to be clear, i didn't mean only locals - there were many nationality of kids alone in the nursery (each baby carrier had a tag with details including nationality on it), but mine and the brit baby were the only ones where the parents consistently tried to room in and be there.
but i don't really see the locals as stand out parents either (i'm not saying they are bad, but they don't stand out as models of excellence for me). i keep hearing people say qataris are so loving with their kids, but i just don't see it - you need to be with your kids, touch them, help them, nurture them. even when you're changind a diaper, it's an opportunity to caress your daughters legs and coo-coo her and bond with her. if your maid is doing most of the work, then you're not doing enough as a parent, IMHO.
i see a lot of qatari men walking around with the family, which of course is great, but more than once when the kid starts making a fuss i see him/her getting passed off to the maid or wife and the man goes off unti the kid settles. many westerners use the TV as a babysitter, so i'm not not saying that all westerners are great parents, but whether it's the maid or the TV, both are poor substitutes for a parent.
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"Even a stopped clock gives the right time twice a day." Withnail & I
to be clear, i didn't mean only locals - there were many nationality of kids alone in the nursery (each baby carrier had a tag with details including nationality on it), but mine and the brit baby were the only ones where the parents consistently tried to room in and be there.
but i don't really see the locals as stand out parents either (i'm not saying they are bad, but they don't stand out as models of excellence for me). i keep hearing people say qataris are so loving with their kids, but i just don't see it - you need to be with your kids, touch them, help them, nurture them. even when you're changind a diaper, it's an opportunity to caress your daughters legs and coo-coo her and bond with her. if your maid is doing most of the work, then you're not doing enough as a parent, IMHO.
i see a lot of qatari men walking around with the family, which of course is great, but more than once when the kid starts making a fuss i see him/her getting passed off to the maid or wife and the man goes off unti the kid settles. many westerners use the TV as a babysitter, so i'm not not saying that all westerners are great parents, but whether it's the maid or the TV, both are poor substitutes for a parent.
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"Even a stopped clock gives the right time twice a day." Withnail & I