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Baby’s Baby?

According to the Chinese tradition, those who love their parents and forefathers must do one thing---get married early and have children (at least one of them must be a boy) early so that the family will last from generation to generation. However, the one-child policy has made the practice impossible. Since about half of the newly-born babies are girls, half of the families won’t last as they are obliged to, not to mention those young couples who simply don’t want to have any children and enjoy their DINK life as much as possible.

It is reported that almost 90% of the young couples don’t take care of their babies on their own. Instead, they believe it’s their parents’ responsibility to do the hard work. As a result, 90% of the new-born babies are looked after by their grandparents, whether they are willing to or not.

Tom and Mary were both the only child in the family. They were excellent children, which means they studied very well, graduated from famous university and got good jobs, but they have never been allowed to do any housework. In fact, in their homes, they are still regarded as good “babies” who are taken good care of in every possible way. Then they got married and soon had twins, to everybody’s surprise and joy, except to the young couple’s. They were completely at a loss: how could two big “babies” look after two small babies? To their relief and delight, Tom’s parents volunteered to nurse one twin, and Mary’s parents the other. The two big “babies” took turns to see one twin one day and the other the next. In this way, they don’t even have to cook supper for themselves. At the weekend, they go out to eat in the restaurant and have a good rest without the bother of the twins after a week’s hard work. Don’t laugh at me! This kind of practice is quite common in China. Even if the couple is on the other side of the earth, their parents will fly thousands of miles to lend them a hand without any complaints when a baby is born. This is typical of dad and mom in China. Where else can you find such devoted mom and dad?

The young couple is rarely ashamed of their shedding of responsibility. They have “good” reasons for this arrangement. First, they usually don’t have to force their parents to do so. Since most parents are doing so, why should their parents be an exception? Second, they have their jobs and are too busy to look after the baby, while their parents are retired and have enough time and energy to care for their grandchild. Finally, as they have never done any housework, they are sure that they can never take good care of the baby on their own.

But is it fair to the parents in this matter? Most of them are elderly people and some of them are of poor health and even sick in pain. Taking care of a baby , as everybody knows, is very hard work. In addition, grandparents are always very fond of the grandchild. As a result, the child can be easily spoiled. What’s more, the young couple may not be able to establish a close and intimate relationship with their own child, which they will regret in the future. Such examples are numerous.

Young couples, be responsible parents! You have to sacrifice your time, your energy, your leisure and even your job to do the greatest thing in your life. It’s well worth your efforts to bring up your own child who will love you and take care of you when you are old.