I'm an American raising 2 kids in Italy. Parenting here is completely different
4 hours ago
- School lunches in Italy are multi-course, gourmet meals prepared by local cooks, contrasting with typical American school food.
- Italian children have less structured schedules and are not pressured to fill every hour with activities.
- Kids in Italy enjoy more freedom and independence, with less parental monitoring, though this can be challenging for some parents.
- Extended family, especially grandparents, play a significant role in childcare in Italy, reducing reliance on babysitters.
- Communities in Italy are close-knit, with a shared sense of responsibility for children's well-being.
- Italian families often encourage children to live at home until marriage, emphasizing family closeness over early independence.
- The author blends American safety-focused parenting with Italian values of independence, family, and community.