Stumble it!A View Into Chinese Parenting
Shanghai Exchange Program
Our family is hosting a student from Shanghai for two weeks. He is 14 years old and will attend school with my son and we will show him around the Bay Area during his stay. I’m curious about having another teen in the house. I’m wondering what kind of kid he will be. But, more importantly I’m interested to see how parents, an ocean away, parent their teen. China has a one-child policy so I’m sure his parents will have poured their hearts and souls into this child.
You can learn a lot about someone when they live under your roof for several weeks. We’ll share meals, travel around, attend my son’s water polo games, my daughter’s basketball games, eat out, eat in…you get the idea. I’m interested to see what kind of kid he will be. Will he be self-reliant? Adventurous? Interested in trying new things? Easy to talk to?
I’m keen to notice this because I’m always second-guessing myself as a parent. Am I too strict? Not strict enough? Allowing my kids to be too self-involved and pampered? Instilling a good work ethic? Good sense of humor? (well…you got me there, I think that one is covered) How someone parents shows up vividly in a teenager. It’s easy to make excuses for young children but not a teenager. They are becoming young adults and you can see what’s to come.
So, I will look to parents an ocean-away to get an insight into parenting. I’ll let you know what I learn.
August 5th, 2009 at 07:38
That’s exciting. Having another teen that is raised differently is something I am also curious about. Teens in the east side of the world are raised differently. They are raised by religion and culture too. I’d like to read more on what you have discovered and learned from this Chinese teen.