Motherhood Around the World
Last summer, we did a series called Motherhood Around the World, which was easily one of my favorite blogging experiences of the past seven years. We featured an interview every week with an American mother living in a different country around the world. Their stories and observations about parenting abroad were fascinating, insightful, funny and surprising. Thank you so much to all the incredible mothers who shared their stories. The conversations in the comments sections were equally compelling—I loved hearing about everyone's thoughts and experiences.
We talked to mothers living in Norway, Japan, Congo, Northern Ireland, Mexico, Abu Dhabi and India.
Now I'm thrilled to say we're doing another Motherhood Around the World series this summer starting today!
As I mentioned last summer, we decided to speak to American mothers abroad–versus mothers who were born and raised in those countries—because we wanted to hear how motherhood around the world compared and contrasted with motherhood in America. It can be surprisingly hard to realize what's unique about your own country ("don't all kids eat snails?"), and it tends to be easier to identify differences as an outsider.
Also, we wanted to hear from these individual mothers about their particular experiences, but of course everyone’s impressions, circumstances, socioeconomic levels and lifestyles are different, so these interviews are in no way meant to describe or reduce entire cultures. (I can’t imagine if someone tried to explain America as a whole!) These interviews are more about women’s personal stories and observations. We also chose women who were more or less from the same demographic so we could see what it was like within that similar demographic around the world. I'm curious to hear from people born and bred in each country as well, in terms of what you think rings true and what surprises you.
Plus, a few more Cup of Jo series if you're in the mood:
* Guide to New York
* Motherhood Mondays
* Beauty Uniforms
* What We're Reading
* House Tours
* Hair Tutorials
Anyway, we're excited to share these interviews every Monday and discuss parenting customs with you, and a huge thank you to Caroline for helping put it together. Hope you enjoy it.
