Many claim that China’s one-child policy
has created a generation less independent and
more self-seeking than their predecessors,
hence labelling the children as “little emper-
ors.” During my time in China, I landed my-
self a part-time job, baby-sitting a one-child
generation “little empress,” 6-year-old Lulu.
I wasn’t so much responsible for looking after
Lulu, but would spend two hours a week in
the family home playing with her in English.
From day one, I found myself noting the
sort of “little empress” characteristics I had
thought were just stories.
The very first thing I noticed was the atten-
tion-seeking. On my first day, I was picked up
by Lulu, her mother, nanny and chauffeur. I
can honestly say that this first journey to Lu-
lu’s house was the most stressful car journey I
have ever experienced. Lulu, her nanny and
I were lined up on the back seat. Or, not so
much in a line actually, as Lulu was sprawled
in the foot well. Lulu was clearly not happy
about the lack of attention she was receiving
from her mother who was asleep in the front,
and the sight of a strange new foreigner enter-
ing her car only aggravated the situation.
From the moment I got in to the moment
we arrived at the house, Lulu exercised all of
the might possible in her tiny vocal chords
to make her position clear. What surprised
me most of all was that nobody seemed
even slightly concerned that there was a 6
year old in the foot well of a fast-moving car.
Lulu’s mother turned around now and again
to say some placatory words and stroke her
daughter on the head, before turning away to
continue her repose. If Lulu wanted to sit in
the foot well, then Lulu sat in the foot well.
If Lulu didn’t want a foreigner in her car...
well, there wasn’t a huge amount that could
be done about that. Though I was slightly
concerned that they would turn around and
take me home.
Having survived the journey, I entered
phase two: dinner time. Over the course of
the meal, Lulu’s total lack of independence
became clear. She did not lift a single finger.She sat in her high-chair throne, with an
iPhone propped up in front of her playing
a kid’s TV programme, while her mum and
nannies served her from all sides. The only
movement she had to make was to open her
mouth at regular intervals to allow spoonfuls
of food to enter. Even this action was almost
mechanical, her eyes glued to the screen. As
for me, I sat quietly at the other end of the
table, trying not to draw attention to myself,
for fear that the screaming volcano would
erupt again.
Dinner over, we entered phase three: playtime. This was when I took centre stage. My
mission was basically to do what Lulu want-
ed; to entertain her and try to impart some
English language skills at the same time.
Make one wrong move, and it was game over.
She would very quickly become bored of one
toy and abandon it for another. This was no
problem though, as she had enough toys to
supply a whole nursery. In fact, almost every
week on the car journey to Lulu’s house, we
would make a stop at a toy store where the
nanny and I were to accompany Lulu to buy
a new toy of her choice, regardless of price.
And so, with a kingdom full of toys to choose
from, I successfully completed stage three.
A week later, I made an apprehensive re-
turn to the palace. This time I was prepared
for the evening’s events and strode through
phases one to three relatively unfazed. The
two hours came to a close and I gathered my-
self to leave. However, having completed my
second engagement with the empress, I was
informed that I was obligated to undergo a
meeting of official approval and appointment
to my post. And who was to chair the meet-
ing? Of course, none other than the Little
Empress herself. I sat on the floor obediently
as Lulu laid down her assessment of my work
so far as her mother listened intently. I waited
patiently, watching as I saw China’s tradi-
tional filial piety unravel before my eyes. The
Little Empress was in charge, and all those
traditionally above her, including myself,
now bowed on their knees as she decreed her
final judgement. A few satisfied noises and a
nod of the head indicated that I had earned
the Little Empress’s seal of approval. I would
live to babysit another day.
Although my experience with only one of
the one-child generation is a mere drop in
the ocean, I can’t help but contemplate, what
effect could this generation’s little emperors
and empresses have on society as they grow to
become China’s next parents, entrepreneurs,
business leaders and politicians? But if noth-
ing else, I’ve learned I won’t be pursuing a
career in baby-sitting.I waited patiently, watching as I
saw China’s traditional filial piety
unravel before my eyes. The Little
Empress was in charge, and all
those traditionally above her,
including myself, now bowed on
their knees as she decreed her
final judgementessayThe Little empress
By Abigail ThomsonIllustration by Liu Xiaochao