Dispelling Myths Abounding in Italian Parenting Culture

No doubt, parents in all cultures adhere to rules based on precepts that are just plain wrong. Here are the things that I wish I could tell many Italian parents:

1.) Breastfeeding your baby beyond 16 weeks will not turn him into a sexual pervert.

2.) Your child's pediatrician is not God.

3.) Your child does not need an undershirt, jacket and/or sweater when it is 20° Celcius outside. Really.

4.) Orange drink containing inverted sugar and E129 red artificial colour does not qualify as "juice" and is probably not the best thing to give your child as part of her nutritious breakfast every morning.

5.) Your child will not die of pneumonia if she gets a little water on her pantleg just above her rubber boots from splashing in a puddle.

6.) You will not be compromising your child's emotional well-being by refusing to take her out of her carseat when she cries while in it. You might, however, compromise her physical well-being by taking her out of the carseat.

7.) Soda crackers are empty calories, not a "nutritious snack".

8.) White pasta has the same nutritional value as a piece of cake.

9.) Parmesan cheese is not high in iron, despite what your child's pediatrician has told you (See number 2.), above).

10.) Most children need to go to bed before 11PM at night if they are to get enough sleep.

11.) Assuming that your 12-year old really does "need" a cellular phone (which is doubtful), he definitely does not need it with him and turned on at all times during class at school.