Selma wrote: . But I will say this. Long live the Goan childhood. From a cursory look at children in Goa, I know they are healthy, happy and enjoying the innocence of childhood just as every child should."
Hi Selma, I loved what you wrote ,and I agree fully with what you say. Long live the Goan childhood. Goa has its fair share of problems,but bringing up children in Goa is a happy ,positive experience. Im sure Westerners love their kids as much as we love ours,but perhaps their lifestyles,their jobs,do not allow them the luxury of "time" and "energy".Also in an attempt to make children independent ,they start really young and I find it cruel. Tiny infants ,sleeping alone in nurseries,crying themselves to sleep is sad .Children need a lot of hugging,and kissing and comfort and security.They dont ask for much,just your presence.They will get independent eventually,why rush them?I think not only children are deprived,but parents miss out on precious moments with their children. Like you mention,we have grandparents here to lend us a hand.Grandma's patiently feed kids,tell them stories ,babysit the kids etc.So the strain is not on the parents.Also, we have maids to help out with misc jobs. Another difference is when kids are weaning of the bottle,mothers take the trouble to cook wholesome,nutitious mishmash ( pureed rice,veg,chicken),broths,tizan .There is a lot of love and caring that goes into making that meal.While Heinz and Gerber baby food in a bottle,might have an impressive label and a decent vitamin content,there is nothing like homemade baby food. We feed our toddlers,we cajole them,we try different methods to get them to eat ,we never leave food in front of them,set a time limit ,and expect them to eat.That is fine when they are older but when they are young,they need encouragement and nurturing. Simple routine actions of feeding ,dressing them up ,go a long way in bonding and cementing a parent/child relationship. No baby monitors for us here in Goa,anyway there is no electricity half the time.The greatest security that a child can get from its parents is an arm across its tiny body,a big hug, a feeling of reassurance"Im there for you". I think those of us who have had this kind of a childhood,those of us who can give our kids this kind of childhood are blessed. Regards. Melinda _______________________________________________ Goanet mailing list [email protected] http://lists.goanet.org/listinfo.cgi/goanet-goanet.org
