Latest news with #ErinMonroe
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
American mom shocked by one striking difference in European parenting style: ‘This is how kids learn'
While enjoying a vacation in Portugal with her husband, momfluencer Erin Monroe (@ ) pointed out how different European children are from American children. In the TikTok video, Monroe — who has three kids of her own — noticed that 'The culture around kids here is so different than it is in the States. The kids are just everywhere, they're part of everything.' The mom explained that while she was dining at a restaurant in Cascais, Portugal, she noticed a large group of kids, ranging in age, playing soccer in an open area next to the establishment, and said that she heard what sounded like at least four different languages being spoken. 'There was one older kid who was actively translating for the other kids,' she recalled. 'It's so interesting to me because the language barrier isn't even really a barrier. Especially for kids, they don't care.' Monroe also said the parents were just enjoying wine and bread inside the restaurant, and appeared to be leaving the kids to their own fun. Meanwhile, in America — parents often shove screens in front of kids' faces to keep them occupied and quiet. Of course, anytime there's a Europe versus the US comparison — people online love to chime in with their opinions. 'Love how Americans discover the world,' one snarky commenter wrote. 'This is how kids learn to socialize. How do they learn it in the States?' asked someone else. 'American living in Greece here… kids are everywhere and with the family all the time. Kids sleep at the tavernas on the chairs till 1 am …. Life is so different than being in the states,' a comment explained. 'I don't feel, as a parent in the U.S., that my kids are as welcomed in public spaces as I observed them being welcomed in Portugal,' the mom said, agreeing with many commenters in a follow-up video. This video is the latest in a string of anti-tourist sentiments from European locals. However, a recent poll of European tourism experts revealed that while people from different European countries generally tend to perceive Americans as annoying, rude and entitled, there are some things they can appreciate about travelers from across the pond. Experts from several countries, like Italy and Greece, noted that their countrymen especially appreciate generous American tipping culture — there's a first. In France, they appreciate Americans' eagerness for their country. 'Even after two hours, they [Americans] remain enthusiastic and eager for more,' Marie-Cécile Ruault-Marmande of the National Museum of Pre-History in the Dordogne gushed. 'They appreciate very detailed explanations, exhibiting a great capacity for amazement.'
New York Post
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- New York Post
American mom shocked by one striking difference in European parenting style: ‘This is how kids learn'
While enjoying a vacation in Portugal with her husband, momfluencer Erin Monroe (@ ) pointed out how different European children are from American children. In the TikTok video, Monroe — who has three kids of her own — noticed that 'The culture around kids here is so different than it is in the States. The kids are just everywhere, they're part of everything.' Advertisement The mom explained that while she was dining at a restaurant in Cascais, Portugal, she noticed a large group of kids, ranging in age, playing soccer in an open area next to the establishment, and said that she heard what sounded like at least four different languages being spoken. 'There was one older kid who was actively translating for the other kids,' she recalled. 'It's so interesting to me because the language barrier isn't even really a barrier. Especially for kids, they don't care.' 3 Portuguese citizens are complaining of overtourism in cities like Lisbon and Porto. NurPhoto via Getty Images Advertisement Monroe also said the parents were just enjoying wine and bread inside the restaurant, and appeared to be leaving the kids to their own fun. Meanwhile, in America — parents often shove screens in front of kids' faces to keep them occupied and quiet. Of course, anytime there's a Europe versus the US comparison — people online love to chime in with their opinions. 3 The surprised mom said that if a large group of kids were playing in an American restaurant, patrons would get 'grumpy.' Syda Productions – Advertisement 'Love how Americans discover the world,' one snarky commenter wrote. 'This is how kids learn to socialize. How do they learn it in the States?' asked someone else. 'American living in Greece here… kids are everywhere and with the family all the time. Kids sleep at the tavernas on the chairs till 1 am …. Life is so different than being in the states,' a comment explained. 'I don't feel, as a parent in the U.S., that my kids are as welcomed in public spaces as I observed them being welcomed in Portugal,' the mom said, agreeing with many commenters in a follow-up video. Advertisement This video is the latest in a string of anti-tourist sentiments from European locals. 3 Locals of destinations in countries like Spain, Greece, Italy and Croatia have warned tourists that their cities are already crowded enough. Anna Polishchuk – However, a recent poll of European tourism experts revealed that while people from different European countries generally tend to perceive Americans as annoying, rude and entitled, there are some things they can appreciate about travelers from across the pond. Experts from several countries, like Italy and Greece, noted that their countrymen especially appreciate generous American tipping culture — there's a first. In France, they appreciate Americans' eagerness for their country. 'Even after two hours, they [Americans] remain enthusiastic and eager for more,' Marie-Cécile Ruault-Marmande of the National Museum of Pre-History in the Dordogne gushed. 'They appreciate very detailed explanations, exhibiting a great capacity for amazement.'
Daily Mirror
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
American mum floored by how kids in US and Europe totally differ
American mum-of-three, Erin Monroe, recently travelled to Portugal for the first time ever, and was quick to notice the different way children behave in the European country compared to in the US Exploring new corners of the globe is a fantastic opportunity to gain insights into diverse cultures and lifestyles. However, an American mum was taken aback by the contrasting attitudes towards children during her recent trip to Portugal. Erin Monroe and her husband embarked on a journey from JFK airport in New York for a child-free holiday. This marked Erin's first ever international travel experience, and she shared her anticipation and nerves with her 249k TikTok followers ahead of their Portuguese getaway. Once settled in the European country, Erin quickly noticed a significant cultural difference, which was that children's behaviour varied greatly between Portugal and the US. "I'm gonna be that guy right now, but my husband and I are in Portugal right now. And I've never been to Europe in my life, so this is a new experience for me," Erin said at the start of her video, which has since amassed over 1.1 million views. She continued to share that she is a mother of three children aged 12, 10, and six, who remained in the US while she and her husband enjoyed their holiday. However, she expressed her regret at not bringing them along after learning about the child-friendly culture in the country. "And the culture around kids is so different here than it is in the States. Like the kids are just everywhere, they're just a part of everything," Erin said. She went on to describe how she and her husband had enjoyed their dinner at an upmarket restaurant in Cascais, Portugal, the previous evening. Despite the sophisticated setting and atmosphere, she was pleasantly surprised to discover that children had spontaneously begun a football match in an open space by the restaurant. "And there were just kids playing soccer at this little open area next to the restaurant. And I loved it," Erin said. "They were just playing soccer with each other and then the other interesting thing, and this has happened several times here, there are so many different languages spoken here." She then claimed that amongst the eight youngsters kicking a ball about, she could distinguish at least four different languages being spoken. "There was one older kid who was actively translating for the other kids who didn't speak the same language. And it's so interesting to me. Like, the language barrier isn't really a barrier, especially for kids. Like, they don't care, they'll just play together," she told her viewers. Erin carried on with her observations, noting: "And the adults, are the parents were like watching, but like drinking their wine and eating their bread and like hanging out. "I love it here. Are you kidding? I need to bring my kids here right this second," she exclaimed. The video's comment section quickly filled with people sharing their experiences of Portuguese culture, especially regarding children. One commenter shared: "I still remember all the random friendships that I made when we were out with my parents, kids that we were instant bff for those three hours that we were at dinner and then we never saw each other ever again." Meanwhile, a third individual expressed their appreciation for French customs, adding: "I love in France seeing teenagers go out to a civilised dinner together."
Yahoo
05-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Nostalgic parents are trying to recreate a boring, screenless, ‘90s summer for their kids
Remember when summer break felt endless? The next school year was an incomprehensibly distant prospect as hot, sunny days spent idling in the yard seemed to last forever. With no smartphones, no YouTube, and nothing but a landline to call your friends, you were left to your own devices — which mostly meant flipping through books, rearranging your Beanie Babies, or fighting with your siblings over who got the last Freeze Pop. Now, nostalgia-seeking parents are looking back on those long, lazy, uneventful days with surprising fondness — and trying to recreate that same unplugged boredom for their own kids. Ironically, some influencers are using social media platforms like Instagram to promote the idea of a screen-free, ''90s summer.' Shannele, known on Instagram as @reelmomstuff, has been sharing tips for raising ''90s kids' for over a year. In a video she posted in June, she explains her no-screens-in-the-car rule and emphasizes the importance of outdoor play. In another, she shared that her home has only one television and a landline phone for her kids to use, all part of her mission to bring back the pre-digital childhood. Others, like TikTokers @motheringmoon and Erin Monroe (@ have shared their approaches to a ''90s summer,' like outdoor family dinners, drinking pitchers of Kool-Aid, and playing in the sprinkler. Samantha Weber, who has an 11-year-old stepdaughter and a three-year-old daughter, is attempting to surround her kids with tactile games and activities to keep them off their screens. Her daughters are embracing it, putting on fashion shows in the living room. Her husband is an art teacher, 'so we always have coloring and paints out,' she told The Independent. 'We're big board game people,' she said, adding proudly that she just taught her stepdaughter how to play the card game Spit. 'We also have a pool, so that's an escape,' Weber said. Her daughters both have devices, but Weber and her husband recently discussed how to manage screen time over the summer, whether that means creating a schedule or limiting it to evenings only. 'Sometimes they need 'cool down' time from each other so we separate and say okay you can relax and watch or play a game,' she said. 'The games they play are also creative or learning-focused,' she added, like certain modes on Minecraft, or math or spelling games. 'I'm not saying we don't watch movies,' Weber said, 'but if we do, we make popcorn and do it together.' Family movie nights can be a great way of using screens without some of the bigger worries that come with solo screen time. A recent study from the American Psychological Association found that excessive or unsupervised screen use can contribute to emotional issues in kids — who may then rely on their devices as a coping mechanism, creating a harmful cycle. 'We are currently in a 'device detox' time, so that means they don't have them at all for a few days,' performer and mom-of-three Clare Cannizzaro shared with The Independent. Her trio of sons, ranging in age from 10 to 18, can check emails and messages for 'a short time, twice a day, or if we need them to carry a phone for means of calling us, but then it comes back to us the rest of the time.' For Cannizzaro, an 'old-school summer' means 'lots of outside time, more family game nights and less individual screen time.' To carry out her vision, Cannizzaro intends to have her kids engage more in tending the family's garden, caring for their ducks and chickens, building campfires, and catching fireflies. As a theatrical family, she's planning for the summer to be spent making films and putting on musical theater performances, with all the kids attending acting workshops. However, Cannizzaro admits there's a balance to be struck in the 21st century. 'Our kiddos were born into this age of technology and we do feel that it's imperative that they have the skills and knowledge surrounding that. They likely will need technology in any career or life path they choose,' she said. 'And if there is a good dose of real life as well — playing in the dirt and riding bikes — we have always felt that was a good balance. But sometimes more real-life experiences are needed so they can relate to that instead of what's on YouTube or Instagram.' For new mom Gabrielle Rabinowitz, those real-life experiences are part of her daily life as a daycare owner. In addition to her 13-month-old son, she constantly has her eye on four toddlers. So, water time with the hose and toys, nature observation, and playing with bubbles and chalk are all in a day's work. 'I've made it my mission to make our daycare days feel less like a typical 'school setting' and more nature-based and child-centered, which lends itself perfectly to an 'old-school summer' feel for all of us,' she told The Independent. 'The hours go by so much faster when we spend them outside.' Rabinowitz, too, keeps screen time to a minimum, even for the children she watches daily — and she's intent on keeping it that way. 'I have seen firsthand how offering an 'old-school summer' to young children can decrease those unwanted difficult behaviors, while simultaneously boosting their moods, allowing them to release energy in a positive manner, and connect with nature and loved ones in a very wholesome and grounding way.' There's no one way to have a '90s summer (and no singular name for it either: 80s summer, old school summer, kid rotting, call it what you please), but that's kind of the point. It's messy, meandering, and often made up on the spot. And in a world that rarely slows down, that kind of summer might just be exactly what kids — and their parents — need. Time to kick back like it's 1995.
