Raising a kid in Bali

Raising a kid in Bali, for a foreigner has pro’s and con’s. The con’s are that kid will develop outside of your culture and away from your relatives. There is also an increased chance of disease out here. Pro’s include a climate that allows the child to be dressed in light clothes, making changing them, very easy. Balinese poeple love kids, so having a kid with you will often score you ‘bonus points’ in whatever you’re doing. Costs of having a birth in Bali are way less than in the west (Ika and I paid around $750 for 2 days in a private clinic) and hiring help is easy.

Today outside my house, the neighbor’s little girl was sitting on the porch with her nanny. She just had her 1st birthday and is a strong, healthy kid. Down the gang (alley) is a little Japanese girl named Lovina, who is the same age as Jevon (1.5 years). Her mother works fulltime, so since she was born, has spent her days with the nanny and the other Balinese locals.

How safe is it, to leave your kids with local nannies? How long is a piece of string? Depends on the nanny and where they are. Some houses are designed in such a way, where there are many places a kid can have an accident. I have turned around and found Jevon standing on the dining table, after having hauled himself onto the chair and the top of the table.

One obvious advantage of having a local nanny, is the kid will be exposed to other languages. If you come to Bali and need a nanny, the best thing to do is ask around, as there are many people looking for a job.