Around-the-world-in-80 clicks

A shanghai mama who also blogs, alerted our online group to another mom blogger (in the US) who is doing an experiment. The founder for this idea is a mom who wants to know if other moms around the world could have a "virtual" playdate...in 80 clicks. The premise, in her own words, is:

David and I - in partnership with Global Voices Online - are launching an experiment to see if we get a global conversation going between moms who blog. We want to see if it's possible to travel the world and make friends, virtually, solely on the Vernian voyage power of the momosphere. We want to see if we can pull together a global playdate in 80 clicks.

Here's how it's going to work: this post that you're reading? Is the departure lounge. I'm going to link to a couple of other mom bloggers here in Canada, and to a couple of mom bloggers from other countries around the world, and they'll write their posts, sharing 5 things that they love (or maybe what they don't so much love - this playground doesn't force conformity) about being a mom, and then they'll tag a few more bloggers from their own country and from other countries, and so on. And you're more than welcome to join: just write a post of your own (5 things that you love about being a mom) and find someone to link to and tag - someone from your own country, if you like, but definitely someone from another country (Google is a good resource if you don't know any; google any country name and 'mom' in their blog search function) (be sure to let them know that you've tagged them!) - and link back here and leave a comment and we'll add you to the 'itinerary,' which David will compile and post and update as the tour proceeds.

Are you in? I hope you're in. This is going to be fun. No passport necessary.

Since I'm a blogger now...and since I'm a mom...I decided I was up for the challenge! Also, since this is about our feelings about motherhood, in the effort to "connect" with moms around the world, I've decided to post 3 reasons why I love being a mom and 2 reasons why it can be a challenge.

I just want to preface my input with the fact that, right now, I'm feeling a little overwhelmed right now about motherhood. This feeling, as all moms know, ebbs and flows...so if you feel, by my answers below, that I appear "jaded"...well, I am at the moment! haha

Why I love being a mom...

1) Being a scientist, myself, I absolutely LOVE watching my kids discover the wonders of the world. Whether it's watching a caterpillar become a butterfly, watching the busy activities of ants, observing the building of a skyscraper, learning about the forces of nature, building a sand castle, or flying a kite...I LOVE seeing the world open up to them and seeing, behind their eyes, the world's infinite possibilities. It's magical.

2) I love the excuse to make cookies, cupcakes, Easter baskets, etc. I love sharing the Holiday spirit with 2 souls who love it as much as I do. I also love those little tokens of love, like spontaneous hugs or cuddles, a whisper of "I love you Mom", or the fact that my child says he loves me 64-10-300-8-1000-1 times around the world (that's a LOT of love). hee hee

3) I love the "celebration" of all those growing moments, like when they smile for the first time or take their first steps or build their first city out of Lego's or color within the lines, or play their first sports game, or read their first book, etc.

What I don't always love about being a mom...

1) My sister once validated these feelings for me in the parking lot at South Coast Plaza, by mentioning she had a friend who felt similarly as I do about this next comment. So I don't feel TOO bad about sharing them now since I know that there is at LEAST one other mom in the world who shares these feelings with me.

I'm not really fond of the repetition...it's monotonous and often times tedious. And I don't really like the obligation I feel to be the sole entertainer for my kids. It took so long to exit my own childhood so that I could pursue my life's dreams. I now sometimes feel like I'm stuck in some kind of twisted re-run. SOMETIMES, I said! Sheesh!

2) I don't like "worrying" about my kids all the time. I feel that today's world is so scary ...and in addition to our own personal life choices recently, I sometimes feel so overwhelmed about the whole cerebral process of raising kids.

Well, there you go...like it or not. I know motherhood can offer anyone a myriad of emotions, most of the time. I definitely have some wonderful moments, days, weeks, and months, where it all seems great. And then, I have other moments, days, weeks and months where I feel more challenged in the arena of motherhood. My kids may be 2 and 5, but sometimes they can knock me out! haha

Now I'm supposed to "tag" other bloggers around the world. The only other mom blogger I know has restricted access to her blog, so I guess I will name these: The founder of this idea at Her Bad Mother at badladies.blogspot.com...Mortimer's Mom at mortimersmom.blogs.com...and also check out Mamas Worldwide, a blog page all about worldwide mamas at mamasworldwide.com

For anyone who participates in this, I hope you have fun!