The Soviets when they took over Russia and Ukraine had uneducated and ignorant peasants as their new subjects. They thus focused on basics: they taught them simple sanitation, like hand washing, brushing teeth, and along with this instilled a fear of microbes. My ex has infected our daughter with the need to wash her hands, especially after coming into the flat from the outside. It's Soviet training. They insist that children should not eat straight from the fridge. Children should get fresh air even if it's 40 degrees below zero. The outside world is a dangerous place; they should be dressed for Siberia. But they microwave food? That seems far more dangerous to me.
We never had a need to wash our hands when I was a boy in California. Not unless they were muddy from playing in the culverts or drainage ditches.
The problem for you is that mother-in-law is certain that you are going to kill the baby. You're a man; you don't know shit about kids, right?
Thanks Mark. You've got it. The list could go on and on. Their superstitions lead to an excess of concern, but in general are not dangerous.
As you suggest, my kids are overdressed. The temperature this morning was in the high 60s. I took the girls for a walk through the neighborhood, during which Marianna took off the bonnet that mother had insisted she wear. Fine with me – I tucked it in my pocket so it wouldn't get lost.
Upon returning home she went in the backyard, where Grandma immediately demanded to know where her hat was. Marianna endured it's being reinstalled with a kind of a sullen pout.
But the important thing is that though they may be wrong, these women do really care about the kids. They will grow up laughing about their mother's foibles but knowing that she loves them and pays a lot of attention to them, even if it does sometimes seem excessive.
I've always wondered what effect the Soviet Babushkas have on modern Ukrainian kids. Everybody gives their kids over to these babushkas who lived during the Soviet Period with all its repressions and limitations. I used to sit in the play areas with the old Soviet ladies as they scolded the kids: no, no, no, no. Don't touch. Don't run. Come here, tie your shoe. Don't splash in those puddles. No, no, no. Does it cause harm? If so, how much harm? I tried to let my daughter do all the things that their grandmothers would never let them do. It seems the roles of mother and father are like this. Dad lets the kids break the rules; mom is there to say no.
What is the difference between the Soviet Union and the US? In the Soviet Union, you couldn't do anything unless it was allowed; in the US, you could do anything unless it was forbidden.
The fussing over the kids is good to reaffirm care and concern important for both. Quite traditional and your unconcern is good as well, all as it should be.
BTW, I understand that people who live together share the same gut biomes. That can be both good and bad, but generally helps the health of all.
Yeah, the wild women are trying to maintain feelings of control. It's good they don't put the baby's food in the microwave anymore--it depletes some of its nutrition--not to mention microwaves leak radiation. I measured mine with an emf meter and it appears to be safe beyond a few feet. I use mine occasionally, but stand behind the refrigerator in order to avoid fallout. : )
That's worldwide. In France and Vietnam the lady of the house is the général de l'intérieur. That's her role. Not a bad one, and a guy should respect it.
The Soviets when they took over Russia and Ukraine had uneducated and ignorant peasants as their new subjects. They thus focused on basics: they taught them simple sanitation, like hand washing, brushing teeth, and along with this instilled a fear of microbes. My ex has infected our daughter with the need to wash her hands, especially after coming into the flat from the outside. It's Soviet training. They insist that children should not eat straight from the fridge. Children should get fresh air even if it's 40 degrees below zero. The outside world is a dangerous place; they should be dressed for Siberia. But they microwave food? That seems far more dangerous to me.
We never had a need to wash our hands when I was a boy in California. Not unless they were muddy from playing in the culverts or drainage ditches.
The problem for you is that mother-in-law is certain that you are going to kill the baby. You're a man; you don't know shit about kids, right?
Thanks Mark. You've got it. The list could go on and on. Their superstitions lead to an excess of concern, but in general are not dangerous.
As you suggest, my kids are overdressed. The temperature this morning was in the high 60s. I took the girls for a walk through the neighborhood, during which Marianna took off the bonnet that mother had insisted she wear. Fine with me – I tucked it in my pocket so it wouldn't get lost.
Upon returning home she went in the backyard, where Grandma immediately demanded to know where her hat was. Marianna endured it's being reinstalled with a kind of a sullen pout.
But the important thing is that though they may be wrong, these women do really care about the kids. They will grow up laughing about their mother's foibles but knowing that she loves them and pays a lot of attention to them, even if it does sometimes seem excessive.
I've always wondered what effect the Soviet Babushkas have on modern Ukrainian kids. Everybody gives their kids over to these babushkas who lived during the Soviet Period with all its repressions and limitations. I used to sit in the play areas with the old Soviet ladies as they scolded the kids: no, no, no, no. Don't touch. Don't run. Come here, tie your shoe. Don't splash in those puddles. No, no, no. Does it cause harm? If so, how much harm? I tried to let my daughter do all the things that their grandmothers would never let them do. It seems the roles of mother and father are like this. Dad lets the kids break the rules; mom is there to say no.
What is the difference between the Soviet Union and the US? In the Soviet Union, you couldn't do anything unless it was allowed; in the US, you could do anything unless it was forbidden.
The fussing over the kids is good to reaffirm care and concern important for both. Quite traditional and your unconcern is good as well, all as it should be.
BTW, I understand that people who live together share the same gut biomes. That can be both good and bad, but generally helps the health of all.
Yeah, the wild women are trying to maintain feelings of control. It's good they don't put the baby's food in the microwave anymore--it depletes some of its nutrition--not to mention microwaves leak radiation. I measured mine with an emf meter and it appears to be safe beyond a few feet. I use mine occasionally, but stand behind the refrigerator in order to avoid fallout. : )
That's worldwide. In France and Vietnam the lady of the house is the général de l'intérieur. That's her role. Not a bad one, and a guy should respect it.