Parenting

These days there is an overabundance of sunscreens on the market: Creams, sprays with or without retinol, with SPF30, 50, 100! How do you choose one that is safe and effective for you and your loved ones? Here are a few tips to keep in mind.
 
A good sunscreen should block out both UVA and UVB light, in other words it should be labeled as broad-spectrum. Most sunscreens do a good job of blocking UVB, but aren’t so great when it comes to UVA.

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As we explore in our newest magazine issue, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) recommends that mothers rest at home for an entire month following the birth of their newborn. This recovery time, called yuezi in Chinese, includes other edicts on the mother’s behavior, such as a diet marked by the consumption of “hot” foods and a lack of immersion in cold water (read: bathing). Although some of these traditions are no longer followed religiously, those who can afford it now have the option of yuezi centers that are specifically designed to cater to mothers and their infants within the recommendations of TCM.

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The summer break is drawing to a close, but while you’ve been away on holiday the team at beijingkids has been busy giving your favorite magazine an overhaul. We’ve got a brand new cover and a few shiny new tweaks inside. Be prepared to see new sections introduced over the next few issues and old sections revamped. We love it! And hopefully you will too.
 
This August is the pregnancy issue. We got two moms to scour high and low, looking for information to help newcomers and veterans alike navigate the maze of birthing options in Beijing. They found everything you need to know about hospital and natural births. For parents who are struggling to adapt to life with a baby, mom Sonia Cahill spoke with a therapist about postnatal depression and what you can do to spot the signs. If Chinese pregnancy traditions have always baffled you, Kara Chin is here to set things straight.

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After scouring the US Social Security registry of names that stretches back to 1880, naming expert Pamela Redmond Satran unearthed some of the best names used for 25 or fewer babies each year. Outside of rarity of usage, Satran looked for names that “have genuine provenance,” were attractive and felt contemporary. The result is a comprehensive list of 50 girls’ names and 50 boys’ names that are both unique and dynamic. The selection includes Amabel and Vita for girls and North and Thornton for boys. You can read Satran’s list here and for even more choices, check out the naming website nameberry.com.

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The myth of the “freshman fifteen” hovers in the minds of many teenagers before they head off to their first year of college. Being on their own for the first time with the temptations of junk food and the stress of university can mean the fear of weight gain becomes a reality. Students generally only gain an average of five pounds, but the idea that such gain is inevitable can make the myth a self fulfilling prophesy.

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In the increasingly competitive world of kids’ sports, elite teams such as travel or club teams can place extreme demands on both a family’s time and money. With extensive travel for tournaments and competitions and an expected year-round commitment, these teams can leave little time for other sports, relaxation or family. On top of the stress on the family’s time together, an elite sports team can cost into four figures annually. Faced with this choice, more and more parents are reacting against the pressure put on their kids and deciding that other things come first.

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Similar to nervous teenagers awaiting the smallest glimpse of a loved pop star, Chinese parents show up at the crack of dawn and wait in huddled anticipation at the chance to acquire a place for their child at a public kindergarten. With few spaces and greater numbers of children vying for spots after the baby boom of the 2007 year of the pig and 2008 Olympics, the competition for coveted spots is fierce. However, despite the increasing number of children in need of schooling, the number of public kindergartens has dropped over the last decade from 3,000 in 2001 to 1,200 this year. Increasing demand and even fewer schools means that even expensive private kindergartens require a deposit a year in advance to assure a place for your child.

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After a series of crib recalls over the past three years by the US Consumer Products Safety Commission, parents should think seriously about their crib purchases. In the latest wave, 2.2 million cribs from a total of 7 manufacturers were recalled last month in America. Mostly the unsafe cribs that are being taken off the shelves have “drop sides,” which allow for the convenience of varying the height of the side of the crib, but in flawed designs can create a gap for a baby to fall out or become stuck. In the past three years, at least 36 deaths were caused by flawed “drop sides” as well as other manufacturing flaws.

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Warning: Contains spoilers for Toy Story 3.

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There is a fine line between being honest about youthful indiscretions and actively encouraging illicit behavior, but the difficulty of finding the boundary for parents represents a moral dilemma for many who value their openness as authority figures. Because brain development continues into the mid-20s, early exposure to alcohol and drugs can permanently affect the way the brain functions. The increased risk for addiction creates the terrifying potential that an excessively honest parent may foster a substance abuse problem in their own child.

This anxiety is also compounded by a fear of losing the moral high ground in future arguments, with teenagers feeling vindicated by your actions. However, “the most important message a parent can give is not about the mistakes that can derail a child, but about the joys of finding your way.” Focusing on your child and the positives in the situation can help you navigate complicated questions.

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