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Expat life can be starkly different if you have children. You’re going through life in a different country through the perspective of a parent, which makes you notice a few things that people without kids likely won’t.
These people shared their perspectives on how parenting differs between their home country and where they currently live. Some spoke about pressing issues such as parental leave, while others addressed day-to-day matters, like the use of wet wipes.
If you’re an expat parent experiencing a bit of culture shock, we would like to hear your stories, too!
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
In Korea, mothers typically stay in a joriwon (post-partum care clinic) with their baby for two weeks after giving birth. Most of them are like a blend of a decent hotel plus care facility with nurses who help look after your baby while you're still recovering from child birth. They also have classes for new mothers during the days to teach you the basics for caring for your child. The fancier ones have things like daily massages to help your body recover.
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#2
So I lived in Italy and now I'm in Albania. Kids are def raised different here. If a restaurant even has a kids menu, it's just smaller portions of adult meals. You don't see chicken nuggets at a seafood place. Kids do go anywhere, and they tend to be pretty well-behaved, even if there's no adults around. The street I used to live on always had kids playing soccer there, and when I'd come out my gate, they'd immediately stop, gather the ball, and say hello. I'd say I just met a really nice kid, but it would be a group of like 10 and every single one was polite. In museums or wherever, they tend to be quiet and respectful (not in a "seen and not heard" way, just not screaming or yelling or running around like lunatics).
However, there's also a "let kids be kids" mentality. No one expects kids to not play and run off energy and stuff. I think I've seen parents disciplining kids maybe twice in the past several years, but these kids mostly seem to know when x behavior is appropriate and when y behavior is. I assume there must be disciplining happening at some point, but I think it's mostly done privately.
#3
Swedish here, I think there is a lot of emphasis on breast feeding and co-sleeping is common. Sleep training is a big no no and many see it as child a***e. Speaking of that, corporal punishment such as spankings is forbidden by law and very socially unacceptable. It’s seen as important for kids to be outside a lot, no matter the weather. Babies often sleep outside, bundled up in prams even in winter and winters here can get really cold.
Parental leave is very long, two years is not uncommon, and almost fully paid. It’s common for the mum and dad to split the parental leave equal-ish (but mums still take more time).
#4
I moved to the Netherlands with my two and four-year-olds. There are far less conservative attitudes toward language (no pearl-clutching over occasional swearing), manners (politeness is paramount but respect only goes so far as it’s earned), nudity (not precious about seeing a naked body or to be naked around family, or even strangers in the right contexts), and eventually s*x (rather allow them safety upstairs with their crush that you know well than running around the streets unsupervised with risky strangers and behaviors). Alcohol isn’t taboo (and is legal in their teens), and thus older kids form a healthier relationship with it earlier under supervision
#5
French raised in France who’s lived abroad : we do grow up eating the same food as adults, we are asked to try everything at least once, and learn table manners at school. Lunch time in public schools is a 4 course meal (starter, main, cheese or yogurt, dessert) that lasts at least one hour.
I was very surprised when I moved to Vancouver to meet friends with zero table manners who hold their forks with their full fists. I even had a roommate in her 50’s walking in and out of the dinner table (full of French and Italians) without excusing herself or acknowledging us. I’m not expressing a judgment here, more of a cultural shock.
Regarding discipline and being spoiled : it’s a family thing, I’ve grew up around well adjusted kids, kids who suffered from too much discipline and spoiled brats.
#6
In Scandinavia, it's not uncommon for kids as young as seven to take a bus or walk to go to school by themselves
#7
In Finland, nudity is common. The whole family can go to the sauna together. Nudity is not seen as such a shameful thing, but as a natural part of life. Of course, as children grow up, at some point, they usually only want to take a sauna with their own gender with each other. I think in many places seeing my own parents or grandparents naked is not common
#8
How independent the kids are. We moved from UK to Austria and there was a huge difference in how kids are treated.
In a lot of places in the UK it’s very unusual to allow primary age children to take public transport by themselves, but here it’s very normal. Kids still play in the street and are allowed to go to play parks by themselves- it’s a lot more like my own childhood.
Kristy Marion 6 hours ago
I'm also from that generation. Mum would kick us out of the house in the morning and just expect us to be back when the sun went down. Walked to school from age 7, was allowed to catch the train into the city from around 12 years with friends. Different era. Australia 1980s
#9
My kids are half-German and born here in Germany, but I'm American and parenting here has been full of surprises.
Children here are afforded a lot of independence from a pretty young age. Drop-off birthday parties are basically the rule from age 4. Kids regularly play outside alone. School kids go to and from school on their own, either walking or taking public transportation.
School is mandatory here (no homeschooling and limited private school options) and it's very common to keep kids out of school as long as possible. There are a lot of kids starting school at 7 or even 7.5. Kindergarten runs ages 3-6 and is play-based, there's no pressure for academics or learning to read or anything prior to school. It's really nice.
My oldest child is starting school this year and the school system is a bit of a surprise. Primary school ends at 11:15am! Most of the kids in our town come home for lunch, which probably explains why it's so common for mothers to only work part-time.
#10
In the Netherlands, most women never see an actual doctor during pregnancy, birth, and thereafter! We have a system of specialized midwife care instead. The midwives are specially trained healthcare workers that can handle all but the most difficult cases. Home births are common, and even when you decide to deliver in a hospital, this will be supervised by the midwife. Doctors will only be involved in case of emergency
Lame Llama 3 hours ago (edited)
When I tried explaining this to a Canadian friend, she acted like we are some kind of barbarians, jumping to conclusion that Dutch women dont get medical support during pregnancy. 🤦♀️
#11
France. Kids have always eaten the same food as adults at the table, good table manners are expected, and we started going to museums when our kids had good control over their bodies and a basic understanding of social norms and expectations (around 7). They are teenagers now and are turning into interesting people I would want to spend time with even if we weren’t related.
#12
What I forgot to mention is what maternity leave looks like in Austria: 1 year at 80% of your wage (though 14 instead of 12 pay checks) and a 2nd optional year without any pay checks.
Virtually all moms I know stay at home for at least a year, most even longer.
I guess it hasn’t occurred to me that sleep training is just a necessity if you have to return to work a lot earlier.
#13
I come from Asian country, but now I live in the Netherlands. When I was pregnant, I discovered Montessori approach in bringing up babies, and I decided to buy the book “Montessori Baby” and “Montessori Toddler”.
When my baby was born, I began to pay attention on how other parents here bringing up their babies. And based on my observations, Dutch people already culturally doing Montessori approach to their babies. Less baby gadget, take them outside as much as possible no matter the weather. Independent play. Most people doing mix purée and BLW.
It’s interesting to me to observe the differences in child rearing between my home country’s culture and Dutch people’s culture. I guess the Dutch do something right, because Dutch children are the happiest in the world.
#14
In Spain, many people let children take a sip of beer or wine during celebrations (at least this was the case when I was small)!
#15
My son was older when we moved to Southern Spain, and the big difference is how many kids in their mid-20's live with their parents. Part of it is due to
unemployment, but part of it is cultural. Where I'm from in the US, it was expected that a kid would move out at 18 to either go to college or start a job, and wouldn't move back in unless they'd run into significant trouble of some kind. To be clear, I think keeping the family connection stronger is important and the US swings from over-coddling the youth to 'on your own and responsible for it all' much too quickly. But this cultural difference stood out quite a bit when we moved a few years ago.
Also, there isn't the same pushback against free-range parenting here in Spain as there is in the US. Young ones know how to use public transportation, and get themeselves around to school/activities without parents driving them everywhere like is expected in America. The local neighbors look out for them, as does the larger 'village'.
#16
In Japan, sleep training is pretty much unheard of. I recall asking friends/family about it when my son was an infant, and was told that if people heard babies crying for a long period of time, they would call the police for a wellness check! The idea of leaving a baby to cry on purpose is unthinkable
#17
Hello 👋🏾 I am from India ( currently staying in USA). Co sleeping is normal in India. So much that there is no word for it. Everyone assumes baby is sleeping with the mother and breastfeeding. What you explained is what we do as well. Nurse to sleep , frequent wake up all common. Most babies will co sleep till 6/7 years old( minimum) .
Keeping babies in separate room is unheard of.
No one has heard of SIDS ( like they know but considered extreme case scenario ).
New mothers have huge support system in India. Parents, in laws help out a lot. May be that’s why easy to not sleep train ? There is always someone to look after the baby. This contributes to parent’s wellbeing even though sleep deprived. Good to see your perspective. I always wonder how non US folks handle baby sleep part. This gives me more clarity.
Also I agree, AAP has disconnect here about what actual baby sleep looks like. Most babies won’t sleep separately from their caregiver at this young age. They don’t know what normal infant sleep looks like.
Daisydaisy 6 hours ago
I'm loving reading about the wholesome ways these other cultures do their parenting - I think in Australia we've got it all wrong, wanting parents to go straight back to work, little babies in childcare all day, co-sleeping frowned upon, infants crying on their own in a room down the hall ... Some of these other countries, especially continental Europe, have a much healthier attitude!
#18
I’m an American. Parenting here is very over the top and I find it ridiculous. I know most will not agree with me but that’s just how I feel. 🤷♀️ Too much “helicopter parenting”. It seems like it’s really frowned upon to have a life outside of your kids, have a job, or spend even a single night away from them.
Parental leave is short, too short. Mine is 16 weeks, which for the US, is considered very good, which says a lot about our leave policies.
Everything parenting strategy is up for debate, and people have a lot of strong opinions on them. If you do something differently than another parent, they might get offended and tell you how you’re going to ruin your child’s life. Not every parent is like that, but a lot of them are.
Sorry, I’m not trying to dump on the U.S., but parenting over here horrible sometimes. I feel like it’s a competition of some sorts. I’ve found my best “parenting strategy” is to just do what feels right to me and works best for our family. People might have an opinion, but at the end of the day, it’s not their family so not their business.
Nicole Weymann 4 hours ago
I find the conceptual gap between "your children are your life now" on the one hand and "baby is four days old, why's your lazy áss not back at work yet" on the other hand very curious. And the gap between "why did you leave your teenage daughter unguarded" vs. "you're 18 now - why haven''t you moved out yet" as well. There is a LOT of middle ground between a conscription to an 18 years, 24/7 contract as maid, chauffeur, and nanny, or a job/career that makes you see your kids for bed time only.
#19
Leaving babies to sleep in their strollers is pretty unique to Denmark. Basically, babies sleep a lot, so parents can just leave them in the stroller while they do other things during parental leave. It isn't uncommon to see strollers parked around town with sleeping babies inside, for example, outside cafes and restaurants. Nap-time is also in the stroller, outside in the fresh air, come summer or winter. It is good for the baby's health, probably, or something. And the baby keeps warm with their blankets and such, so no worry about that
#20
In France, we don't use wet wipes. Here, they tell us to use this olive oil-based cream and use soap and water once a day. French people avoid wet wipes whenever possible
#22
"In Switzerland, we don’t hover and helicopter kids here like American parents. Kids walk to school on their own in elementary school. They can take public transportation on their own, and parents don’t worry. Kids in the US can’t even go outside without their parents anymore. Kids here will disappear for half the day, and the parents are unbothered
Kristy Marion 5 hours ago
Kids in the US aren't even safe in schools. If needing active shooting drills is now part of the curriculum, you know a wrong turn has been taken somewhere.
#23
My German nephew isn’t even two and eats what we eat. If he doesn’t like something he’ll get a muesli after but there aren’t special meals made for him. Is that a thing in the US?
#24
Japan - well, it's not really all that new to me so everything just sort of seems normal but FWIW...
Kids need a ton of "equipment" for school. A special backpack called "landoseru", a special art kit, a hooter (aka, melodica, aka melodion) a lunch place setting, a little towel and a little pack of tissues for the day and the have shoes you only wear inside the school.
The kids are generally pretty well disciplined and you don't see too much unruly behavior or chaos happening.
Restaurant behavior seems pretty similar to me.
We do more museum stuff I guess but that's just because we live in Tokyo. NYC pretty objectively has better/more museums and if we lived there I think we'd do more outings there.
Team sports...ugghh. Way over organized. I have my son in soccor and basically we are only going to let him do practice. Because if you have them do competitive (I don't know why these are two different categories) then the parents get looped into a ton of activities that you have to do + the kids practice insanely hard. It becomes a family commitment.
#25
I’m in Australia. There is a lot of healthy positivity with the mums in my mum’s group and mum friends. Lots of encouragement and permission to share when things are both hard and good.
Everyone seems to say, “this worked for us, but every family is different so no pressure if it doesn’t work for you.”
Lots of support for mums like no guilt if you need to / choose to use formula.
Seems like everyone is careful not to seem like they are judging which is nice.
Trends include:
-Toshi sun hats
-Having your partner do an expressed bottle feed so you can go to bed early
Edit: oh also very popular is skin-to-skin immediately after birth and delayed cord clamping.
#26
Not necessarily a parenting thing, but a hygiene thing: No wet wipes unless absolutely necessary. I was surprised because we received approximately >9000 packs of wet wipes as baby gifts, but nope, wet wipes are out. Apparently they have lipids or something that penetrates skin and can cause allergies. This is Finland.
#27
Scottish people are hilariously self deprecating and sarcastic. Support from other parents mainly revolves around the wise gem of "Oh yeah I remember that bit. But just wait until you get to THIS bit. That's going to be EVEN WORSE" 😂.
Zig Zag Wanderer 7 hours ago
I always tell new parents that it will be absolutely fine, soon. Maybe in about 20 years or so....
#28
I'm just gonna say... Overheating babies and children is forever trend in Poland 😂 Not dressing children properly to the weather. It's hot af outside and you can still see babies wearing long sleeve, long pants and hats. And no, when you ask parent if it's to protect baby from the sun they they will look at you and say "No, it's windy so they need to be dressed so they won't get sick".
#29
I’m in Japan, where taking hot baths and eating raw sushi is considered safe while pregnant, but you can’t wear open shoes because you need to keep the baby warm! Warm feet, warm womb
#30
I live in Japan, and starting solids here is serious business! We are told to count their calorie intake, and each meal must include specific grams of each nutrient they need. Each month has a guideline on the size and texture of common ingredients they NEED to try, and honestly, it's been really exhausting, so I've taken a more laid-back approach...Common starting foods in the West, such as avocado (too fatty) and mango (contains an allergen), are not recommended until after 12 months of age
#31
Several things in Brazil stand out to me. People touch your baby all the time. Random strangers will walk up and squeeze their feet, sniff their hair. And people will just hand your kid food. Everything from cakes to a half-eaten ice cream cone.
#32
In Japan it's normal for the mom to stay in the hospital /birthing clinic, etc for around five days after the birth. Since there's minimal women having babies because of the horrible work/life balance here, that means the clinics offer tons of stuff and are more like hotels than anything else to try and get women use them.
Since women are expected to stay home with the kids, no one really does any genetic/chromosome testing. It's kind of seen as shameful because you're expected to care for the child even if it has issues. So to get those tests done, you have to go to special places and it's about $2,000 USD to get everything checked for.
During pregnancy, women are often placed on diets because the doctors want the babies to be born small and then fatten up. The average baby in Japan is getting smaller and smaller because of this.
Most birthing places, even hospitals don't have or do epidurals. In Japan, people believe the pain connects the mom and the baby. Also, episiotomies are done for almost every birth as well.
After the baby is born, it's normally kept away from the mother for most of the day and all of the nights so she can rest and heal. The baby is also given formula for the first 24 - 48 hours. My midwife made a schedule for me with when I could see the baby and it was only a couple hours a day and they have breastfeedings scheduled. (I'm lucky enough that I've been able to pick to have the baby in the room with us).
Co sleeping is the norm. Babies will often have their own little futon bed on the floor which is apparently very convenient for breastfeeding.
I'm sure I can think of more stuff, but this has been long enough haha.
#33
New Zealand: Fed is best but they still push breastfeeding quite a bit, purees for solids instead of baby led weaning, sleep training, sleep in the same room till 6 months, sterilize bottles till 3 months. Everyone seems to have a pet here so exposure is considered good. A lot of parents seem to put emphasis on independent play for kids. Lots of clean air and outdoor activities.
I live in New Zealand but I am Turkish and I speak to Turkish friends with babies a lot.
Turkey: Co-sleeping as long as possible, no sleep training. Nap whenever. No pets near babies, extreme hygiene at all times, sterilize everything forever (although this applies to general Turkish culture anyway, clean obsessed), this also meens keep babies indoors as much as possible, minimum contact with nature, because its "dirty".Pretty large emphasis on breastfeeding, and unfortunately very perfectionist ideology which puts immense pressure on new moms. Turks tend to be very judgy. Also you have to occupy your kid at all times, reading, playing, teaching constantly, less emphasis on independent play.
#34
We moved from Germany to the Philippines (husband is Filipino) with our now 16 month old. Raising our baby is so much cheaper here and you need a lot less stuff. In Germany you need a nice crib, a changing table, a stroller, a baby bathtub and so much more.
We need none of these things here. It's too hot to take baby on long walks so we just carry him ourselves instead. People here generally bed share, wash their babies in the shower using a cup with a handle called tabo. You just change the babies on the floor or one parent holds them up while the other does the diaper change.
The only thing we don't compromise on is a good car seat. Other parents just have their baby in their arms while riding a scooter though. I guess we're kinda privileged for owning a car at all.
What annoys me though is that no one here gets our no fast food, no sugar and no screen time rules. They keep trying to feed him donuts and shove their phones in his face. They also take and post pictures of him without asking and random strangers sometimes try to grab him out of my arms because they think he's cute. In Germany no one even glanced at us.
I did expect kids here to be better behaved than in Germany which they aren't. It seems like the previous generation (my husband and his friends) were raised by extremely strict parents and are now going in the opposite direction with their own kids. It's surprising because everyone here is very religious and the church openly preaches to discipline kids by hitting them. I'm just glad that people don't seem to listen to that particular advice.
#35
Where I am now children are VERY coddled and not expected to be at all independent until they’re a lot older. I work with 5 year olds and they all have nannies who literally do everything for them, including literally spoon feed them. There’s a lot of resistance by parents to developing independence too.
#36
I’m in Australia and all of the new Mums I’ve met are really chill. I haven’t experienced any judgement for any of my choices, or seen Mums judging others, like in terms of breastfeeding/ formula, sleep training/not sleep training/bed sharing/working or being a “stay at home” parent (we don’t even use this term) etc. No one cares what you do. It’s really nice.
I honestly can’t pin down any particular trends… everyone I’ve met is really open to buying things second hand, which is cool as I’m the same.
#37
I’m a third time mom in the US. I have a 7 year old, 4 year old, and 7 month old. I’ll be honest, the trends change so much that I have no clue what the trends are at this point. Not sure if it’s because I don’t care or because I have had to tweak and cater my style to suit each of my children and life circumstances.
I will say parents are so so so so much less judgmental now than 7 years ago or maybe I just don’t notice anymore. And the moms in my immediate circle are so relaxed and less rigid (the “we’ll see what works for baby and I” approach) but that just may be my friends. We’re all in our 30s and don’t have time for bull s**t.
I will say most of us are stay-at-home moms, but dads are still expected to be really hands on and do childcare, housework, and etc. In fact, if the guy doesn’t he gets ripped into. This is just my professional middle class circle though.
#38
My husband and I are both American but we’ve travelled extensively. We are in the process of moving abroad so I can’t answer fully to what our experience will be but here in the states we do not allow our children to act like hellions. They sit through a meal and are expected to try what is on their plate, without having to finish it (but that is dinner so they know we aren’t going to give in and give something else). We don’t do iPads unless on a flight so it is a treat. They have plenty of play, silly time but they know when that is. I think it will totally be up to the family and how they parent. We have stricter parameters as compared to our American (and some foreign) friends but I’d rather raise respectful children than annoying ones.
#39
Definitely different countries do it different ways. It's nice to see and read about varying countries recommendations because I find it nice to pick and choose what I feel might work best for me and baby.
We're Canadian. We didn't sleep train and we decided to follow her cues. It's working for us but the pressure to get baby to STTN and in their crib on their own was huge. Even in Canada where we have longer mat leaves and more parental support the pressures on new parents is so intense and the support to explore alternative options very lacking. You actively have to tune it out and seek other methods. It can be hard and frustrating.
I think for any new parents on this sub struggling is that first you aren't alone but second there is way more out there than what is popularized in American-centric self-help / parent-help guides. I encourage people to look outside the box and explore different options. You never know what will ultimately work for you and your family.
#40
I’m Greek but born in Canada and we’re raising our sons/living in Canada. My husband was born in Greece and moved here as a kid. We were raised and we’re raising our kids with Greek culture, language and traditions while still embracing still being Canadian. Basically in Greece they’re still behind in things like 20-30 years. I’ve been given really unsafe/useless advice from my husband side. Use bumpers/blankets in the crib, feeding them oat/rice cereal from the bottle at 3 months, purées only for the first year, using honey on the pacifier so my 5 month can take it, ignore the crying and don’t pick them up so they don’t get spoiled but also, make sure you pick them up if they’re crying??? Lol it’s basically just outdated advice that they do and push on me even though I’ve shown more recent data and why I don’t do those things.
troufaki13 6 hours ago
I'm Greek living in Greece and this is just b******t! We don't do that here!
#41
Parents go back to work, grandparents are daycare basically. Live near to them or they come round daily or most days.
In general appearances matter, so people like to get new everything rather than 2nd hand. Dads don't really get much leave, women get an average amount through their work.
#42
In Mexican culture is very common to lean on the mother figures in the family for everything. At least that's my experience up north. But the parenting style is still very authoritative and rooted in misogyny and machismo. I am lucky that my family is open to change and respect me and my husband as parents. So while they don't agree with everything we do they respect and follow our rules.
#43
I live in Spain and children are pretty coddled. I remember my niece having her food cut up for her aged about 10. And the other day I was talking to parents who said they wouldn't allow their 12 year olds to go to school alone by public transport (our children are all 5/6 now). It looks like children run wild because they're outdoors a lot and it's true we let them run around the park or beach for hours but they aren't allowed to go anywhere alone. Parents do a lot for their children until pretty old, I can't really imagine asking teenagers I know here to babysit as I did around 13.
#44
I can't underestimate the importance of table manners in France - specifically how you hold your fork and knife, how you eat bread and cheese, etc.
I'm married to a French man and my French MIL (now deceased) used to ridicule and humiliate me for not knowing how to cut large pieces of meat properly. As a result, she was convinced that I was from a low class family, even though she was a secretary at a construction company and only had a high school diploma and my parents both have associate degrees and made over six figures during their careers in the US...
Thankfully, her way of thinking is becoming more and more obsolete in France. I still had to re-learn the way I cut meat at 23 though.
Zig Zag Wanderer 7 hours ago (edited)
A few years ago when I was at a motorway restaurant in France, a family was behind me. When the mother brought the food (self service), one young girl was talking. She suddenly stopped herself and said "Thank you for the meal, mother." I think this is excellent behaviour, and to be encouraged! Generally I found food to be a blend of almost religion (gourmet dining) and an extremely social occasion (sitting around a kitchen table with everyone helping and discussing recipes etc). It's great!
#45
Honestly, it's the parental teaching more than the country. Spoiled kids are everywhere, Spain loves children and there are children in restaurants at 11pm. And there are German teens that go to KZ camps for field trip that are worse behaved than any American kid would be. Yelling and running around and taking selfies.
It's how the parents raise the children that matters, my niece is American and inquisitive and polite. But she was raised with rules and mealtime no-nos. There are a lot of spoiled kids in Europe that I see in my travels.
Finally, children are in museums everywhere in the US. Smithsonian in DC, the Field Museum in Chicago etc.
#46
I'm in the Netherlands, about to have my second baby.
I feel like American moms act like there's an award for 'doing the most', and Dutch women act like there's an award for 'being the most laid-back.' And I don't mean that in a good way. When you're pregnant, people will constantly ask you if you're 'not going to be one of those neurotic moms'. If you're very strict with what you eat, people act like you're a psycho. Once the baby is born, you just take them out to bars and restaurants, because you're a cool mom right? And your kids have to look nice, but not because you put any effort into it, they just happen to be clean and well-dressed. I find it a bit toxic, because I feel like it's totally normal to be anxious when your first have a child, and wanting to do everything right.
On to the good stuff: free health care, a post partum nurse that comes to your house every day for a week which is amazing. 4 Months paid mat leave, and for dads it's slowly getting better.
#47
American museums are full of kids. Not sure where that came from. There are many kinds of museums and some may appeal to different children more than others but in natural history, science, and art museums I always see kids. It's not just field trips - often see them on weekends. There's a wonderful museum devoted to ancient Egypt in San Jose, CA and it's packed with both school kids and families (school trips during the week, families with kids on the weekend).
What do you think ?
Tara Noe 5 hours ago (edited)
China was an eye opener. It's not uncommon to see a mother squatting outside, holding a naked baby. They wait for them to toilet. As they get older, they wear pants with a hole cut out in the their bottom. If they need to go, they squat and do it. On the sidewalk, in a potted plant at the mall, anywhere. Kids are trained from day 1 to be aware of their own need. They don't sit in diapers, to be toilet trained later. When they start preschool, the bathroom is one big room with holes. Boys, girls all go together, no stalls. No wasting money on diapers, no filling up landfills, no pulling out hair trying to toilet train. Didn't see it as much in the biggest cities, but its certainly common in smaller ones.
Stardust she/her 1 hour ago
In India child abüse isn’t considered abüse but rather effective parenting. Parents will beat their kids for everything from grades to dropping a glass. It’s even encouraged to hit your kids as it ‘commands respect’ or whatever. Usually slippers, rolling pins and hands are used as weapons. Typically the kid is blamed for all this as had the kid been well behaved then none of this would have happened. Emotional abüse from parents is so common that it’s become normalised and kids who develop depression are thought to be overdramatic
Anony Mouse 5 minutes ago
People come to sites like this to escape the constant awful news. I don’t know that it’s a “forgotten” story, since it’s a top story on most news outlets.
Load More Replies... Tara Noe 5 hours ago (edited)
China was an eye opener. It's not uncommon to see a mother squatting outside, holding a naked baby. They wait for them to toilet. As they get older, they wear pants with a hole cut out in the their bottom. If they need to go, they squat and do it. On the sidewalk, in a potted plant at the mall, anywhere. Kids are trained from day 1 to be aware of their own need. They don't sit in diapers, to be toilet trained later. When they start preschool, the bathroom is one big room with holes. Boys, girls all go together, no stalls. No wasting money on diapers, no filling up landfills, no pulling out hair trying to toilet train. Didn't see it as much in the biggest cities, but its certainly common in smaller ones.
Stardust she/her 1 hour ago
In India child abüse isn’t considered abüse but rather effective parenting. Parents will beat their kids for everything from grades to dropping a glass. It’s even encouraged to hit your kids as it ‘commands respect’ or whatever. Usually slippers, rolling pins and hands are used as weapons. Typically the kid is blamed for all this as had the kid been well behaved then none of this would have happened. Emotional abüse from parents is so common that it’s become normalised and kids who develop depression are thought to be overdramatic
Anony Mouse 5 minutes ago
People come to sites like this to escape the constant awful news. I don’t know that it’s a “forgotten” story, since it’s a top story on most news outlets.
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