Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Homer]

Hey there,

I was wondering what kind of experiences people have had here with their babies (or children).

Hoping to see some different views on the matter.

Also how old are your kids and are they mixed or not?


Sorry if this thread is a repeat!

[ulsanchris]

Homer you should know this has been done many times. THough new stories always help.

[kelly]

In general its been a good experience, my little guy is 9mths and seems to be always the center of attention when we go out. He's not of mixed race either. Although the attention is meant in a good way it can get a little tiresome sometimes. I mean I don't care about people talking to him or looking at him, but yesterday we were in Insadong, and this guy started taking his photo, without permission, my hubby was not at all impressed. Asides from this, it has been a reasonably good experience.

[Corporal]

I've lightened up a bit when it comes to people mauling my kid. She's 2 and a half, which helps because now she can yell at people or run away from them when she doesn't want to be fawned over.

It's been mostly positive I suppose. At the moment what's annoying me is the constant spate of questions (now that she's old enough): "Does she speak English or Korean? Which does she speak more of? Does she understand English and Korean? Can you make her say something?"

[Homer]

Interesting replies so far...and I had a doubt about the repeat thing chris but figured as you said that this could be interesting nevertheless....

As for us, our son is now 6 month and is mixed (Korean-Canadian). We get the stares and the questions but overall, it has not bothered me or my wife much.

Most of the time is it well-meaning and simple curiosity/fascination with babies....

I myself, love the fact that our son is confortable getting picked by different people. When we go to the market, it often happens that a few of the ajumas pick him up and play with him. He loves it and laughs all the time. It is alaos a good way for him to get confortable with new people. I and my wife think this is important.

The questions/comments are often a variation of the same theme: he looks like his dad/mom, he looks Korea/westerner....nothing abusive there (in our experience).

We also saw a pleasant side of this openess to pick up babies when we went to Canada this month to introduce our son to his grandmother. On the plane ride to Toronto, the long 11 hour one and the longer 14 hour one coming back we were both times seated next to some Korean elderly. They picked up our son and played with him a lot and this made the flight so much easier.

All in all, its a big discovery out there....and I find that letting people handle our son is a positive thing.

[ulsanchris]

i remember two or three threads about this. This topic comes up once or twice a year. corporal would know better about these threads then myself.

[spark05]

So far it hasn't been too good with my 3 and a half year old. I can't believe how un-child friendly everything is! We just arrived a few weeks ago so maybe it takes some getting used to though. So far what I've seen is: babies being held by mom in the front seat, kids running around and sticking their heads out the window in the back seat, kids riding their bikes/scooters/skates on busy streets, etc. I've seen car seats for sale at all the stores, why no one seems to use one I don't know.

Also, everyone expects that a 3 year old should be way more independent than I feel is normal. My husband and I are both gyopo, by the way.

[Corporal]

[Homer]

Spark,

The car seat culture is relatively new here....you gotta give it time. If it bothers you both too much, buy one and install it in your car!

Avoid cabs and other peoples cars.

As far as kids running around here, they do so a lot but often to little harm and people in neighborhoods look out for kids more then home, in my experience anyway.

My nieces are 4 and 7 and they play outside with complete abandon. Yet, from observation I noticed that there are always neighbors keeping an eye out....different strokes in a different coutry spark!

[tzechuk]

My experience has been very good so far.

Everyone who sees Letty tells me she is a very pretty baby and they all like playing with her. The ajummas that work in our local Carrefour recognise us (well, the baby mostly) and play with her each time we go there.

I, like you, let everyone and anyone pick Letty up to play with her. I think it is important that she has all the social interaction... but what do you know? Hit 9 months, she began her separation anxiety and she wouldn't let anyone handle her, not even her own daddy! He was a little crushed to begin with. Letty is a lot better now but still prefers me in sight.

Don't be surprised if your little one starts hating just about eveyrone on Earth later!

[fidel]

[spark05]

[SuperHero]

My daughter is 3.5. Our experiences have all been positive - except that I get all riled up when people touch her just 'cause they think she is cute.

baby number 2 is due the day before the first ones b-day (Feb 22). We have a car and a car seat, but will be getting a bigger car since the current one is a little small with 2 car seats.

[Hanson]

My daughter is only 6 weeks old, but already I have had enough with unsolicited advice. Koreans (especially older Koreans) seem unable to hold back from giving advice where no advice was sought by the parents. While riding the subway or shopping at E-mart, people will come up to my wife and I and say "you should wrap your baby in more clothes", "you shouldn't wrap your baby in so many clothes", "you're baby is too young to be out of the house", "you should use this product or that product", "don't hold her like that", and on and on and on...

As far as people picking up my child, or touching her, I have very mixed feelings. Although I want my daughter to grow up to be sociable and like people, I feel the need (already) to shelter my child from strangers. I'd hate for my daughter to grow up and accept presents from complete strangers, or to walk off with a stranger. Yes, I know, a good parent never lets their child wander out of eyesight, but the reality is, you could turn around for a second at the mall, and you're kid is gone.

On the other hand, I do want my daughter to be sociable and to interact with people, just not any stranger that walks up to her.

As far as child-death rates in SK, I think that has a lot to do with the parenting. Choosing not to use a child seat is a choice Korean parents make which makes me shake my head in disbelief. Toddlers or young children running around or playing in the streets are also there because their parents allow it. Parents are the ones to set limits, in Korea or back home.

I'm new to the game, but I'm already feeling my way around the pros and cons of raising kids here...

[SuperHero]