Global Q&A: ‘What’s your greatest concern about being a parent?’

Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Amor Roska, 31, Executive Assistant

Parents play an important role in bringing up a child. For me, education starts in the family and as a young mother, it is quite challenging. My greatest concern is building that foundation of faith, trust, and confidence in a child. I do believe that nurturing these values will make them a better person, and then make a difference.

Athens, Greece

Sissy Fragkiadaki, 35, Yoga Instructor, Former Marketing Manager

What we fear the most is not to be able to provide our baby everything he needs—food, health care, and education. Our main concern also is to raise a calm, (mentally) healthy, and caring person.

Hamilton, New Zealand

Mayuri Unka, 26, Early Childhood Teacher

The first thing is the health and safety of the baby. Our family has big health issues. I am preoccupied that an unexpected illness may crop up—so my biggest concern is just the health of the baby.

Lima, Peru

Efraín Trujillo, 27, Electronic Technician

My biggest concern would be the health of my children and not having enough money to pay the hospital. Recently, I had a very painful experience with my son who was 2 months old; he is 5 months old today. He was sick with symptoms of repetitive bronchospasm. I had to admit him to a hospital, because he became very ill. I had no money for the treatment and had to pawn my valuables. These were exasperating moments, not having money saved and to face my wife’s family. … My son has recovered, and is healthy now and my family is quiet.

Stockholm, Sweden

Matilda, Nelly, 38, (Josefin 2,) Test leader in Computers (IT)

My greatest concern for my daughter is that she will be a healthy and harmonious person, and not feel bad in her life.

Medellín, Colombia

Ana Milena Gómez, 34, Manicurist

My biggest worry is that my daughter develops her individual identity and autonomy. These are the essential tools for a child as an individual person to develop suitable behavior and to incorporate values, principles, and character, having certainty of action and expression. Also, for my child to acquire a well-balanced awareness of freedom and happiness. I focus on these things as a mother to guide my daughter.

Puerto Montt, Chile

Natalia Andrade Troncoso, 22, Kinesiology Student

Well, the biggest concern is a serious illness that could happen; something that is beyond the normal care you can give as a mother. But one cannot rule out a disease that could threaten a child’s normal growth, for example, meningitis or worse. That’s the biggest concern as a mother and being a novice, I can become overly concerned. If he cries, I immediately notice and follow to the letter the advice of a pediatrician. If he is bothered, tummy rubs to relieve gas is the most you can do and pray that he does not have any serious illness.

María Gamiz, 36, Restorer of Art Works

To educate them in a good way. I don’t want them to be selfish. Another problem is that the influence of society can be very bad. For example, my son coming back from school saying things like, “I will kill you.” At school, he can learn bad things, like how to use drugs.

Look for the Global Q&A column every week. Epoch Times correspondents interview people around the world to learn about their lives and perspectives on local and global realities. Next week’s global question: “What invention do you think the world is lacking?”

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