I’ve often wondered about the obsession that Chinese magazines and advertisements have with western babies, earlier this week I had the chance to experience it in a first hand way. The daughter of a friend of ours was talent spotted in the street and it turned out the shoot ... Read more »

It is around this time of year that I inevitably ask myself why, of all the places on earth I choose to live in a courtyard house in a Beijing hutong.

The freezing temperature outside is only marginally abaited by the sieve like door and window frames throuh which an ... Read more »

So we've just arrived back in Beijing from spending Christmas and new year with family in the UK and now have to deal with the horrors of jetlag.

In pre baby times I would have determined to not sleep in the day and force myself to lay in bed ... Read more »

Three big snows in November so far – how unusual for Beijing! Well, one thing is for sure, the kids are happy about it. In fact, they want more, more, more of the snowy white stuff. Last night, in their own attempt to force snow on the capital, my two boys ... Read more »

AirpollutioninchinaView more presentations from myhealthbeijing.

Dr. Richard Saint Cyr has started a fascinating new blog in Beijing focusing entirely on health. For example, on his blog he recently published this interesting slide show about air pollution in Beijing. Sure, it tells you a lot of what you already knew ... Read more »

Hundreds of people came out for the fourth annual Green Cow Festival in Shunyi last Sunday. The highlights were the organic oatmeal cookies, pizza bagels, Ruppert the pig, and of course all the kids who played games which I was helping with. In case you missed it, above is a ... Read more »

With Halloween just days away (5 to be exact), I'm sure everyone has found their costumes.

But have you figured out what you're cooking?

While scouring the web for anything an everything Halloween related, I came across this handy site. On it you'll find five wonderfully disgusting ... Read more »

While surfing around online today, I came upon this interesting article about the effects of Tylenol on the effectiveness on vaccines in babies. While this may not be an issue for those parents against childhood vaccinations (citing possible links to autism and other health issues), parents who do advocate childhood ... Read more »

As much as we all look forward to catching up with our kith and kin, welcoming relatives into our expat world can be an absolute delight or a complete nightmare—especially where non-Mandarin speaking friends and family are concerned.

“My mother-in-law’s first visit was a complete disaster,” says Nicole ... Read more »

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Just after midday on Friday 18th September, one of Beijing's newest citizens, Pascal Thomas, joined us, weighing in at 3.3 kg.

During a pregnancy where most of my friends and family were convinced that I was carrying a girl, our son, Max, maintained that 'Di Di' was on ... Read more »

I’ve heard many stories from friends about how helpful their ayis have been in raising a newborn. My friend Carol, for example, once said to me: “I took my ayi’s advice and stayed home for a full month after the birth of my daughter. It’s the best ... Read more »

From the pages of our fall issue of Parents & Kids comes Chef Ricardo Bizzarro's lobster stock recipe!

Ingredients

Boston Lobster

Olive oil

Onion, chopped

Celery, chopped

Carrots, chopped

Garlic, chopped

Tomato paste

Bay leaves

Peppercorns

White wine

Brandy (one cup)

Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

Split lobsters into ... Read more »

Earlier this year, New Scientist magazine published an article suggesting that children learning a tonal language such as Mandarin may be more likely to develop musical talent. This got me thinking. After all, if true, surely China must be the perfect place to exploit it?

It’s no secret that ... Read more »

Being a mother (or an expectant one) comes with its trials and tribulations no matter where you're from.

And, whilst there's a whole host of information available on the internet to answer the many questions you'll undoubtedly have, it can be a great comfort to be part ... Read more »

With a recent diagnosis of gestational diabetes, I guess I am now one of the few people living in China who is unable to eat white rice.

Our Ayi, a Beijinger, is relatively happy about this, having spent a number of years trying to educate us out of our daily ... Read more »

Let’s face it: Beijing can be a woeful place to spend the summer holidays. Blistering heat and stifling humidity are in abundance. We’ve managed to get by with a short trip to the UK, a few weeks at the Children’s House Montessori Kindergarten summer camp and lots ... Read more »

Yes, really!

As all parents know, when boredom sets in, even the most delightful cherub can turn into a little devil.

And so the shortest journey or meal out can become fraught without some kind of emergency activity to hand.

Whilst toys are not always appropriate, a few crayons, water ... Read more »

Why oh why do I still harbour a secret desire to be a domestic goddess, when in reality I'm a bit of a disaster in the kitchen?

My long-suffering husband is well past the phase of sounding enthusiastic when I announce that we have a 'surprise' for dinner.

Now ... Read more »

Talk Me Through It!

By Dr. Marlene Barron of Etonkids International and Bilingual Kindergartens

Your child can be a great assistant, and she’ll also learn valuable lessons along the way!

Before you Begin:

As with most parents, in addition to the job of raising your kids, you’ve got ... Read more »

(From the Etonkids Health Corner)

Exploring the Great Outdoors

Children are natural explorers and love using their senses to experience to world around them. The outdoors presents limitless opportunity for children to engage their passion for discovery using all of the senses: sight, hearing, smell, taste and touch. While exploring ... Read more »

Oh Lordy Lord, do Beijing tai tai love a good shop. No surprise then, that this inspirational expat spouse has made her passion for shopping into a fun business that has already become a great success with the locals.

If you're in need of a great looking tote to ... Read more »

Before leaving Beijing this January (and suffering a heart that was carefully torn in two like a scrap of rice paper), I penned a post for City Weekend called Caring for Tai Tai

– about how important it is for female spouses and mums in Beijing to make the most of ... Read more »