Spotlight on child-rearing practices around the world

Audiences listen carefully to the speeches. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

What exactly is "scientific raising", and how does one resolve the multitude of mental health problems that can arise in a child? Nowadays, more and more attention has been focusing on the field of child-rearing, and negative Sino-foreign views on children have also begun to cease. Behind these endless questions about child rearing, there remain countless families who continue to face these complex issues.

Last week, China.org launched offline salon entitled "A Picture Perfect Story"in Sanlitun, Beijing. The salon focused on foreign child rearing. It invited many guests, including professional pediatricians and mixed race families, to share their parenting stories.

"Because registration is often difficult, many concerned parents bring their children along to "a day trip to the hospital." However, exactly how many of these children really need to go to the hospital, and how many simply need some help at home? Doctor Wang Fei, Capital Children's Medical Institute's Deputy Director, and the Deputy Director of Critical Care Medicine, who originally started a career in medicine, points out the errors that parents usually make in response to mental health.

A well-known Beijing television presenter Gao Yan is now a mother of two children. What makes her most proud is that her daughter has not been to a hospital before the age of three. At the Salon conference, she spoke about her explorations in childcare.

On the mental health issues that have garnered the concern of many, psychology professor Li Yanpeng told three vivid stories. She emphasized her belief in the idea that parents should be listening to children, and how parents should be viewing their child's mistakes.

"My husband wanted to let our daughter drink cold water, while I wanted my daughter to drink warm water", Sue said. Sue is the manager of Suzy Yoga room, and her husband is American, resulting in similar issues that have arisen in her life from their many cultural differences. "But I respect my child's choice," Sue continues, "I can tell her my reasoning for my decision, and let her decide. "

At the end of the Salon, wet nurse Wei Yan, from the Only-Love Breastfeeding Support Center, used real events from her work experience to discuss her thoughts on child rearing. She shared her perspective on China's practice of post-birth confinement, breastfeeding, and many other different aspects of raising a child. Wei Yan stated, "most mothers are born in the 80s. They are an educated generation and because they are faced with a conflict between old and new ideologies."

"I think every family has different parenting methods. Everyone has parenting methods worth sharing, worth learning." Mr. Lee's daughter is four years old this year. At the Salon conference, he would jot down notes from time to time to share. He said, "I think this activity is really good for the whole family. Each family is invested in their children and their well-being. These activities give everyone some guidance and advice. "