Example: The Culture of Motherhood

Sorry for the disappearance, my noble 7 followers, but it has been school vacation week and the little one has been a permanent fixture on my hip or in my arms. Babies are like that.
I feel as though I should reveal the true, perhaps even selfish, reason for the creation of this blog. While I explained its purpose in my first post, I intentionally failed to mention my sudden interest in cultures. I have written the first draft of what I hope to be a children's book series that explore a wide array of various cultures, from their traditions, customs, food, music, education system, clothing, and day to day life. I want to make it real and authentic so I am looking to all of you to talk to people that have actually lived and experienced places around the world.
Basically, the first book was based on the cultural traditions and customs of Ireland. A lot of research was done and I found that heading to the local Irish pub for some real accounts of Irish life proved to be quite helpful...so did the beer.
In order to give you an example of the kinds of things I'm looking for I will use a culture of which lately I have become an active member of...the culture of motherhood. Even though I am looking for cultures from countries, it is a culture of which I am most familiar and currently completely immersed...

The Motherhood Culture:

Rituals: Our bedtime ritual consists of bottle, bath, new diaper application, baby massage with lavender lotion, placing baby in nighttime sleeper, filling the humidifier and revving up the white noise machine, holding said baby until the clock hits 7pm, placing baby in the crib until the screams and cries soothe him into a settled slumber.
Feeding...We place bib on baby and secure in highchair, feed baby bland organic concoction that you made for 20-30 minutes, wipe own face off when baby, covered in green and vaguely resembling The Hulk, decides to try out his new trick, the raspberry, with his mouth full of spinach and green beans, wipe babies hands from multiple Karate-style blocks and grabbing of the spoon, throw out the 3/4 worth of remaining food that cost more than the un-organic store brands that are generally more preferable
Diaper Changing: We place the baby on the changing pad and pin the torso down so that the baby can't swivel body around to kick his or her feet on the wall, this induces cries and wails from the baby and constant squirming for the remainder of the diaper change. As we pin down the torso, one hand is needed to wipe and change diaper while the other is dedicated to trying to keep the baby from placing hands on body parts that could potentially be covered with hazardous material. Also we must be careful of flying feet that are like a magnet for what remains in that dirty diaper. Just before we are able to secure the new diaper in place, the baby pees in the surrounding area (if it's a boy, then on his face or outfit) wasting a 50 cent diaper. Once a new and dry outfit has been put on and the diaper is in place, we vow to not return to that place of torment for at least another 3 or 4 hours.

Food: Whatever the baby doesn't eat, whatever is fast, or nothing at all because there just isn't any time to satiate our own needs.

Clothing: sweat pants, pajamas, husband's T-shirts, whatever you don't mind sacrificing to the God of Stains, hair that hasn't been washed in so many days that you think it may have been sometime last week.

Pastimes: We have frequent doctors' visits every 2 weeks for check-ups, sick visits or physicals, Speedy trips through the grocery store where large displays of chocolate chips are torn down at the hands of your little mess maker, Countless laundry trips and adventures in sock pairing, Cleaning and chiseling off hardened food from the most unlikeliest of places (I mean really, the wall 3 feet away from the high chair? Spit-up underneath the sofa cushions? How??).

Holiday Traditions: Spending money we don't have on toys that will be disregarded in 2 weeks, fighting our partner over who has to be the designated driver this time, passing the baby from one eager relative to the next (especially when it's time for a diaper change), waiting until everyone else has had a chance to eat before being the last one to make it to get a plate of whatever is cold and leftover.

That's basically what I have learned so far about this culture and I have plenty more years to acquire more information. The most important part of this culture is that it is based on unconditional love and our ability and willingness to put everything aside and partake in these customs and rituals for this person we have created. However, it is because of this culture that I find myself a part of that I cannot experience for myself countries around the world to do my own research. Which is where you all come in.

I need help so please continue to check in and pass along links! Thank you for supporting me :)

February 15, 2010: The Quest Begins

My quest for knowledge about different cultural traditions and customs begins here and now! This blog was created to reach out and gather information to share with others that have experienced different cultures from around the world. Whether you live in another country now or have spent time there, I want to know about the day to day elements that define a culture and make it different from that which we already know. Tell people you know about this blog so that the word can be spread.
Everything from the mundane to the special events will be appreciated. I want information from the insiders perspective, not from the tourist perspective. What is your life like on a daily basis?
The information on this blog is meant to acknowledge our similarities and celebrate our differences. Together we will inform and appreciate to help to fit the inaccuracies that breed ignorance and stereotypes that plague societies around the world.
Tell me everything! Even if you think it's boring or not important. I want to hear it all and look forward to asking questions and exchanging ideas!