” Three days ? Mine would not be of interest! “, my French girlfriends tell me when I explain to them that in Romania, the dad goes to have fun with his friends for the three days following the birth. Meanwhile, the mother sees all her family and acquaintances parade, laden with gifts, not only for the newborn, but also for her siblings. The arrival of the baby is a real celebration, and if the oldest is a boy, it’s a jackpot!
My country still lives to the rhythm of ancestral traditions and beliefs, which are more or less perpetuated. In the countryside, we do not joke with rituals, especially those linked to the cycle of life (marriage, birth, death). For example, the first name of a suffering child is changed so that the disease loses its trace. Sprinkling fine salt on the head of a pregnant woman without her knowledge is also a great classic. If she reacts by putting her hands to her mouth, it is because she is expecting a girl. If she touches her nose, a boy. At birth, it is the godfathers who play an essential role during the celebrations. At the age of one, they take it upon themselves to cut a lock of the baby’s hair which the parents keep in a pretty silver box. Then, they present the little one with a tray filled with various objects (keys, books, etc.). The three objects that the child grabs symbolize that he will grow up. My son had drawn car keys, a book and a plastic syringe. So I imagine him to be a future doctor!
All our best medical professionals are leaving Romania for the benefit of France where they have good working conditions. Suddenly, state hospitals suffer and the delivery conditions are not ideal. Women find themselves giving birth in a chain in common rooms. It is said that hygiene is questionable there. Romanians prefer to save money and go to private clinics where the care is perhaps better, but the caesarean is almost an obligation. We have the highest rate in the European Union, with 40% of caesarean sections performed on all pregnancies last year. We frighten women by telling them that it is more “secure” and less painful. If future mothers want to escape both systems and want to perform a home birth, they find themselves outlawed. The government rejects this practice, which is described as illegal.
In Romania, love also involves autonomy and the learning of independence. From his first months, the baby will be left to sleep alone in his room so as not to “pollute his air” as we say. We let him cry a little and it is unfortunately common to see parents spanking because another saying goes “The spanking fell from the Garden of Eden!”.
From 6 months, he will eat small purees and compotes as a family to quickly participate in the family meal like everyone else. At 7 years old, we still organize a party to symbolize the end of childhood. At this age, he is taught to be responsible and above all honest. For this, parents often rely on the story of Prince Vlad Tepes, the Romanian who inspired the legend of Dracula. In the XNUMXth century, he ruled his kingdom with the greatest firmness by cutting off hands or impaling thieves. Besides, Dracula means the Devil. But don’t panic, we don’t frighten our little ones with vampires!
REMEDIES AND TIPS
- Against sore throat, I prepare infusions of red onion leaves for the little ones. For older children, I mix a raw egg yolk with hot milk and honey to soothe the pain.
- To activate the rising milk, I drank a lot of non-alcoholic beer.