Mark your calendars for an insightful livestream featuring Toni Ma (co-founder of True Run Media, the parent company of Jingkids) and Charlotte, a Grade 9 student from the German Embassy School who’s currently completing her internship with us the Beijinger and Jingkids International. Dive into the fascinating world of cross-cultural experiences through the eyes of a young German teenager.

Charlotte’s story is one of a rich cultural tapestry. Born in Germany, she spent her formative years in Israel and now calls China home. This blend of diverse cultures and experiences gives her a unique perspective on what it means to grow up with a cross-cultural identity.

Together, Toni and Charlotte will be tackling the topics of how the various countries have shaped Charlotte’s understanding of culture, identity, and belonging. They will explore the challenges and rewards of adapting to new environments and how these experiences have influenced Charlotte’s worldview.

Whether you’re a student, educator, parent, or cultural enthusiast, you’ll find valuable insights and engaging stories in this live stream.

Join Toni and Charlotte as they share and celebrate the beauty of cross-cultural experiences. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to learn and connect through the eyes of a young global citizen.

Tune in to the live stream on May 28 from 12.30pm to 2pm. Let’s explore together what “cross-cultural” means to a German teenage girl living her extraordinary life across three different countries.

Images: Toni Ma, Pexels

Let me start off by saying that bullying isn’t something any parent looks forward to dealing with. There was a part of me that was naively hopeful that if I was careful about who my kid befriends and picky with which school she goes to that maybe, just maybe, she’d never have to experience bullying in her adolescent life. Schools tend to say “there’s no bullying on this campus”, but how much of that is actually true and how much is them just turning a blind eye to it?

I thought that I had a few more years to prepare myself and my daughter to face bullies. Thinking back to my own childhood, kids can get mean during those elementary school years and bullying get worse during the middle school years. But never ever did I think that I would need to deal with bullying in a pre-school.

Join myself and Toni Ma, co-founder of True Run Media and momma/parenting guru behind Toni Talks, next Thursday at 10am as we discuss bullying on campus – from tots to teens. I’ll be sharing all about my daughter’s current bullying situation, how we discovered it, how the school tried to downplay it, and what they’re currently doing to resolve the issue. You can tell me if you agree with them or perhaps, have a better solution. We’ll also be discussing what you, as a parent, is legally allowed to request of the schools and what their obligations are.

This coming Thursday at 10am I’m going to pour myself a big cup of coffee and spill all the tea on this international school bullying coverup.

Images: Toni Ma, Pexels

My daughter started pre-school last week. After the first few days of intense tidying up and self-care, I found myself face-to-face with another problem. What do I do with this newly found free time now?

For the past two years, my days have always been scheduled around her needs and my in-office job. But now that I’m working from home and she’s at school, I found myself alone all day with my thoughts. And while it was relaxing at first, it very quickly started to make me anxious.

I know myself, and there’s a very good reason that I never chose to quit working to be a full-time wife and mother. I can’t deal with the alone time. I can buy myself flowers, I can hold my own hand, but I cannot talk to myself for hours…

For all the parents who have just sent their little ones off to school for the first time, join the jingkids editors for a close-to-heart livestream chat about this new chapter in your life. We’ll be talking about the types of moms out there, the isolation that for some will lead to depression and identity loss, things to fill your time with, and the resources in Beijing that will not only help you cope with the separation but which will also enrich your life.

Scan the QR code to join. See you tomorrow at 11am for an unfiltered, unedited, and unscripted heart-to-heart chat.

Images: Pexels, True Run Media

It was with a heavy heart that we received the news that jingkids managing editor Mina Yan will be leaving Beijing within the next few months.

Mina has been with True Run Media — jingkids‘ parent company — for over three years now, but she was well-acquainted with the company and its staff even before then. She had attended pretty much every one of the Beijinger‘s events, from Spicy Fest to Burger Fest and more, and followed BeijingKids (as it was known back then) as her trusty news source. So when former managing editor Kipp Whittaker left his post, Mina happily jumped into the role.

It was in the last year and a half, after she gave birth to her lovely daughter, that Mina really came to understand the significance of the work jingkids does for the expat parenting community in Beijing. As an international-minded parent navigating this city, she became well aware that the English blog and magazine truly serves a unique and important mission — to help expat families maximize their stay, however short or long, in the heart of China.

Mina has been living in China, mostly Beijing, for the last decade since she graduated from university in Switzerland. She had grown up in Orange County, California where her life pretty much looked like the hit TV series “The OC”.

She will soon embark on a new adventure with her family, but before she leaves, we will get to pick her brain and find out what it takes to manage one of the most critical expat publications and blogs for the English-speaking community here, and what the working culture at True Run Media is really like.

Grab a glass of wine and join us in our livestream interview with Mina Yan on Thursday, May 26 at 8pm as she answers your questions about being managing editor for jingkids and more, and we also bid her a fond farewell!

KEEP READING: Hello! Meet the Jingkids Editors

Images: Mina Yan, True Run Media, Uni You

These are challenging times for everyone, and while we’ve been scrambling to stock up on groceries and adjust to the new online schooling routine of our pandemic existence in Beijing, we just have to wonder, “How are the kids doing?”

That’s why jingkids will be checking in with the Crocetti sisters Rosa (9) and Aurelia (6.5) in a short livestream interview on Wednesday, May 25 at 4pm. They may also be joined by their adorable little sister, Sofia, who just turned 2 not long ago! We’ll ask the kids for their unadulterated feelings and find out how they handle the challenges of online learning. So get your kids to listen in to hear their peers tell it like it is!

Rosa and Aurelia are both students at the British School of Beijing (BSB) Sanlitun. Both kids have also been active participants in jingkids‘ events and activities, such as the Bespoke Travel Stone Lion Photo Contest and Universal Studios Grand Hotel Easter Basket competition. Rosa also previously reported for jingkids in an exclusive video at the hockey semi finals of the 2022 Winter Olympics where we felt her infectious energy and enthusiasm.

Find out more about the Crocetti family in our Monday Motivation blog article, from what’s on the family’s mind to how they beat the doldrums of a “Groundhog Day” existence during this time!

Images: Courtesy of Erin Crocetti

Recently we’ve realized that while our readers love our content that aims to provide the Beijing expat community with resources to make the most out of their family life in Beijing, there are plenty of readers we’ve yet to meet and strike up a conversation with!

That’s why over the next few weeks, we’ll like to give you the chance to get to know us a little better through our latest Meet the Editors livestream series. During these livestream sessions, we’ll be take turns to interview each other and ask all sorts of personal and professional questions, as well as opening up the platform for viewers to ask their questions to the editors.

First up is True Run Media co-founder Toni Ma.

Join us Thursday (May 12) at 10am as we sip some coffee and spill the tea!

Images: Jingkids

Join Toni’s Talk this Thursday evening to ask John Brett, principal of British School of Beijing, Sanlitun, what factors really matter when choosing a school as a parent.

John is a musician, a school leader with over 30 years of experience, a book author on curriculum research, a father, and a grandfather. What can John share with us with his experience and insight into primary and nursery education? Join us this Thursday night to find out!

What are the typical mistakes parents usually make when they want their children to study music?

What advice would you give to parents who want their children to learn and develop in music?

When parents are faced with different curricula, what should they really check? What really matters behind the different curricula?

And more…

Let’s have a sneak peek at John’s education theory by reading his article: Six must-have features of outstanding schools.

Images: Jingkids