Different stroke for different folks

We had dinner tonight with some friends at a Thai Restaurant with Zara. Zara had her home cooked porridge, while we indulged in the chili laden fare. When dessert was served (water chestnut in coconut milk), one of our friends was carrying Zara on his lap. Our friend just spooned some ice cold coconut milk into Zara's mouth, and Daddy cautioned his friend, "she can't take any of THAT!". Our friend, looking innocently, asked, "What's wrong with this?". Daddy proceeded in telling his friend that Zara is still young, and should not be given unboiled coconut milk (not to mentioned the sugar content in the coconut milk). His friend said we are just too careful, and declared that his girl friend's nephew is already having Secret Recipe Cheesecake, and he's one month younger than Zara. Cheesecake at 9months old? The sugar content in the cake, the possibility of uncooked egg in the cake, what about additive and colouring? Nah, I won't think of giving such thing to Zara at this age. Of course I didn't say this out loud, but just said "We have to be careful of what she eats, just in case she may be allergic to certain food and may get tummy upset". His friend proceeded to tell us that the boy ate 1/2 a slice of the cheesecake and he is ok. I could only add to say that different people have different parenting style, and for us, this is not ok. It's true, different people have their own way of caring for their child, and they have their own Dos and Don'ts in terms of what the child can eat and cannot. For us, in terms of caring for Zara, we follow our child care books, Baby Centre etc etc, which is more of a Western approach. It may not be the best way, but this is the way we know how to care for her, and the method is not baseless.