Would You Put Your Kid in This?

One of the biggest challenges we've faced so far is baby care. Jack used to nap wonderfully by himself at home when we had an electronic baby swing to plop him in (complete with jingles and rotating mobile!) Unfortunately we've found such western luxuries difficult to come by in Kathmandu (and if you can find something similar, there's not guarantee it'll work next week cause it's possible (or even likely) you got a low-end, sub-standard Chinese replica.)

So, we've been studying, preparing dinner, writing emails, etc. in shifts or one-handed (though Jack is big enough now that holding him with one arm can only be done for an extended period of time while sitting.) I'll often come home from my afternoon language lessons and find Jack in Leona's arms asleep while she attempts to use her laptop which is carefully balanced on her knees. She typically then reports that she got nothing done.

To try and solve this dilemma, we've kept our eye open for something similar to what we used to have here in town. We're still following a number of leads but I did notice a swing made of bamboo on my walk home down Kupondole road. I can't say anything definitive about the quality of the construction or material but for only 1500 rupees (~ $15) I couldn't ignore it!

The past few days then I've been trying to convince Leona that this would be a great way to support the local economy (who knows, this could be more cheap Chinese crap) and live like the natives (though I can't say with any certainty that it's a Nepali favorite.) The decision came to a head this afternoon after Leona independently got to touch one. "Fine," she said, "we can try it."

I'm not convinced it will survive the move to Tansen or overly confident Jack will nap in it in the mean time but we'll at least be able to say we tried the local craft.