Tea is a huge part of the culture here. Like George's mom says, "any time is tea time." Although I knew this, I was still shocked to see George's cousin's daughter drinking tea in her bottle. At the time she was seven months. The American in me thought, "you can't give a baby tea! There is caffeine and sugar in there!" I have been very strict with Eli about what he drinks. I like to make sure he is well hydrated, especially because of the hot weather here. So, I give him lots of water, never juice, soda or tea. He is a great water drinker. I am afraid if he has sips of other drinks, he won't drink water anymore. In the US, we don't want kids to consume drinks with sugar. Childhood obesity is growing so we are cautious about it. If it were up to George, Eli would have had tea long ago. It's just what they do here. Also, you rarely see an obese child so they don't worry about the extra sugar.
Recently I began thinking about it and wondering if it's something I need to give in to. If it's in moderation, it should be ok, right? I mean, he is African and is growing up here so he needs to learn and like the culture. Same thing with ugali and omena. He is a Luo so he must love those things. It's another example of balancing our two cultures.
I'm still not sure what we will do. I just feels wrong to give a child tea, but kids here drink tea and are just fine. We'll see what happens.
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A little tea wouldn't hire...it's not like you are giving him soda. Plus African tea has milk in it. Tea there..Africa is not like US tea. I liked African tea!
ReplyDeleteGood point. Plus, we could just keep the sugar to a minimum. It's true African tea is different than US tea. I never drank tea there(except a chai from Starbucks!), but here I have it a few times a week.
ReplyDeleteI agree, do as the native people do, he will be fine, you guys are smart and great parents, it' not like you are replacing his every fluid intake with tea. It's probably good for him in many ways. xoxo
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