8th May, 2008 - This trip was definitely unlike any other that we'd experienced in Japan. That's the difference having a small baby can make (especially in close proximity to doting grandparents). To be honest, L-kun has never had so much attention than what he was getting on that first trip... and he was lapping it up.
In Japanese society, eldest sons still have a special place in families... and I imagine eldest grandsons have a similar advantage. Actually, L-kun is the only grandchild on both sides of our family - so there's no competition for attention ever. Spoiling is all too likely, unfortunately.
Travelling in Japan is easy with children... and the quality of children's goods (such as nappies/diapers) is first rate. They were much better quality than back in Australia, and super convenient. The range of strollers was also fantastic... and shopping centres have the cutest free strollers (more of them later). I've already talked about the great range of clothes that you can buy here...super cute! There's also a huge variety of foods in Japan as well... including the ready-made variety... It's very cheap and L-kun didn't mind the change of flavours at all. Ah... we missed that a lot when we came back to Australia. The one thing that we should point out though is that breast-feeding in public is still a little frowned upon (I mean the bare all variety, that is). In Japan, breast-feeding capes are very popular. Whilst T-chan was already reducing the amount of breast-feeding, her feeding cape was still high on her list of must-haves.
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| Hmmm rice gruel... my favourite! |
But one of the biggest differences on this trip was fact that we weren't able to sightsee anywhere near as much as we would normally. Things had definitely changed, and that meant a slight re-adjustment to our own planning (and expectations) as well. To be honest, there were definite advantages... did I mention the special attention that L-kun was getting from grandparents?... That gave mum and dad a little (much appreciated) breathing time as well. Now that's what I call a holiday!
Good to hear about your pleasant trip to Japan with L-kun, even with less sightseeing for you.
ReplyDeleteJust a curiosity. What language does L-kun speak with his mother, T-chan? How much Japanese do you expect from him?
Katya is planning to teach full Russian to our future kid just like a Russian child.
L-kun speaks both Japanese and English. At the moment he speaks more English than Japanese (that's just in the nature of being in an English speaking country). When he's in Japan he speaks 90% Japanese however.
ReplyDeleteWe work on the principle that T-chan speaks to him in Japanese, and I speak to him in English (this isn't a strict rule, especially when we're all together).
What will be more interesting is when L-kun starts going to school. That's when it becomes difficult. I'll post about this on my Raising Adelaide blog soon.
Is there a big Russian community in/near Kofu?
post like these highlighting the awesome life babies in Japan can live + learning two languages makes me want to move there just before me and the mrs plan for our own egg hatching.
ReplyDeleteHmmm - definitely an option if you're with a Japanese (otherwise may not be pleasurable experience that my post suggests). Perhaps the best part of Japan is family - but then again, families give strength no matter which country or which background.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Ben.
ReplyDeleteWe do not have a Russian community in Kofu.
A German professor I know of got married to an Italian lady. Mother only speaks or listens to Italian; otherwise, kids only use German. According to the professor. "Kids simply want to live easier".
Yes, you may be right, it could be more difficult when kids go to school. Please keep posting about this subject once in a while.
Yeah - without a community of Russian speakers, it will be difficult for Katya. Keep an eye out on my other blog...
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