A Dutch mother living in Mumbai has gone viral after sharing her honest and relatable experiences of raising a child in India compared to the Netherlands, sparking thoughtful discussions on parenting styles across cultures.
Community support stands out
After nearly nine years in India, she highlighted how parenting in Mumbai comes with strong community support. From neighbours to extended family, she noted that children are rarely raised in isolation.
“In Mumbai, the ‘village’ is real,” she shared, contrasting it with the Netherlands where parenting can feel more individual and self-managed.
Children more included in daily life
She observed that children in India are welcomed in most public spaces, making daily routines easier for parents. In contrast, she felt that certain environments in the Netherlands are less accommodating for young children.
Independence vs interdependence
A key difference she pointed out was parenting philosophy. Dutch children are encouraged to be independent early, often travelling alone at a young age.
In India, however, she noticed a greater emphasis on interdependence—growing up within a close-knit system of family and community. While she appreciated this sense of belonging, she also stressed the importance of teaching children to think independently.
Multilingual advantage
The mother also spoke about her daughter naturally growing up with multiple languages, including Hindi, Dutch, English, and even words from other regional languages.
She described this as an unexpected but valuable benefit of raising a child in India’s diverse cultural environment.
Safety and lifestyle differences
Safety, she explained, is perceived differently in both countries. While children in cities like Amsterdam often move around freely, parenting in Mumbai involves closer supervision.
She also noted that academic pressure begins earlier in India, unlike the Netherlands where early childhood focuses more on play and development.
Help at home eases parenting
Another significant difference she highlighted was the availability of domestic help in India, allowing parents to balance responsibilities while spending more time with their children.
A journey of adjustment and gratitude
Reflecting on her journey, she admitted that raising a child in a new country initially felt overwhelming. However, over time, she found comfort in community connections and support from fellow parents.
Her story has resonated widely online, offering a balanced and empathetic perspective on parenting across cultures—showing that it’s not about what is better, but about understanding and adapting to different ways of raising children.