photo credit: Wedgewood II via photopin (license)
This is going to be a short
one since I'm in the middle of a holiday in Brazil. We're visiting my husband's
family so I mean holiday in the loosest sense of the word. We've probably spent
more time in the car here than over the last six months (gosh it's a big
country) and every day has involved at least one visit to family or friends.
I'm a bit of a hermit so
being surrounded by so many people is quite exhausting. On the other hand, I
love seeing baby boy play with a plethora of cousins, aunts and uncles,
something that I, an only grandchild, never experienced. It's also been
interesting to see Brazilian parents in action.
Here, children frequently
go to bed past 11 pm. Children are welcomed at all family events, even those
starting in the evening and nobody minds when a handful of overtired toddlers
are running around the room at 10 pm. All of my husband's cousins breastfed
their babies until at least 2 or 3 years of age. One cousin told me how her
daughter (now a beautiful, smart 20-year old) had only breastmilk until she was
one, alleviating any fears I had about baby boy's still somewhat erratic eating
patterns.
Of course not everything is
positive. Everyone jokingly asks to "keep your baby when you go back to
Europe" because it's actually quite common for grandmothers to raise their
grandchildren. Children are frequently given sweetened chocolate milk as the
adults think plain milk is "tasteless" and many toddlers have had
more antibiotics than I've been given in 30 years.
On the whole it is enlightening
to step out of my own European parenting bubble for a while. It reminds me how
important it is to share experiences with other parents, especially those that
have a different background or attitude to my own.
Next week we're heading
back home and into the rhythm of normal life. I'll finally have a moment to
make a cup of tea and read everyone's linky contributions in peace.
If you feel like joining
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Wow what an adventure! Thanks for taking the time to host this lovely linky :)
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for stopping by x
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