International Parenting

At a photo op spot on the lake in Wuxi, a Chinese family was trying to pose for a photo. One daughter was NOT happy to be there – probably an 8th grader. Mom and dad were trying to make this family vacation thing a fun get together, and the kids weren’t having it. The girl looked as if she’d rather be anywhere else than with the ‘rents …. And the boy was pouting and stomping around, and stood about 8 feet from the rest of the family for their photo. The dad yanked him by the elbow and made him stand together with the rest of the family … I swear, it’s a scene that’s played out in every household in America … and now china! We were laughing and the mom saw us … she was like ‘I ask him to take 5 nice photos with us … with smile … then we promise him ice cream!’ it was apparent the kid was nowhere near posing nicely for 5 photos.  oh well, it just shows how parenting tactics, such as bribery with sweets, truly is international. Bribery works in all cultures!