Finally this weekend the skies have been really overcast. The predicted rain showers have thankfully not fallen during the day though it is quite blustery outside.
So this is how it looked most of last week!
Hope the sun is shining in your sky.
Join me and other bloggers from #SkywatchFriday
As a mother to a 15 month old, a working mother who constantly worries that she isn’t spending much time with baby and a nerd, I’m always scouting the internet for parenting styles and methods. One approach I found popular in Singapore was RIE/respectful parenting by Magda Gerber. When Ms Papaya was born in Korea, I would often chat with my 2 mommy friends (1 Indian and 1 American) on the different child rearing methods – one used sleep training, while one was co-sleeping.
I also found various articles about French parenting (more strict, less child focused, and resulted in more analytical, obedient children) vs. American parenting (very child focused, with children “running” their parents’ lives). Think “Bringing up Bebe by Pamela
As I absorb these various insights, I also instinctively drew upon some Indian traditions when bringing up Ms Papaya – my family’s obsession with cleanliness, doing namaskar, action songs in Marathi, and letting the child play with Vati Chamcha (spoon and bowl). However, I realized that these practices varied from family to family and within communities too. I have Indian friends who let their 15 month olds sleep at 10 p.m. because otherwise they won’t see them. I have some who drag their babies to all dinner parties so they are “together”. Generally, most of my Indian friends span the spectrum of parenting toddlers: some adhere to a schedule, others are more lassaiz faire. So it got me thinking – what is the Indian parenting style? Does one even exist?
I found this lovely blog post by an expat mom in New Delhi – on the 12 surprising things about parenting in India:
http://cupofjo.com/2013/09/12-surprising-things-about-parenting-in-india/.
These were great observations.
I realize that Indian values exist; and that Indian parents impart those to children: working hard, respecting elders, being conservative. But I think the means to achieve this vary: a rare minority choose not to keep a maid, some keep only English speaking maids, others follow a strict schedule, while others have to toe their mother-in-law’s line.
What do you think?
I’d love to hear your thoughts on whether there is a distinct style of Indian Parenting, and what you think it is?
Does it vary by socioeconomic levels? Does it vary by communities?
Does it vary by generations?
Disclaimer: I am a millennial mom
For all you yummy mummies out there, the Itinerant Mother shares some interesting thought on parenting.
How much of parenting is universal? And how much of it is culturally determined ?
Mate mothers today more hyper? More informed? More caring?
Let’s hear it from you!
It is duck season in Raritan and I’m bidding Monday Goodbye . You, probably are wishing Tuesday a very good morning !
I’ve begun my third week in a new time zone and the jet lag is way past behind me. My brain, however, seems in its own time zone and I find myself missing cues and prompts especially for blog like these.
Thankfully, some habits die hard – like a morning walk. And even though it’s not at the crack of dawn, it is still well before noon.
The weather is turning chilly and before it becomes impossible for me to step out, I’m using every opportunity I get to walk. It’s not too hard really, because this place has NO public transport and I don’t have a car. So even if I need a pin, I just have to walk.
This morning , I didn’t need a pin . But I did need some eggs . So off I went to the nearest shop in what is now becoming Roma ritual.
Enjoying the crisp morning and the feeble sun, were the ducks I’d seen yesterday. They were closer to me and I got a chance to observe them . I found that they were diligently looking for worms (?) in the grassy field imto which water drained .
They looked so peaceful and unperturbed by the cars that zipped past as they quietly went about their business
Seeing them, I realised how comfortable they looked in this pastoral scene.
[Tweet “Ducks are migratory birds and I wonder how they cope with different time zones.”]
Any ideas anyone?
Linking this post with #MondayMusings
Twenty- five Seven 