Parents going global!
Parenting is the best of times and the worst of times… So we need to keep an open mind to what works for other parents in this big world, even if it seems a bit unorthodox. Let’s share some parenting strategies, modify them if necessary, and then see what happens. Maybe we’ll learn something new or at least have some fun.
Did you know that parents leave their babies outside sleeping in their strollers in sub-zero temperatures in Denmark and Norway? They do this because they believe it helps their baby’s lung development and overall health. Can we borrow something from these parents?
Let us now turn to the parents of Kenya. Parents in this part of Africa avoid making eye contact with their children when they believe their children are engaging in attention-seeking behavior. The results of this type of parenting are better educated and less selfish children. Can we borrow or share something from Kenyan parents?
Fast forwarding to Vietnam now. Vietnamese parents teach their babies to urinate with a whistle. As soon as their babies begin to urinate, Vietnamese parents make a whistling sound. Eventually, through a progression of steps, Vietnamese parents make their babies urinate when the whistle is blown. The result is that Vietnamese babies are potty trained and diaper free by 9 months. Is there anything we can borrow or share from Vietnamese parents?
Finally, turning to Japan, we will see parents who allow their children to travel alone on the subway from the age of four. Japanese parents believe that this teaches their children independence. I couldn’t imagine this would catch on in New York City in the US However, is there anything here that we can borrow or share with Japanese parents?
Now, as my grandfather always said: “Go learn, lead and pave the way to a better world for all of us.” He doesn’t feel too proud to borrow from other parents around the world when it makes sense for him to do so. And once again, parents, thank you in advance for all that you do and for all that you will do…