Where in the world do you live? And, are you from there?
We live in Canada right now but Egypt is a second home for us as well. I was born in Jamaica.
What language(s) do you speak?
I’m a passive bilingual. I speak English & some French…I’ve been learning Arabic since “forever”.
When did you first become a mother?
My oldest daughter is 13 years old…I have been a mommy for a very long time.
Are you a stay-at-home mom or do you work?
My son (Rainbow) was born in October 2010 so I am on Maternity leave until October 2011, God-willing. I will go back to working full-time. I also teach my kids at home, even though they are a part of the formal education system here.
Why do you blog/write?
My hubby forced me to write when I was going through a depression. After a while I found it was a great way to keep in touch with 4 good friends from India, Ireland, the UK and Uzbekistan. Then when my son died, it was my therapy. It’s an outlet that has helped me through many tough times. My hubby’s family in Egypt also keeps up with our antics on my blog.
On the other end, I am a writer. My passion for writing about critical issues stem from the many years of studying Women & Gender Studies at university and being a Muslim woman in changing times. I used to share many of my thoughts and experiences in a blog about critical issues facing women but I write more privately now.
How would you say that you are different from other mothers?
I don’t know if I am very different from other mothers. We all have our heart-aches and hopes and our children are (generally) the center of our worlds.
I am an un-schooling mom. My philosophy for learning is the world, nature, the universe. My classroom allows for my children to explore, to be at an advantage and be disadvantaged. It forces them to ask questions and compromise and always think about the bigger picture, which is more than a degree at the end of the day. I think they need this.
What do you view as the challenges of raising a child in today’s world?
Not having control of what they see or hear. The great desire for material wealth and the lack of respect for older generations.
How did you find World Moms Blog?
I found WMB on Picket Fence.
This has been an original post to World Moms Blog by Salma of Canada. Salma can be found on her blogs, Chasing My Rainbow Baby and the Imperfect Stepford Chronicles.
Photo credit to the author.
Hi Salma,
So pleased that you found us and joined World Moms. I am intrigued by the unschooling movement, it’s not something I know much about and there seems to be such variation between families. I do agree that the ability to think for oneself is under-rated in most current state-education systems.
Hi Salma!
I love your background — so interesting! I’m also excited about your interest in women’s studies and unschooling. I look forward to your future posts here!
Welcome to World Moms Blog!
Jen 🙂
Thank you dear Salma for linking to this great blog, and for sharing more information about you. You seem a wonderful person 🙂
What an interesting background! I look forward to reading your posts in WMB. I am curious about unschooling and I often consider homeschooling.
Nice to meet WMB writer from Canada! I’ll echo the comments about unschooling – I’d love to know more about this. (There you go – fodder for one of your posts!)
Thank you very much ladies for your wonderful comments.
I am happy to be here, and enjoy reading your lovely posts.
I will definitely write about my unschooling craziness.
Welcome Salma! I am so interested in learning more of your story and reading your future posts. All the best to you!