NORWAY: Being a Role Model…a What?

I am a mother of one little girl of 15 months. I am in the early stages of motherhood, and among the trillion questions my new life brings, there is one that is starting to be present on a daily basis. Here it is:

Whether I “like” it or not, I am one day (please not today) going to be a role model. How does one define a role model, and how does one accept that who you are is good enough?

During this first year I concentrated on how the baby is, how my marriage was doing, and I did my best to survive the transition from two to three in the house. I wasn’t really concerned about what I did and how I did it, as long as I managed one day after the next.

But suddenly, this little ball of love is starting to walk, to express herself, to see and interpret what I am doing. Does this mean I already have to be aware of what I am doing in front of her? I sort of knew this day would come, but I DON’T KNOW IF I AM READY!

I have very basic and obvious determinations regarding bringing up my child. I want her to be polite, well-behaved, healthy, respectful of others, be a good citizen, be a good friend… All in all, be a good person.

Now, I am wondering if I have to be this person first… (more…)

NEW JERSEY, USA: The “Garden” State

Several years ago we moved into our house, and we wound up having the previous residents’ vegetable garden filled in.  My husband had never held a spade or planted anything in his life, and I was too busy with a toddler to even think about taking care of a garden by myself.

Then, a year later, we both read Michael Pollan’s “In Defense of Food”, and it motivated us to change how we ate.  We are eating more fresh foods (and cutting out foods from a box), and we think about where our food is coming from.

Growing our own vegetables in our backyard cuts the time it takes for the food to be harvested and get to our table, which means that the vegetables will retain more of their nutrients when eaten.

So, we found ourselves creating a new vegetable garden (yes, close to the one we had filled in a couple of years prior. Eek.). Our goal was simple: to grow our own vegetables, and here we were doing it in our nation’s “Garden State”… (more…)

Jennifer Burden

Jennifer Burden is the Founder and CEO of World Moms Network, an award winning website on global motherhood, culture, human rights and social good. World Moms Network writes from over 30 countries, has over 70 contributors and was listed by Forbes as one of the “Best 100 Websites for Women”, named a “must read” by The New York Times, and was recommended by The Times of India. She was also invited to Uganda to view UNICEF’s family health programs with Shot@Life and was previously named a “Global Influencer Fellow” and “Social Media Fellow” by the UN Foundation. Jennifer was invited to the White House twice, including as a nominated "Changemaker" for the State of the World Women Summit. She also participated in the One Campaign’s first AYA Summit on the topic of women and girl empowerment and organized and spoke on an international panel at the World Bank in Washington, DC on the importance of a universal education for all girls. Her writing has been featured by Baby Center, Huffington Post, ONE.org, the UN Foundation’s Shot@Life, and The Gates Foundation’s “Impatient Optimists.” She is currently a candidate in Columbia University's School of International and Public Affairs in the Executive Masters of Public Affairs program, where she hopes to further her study of global policies affecting women and girls. Jennifer can be found on Twitter @JenniferBurden.

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Travel Itinerary for the Week of April 11th!

We start off on Monday in New Jersey with Veronica Samuels, who is keeping busy with her newborn daughter and a proud new big sister! Veronica talks about having fun in the garden with a helpful child.

On Tuesday, we head off to Norway, where transplanted French mom Ambre French discusses the challenges of being a good role model for our impressive youngsters.

***Updated***On Wednesday, we’re back in the United States with South Carolina mom Maggie Ellison. Maggie reflects on the loss of her beloved pet, Thea.

On Thursday, we board another international flight, this time to remote East Timor, where Shaula Bellour is raising her kids in the island life! If you get a chance, Google East Timor – it looks beautiful!

And Friday, Eva Fannon in Seattle reports on this week’s Friday Question!  We encourage our readers to join the discussion by answering the question in the comments section.  Come join in on the fun!

We are thrilled to welcome a new writer, Kelley from Laos! Look out for her writers profile, which will be posted soon!

The Captain Snuggles Blood drive got off to such a great start that organizers Amy Hillis and Kirsten Jessiman decided to extend it. Until April 20th, you can roll up your sleeve and donate blood in memory of Amy’s late son, David. Even if you’re not medically able to donate, please spread the word. For more information about the blood drive, go to the Captain Snuggles Blood Drive page on Facebook.

We look forward to having you travel with us this week!

— 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 April 11th!

We start off on Monday in New Jersey with Veronica Samuels, who is keeping busy with her newborn daughter and a proud new big sister! Veronica talks about having fun in the garden with a helpful child.

On Tuesday, we head off to Norway, where transplanted French mom Ambre French discusses the challenges of being a good role model for our impressive youngsters.

***Updated***On Wednesday, we’re back in the United States with South Carolina mom Maggie Ellison. Maggie reflects on the loss of her beloved pet, Thea.

On Thursday, we board another international flight, this time to remote East Timor, where Shaula Bellour is raising her kids in the island life! If you get a chance, Google East Timor – it looks beautiful!

And Friday, Eva Fannon in Seattle reports on this week’s Friday Question!  We encourage our readers to join the discussion by answering the question in the comments section.  Come join in on the fun!

We are thrilled to welcome a new writer, Kelley from Laos! Look out for her writers profile, which will be posted soon!

The Captain Snuggles Blood drive got off to such a great start that organizers Amy Hillis and Kirsten Jessiman decided to extend it. Until April 20th, you can roll up your sleeve and donate blood in memory of Amy’s late son, David. Even if you’re not medically able to donate, please spread the word. For more information about the blood drive, go to the Captain Snuggles Blood Drive page on Facebook.

We look forward to having you travel with us this week!

— 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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Friday Question: Name a writer you would recommend and why

This week’s question comes from Karyn Van Der Zwet, who asks…

Name a writer you would recommend and why.”

Here are some of our World Moms’ suggestions…

Veronica Samuels of New Jersey, USA writes:
“Michael Pollan is my writer choice for adults.  His books about food have changed my life.  I also am a fan of books about language and parenting by Kathryn Hirsch-Pasek.  I’m a nonfiction kind of girl. I crave facts!

And for kids, I like Julia Donaldson, especially The Snail and the Whale and The Gruffalo. My oldest daughter loves both!” (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.

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