Carrying A Baby

When Raine was pregnant, a senior colleague, Prakesh, gave me this advice. He said carry and hug your child as much as you like. Do not heed the advice of some old folks who think that carrying a baby too often would lead to undesirable behaviour from the baby. This seems to be a common thinking among the Chinese and Indian. Prakesh who is a grandfather lamented otherwise. He advised that children will grow up fast and before you know it, they will be running away from you. He regret not carrying and holding his grandchild often enough. Now the child desist being carried.

When I was younger I have heard this from my grandmother. Do not spoil a baby by carrying him or her whenever the baby cries. With Gracie, I did not really think about this issue. I just did what is natural. I would hold her and protect her. Now Raine constantly complained that I had spoiled her. Gracie would want to be carried whenever we go out, shopping or for a meal. Raine is annoyed because she is suffering from "slipped disc" and could not carry Gracie.

Gracie get plenty of exercise running and playing, of course. In fact, she loves to climb stairs. I would sometimes allow her to climb the stairs instead of taking the lift to our apartment. 9 flights of stairs.

I must admit that Gracie is somewhat spoiled in that way but it delights my mother to no end. My mother who must be among the most patient person anywhere, would drop whatever she is doing and carrying her precious granddaughter whenever Gracie went to her and asked to be carried. Sometimes out of the blue, Gracie would say, "it has been a long while since I was carried." It would bring a big smile to my mother's face as she hug and carry Gracie. "Bao. Bao"- that's Mandarin for hug, hold or carry. And Gracie's command to be carried.

Now I understand Prakesh's advice. Some day, Gracie would be too big to be carried. She would be too busy exploring the world as well. I hope she will always find time for "Bao.Bao."