When I first heard about China’s tradition of celebrating International Children’s Day, my initial thought was, “Why have I never heard about this?” I’m an expat teacher… international children are literally my job. So I decided to do a quick search and see what I could find about the history of this much-loved holiday here in China.
Depending on who you ask, its inception is different. Some people claim it began at a Massachusetts Universalist Church way back in 1857. But most sources cite its beginning at The World Conference on Child Welfare in Geneva in 1925. The original intent was to bring awareness to human rights for children and foster better solutions to worldwide childhood health and well-being issues like poverty and disease.
From there it gets a bit more fragmented and convoluted. Essentially, while everyone seemed to enjoy the idea of a Children’s Day, no one could agree on a date or even a name. The United Nations proclaimed World Children’s day to be Nov 20. However, Turkey established Children’s Day as Apr 23. Meanwhile, the US has had several iterations over the years starting with Rose Day – which was first rebranded as Flower Day before finally landing on the title of… surprise surprise – Children’s Day, which now falls on the second Sunday of June. Even still, more than 100 countries around the world have a Children’s Day on at least three dozen different dates.
Somewhere along the way, the day intended to be about protecting our youngest citizens morphed into a more general celebration of childhood. In China, children often spend the morning of Children’s Day at school where they participate in pageants or field trips, and are given the rest of the day off to spend with family and friends. Many youngsters also receive treats and gifts similar to the Western holidays of Christmas or Hanukah, but without the religious aspect.
In general, it’s just an occasion to celebrate being a kid. But as a friend pointed out, “Isn’t every day Children’s Day for kids?” I agree. And so I am suggesting a new holiday.
Grown-Up Day! For all of us who are successfully adulting, or just not outright failing at it, I suggest a half-day off from work spent doing the stuff we wish we had taken advantage of – or perhaps not taken for granted – as a child. Here’s my fantasy of how I wish to spend this new holiday:
Someone else would prepare me a high-calorie meal like Ayi’s Recipes: Steamed Pork and Spring Onion Baozi, which my youthful metabolism would have had no problem processing back in the day. This would be followed by a mid-afternoon nap from which I wake to find that the laundry, dishes, and vacuuming have been magically finished, allowing me to relax and watch cartoons on TV or play with friends in the park until it was time for another high-calorie dinner with a tiramisu on the side.
How would you wish to spend Grown-up Day? Let us know in the comments!
KEEP READING: Tell Me You’re A Teacher Without Telling Me You’re A Teacher
Images: Unsplash
