Dear all,
I have been thinking a lot on some of these issues about kids growing up the American way. Please pour your opinions too.
My Son Aditya came to US when he was a 5 month baby, being a new mom, new place and all around me were strangers, even if he fell sick or starts crying for no reason I used to make calls to my mom and ask her what I should be doing. This way I have crossed a lot of hassles till now. But as many people say when kids grow up, problems too grow along with them. Here are some concerns which I would like to discuss with you all. Please share your ideas and experiences.
Artificial and commercial baby food: When Adi was 6 months old, he was feeding on formula milk and did not have enough nutrition. I wanted to start giving him some solid food. Now my question is how many of you believe in Gerber and other commercial products? I found them artificial and nothing can be compared to home made food like mashed dal rice, boiled apples, Idlis and Kanji (porridges) made of rice and other grains. Don’t you guys think that those ready-made foods make us lazy???
Loneliness and boredom: Staying at home, I didn’t feel it necessary for my son to go to a daycare. But until he starts going to school, how would he be interacting with other kids.
I felt that kids get pretty lonely after coming to US, especially during winters. Adi gets bored all day at home, just playing with the same old toys and watching the same old shows. I could take him to parks and library, but what more?
When kids grow up here they have a comparatively slow speech development compared to India.
He did not learn to speak until I visited India and when he saw a new world.
Lot of kids in the apartment we live just rushed into my house no matter what, with so much of enthusiasm and love for Adi.
But here hardly I see anyone interacting .The kid from my neighboring house came to play with Adi the other day. He told Adi “don’t touch me, I don’t like anyone touching me” I was so shocked to hear that!!
Then I learnt that it’s the school that teaches them to be that way.
How many of you have a good interacting community of kids for ages 0-3?? After that may be they start going to school.
Kids getting sick very often: This one is the most important. Kids losing resistance and getting sick very often.
Most of them start getting allergies no matter what season.
My Son often caught cold and usually they say cold and cough completes its cycle in a week or so but here?? It takes months together!! I start with Turmeric milk and then end with a doctor appointment and finally land on antibiotics.
After coming here not only kids but even we lose resistance.
While in India though we used to rough out in the sun, buses and auto rickshaws, we never fell sick like our kids, who fall sick even if I don’t vacuum the house for a week. They become so delicate.
Diapers, Diapers and Diapers!!! My Son has completed 3 and is potty trained but I still have to use diapers during night times and when we go out. I want to get rid of them but don’t know when!!! I heard my friend saying boys get rid of diapers a little late.
Sleeping along with Parents: I know that this is not an open topic to discuss but couldn’t stop myself. When we all were kids we never were separated from our parents even while sleeping. Cribs to toddler beds to separate rooms!! How much of you appreciate this. Kids start sleeping alone right from the time they are born.
I always love to sleep hugging my son. But after coming here he sleeps in a crib close to our bed all-alone. My husband wants it to be the American way. But I personally feel that it is not a great idea up till a certain age, as kids lose the basic love and attachment towards parents.
Explaining our Indian food: I have seen many parents convincing and explaining simple and basic dishes like idlis and puris to their kids at parties and gatherings. When I ask why, they say “ my kids love to eat only Mac & cheese, pizza or French fries etc…what does that mean?
When kids start their schooling here they start loving these food and parents have to convince them on having Indian food. How good is that??
Slow Education and learning: This question has been bothering me from a very long time. I had joined Adi in school at the month of September and then had to pull him out as he started falling sick regularly. I thought rejoining him in summer would be a good idea. While he went to school I came to know that the education here is pretty slow compared to India. They start teaching alphabets only at 1st grade. That is after age 5, which is a very long time. I felt that it will be too late then and started teaching him basics at home. Has anybody noted the way they hold the pens here? I am not offending anyone by saying this but felt that Indian education is much faster and better to give the kids a proper foundation.
What are your opinions? I was very happy to read about Asha’s Daughter doing so well at school. Wish I could take some tips from her on this.
If any of you have faced or come across these questions in your mind please let me know your suggestions, opinions and ideas.
