A Place to Belong

Granny Zhang: “I have to raise the child and carefully keep the peace with my daughter-in-law! It’s so hard!”

Granny Zhou: “I don’t want to look after a child. I just want a thriving career and a beautiful second spring!”

Granny He: “Oh? It seems the child has raised my standing in the family. That’s a good thing!”

The country has lifted its restrictions on having a third child and is encouraging people to have children. Some people panic at the very thought of childbirth, while others have two children in three years. Looking after the kids is the first major hurdle. Most families still rely on the older generation for help. Some grandparents have health problems but have no choice but to pitch in; others move to the city to care for their grandchildren and are forced to live apart from their spouses for long periods.

Daily life, from food and cooking oil to salt, vinegar, and tea, always comes back to one thing: family.