SATURDAY SIDEBAR: Home Alone?

This week’s Saturday Sidebar Question comes from World Moms Blog writer Maman Aya.  She asked our writers,

“At what age would you start to leave your child at home without supervision; how long would you leave them and where do you live (i.e. an apt in a busy city, a house in a busy suburb, on a farm, etc)?”

Check out what some of our World Moms had to say…

House

Picture courtesy of Alison Lee of Writing, Wishing

Hamakkomommy of Japan writes:

My only answer is not yet! My kids are seven and five. We live in an apartment in a large city. In Japan, it’s assumed that first grade is old enough to stay home alone or go about the neighborhood alone. Sometimes even younger kids are left home alone for short periods. Teachers leave the classroom during break times, etc. Even preschool teachers will leave the kids unattended for a minute or two. It’s very different from the attitude I grew up with!

Tina Santiago-Rodriguez of Philippines writes:

I would probably leave them alone without supervision if they were already in the later teen years, BUT with clear guidelines/rules set in place. However, if God wills us to continue homeschooling even during high school, there may not be long periods of time when the kids are left home alone. We currently live in a rented apartment here in Manila.

(more…)

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.

More Posts

Saturday Sidebar: What Was Your Best Ever Family Vacation?

This week’s Saturday Sidebar Question comes from World Moms Blog writer Susie Newday.  She asked our writers,

What was your best ever family vacation and why?”

Check out what some of our World Moms had to say…

Beach

Photo of a beach in Boracay, Philippines, courtesy of Alison Lee

  • Maureen @Scoops of Joy of Indonesia writes:

    I love this question! The best would be when I won a photo contest (my first ever photo contest) held by  a pretty big hotel chain and they sent my son, and I, along with my two brothers to Bangkok for free. The picture that won second place of the contest was being displayed at their hotel and we were treated like VIPs. Our rooms got upgraded to their suite and everyone was super friendly. We had the best vacation ever.

  • Elizabeth Atalay of Rhode Island, USA writes:

    Skiing, hands down! It is something my husband and I love to do, and every mountain has a ski school where the tiny ones go. Once the kids can keep up with us they are done with ski school, Finally the kids are old enough that we can now all ski together.

    (more…)

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.

More Posts

Saturday Sidebar: If you could turn back time and go back to just one day, which day would it be and why?

This week’s Saturday Sidebar Question comes from World Moms Blog writer Alison Lee.  She asked our writers,

If you could turn back time and go back to just one day, which day would it be and why?”

Check out what some of our World Moms had to say…

The day of Roxanne Piskel's son's birth

The day, Roxanne Piskel of Nevada, USA gave birth to her son.

RoxIsBrilliant of Nevada, USA writes:
“As much turmoil as there was surrounding my son’s premature birth, there is still a part of me that would like to go back and do it again. Even if everything happened exactly the same way, maybe I could hold onto the memories a little snugger and not forget so much of the beginning.”

Carol @ If By Yes of British Columbia, Canada writes:
“Definitely I do not want to go back to the day my child was born. I want to go back to a day when my nether regions weren’t bleeding, like maybe my wedding day. I had a blast.”

Alison Lee of Malaysia writes:
“I’d go back to the day my husband proposed. Though, I will change it a little to make it to a less early start, since he burst into my apartment at 5am to do that!”

(more…)

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.

More Posts

INDIA: Sahaj Marg Meditation and My Life

INDIA: Sahaj Marg Meditation and My Life

I came to Sahaj Marg before I was born. Well, as confusing as that statement may seem like, it is not. It has been the most startling revelation I have had over the past few years since I became a mother. When did I know my son? Of course, before he was born; when he was within me, a tiny cell; and I dare say, even before that, when conception was yet to take place.I always knew I would be a mother some day and be as loving and sacrificial and benevolent as my mother is. I knew my baby back then, I just had not met him. Similarly, I have not yet met God, but I am coming closer to doing so every day. Sahaj Marg, or “the natural path,” says God is within you; seek him there. And the only way you can do that is in silence. So, sit in silence, call it meditation if you want, feel that Godliness within you, hug it as close as possible and revel in it. It is very simple.

All wonderful things in life are very simple. I will not say if they are difficult or easy. Motherhood is simple and natural, though someone like me cannot claim it to be ‘easy’. But I am forever learning and rejoicing in my new found experiences and motherhood milestones. (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.

More Posts - Website

Follow Me:
TwitterFacebookLinkedInPinterestGoogle Plus

Saturday Sidebar: What do your children call their grandparents?

This week’s Saturday Sidebar Question comes from World Moms Blog writer Karyn Van Der Zwet.

In honor of grandparents’ day celebrated in some parts of the world this weekend, Karyn asked our writers,

What do your children call their grandparents?

Check out what some of our World Moms had to say…

Alison Lee of Malaysia writes:
“My son calls his paternal grandparents ‘Ji-Doh’ (grandfather) and ‘Nona’ (grandmother).”

Carol @ If By Yes of British Columbia, Canada writes:
“My mother in law is Grandma, because all her grandchildren call her that. My father in law is grandpa for the same reason. My mother is Nana, and my father was going to be Grampy, but Owl seems to have labeled him Ba Ba. A lot of the boys on my dad’s side of the family say “Bramy” for grandfathers.”

Eva Fannon of Washington State, USA writes:
“My kids call my parents Abuelo and Abuelita (Spanish for grandfather and an affectionate way of saying grandmother). They call my husband’s parents Pop and Grannie.” (more…)

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.

More Posts

Saturday Sidebar: Aside from your kids, pets, your husband, your coffee and your wine, what makes you smile?

Saturday Sidebar: Aside from your kids, pets, your husband, your coffee and your wine, what makes you smile?

This week’s Saturday Sidebar is a spin on one of the writing prompts from Mama Kat’s Pretty Much World Famous Writer’s Workshop:

“Aside from your kids, pets, your husband, your coffee and your wine, what makes you smile?”

Check out what some of our World Moms had to say…

Ana Gaby @ Stumble Abroad of Indonesia writes:
“Seeing my friends back home after a year or two and starting off just where we left off, traveling and trying new food, reading books by my favorite author and feel that I’m keeping up with his publications and being able to stop for a minute and thank God for all His blessings.”

Alison Lee of Malaysia writes:
“Cupcakes, ice cream and chocolate. Yes, I have a one track mind!”

Eva Fannon of Washington State, USA writes:
“Since I’ve been living in Seattle, I have a new found appreciation for blue skies. A sunny day with a clear blue sky always makes me smile. (And when it’s sunny, I do believe we have some of the bluest skies I have ever seen!)”

Jennifer Clark Johns of Virginia, USA writes:
“Hitting the gym and having an amazing workout, hanging with friends (which I don’t get to do often enough!), being alone with a great book, spending time with my family, a glass of wine by the campfire with my Hubby, seeing that the laundry is done (again, a rarity!), my favorite tunes on the radio. And for the first time in I don’t know how long, I took a bubble bath. Yep, definitely smile-worthy! :-)”

Karyn Van Der Zwet of New Zealand writes:
“Friends, sunshine and open spaces”

Kirsten Doyle of Ontario, Canada writes:
“Running! I get a real kick out of that endorphin high!”

Lady E of Indonesia writes:
“Yoga, dance, good friends, travel, things I read, people doing good in the world, people being silly in the world. I try to smile a lot!”

Mamma Simona of South Africa writes:
“My FaceBook friends who post such witty things, good memories and good comedies like Big Bang Theory.”

Meredith of Nigeria writes:
“Curling up on the couch under my favorite blanket with a great book and a glass of wine, going out with some of my great friends and being able to be myself around them:)”

Tara B. of Washington State, USA writes:
“Looking back through old photographs of family and friends.”

Purnima of India writes:
“Ice creams, restaurants, art galleries, book shops, looking at babies smiling, my bedroom with the complete bed all to myself with the AC switched ON and nobody at home, of course with a great book.”

Truly Rich Mom of Philippines writes:
“Feeling God’s affirmation and assurance, hearing a favorite worship song, reading funny quotes, hanging out with friends, traveling, good photos, articles that are inspiring :)”

Travel Lady with Baby of Quebec, Canada writes:
“Music on and a dance party, a good run, an uninterrupted bath, travel, hiking, a freshly made bed, a good book, good food, and good company, and finding fabulous shoes on sale!”

What about you… what makes you smile?  

And do you have a question you would like to pose to our WMB writers?  If so, email us at wmbsidebareditor@gmail.com to see what they have to say.

Don’t forget to visit us tomorrow to check out the travel itinerary for next week posted by Kirsten Doyle!

– World Moms Blog

Photo credit toRob Boudon.  This photo has a creative commons attribute license.

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.

More Posts