12 things moms do in America and don’t do in Russia

Some habits will surely surprise you.

It would seem that a mother, she is also a mother in Africa – loving, caring, sometimes strict, but I want to believe that she is fair. However, you will be surprised how different motherhood in the United States is from ours. Here are 12 things that are accepted in America and not at all accepted in Russia.

1. Throwing a party for the mother-to-be

Before the birth of a child, for already deeply pregnant American women, they traditionally arrange a baby shower, or “baby shower”, that is, the expectant mother is literally flooded with gifts. As a rule, they give baby clothes, toys, diapers, breast pumps and other goods for mom and baby – a good help to parents. But in Russia such a holiday is not celebrated. Many people think that giving gifts before a baby is born is a bad omen. Yes, and with children’s shopping, our mothers pull to the last – again, they are afraid to jinx it.

2. Go to work immediately after the birth of the child

In Russia, mothers sit with their baby for at least a year and a half – this is how long paid maternity leave lasts. They have the right to sit for all three years, but at their own expense. At the same time, a woman can be sure that her workplace will be saved. In the United States, the worker from the decree will not wait long. As a rule, after giving birth, they give 8 weeks (the duration of the decree depends on the company and the state), and maternity leave is not paid. American women have to send their children to nurseries, which accept babies from 6 weeks old, or hire a nanny. Grandmothers are not considered nannies; in the United States, it is not customary to sit with grandchildren. The third option is to quit your job and devote yourself to raising a child.

3. Dads cannot go on parental leave

In Russia, a man on maternity leave is a rarity. However, such a possibility exists, especially if the baby’s mother’s salary is higher than that of the father’s. In this case, the man can go on paid parental leave while retaining his job. In the United States, men simply do not have such a right.

4. Putting children to bed early

Parents in the United States prefer to put their children to bed early. First, they believe that children need more sleep. Yes, and pediatricians say that already at 8 o’clock in the evening, a small child should be asleep. Secondly, the couple want to be alone for a little while to watch a movie or have a romantic dinner.

In Russia, not every family has a clear daily routine. Often wives wait for their husbands from work so that they bathe the child and thus spend at least a little time with the baby. Therefore, at best, children go to bed at 10 pm.

5. Unconditionally trust pediatricians

In Russia, a doctor’s prescription for parents is not yet a law. The majority immediately google the prescribed drugs or arrange a global discussion on the forum. For some reason, the opinion of other mothers, albeit not always with a great mind, is much more authoritative than the doctor’s prescription. Someone completely ignores the recommendations of the pediatrician, relying on folk remedies.

In the United States, parents tend to trust pediatricians. And if the doctor has prescribed a certain medicine, they buy it without any doubts. Another thing is that doctors in America tend to prescribe drugs even when they are not required. For comparison: British doctors prescribe drugs 10 times less often than in the United States.

6. They feed children in cafes and restaurants

It is completely normal for people in America to go to a cafe or restaurant with their family instead of sitting in the kitchen in the evening. 16% of the US population eats outside the home 3 to 6 times a week, 13% do it twice a week. It has been estimated that the average American family spends about $ 3000 a year on dining in cafes and restaurants. Unfortunately, in Russia, not every family can afford regular trips to restaurants.

7. Do not involve children in household chores

In our country, it is quite natural when children help their parents with household chores: they take out the trash, wash the dishes, clean their room, look after the younger ones. But in the US, most moms and dads think this is a bad idea. Only 28 percent of parents ask their children to do at least some household chores.

8. Always take the side of the child

In the US, moms and dads tend to trust their kids more than their teachers. Therefore, if a child has problems at school, most parents will side with him. And often without even understanding the situation. What can I say, poor American teachers!

9. Obsessed with the beauty of teeth

White, even teeth are so important for people in the United States that for many, the dentist is almost the main pediatrician. Some parents are willing to spend thousands of dollars on braces, even if their child still has baby teeth.

In Russia, however, as in other European countries, the attitude to the appearance of children’s teeth is much simpler. As a rule, we put braces when the children themselves ask for it.

10. A child is moved out after his 18th birthday

In Russia, children often live with their parents until the age of 22, until they graduate from university. An exception is if the student went to study in another city. In the United States, this is not accepted. As soon as a person turns 18, he graduates from high school, goes to college and must move out of the parental home. This, of course, is not spelled out in the laws, but it is widespread in American families.

11. Let the kids be cocky

It’s one thing when a child has a tantrum. Screams, tears are commonplace. It is quite another matter when a child, letting off steam, not hesitating in expressions, fires up his parents for what the light is. In Asia, where respect for elders is always cultivated, such behavior would be simply unacceptable. And in Russia, for some of the words that American children allow themselves, our child could easily grab a slap on the head.

12. Send children to beauty contests

Our children compete in talents and in sports. And in America they love competitions where children’s beauty is assessed. What women sometimes do not go to for their child to be liked by the jury: makeup, self-tanning, hair dye, and in some cases, plastic surgery.

Mothers are sure that winning the competition is a great chance for their daughters to become successful models in the future. In our country, this is considered wildness.

We use disposable diapers

In many European countries, it is increasingly common to abandon disposable diapers in favor of reusable ones, or practice early sowing. This is how people want to cut their waste a little bit. In our country, as in America, when it comes to comfort, the issue of ecology fades into the background.

We feed the children

First, second and compote – a familiar picture? In America, too, they like children to eat well. Therefore, they impose huge portions of food on them. Well, the fast food set menu with hamburger, fries and a large glass of soda is just a classic for baby food in the United States.

We do not leave children unattended

In Japan, children 4 years old are allowed to travel on public transport on their own and do small errands. In Iceland and Denmark, parents can leave their sleeping child in a stroller outside to go to a cafe or shop. Say, let him breathe fresh air. In our country, you can get an article “leaving a child in danger” for this. And in the United States, parents will immediately complain to parental services.

Spank children

Now more and more parents in Russia do not accept corporal punishment in education. And this is great! However, in our childhood it was common to “get a belt” from our father. So in America, a Brookings Institution poll showed that 70 percent of parents consider spanking an acceptable form of punishment. With more than 52 countries around the world banning any kind of corporal punishment, including France, Sweden and Greece.

12 things moms do in America and don’t do in Russia