Being a mother is a Sisyphean task, a never-ending cycle of hard work. Many who move abroad worry about raising children in a foreign environment, but an Indian mom living in Estonia has shared how her parenting style transformed positively after moving to Europe. Influencer Taarini took to Instagram to share how seven years in Estonia changed her as a person and influenced how she mothers her child. She listed seven European parenting practices she has adopted and will not give up.
Outdoor Time, Whatever the Weather
The mother emphasized ensuring outdoor time with her child regardless of weather conditions, even on days she feels reluctant. She stated, "Rain doesn't cancel playtime, mud washes off."
Baby-Led Weaning from Day One
Taarini practices baby-led weaning (BLW), where the child feeds themselves instead of being spoon-fed. Her daughter has been self-feeding since eight months. "No aeroplane spoon, no distractions. Just food, her hands and a lot of mess," she wrote.
Hindi First, Always
"Ironic that I moved to Europe to double down on my mother tongue," she noted. Observing Europeans fiercely protecting their languages inspired her to do the same. Her daughter learns English and Estonian at daycare, but at home, they speak only Hindi.
Patience Over Fear
She avoids threats like "police will come" or "doctor will be called" and instead talks patiently to her daughter, fostering understanding rather than fear.
Talking to Her Like She Understands
The mother uses full sentences with her daughter, treating her as a capable conversational partner. She believes her child comprehends and responds accordingly.
Saying Sorry to Her
"She deserves an apology as much as any adult does," Taarini wrote. She genuinely apologizes to her daughter for her own mistakes, modeling accountability.
No Force Feeding
She trusts her daughter's hunger cues, never forcing her to eat. "She will eat if she is hungry; if not, she won't," she explained, rejecting the notion that a child must not sleep hungry.
Not Shushing Her in Public
"We are Desi. We are loud," she said, allowing her daughter to take up space even in a quiet Estonian café. She believes children should not be silenced for being kids.
Social Media Reactions
Many users agreed with her approach. One commented, "I also don't shush my kids when they are being kids... Tell, not shush, that's a difference." Another added, "It's also me, I am happy I see more of us moms coming from a different culture but trying our best for our children." A third noted, "I live in India and I follow all of these points. I don't think these are necessarily European. This is just great parenting."
