Family

In a thought-provoking piece for The New York Times, columnist KJ Dell’Antonia wonders what effect her and her partner’s choice to move to the countryside may have had on their children’s independence. She quotes Dr. Richard Jackson, a professor of environmental health sciences at the University of California: “Children who grow up in suburbia can’t meet their life needs without getting a ride somewhere.” For many expat families living in Beijing, this sentiment is likely to hit home. 

• Read more

Protecting and maintaining children’s health and well-being is the number one priority on every parent’s list. Childhood immunization is one weapon that helps prevent our children from getting devastating diseases like meningitis, pneumonia and polio. However, navigating the immunization process while living in another country or moving between countries can seem like a daunting process.

• Read more

As a nutritionist, one of the questions I get asked the most around this time of year is how to lose those few extra pounds (or, in some cases, kilograms) put on over the holidays. And this year, as with every year, the perpetual discussion about fad diets and quick weight loss programs is back in full force. Over the past couple of weeks, I’ve had friends ask me about the cabbage soup diet, the South Beach diet, the HCG diet, and the Hollywood diet. Some of these are simply strange and unsustainable – no one can (or should) eat just cabbage soup for any prolonged period of time – while others, like the HCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin hormone) diet are unproven and even quite possibly dangerous.

• Read more

Hey, Shunyi-dwellers, it’s that time of year to get out on the ice for some fun and exercise, right in your own backyard! With Ice Zone sadly and officially closed, now you should brave the cold temps outdoors at Lake View Place by Dragon Bay Villas (officially called Longwan 7th Street Ice Skating) for some good old fashioned lake ice skating with family and friends.

• Read more

Holiday travels peak during festive periods. With the Lunar New Year around the corner, overseas assignees are making their way back to their hometowns to celebrate with their families while leisure travelers are departing for their holiday destinations. Some are also taking advantage of the long holiday to catch up with their loved ones based overseas. With so many travelers on the road, there is an increased chance that plans, schedules, and travels can go awry. 

• Read more

If you’re going to be in Beijing over the Chinese New Year holidays (like me), take the opportunity to visit a temple fair. Temple fairs (or miaohui) are traditional celebrations replete with religious ceremonies, folk performances, traditional crafts (such as paper cutting and scroll writing), vendors hawking toys and kitsch, and scrumptious snack stalls. They usually take place at temples and parks, but several international schools also organize their own. Click through for a rundown of 2012 temple fairs. Be prepared: temple fairs can get very crowded during the holidays.

• Read more

Before you embark on your holiday or before those fireworks start popping, stop by the Beijing City International School this Sunday for a sneak peek at Chinese New Year festivities.

• Read more

In a Slate article called “Cesarean Nation: Why do nearly half of Chinese women deliver babies via C-section?”, author and journalist Mara Hvistendahl looks at the reasons behind China’s skyrocketing cesarean rates. Between 2007 and 2008, a whopping 46 percent of Chinese babies were born via C-section – the highest documented rate in the world. This number is three times higher than the World Health Organization’s recommended 15 percent threshold.

• Read more

Traveling to Australia has been on my bucket list for years. Once there, I knew of several check-marks I wanted to tick off the tourist list, including enjoying the beaches of the Gold Coast and visiting the Opera House in Sydney. One adventure I had admired yet never added to my list, likely due to apprehension, was being a part of the Sydney Harbor Bridge Climb.

• Read more

If you’re not willing to brave those nippy winter days, The Familier is a good place to wile away the afternoon. Though prices can be a bit steep (RMB 70/two hours or RMB 100/full day), this 530sqm indoor playcenter has plenty of activities, games, and classes for ages 2-8. The Familier encourages parents to join the fun, with specially-developed programs in English, Chinese, Korean, and Japanese.

• Read more