American mom shocked by one striking difference in European parenting style: ‘This is how kids learn’

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While enjoying a vacation in Portugal with her husband, momfluencer Erin Monroe (@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.

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“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.”

Portuguese citizens are complaining of overtourism in cities like Lisbon and Porto. NurPhoto via Getty Images

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.

The surprised mom said that if a large group of kids were playing in an American restaurant, patrons would get “grumpy.” Syda Productions – stock.adobe.com

“Love how Americans discover the world,” one snarky commenter wrote.

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“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.

Locals of destinations in countries like Spain, Greece, Italy and Croatia have warned tourists that their cities are already crowded enough. Anna Polishchuk – stock.adobe.com

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.

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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.”