I mused at the simplicities of this child-likeness. Where age, nor race mattered. Children would point out obvious physical differences, like your hair or skin colour, and would acknowledge you're different, yet would embrace you anyway. Adults would interpret a child's word as their innocent view of the world. Yet if it were an adult who'd point out these differences, you're racist.

I'm also amazed at how alert and responsive the bubs in Sydney were. Correct me if I'm wrong, but any time I see a baby, even in KL, I'd smile at him/her or their parents. More often than not in Sydney, the babies would instantly smile or laugh in response. I'm curious, are the parents in Australia doing activities with their children that are different?

It also feels like a joy to be a parent in Australia. Neighbourhood playgroups with amazing facilities. Buses with seats for pram users. A few parks and playgrounds in every other corner. While sitting in the playground minding Ciara, I also watch the different cultures of families there. I noticed it always is the Asian parent who'd noisily and incessantly cry

"Careful! Watch out! Don't do that, it's dangerous!"

to their kid's every move. Even in a public play set made especially safe for young children.

I mentioned it to Lee, and he said

the (Western/Aussie) parents probably don't care because the government will pay for their broken bones.

Which is true. Insurance and health care is indiscriminately available for all Australian residents. But it also made me think of the little Aussie kids who do fall down, get up and keep at what they're doing. No sobs, nor crying for attention. I believe that kind of nurturing from young actually encourages and teaches a child the concept of continually trying even after they fall. Like learning independence. I think that's what I recall my dad saying he did similarly to me as a toddler. Anyway, it makes sense. All the mollycoddling Asian parents do to their kids, sort of adds to the need of being spoon-fed and dependant on the family. Not that it's not entirely a bad thing. There's pros and cons for both.

We have so much to learn from children, instead of the other way around sometimes. And spending time with them in a playground, feels like I'm garnering the wisdom to life.