PARENTING
The Accidental Single Parent
Are you or your spouse an elite member of an airline loyalty program? Got there due to the thousands of miles spent aboard a plane? If so, the person left at home probably inhabits the role of the Accidental Single Parent (ASP).
As a working expat, frequent and extended travel is a necessity rather than an option. With cookie-cutter hotel rooms, the necessity of living out of a suitcase, and choppy Skype calls to the family, it’s a relief to just get back and relax. But often, re-entry means a turbulent landing.
A Spark, A Pop, A Bang
The same thing happens every Chinese New Year (CNY) holiday: a mass exodus from Beijing. The sky turns blue, traffic reduces to levels otherwise not witnessed since the 2008 Olympics, domestic helpers return to their home provinces, and white collar workers, both foreign and domestic, head for tropical climes. By contrast, during our first winter in Beijing, we remained in the city over the holiday and we enjoyed the experience so much, we have made it a family tradition to stay in Beijing over CNY.
Growing up in Ashland, Oregon, fireworks were officially reserved for one night of the year, Independence Day (the Fourth of July). In Ashland and much of the USA, Independence Day represents a time of backyard barbecues, local parades, warm evenings, and municipal firework displays that seem to draw out most of the town’s residents. For my own family, it represents a time of reunion when my brothers and I gather our families at Mom and Dad’s place to share our successes, console our tragedies, relive our pasts, and argue our differences.
Say Hello to Beijing’s Smallest
Léopoldine Mocquiaux
French. Born on Nov 17 to Caroline and Thierry Mocquiaux at Beijing United Family Hospital.
Oh, the Possibilities!
For the Chin family, eating out is extremely rare and is an event reserved for special occasions only. Growing up, I would only see the inside of a restaurant once, maybe twice a year. While I secretly wished for the nights out that other families seemed to enjoy, I was getting spoiled with home-cooked meals day in and day out.
At our house, there was never a need to leave the kitchen. My mom would simmer, bake and broil dishes to perfection, while my dad would fry, boil or whip up anything from lo mein to shrimp scampi in mere minutes. Due to his profound love of cooking for others and the speediness with which he cooked, my dad became the de facto cook of the house.
When Roots are Uprooted
Being an expatriate child is an experience that will open an infinite number of options, ideas and opportunities. Mastering a new language and enjoying new foods, customs, holidays, clothing and music in a lifetime opportunity for kids living in Beijing. However, becoming global citizens at a young age comes at the cost of missing out on many aspects of one’s own country. Once the initial excitement of a new country wears off, expatriate children soon begin to pine for their home country. They miss town decorations and festivities around holidays, and country specific culture and history in school. In response to this challenge, a number of schools and social groups have developed programs to help kids maintain a connection to their “home” country.
The Not So Quiet Before the Storm
When I admitted to my 8-year-old son that I was struggling with my next submission, he threw me a loaded look, and said with all the certitude that only a child can summon, “You know what you should write about, Mom. What Christmas is really about."
Secret Agent Santa
There are no quicker students of cause and effect than small people. Forever pushers of boundaries and testers of tempers, kids have an uncanny ability to limbo under the line that is a parent’s breaking point, getting away with one less cucumber at dinner time or ten extra minutes in front of the TV. It is for this reason that in the Jones-Wong household, the jangling of very distant sleigh bells can be heard as early as July. It is with this in mind that I summon all parents in Beijing to unite and create a consistent, seamless narrative concerning Santa and his crew.
While Elin’s powers of perception have not really developed beyond choosing which flavor ice cream she should choose, her 7-year-old sister is beginning to have serious doubts concerning the existence of the fat bearded one resulting in the further thinning of our parental blackmail sack. The problem is that everywhere she looks for confirmation of Claus’ credulity, she meets with conflicting stories. A quick canvas of her friends taught her that in some instances Santa enters the family home via the balcony window while in others he has obtained a magic key. She’s also begun to wonder why in other households, presents come in spangled wrapping paper while in ours, Santa’s elves use multiple copies of the same issue of Beijing Wanbao.
The Gift of Hope
The holidays are a time to be with family, but what about those who have none? Charitable organizations, volunteer groups, and NGOs are often the only source of care and comfort for orphans and critically endangered babies. There are several ways to help: volunteering, donating, organizing a fundraising event, or simply spreading the word. Read on about five local organizations that support sick, disadvantaged, or orphaned children. Give the gift of warmth, education, medical care, and a full belly this Christmas to those who need it most.
Notable projects: Providing critical medical care to babies is Little Flower’s priority. The charity also offers group foster homes for physically disabled children who are unlikely to get adopted, hospice care for children with incurable medical conditions, long-term care for physically and mentally disabled children, and help for special cases – such as children from poor families with medical or educational needs.
A Festive State of Mind
The winter months in Beijing have a special appeal. Invigorating temperatures that spawn new dance crazes at bus stops, wistfully silver-tinged coal-scented air and the oh-so-delightful arctic gusts and blasts that remind you of why you would rather spend the season in Beijing than anywhere else. For those rare few who dare to yearn for home at this time, Beijing can still surface a few comforts. Especially in the expatriate crowd, there is quite a selection of celebrations going on. We’ve recently caught up with a few waywardly festive families to learn a bit more about how they make the winter holiday season extra special.
The Palestrant-Rothschild Family – Hanukkah
The Palestrant-Rothschild family has been living in China on and off for many years. Their current assignment began four years ago, bringing the family here from a prior posting in Chicago. Stacy has been through three different rotations here, and Tomar is on his fifth. For the most part, daughters Shiraz, age 5, and Meital, age 2, are true Beijingers despite their American passports.
The Schneider Family
Gabriella and Marcel Schneider have been living in Beijing with their children Simon (16) and Tim (15) for over six years. They are originally from Switzerland. Gabriella is a designer and Marcel is the CEO of TUI China, a travel company that offers trip packages throughout Asia. Here are the family’s favorite things to do in Beijing.
Favorite Way to Relax
We escape to the wild part of the Great Wall and relax by hiking, climbing, and running.
