From helicopter parenting to cosleeping to spanking, there are a million different ways to raise your little ones these days. And while there's no "right" way to be a parent, it's fascinating to see some of the techniques people use around the world. Like, did you know that kids in Norway nap outside? Or that parents in Italy don't impose a set bedtime? Keep reading to see what parents do around the globe, and you may even start to reconsider some of your own methods!
By Sara Ahmed, PopSugar
Polynesian Islands Let Children Raise Each Other
It's common practice in Polynesia to let children be raised by elder siblings and cousins. In a Montessori-like setup, older children learn to nurture by helping younger children, who then learn self-sufficiency at a much younger age.
Italy Doesn't Impose Sleep Schedules
Italians don't have a word for bedtime because children aren't required to ever go to bed at a set time. What?!
Finland Doesn't Care For Standardized Testing
Not only do children start school at the ripe old age of 7, but standardized tests and homework aren't the norm.
India Loves Cosleeping
In India, most children don't get their own rooms until they're at least 5 years old. Cosleeping is considered an important part of a child's development.
Japan Gives Independence
Children as young as 5 can be seen taking the bus and subway trains in one of the world's safest countries to live in. Because of this, kids are usually given a lot of independence to navigate freely in their world.
France Offers a Culinary Experiene
France has a strong food culture, and it shows through their parenting techniques. Children always eat with adults, and picky eaters are never catered to.
Germany Combats Future Drug Addictions
In German kindergartens (which go for three years starting at age 3), it's a trend to ban toys, board games, and art supplies. The logic behind this is that when children aren't distracted by playing with inanimate objects, they will cultivate more critical thinking skills, which can help them refrain from drug addiction in adulthood.
Korea Lets Kids Go Hungry Every So Often
In Korea, it's considered a life skill to manage hunger, so children are taught to control it. Oftentimes, kids will have to wait for the whole family to eat together, and there's no concept of snacking.
Vietnam Potty-Trains Early
Vietnamese parents start potty-training their children as early as 1 month old in order to have them fully potty-trained at nine months. They use whistles and look for cues to help train their infants with Pavlov's classical conditioning model.
Norway Loves the Outdoors
It's common practice in Norway to let infants (as young as 2 weeks old) nap outside, even in subzero temperatures. Scandinavian countries in general seem to love the outdoors, and Finland offers an average of 75 minutes of recess per day to children, compared to America's 27 minutes.
