This Makes Me SO Mad!!

[Heidi]

Yep. Had a family from Czech Republic and DCM would take baby bundled up EVERYDAY, rain or shine, sub-zero or blistering hot outside to nap.

She FIRMLY believed that it was vital to healthy growth and development, especially for building that immune system.

She also gave her a hot citrus tea drink every morning with breakfast and insisted she finish every drop.

Off topic a bit~ but I also noticed in photos and things she shared with me that ALL kids (both boys and girls) in her country wore tights or leggings ONLY for bottoms while under age 5.

In Germany boys where tights all the time. althought usually under pants. I had baby tights for all mine from Germany. It's so nice when they're socks dont fall off constantly, like with my current dck, 3 months.

Once they're mobile, mine are all barefoot now, because hardwood floors are too slippery for anything else.

[Heidi]

Definitely a cultural thing.

I took quite a few college courses that delved into cultural dynamics and sociology. As BC and Heidi mentioned in many other countries children aren't brought into shops and restaurants. At times it's considered rude if they do. They'll leave babies outside literally lined up, it was pretty common practice for sometime and in many places still is.

I think in Germany and many European countries, it's also about space. THere are still a lot of neighborhood shops ala' butcher, baker, candlestick maker (ok, not candlestick maker). They're small. So, a couple moms with strollers could really bottle-neck the place. In restaurants, people bring babies, but they are very well behaved. I doubt you'd see people bringing in children and then letting them run about the table or restaurant.

Funny...in Germany it's perfectly acceptable to bring your dog into a restaurant, too, as long as they are well behaved!