start off the week in Japan with Melanie Oda (hamakkomommy) who tells us a tale about how the beautiful paper theater is kept alive for future generations. An interesting cultural read! Here’s an excerpt:
“Before the children he spreads out four boxes, each containing a different story. These are all old stories. Some are about mythical creatures, others about one (or several) of the myriad Shinto gods that many mistake for folklore. There is even a story about a Buddhist saint. He asks for a show of hands, and allows the children to choose the story.”
On Tuesday, did you know that poetry used to account for half of the fourth grade reading in school in the US 70 years ago, but now only accounts for a very small 3 percent? (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 | Dec 10, 2011 | Eva Fannon, Indonesia, Kids, Motherhood, Rox is Brilliant, Scoops of Joy, Shaula Bellour, Tara B., Third Eye Mom, World Motherhood
This Saturday Sidebar question comes to us from Tara B. In the midst of all the holiday planning, she asked our writers…
“What is one thing you will commit to do for yourself in the upcoming week?”
Here is what some of our World Moms will be doing for themselves:
Diana @Hormonal Imbalances of Texas, USA writes:
“I’m going to make an effort to exercise daily only for the boost it gives me in dealing with my anxiety. No pushing to lose weight, no guilt trips. Strictly for the energy and feel good hormones!” (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 Shaula Bellour (Indonesia) | Dec 7, 2011 | East Timor, Family Travel, Indonesia, Living Abroad, Shaula Bellour, Twins
A beautiful island view in Dili, East Timor.
In a few weeks we will be saying goodbye to our life in Dili. Though I have moved many times in my life – across states, oceans, and time zones – the experience is always bittersweet for me. I feel happy, sad, and a little nervous all at the same time.
We originally thought we would stay in Timor-Leste for 2-3 years, but when a great job opportunity for my husband opened up a year early, we decided to go for it.
Admittedly, when I first found out about a possible move my immediate reaction was PANIC. The change felt too soon, too big, too different. Usually, when it’s time to leave a place I feel ready to go. But this time I had mixed emotions. (more…)
Shaula Bellour grew up in Redmond, Washington. She now lives in Jakarta, Indonesia with her British husband and 9-year old boy/girl twins. She has degrees in International Relations and Gender and Development and works as a consultant for the UN and non-governmental organizations.
Shaula has lived and worked in the US, France, England, Kenya, Eritrea, Kosovo, Lebanon and Timor-Leste. She began writing for World Moms Network in 2010. She plans to eventually find her way back to the Pacific Northwest one day, but until then she’s enjoying living in the big wide world with her family.
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by World Moms Blog | Dec 3, 2011 | Motherhood, Rox is Brilliant, Shaula Bellour, World Moms Blog Itinerary, World Motherhood
Grab your neck pillows and get ready to board for another weekly international adventure with World Moms Blog!
Did you catch the interview posted last week for Deborah Quinn in the United Arab Emirates? Deborah is an English Professor at NYU’s Abu Dhabi campus in the Middle East, and she’s back on Monday to tell us about a national holiday in the UAE!
Human Rights is on a roll! The column is back this week on Tuesday with international human rights lawyer, Jennifer Prestholdt of Minnesota, USA. Jennifer is preparing us for International Human Rights Day coming up on December 10th by giving us ideas on how we can commemorate the day with our children! (Great idea, Jennifer!)
Wednesday, we hear from Shaula Bellour, mother of twins, way out in the south pacific in East Timor. She’s got some big geographical news for us, so tune in!
Thursday we have something new in store — an animated picture on the topic of motherhood by the very talented JC Little of Montreal, Canada. It is a caption contest! Write your own caption in the comments, and we’ll pick a winner!
Frelle in North Carolina is going through the ups and downs of the beginning of joint custody of her children with her ex-husband and staying strong. She’s going to check in on Friday and tell us how things are going.
In writer interviews this week, we’ll hear from newly added writer, Rox, in Reno, Nevada!
On Saturday editor, Eva Fannon, asks our World Moms Blog writers a question for our weekly Saturday Sidebar, and we hope you’ll chime in, too!
Thank you for flying with us!
— 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 Shaula Bellour (Indonesia) | Oct 5, 2011 | Family Travel, Motherhood, Shaula Bellour, Travel
I recently posted about my adventures in traveling with twins around the world. Here are a few additional lessons I’ve learned along the way!
Plan ahead: If you are traveling with an infant, bulkhead seats are the way to go. Most airlines will let you pre-book a baby bassinet, though some will not, so be sure to ask. When flying long haul, night flights are generally easier than day flights. Consider this timing when booking your tickets and be sure to allow plenty of time for check-in and connecting flights.
One friend swears by flying on Wednesdays—rumored to be the cheapest and least busy day to travel. When heading for security, it’s a good idea to devise a game plan before it’s your turn on the conveyor belt and the strollers, shoes, liquids and laptops are flying. (more…)
Shaula Bellour grew up in Redmond, Washington. She now lives in Jakarta, Indonesia with her British husband and 9-year old boy/girl twins. She has degrees in International Relations and Gender and Development and works as a consultant for the UN and non-governmental organizations.
Shaula has lived and worked in the US, France, England, Kenya, Eritrea, Kosovo, Lebanon and Timor-Leste. She began writing for World Moms Network in 2010. She plans to eventually find her way back to the Pacific Northwest one day, but until then she’s enjoying living in the big wide world with her family.
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One feature of living in this part of the world is the availability of affordable household help. In many ways it’s a wonderful thing, but it also takes some getting used to.
