People are all the same!

During my many travels in the world I noticed something. People everywhere are the same! No, of course not in the way they look or talk. Even the culture is different, sometimes even within the same country.

But it is interesting to note that people everywhere have the same feelings. A mother in South America is worried about her baby’s health and growth, the same as a mother in Tibet or in Greece. A man in Canada is so in love with his wife he is almost bursting, an Indonesian man feels the same. True, the way people react to joy and sorrow, birth and death, has a lot to do with culture and religion. But in many ways, the reactions are similar.

It was also fun travelling in the country-side in Africa, seeing the little boys playing ball. There, the ball was made from old rags and the boys were bare-foot. Apart from this- the game was exactly the same as we used to play as kids! They had lots of fun, just like us, playing and laughing. Little girls everywhere cuddle and soothe their dollies, whether bought in a store or made by grandma.

This only goes to show that people are very similar. Instead of focusing on the differences as a problem, view them as a way of getting to know somebody who’s almost the same as you. Diversity in culture is really interesting, we can all learn something from eachother!

Be Proud of your Kids!

Having children is such a wonderful thing! True, at times it is frustrating and tiresome, but the blessings far outweigh the problems. It is very important to express these sentiments to the children, they need to know that they are appreciated.
One way of doing this is to spend time with them. They know your time is valuable, so when you choose to spend it with them it is something special. Sometimes, just hanging out watching TV together will suffice. But try to plan some activities you can do together, regardless of the weather.
When was the last time you did some coloring or drawing with your children? Why don't you try doing a large picture all of you together? Fingerpainting, maybe?
Another way of showing your appreciation is by displaying their art. A lot of drawings are produced every week by smaller children. Sometimes the kids have assignments in school which they bring home. Why not display it in different ways in the house? Transfer the drawing to a cushion, get a display cabinet or simply stick them on the fridge.
Listening to what they say is yet another, very important, way of showing love. What is really in your children's heart? Not just the obvious, but also that which might be a bit hidden.
Most parents truly love their children, there is no doubt about it. But sometimes we need some encouragement on how to show it. Don't take eachother for granted, but work hard on keeping a strong bond in the family.

Getting pregnant

More and more women are having children at an older age. They choose to first enjoy themselves or pursue their career and then, have children. In many ways this is a good idea. Being a more mature person hopefully will make a woman more mature as a mother. The feeling of losing out on life that some younger mothers have will not be there. After all, you have had time to fill you bucket-list already.
But there can be a danger, too, in waiting before having children. The older you get, the less chance do you have of getting pregnant. The risks of complications also increase with age. Let's say you start trying to have a child when you are in your late 30s. If you don't get pregnant immediately you might well be over 40 when conceiveing. The risks of miscarriage and high blood-pressure, for example, have increased. So has the danger of the baby having a genetic disorder, the risk of getting a child with Downs syndrom is 1 in 100 when you are 40.
However, the desire to have a baby and the advanced medical care that is available these days are also strong forces to reckon with. Many are willing to take the risk, and are rewarded.
Others are not so lucky. According to some estimates, half of all pregnancies end in miscarriage! Often, the woman is not even aware of being pregnant, the miscarriage seems like an unusually heavy period. The reasons are varied, and often not even known. But research shows that the most common reason is chromosomal abnormality, at least in the first trimester miscarriages.
Since it is so common, it is often overlooked by doctors. For the woman expriencing it, though, as well as her partner, it can be a devastating experience. There are many good websites that explain why these things happen and also forums where you can tell your personal pregnancy experience and get support.
Despite all these risks, most women choose to try and conceive. When all goes well, it is such a rewarding experience! Nothing can compare to the feeling of having a baby inside your belly. Well, maybe when the baby is born and you get to hold him or her in your arms!