World Moms Blog

World Moms Blog contributors and friends at the inaugural "GAVI Global Tea Party" to raise awareness for life-saving vaccinations for children in the developing world.

In January of this year, my friend, Jen Burden, the founder of World Moms Blog, invited me to attend the very first grassroots advocacy party for the UN Foundation’s Shot@Life campaign at her house, here, in New Jersey. The theme of the party was “Around the World” and featured international food served in shot-sized glasses which we purchased for a $1-$3 donation.

Now, as a stay-at-home mom of two young boys, I jump at any opportunity for a fun night out with my friends! But I soon realized this night would be very special. How often do you know your actions are actually saving a child’s life?

Shot@Life seeks to “educate, connect and empower Americans to champion vaccines as one of the most cost-effective ways to save the lives of children in developing countries.” The money raised at this party went directly to purchasing vaccinations to immunize children against four deadly diseases: pneumonia, diarrhea, measles and polio. $20 is all that is needed to fully vaccinate one child, but sadly, 1 in 5 children around the world still lack access to these life-saving vaccinations.

Jen spoke that night about why she became a Shot@Life Champion. Read more…

The thermocol apple tree with thermocol apples and thermocol branches pinned up

As Kirsten wrote in her travel itinerary last Sunday, I do have a tale to tell you, rather my son does.

It is the story of the boy and the apple tree. It’s a very popular story in India and was recently read by my son’s teacher during one of the Parent Teacher meetings.

Let me get on to the beginning of the story. I was called to school one day and informed that my son was selected to represent the school for a story telling competition. Read more…

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

Currently, I live in the last place on Earth I ever wanted to live: El Paso, Texas. My husband is in the Army and we were stationed here. But – after three months here – I’m starting to think it’s growing on me. I love how very earthy it all is, how family oriented. Still, moving from Denver to here was a shock.

What language(s) do you speak?

I speak English, ASL, and a little Spanish but I’m working on learning more. Here Spanish is essential, we live about 15 miles from the border of Mexico so many people in this area only speak Spanish.

When did you first become a mother?

Bella was born November, 2009. She is our first child after 6 1/2 years of marriage. We weren’t sure we ever wanted kids, now we can’t remember life without her. Read more…

I want to use this space this week to tell everyone that we NEED YOUR VOTE!  Help World Moms Blog win $5,000 for charity!!

Wouldn’t it be great if we could donate to the very causes that affect mothers and children around the world that we write about?

Help us win! Here’s what you do…click on the link below (it won’t cost you anything and you don’t have to sign up for anything). You just have to click on “Like” in the grey box next to my picture.

Please vote for us!

http://mom.babble.com/mom/mominations/mominees/inspirational/jennifer-burden

You see, I have been “mominated” at Babble.com for this charitable award on behalf of my work at World Moms Blog, so help me win this for the World Moms!

And, thank you to Alison Lee in Malaysia for the nomination.  Help us spread the word! (We would love that. )

I’m keeping this column short this week for two reasons.  One is the impending hurricane coming up the Atlantic ocean.  I’ve been preparing for hurricane Irene, here, in New Jersey, USA, by stocking up on necessities and securing everything outside my house with my husband.  I hope everyone affected by this storm will be safe!

And two, is that after all of our hard lifting and packing up today, my husband and I went to the Maroon 5/Train concert. (This mama has to rock sometimes!)

So, tune in tomorrow for the Travel Itinerary to see where we’re taking  you this week!

And, THANK YOU for voting!!  It is very much appreciated!

Our week in review:

On Monday we started off the week with The Third Eye Mom, Nicole Melancon, who shared her internal struggle with seeing her son off to the first grade.  Many of us could relate!

We were in tears on Tuesday with Jennifer D’Ambrosio who told us about how she lost her mother to cancer and how she regretted not having children sooner to meet her mom.  Just the picture alone will have you feeling Jen’s emotions.  What a moving story!

Wednesday, Susie Newday in Israel told us what it was like to carry a baby and know it would be a soldier if it was a boy.  (She secretly admitted that at the time, she was hoping for a girl!) But, now she tell us about coming to terms with having a son in the Army and another son who will go in after him.  It was interesting to see life through her eyes!

Dr. Jeanelle Lanham has made that trip that she told us all about — you know, the one where she came to New York City for her son to attend his dream acting school?  She told us about her fears, and how she is overcoming them to make this happen!

In writer interviews we heard from Tara B. of Washington, USA and new writer, Maman Aya, of New York, USA!

And when is the right time to stop undressing in front of your children? Or, should you stop? World Moms chimed in on this private topic in this week’s Friday Question!

Take care everyone, and don’t forget to vote!

Jennifer Burden

Founder/Editor

World Moms Blog 

Photo credit to Alan Cleaver. This photo has a creative commons attribution license. 

Where I live in India, you hear a lot of criticism or praise about whether you are a stay-at-home-mom (SAHM) or a working-mom (WM) or even if you convert from one to the other.

It has been almost ten months since I became a SAHM, but I still receive judgments about my decision. Just check out these conversations…

Conversation # 1

Me: Wait a minute, why should you say sorry because I left my job? I am actually enjoying it…

Person X: No, No, I am still sorry that it had to happen this way…

Me: What? You insist that I should receive your apologies? Fine. Thank you. Oh well, it’s not like anyone died or anything.

Conversation # 2

Person Y: You lost it? I know, hard times… Economic recession, right?!

Me: I DID NOT LOSE my job. I just quit because that’s what I wanted and that’s what I chose to do. Read more…

This coming week, I’m excited to be representing World Moms Blog at the Blogher ’11 conference in San Diego, California.  As I’m busy preparing for the adventure, this week I’m going to keep it short, but hopefully, slightly entertaining.

The writers’ interviews that we’ve been posting as additional posts on Tuesdays and Thursdays have been really helping us get to know our new writing community better. We’re even finding many more things out about our seasoned WMB writers that we didn’t know!

It occurred to me that some of you might be thinking, “Who the heck is running this ship?” And, also, maybe the thought never even crossed your mind. ha ha. So, anyway, this week, as your World Moms Blog founder and editor, I’m answering one question from our normal interview.  And, here’s how it goes… Read more…