Equal Parenting: we can learn from emperor penguins!

Today, a brilliant idea came to my mind after watching a documentary about the emperor penguins: wish were an Emperor Penguin Mama! You're probably shocked. Let me explain myself. I love penguins. Now even more! And you know why? Because they are the experts on equal parenting, thriving for 30 million years. We, humans, still figuring it out...

The emperor penguins are the flightless birds that live in the most extreme environment of our planet: in Antarctica. They breed in winter months. Mate in May and a female penguin lays 1 egg by the beginning of June. Then, she carefully transfers the egg to The Papa in four-foot handoff, not to drop it on ice to crack. The Papa keeps the egg on top of his feet against the bare skin in his abdomen and covers the baby in the egg by fleecy fold of his belly plumage as with a warm blanket. And he stands in tripod posture, rocking backwards on his two heels and tail to keep the egg of the ice. So, the male penguins stay in this position for 2 months straight. Whilst, Mamas go to the ocean to feed. In the meantime, the Papa penguins come together to keep their eggs warm in freezing temperatures. They make a group hug and rotate inside and out to generate and share the collective heat.

Mama penguins come back to Daddies in two months for the the eggs to hatch (August). When a chick is born, Mommy and Daddy penguins take turns in going to the ocean to fetch food for their baby during September and October. By November, which is a spring month in Antarctica, both parents take a couple vacation and go to the ocean together. The chicks remain inland in the chèche-like manner and wait for parents to return. In December, penguins leave their kids for good. By that time, they have already developed waterproof feathers to swim in the ocean and feed themselves. In January (summer), the chicks have the best chance to survive on their own. Adult life starts.

Now, let's make a parallel with us, humans. Since biologically, we are different from penguins, and supposedly smarter as the Homo sapiens, there would some modifications. Imagine, a woman gives birth to a baby and hands over to Daddy to take care of her/him for 2 months. In the meantime, Mama human only takes rest and eats. Which is very logical since in the first 6 weeks, a woman is very vulnerable after childbirth and slowly recovering. Papas unite and take care of their babies together, in rotation. Then, she's back to her child and partner. Mommy and Daddy take turns to feed the baby.

By the age of 6 month, baby can start eating solid foods. That's an excellent opportunity for the parents to go away for a couple retreat. The kid could stay with a family member, for example. Grandparents? After spending quality time at the ocean without the challenges that a newborn brings to strain the couple relationship, Mommy and Daddy are back to their child fully renewed and energized. Love is in the air... Well, human babies develop their feathers in 18 years at least to let them swim in the ocean. Nevertheless, if to apply the emperor penguins approach during the most difficult stage, which is right after the childbirth for at least a year, we would have more happy and healthy families.

I have apply the emperor penguins' "know-how" with my baby. It was tested out for 30 million years and proved to be efficient. What about you?

Take good care of yourself and don't forget to be compassionate to each other.

Hugs

Gulnoz

Your Life Coach for Parents