News

"Eagle Dad" Forces 4-Year-Old Son to Run Naked

Happy_Eggplant — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 10:00:00 +0800

How many more crazy parent stories will surface until we run out of fierce animal names? A Nanjing man calling himself “eagle dad” created a firestorm when he uploaded a video of his 4-year-old son running in his underwear in a -13°C snow storm. The incident happened while the family was vacationing in New York City during the Spring Festival holidays.

The Grass Is Greener (and Duller) on the Other Side

Happy_Eggplant — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 14:00:00 +0800

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.

10 Things You Might Not Know About the Year of the Dragon

pandaroo — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 10:00:28 +0800

As many of you may know, today, January 23, 2012 marks the start of the year of the dragon. Here are some interesting facts about the year of the dragon and Chinese dragon mythology:

A Blogging Mom Means a Happy Mom

Happy_Eggplant — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 14:00:00 +0800

New parents know that feelings of intense isolation can emerge when they bring home that “tiny, needy, crying, confusing” baby. Add a set of powerful language and cultural barriers, and that isolation can seem even more daunting. The good news is, the Internet can help. According to a research study led by a new father, blogging can help overcome those parenting blues.

Unnatural Birth: The Rise of C-Sections in China

Happy_Eggplant — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 14:00:00 +0800

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.

China Daily: Will kindergarten be easy to afford?

dibeijing — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 18:00:51 +0800

Education in China are expensive, especially the kindergartens. Apart from the school tuition, parents always have to face all different kinds of fees while the kids are already in the school.

January/February Issue Out Now!

Happy_Eggplant — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 13:00:00 +0800

The January/February issue of beijingkids is chock-full of restaurant and dining ideas to stretch that food coma well past the holidays.

Hit up one or more of Beijing’s 50 most family-friendly restaurants, or stay in and cozy up with our guide to delivery services. Also, beat those howling winds with the top five places to sip soup and craft a healthy DIY muesli breakfast with the entire family.

The time is ripe for some outdoor fun! Ice skate, stroll, shop, and eat your way through the picturesque Houhai area, or head out of town to carve up the slopes at a ski resort.

Year in Review: The Top 10 Blog Posts of 2011

Happy_Eggplant — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 16:00:00 +0800

As 2011 draws to a close, it’s time to look back and take stock of the good, the bad, and the ugly. The Year of the Rabbit was marred by concerns about health and safety issues like air pollution, recycled oil, child kidnappings, and ongoing milk woes. In pop culture, we puzzled over “Tofuboy,” steamed over self-hating Eurasians, scared ourselves silly with Chinese ghosts, poked fun at tiger moms, and had a good laugh over their kids’ wily responses. On the bright side, we covered children’s charities, welcomed many new faces, expanded our definition of “family,” and put on a bunch of fun events for Halloween, the holiday season, third culture kids, and more.

But what were the top draws of 2011, the newsmakers and reviews that most tickled, enraged, worried, and touched beijingkids readers? Without further ado, we present to you the top 10 blog posts of 2011. Thanks for reading!

Milk Doesn’t Always Do a Body Good

dibeijing — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 15:00:34 +0800

On Dec 24, the toxic chemical aflatoxin was found in Meng Niu’s milk products. Meng Niu (蒙牛) is one of China’s top producers of milk. Ever since 2008 when melamine was found in Sanlu Milk Powder (三鹿奶粉), drinking milk in China has been a big debate.

How to Protect Yourself Against Thieves

Happy_Eggplant — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 15:00:00 +0800

A brief, but alarming notice on The Global Times warned against thieves on the subway. The pickpockets target young women listening to music and usually operate on platforms or escalators on Line 1. The brief caught my attention because I fit the target victims’ description to a tee, but anyone is at risk. Now that the holidays are in full swing, it may be time to take a refresher course on Anti-Thievery 101.