Sonia Cahill
Returning to Disaster
After two-and-a-half fun-filled years in Beijing, my family and I decided to return to Australia at the end of 2010. Despite my best intentions, things have not gone smoothly. Plans for the perfect repatriation were shelved within days of our arrival as a natural disaster unfolded around us. We are from Brisbane, Australia's third largest city and the capital of Queensland - a picturesque subtropical metropolis built along the snaking Brisbane River.
When we left Brisbane in 2008, the city was enduring its sixth consecutive year of drought. The city's combined dam levels were less than 20 percent. Four-minute showers, dirty cars and dusty backyards filled with dead grass were the norm. And then ... the worst drought in living memory was broken by the worst flood Australia has ever seen. Three-quarters of Queensland has been declared a disaster zone. To give you an idea of the scale of the devastation, the state of Queensland is two-and-a-half times the size of Texas and nearly seven times larger than the United Kingdom.
Home Time
"Girls, time to get up," I called from the hallway. "Mum slept in again so we'll have to move super fast this morning." I loathe getting out of bed in the dark.
In Memory of an Angel
No one expects to outlive their children. The idea is simply unthinkable. It's against the order of nature, an unacceptable tragedy. The death of a child has to be every parent's worst nightmare and quite possibly the most traumatic and devastating experience a family could face.
How Hard Is It to Make Cupcakes?
Some folk are naturally adept at baking. They can whip up a batch of jam drops or pumpkin scones in a matter of minutes. I aspire to such baking greatness; however, it seems my enthusiasm far outweighs my natural ability. Despite my lack of talent, I tend to bake a lot after having a baby (baby number three has just arrived). I recently learned a hard lesson in the kitchen though - baking and sleep deprivation don't mix.
Postnatal Depression
Childbirth is a life-changing experience and adjusting to motherhood can be difficult. Some women are prone to depression as they come to terms with the demands of caring for a new baby. For most, the symptoms are mild; however, some develop a more disabling condition known as postnatal depression (PND). Dr. Wei Chang, a psychologist from the Family Counseling Center at Beijing United Family Hospital (BJU), offers her advice for moms who are suffering from PND.
What are the baby blues?
More than half of new mothers will suffer baby blues in the days and weeks after giving birth, with relatively mild symptoms, like mood swings, anxiety, unexplained sadness and irritability. Symptoms generally fade within three weeks.
Diary of an Expectant Mother
The idea of having another child had been on the cards for sometime, so last summer, while on holiday in Europe, my husband and I decided to expand our family. I have survived two relatively easy pregnancies in Australia. How different could it be in China?
Arty Party
The thought of hosting a children's birthday party in Beijing can be daunting, particularly for families without abundant living space.
Luckily, there are a growing number of indoor venues around Beijing that host children's parties and are happy to cater to even the fussiest child. From ten-pin bowling to ice skating, to indoor play centers and family restaurants, there are plenty of options to suit the birthday star. However, for a truly unique celebration, consider throwing an art party.
Baby Shower
Few things in life compare to the overwhelming excitement and joy a new baby brings to a family. For many women, a baby shower is a special event on their journey to motherhood. It's the perfect opportunity for friends and family to get together and celebrate new life, love and family values before the much-anticipated arrival of your new bundle of joy.
"What I've Learned..." -The Experienced Mother
The Experienced Mom
Three teenagers, one roof
I always planned to have three children and when I had the third, I knew that was enough. I was exhausted! I didn’t originally plan to have them so close together and it wasn’t easy having three children back-to-back, but I wanted them all born in France. Our children were born in Paris, but we’ve lived in the United States, the United Kingdom and now Beijing.
I would say that having teenagers in general is more difficult than any specific challenge of raising children in Beijing. It’s hard having teenagers no matter where you live. Children seem to have more freedom and purchasing power here than, say, in France. They can go here and there with 100 kuai. I don’t give my kids any more freedom than I would in any other country but I worry about this becoming a problem because their friends have more freedom. With teenagers, it’s important to pick your fights carefully and not to worry about the little things.
