July, 2010

The "Yellow Fever" line is an oldie but a goody, and it's often been said that behind every  stereotype exist a gain of truth. A regular contributor to beijingkids, Dinah Chong Watkins, gave her two cents as to why she believes expatriate men prefer Chinese women in her recent China Daily column.

If that piques your interest, then click here and here for more of the same, but different. 

Family vacations can be a great opportunity to spend quality time together outside of daily life. However, among this picture of familial bliss is also the possibility that one sulky teenager can effectively ruin what should be a relaxing break for their parents. Overly concerned with being “cool,” many kids’ number one vacation goal is to ditch their parental units. To combat this, resorts and hotels have started providing activities for those who are beyond scavenger hunts, but not quite ready for cocktail hour. Helping teens meet each other and stay occupied, these vacation options provide parents with a break from headphone-wearing apathetic adolescents.

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After scouring the US Social Security registry of names that stretches back to 1880, naming expert Pamela Redmond Satran unearthed some of the best names used for 25 or fewer babies each year. Outside of rarity of usage, Satran looked for names that “have genuine provenance,” were attractive and felt contemporary. The result is a comprehensive list of 50 girls’ names and 50 boys’ names that are both unique and dynamic. The selection includes Amabel and Vita for girls and North and Thornton for boys. You can read Satran’s list here and for even more choices, check out the naming website nameberry.com.

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The myth of the “freshman fifteen” hovers in the minds of many teenagers before they head off to their first year of college. Being on their own for the first time with the temptations of junk food and the stress of university can mean the fear of weight gain becomes a reality. Students generally only gain an average of five pounds, but the idea that such gain is inevitable can make the myth a self fulfilling prophesy.

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In the increasingly competitive world of kids’ sports, elite teams such as travel or club teams can place extreme demands on both a family’s time and money. With extensive travel for tournaments and competitions and an expected year-round commitment, these teams can leave little time for other sports, relaxation or family. On top of the stress on the family’s time together, an elite sports team can cost into four figures annually. Faced with this choice, more and more parents are reacting against the pressure put on their kids and deciding that other things come first.

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The blonde hair and unrealistic body type of the US’s iconic Barbie doll has long been a source of frustration for many parents who wish there were more multicultural options for young children to play with. Noticing the prevalence of foreign dolls on the market, Ju Xia and her team at the Shenzhen Aphrodite Co Ltd set out to create a doll that would reflect the distinct cultural heritage of China. With the idea of creating a doll for each of the 56 Chinese ethnic groups, Fisimi dolls were born. Each doll involves extensive research as well as consultations with traditional craftsmen who help to create miniature molds of cultural jewelry and accessories.

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Last week we posted about the world’s worst theme park, right here on Beijing’s Olympic Green. Just across the street from that nightmare is the Dino Dino Dream Park, which has been heavily advertised on the subway. While the park is a little corny, it’s definitely better than the hole up the street (and) is a decent place to take your kids if you’re running out of things to do during the endless summer vacation – but only if you’re willing to pay the hefty RMB 90 entrance fee.

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Back home, I am known as THE shopaholic amongst my friends. When I leave the house, my mother warns my accompanying friend, “Make sure she doesn’t buy anything.” They simply smile and nod, familiar with the routine drill of dragging me out of a store by the shirt collar. For those who don’t hoard clothes, I admire them, but have been incapable of keeping a minimal wardrobe.

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A new type of cultural exchange is gaining popularity in China and around the world. In exchange for two hours per day of native English or another in-demand language conversation, people in a host country will provide free accommodation, free guiding, or even free language lessons.   For those who wish to travel cheaply and experience a culture through the eyes of locals, it’s a perfect opportunity to shun the traditional bubble of touristy hotels and attractions.

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Sunny Guo (mom of one) will be holding infant swim classes at Splash Recreation Club at the Sino-Swiss Hotel this Sunday. A yummy barbecue banquet will be served after the class. If you love this lesson, then sign up for one of Sunny's regular swim classes held at pools around town. Thanks to Liora Pearlman (super mom) for sending beijingkids this info.

Details below (keep scrolling for all the dates, times, locations and Sunny's contact details):

AGES
DOLPHIN: newborn to 2 years old
SHARK: 2 to 5 years old

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Due to a series of outbreaks of Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease (HFMD) in Beijing this summer, hospitals are apparently overflowing with cases of this contagious disease. To learn about the basics of HFMD and preventative steps you can take to stay healthy, check out Dr. Richard Saint Cyr’s recent article about the disease here.  

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Similar to nervous teenagers awaiting the smallest glimpse of a loved pop star, Chinese parents show up at the crack of dawn and wait in huddled anticipation at the chance to acquire a place for their child at a public kindergarten. With few spaces and greater numbers of children vying for spots after the baby boom of the 2007 year of the pig and 2008 Olympics, the competition for coveted spots is fierce. However, despite the increasing number of children in need of schooling, the number of public kindergartens has dropped over the last decade from 3,000 in 2001 to 1,200 this year. Increasing demand and even fewer schools means that even expensive private kindergartens require a deposit a year in advance to assure a place for your child.

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The Global Times recently reported that despite a law prohibiting surrogacy technology, surrogate motherhood is an increasing trend in China. With one in eight Chinese couples struggling with fertility, surrogate agencies are fielding more and more clients looking to start a family. One agent who works for a Beijing-based firm claims that for an additional fee, clients can even choose the sex of their baby and attempt to eradicate any genetic disposition towards disease. Test-tube technology raises questions about both the legal and moral implications of childless couples starting a family with a child carried by another woman.

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Until recently, my only exposure to quiches was via my frequent trips to Comptoirs de France. I've now fallen in love with the delectable taste of these eggy creations (who knew eggs could taste that good!) My only complaint is that  quiches are often too filling for me to finish on my own.

So imagine my glee when I stumbled on a recipe for mini crustless quiches. Granted, I was drawn to this recipe because it saved me from the trouble of making puff pastry. Of course, the size of these cute little quiches appealed to me also.

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After a series of crib recalls over the past three years by the US Consumer Products Safety Commission, parents should think seriously about their crib purchases. In the latest wave, 2.2 million cribs from a total of 7 manufacturers were recalled last month in America. Mostly the unsafe cribs that are being taken off the shelves have “drop sides,” which allow for the convenience of varying the height of the side of the crib, but in flawed designs can create a gap for a baby to fall out or become stuck. In the past three years, at least 36 deaths were caused by flawed “drop sides” as well as other manufacturing flaws.

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Warning: Contains spoilers for Toy Story 3.

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There is a fine line between being honest about youthful indiscretions and actively encouraging illicit behavior, but the difficulty of finding the boundary for parents represents a moral dilemma for many who value their openness as authority figures. Because brain development continues into the mid-20s, early exposure to alcohol and drugs can permanently affect the way the brain functions. The increased risk for addiction creates the terrifying potential that an excessively honest parent may foster a substance abuse problem in their own child.

This anxiety is also compounded by a fear of losing the moral high ground in future arguments, with teenagers feeling vindicated by your actions. However, “the most important message a parent can give is not about the mistakes that can derail a child, but about the joys of finding your way.” Focusing on your child and the positives in the situation can help you navigate complicated questions.

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Finally something worth going to at the Olympic Park? The Water Cube’s indoor water park, which we initially blogged about back in May, has entered the final stage of construction and is set to open on August 8, according to today’s China Daily.

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Remember when you were a teenager? I do, and it wasn't pretty, both literally and metaphorically speaking. You look back on all the crazy things you did and marvel that you did them -- and that you occasionally got away with them!

In a blast from the past (and for those of you with teenage kids, a reminder of our present), I found these three interviews with UK teens on The Guardian online. I've included some choice quotes for you for you below, but if you'd like to read more click here.

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In light of yet another series of food scandals involving McDonald nuggets and melamine-tainted milk, China Daily reported over the weekend that inulin, a popular food additive and sweetener, has been found to induce stomach aches for some children if consumed excessively.
 
Inulin is a carbohydrate fiber that is found naturally in produce such as bananas, wheat, onions and garlic. When inulin is consumed from such unprocessed foods, it is hard to over-eat. However, inulin is often extracted and used as a food additive for processed products including chocolate bars, drinks and other snacks (and we know all too well how easy it is to over-eat chocolate!) If our intake of inulin is too high, we may experience symptoms such as bloating, stomach aches and diarrhea.

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In the rush to get ahead, it seems that students have found a new way to improve their scores through hackers that claim they have the ability to access the computer systems of universities and edit student scores. In some cases for as much as RMB 10,000, the illegal service promises to repair academic records by increasing recorded scores. According to one hacker, it takes between one and five working days to break into the system and change a score. Such services are very tempting to college students, who live with the reality that good university scores are essential for employment after school ends.

To read more about the score-hacking businesses that have popped up, check out the People’s Daily article here

With the adventures of travel and trying new types of food, the risk of eating something that causes gastroenteritis or traveler’s diarrhea increases. This “inflammation of the stomach” can be an unpleasant addition to anyone’s holiday, causing nausea, cramps, diarrhea, and vomiting. Even the most careful traveler can eat unhygienic food unawares and so it is especially important to keep yourself informed about prevention and treatment. Dr. Richard Saint Cyr’s article and accompanying slideshow about gastroenteritis provide basic information and suggestions for travel kit supplies to combat traveler’s diarrhea once you get sick.

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