In a lot of ways, New Zealand is the Canada of the Southern Hemisphere. NZ sits in the shadow of its beefy, older brother, Australia as we do the US. People are friendly and humble – although not nearly as polite. There aren’t any language barriers – although the accent still stuffs me up for time to time. Culturally, it has been an easy adjustment all around.
But if I was strong-armed to call out one marked difference, it would have to be parenting and kid culture – by far.
Shoelessness
This drives me sideways. I can think of very few excuses to not wear shoes – one being because you are in the shower and the other involves sleep.
Kiwi kids will often be in the street – the street! – in bare feet. They are on their bikes, on sidewalks and in the shops without footwear. And then when they come for a visit, those same feet that have been on the street and in the shops are now on my floor and maybe it just so happens they are sleeping over and then those feet are in one of our beds, against white sheets.
I get that I am probably a bit phobic about dirty feet but this isn’t right – on so many levels. Full stop.
Home Alone
It is against the law to leave children under 14 years old at home unattended in this country so I am basically a lawless cowboy. I think it is important to a child’s development to have glimpses of independence and important to my Saturday morning to be able to get out and do things without have to rangle two kids to get dressed and into the car. I am not talking about hours on end – I am talking about running a few errands – but in this respect, New Zealand is borderline communist. Judgement be damned! We will TELL you how to raise your kids.
On the flip, you will see 5 year olds walking home from school – without shoes, completely alone – all over the city. Head scratch. One may argue there are more risks on the street than there are in the home. But what does this law breaking, free-wheeling Canadian know…
Laid Back Lucy
Kiwi parents are really laid back. Like really laid back. I wouldn’t describe myself as a helicopter parent or a lawnmower (this one is new to me – means a parent who basically clears obstacles for their kids) but I feel moderately self-conscious of my parenting around here. I don’t get involved with any drama – ever. Truth is, drama will exist forever and always so best to learn how to peer-to-peer resolve STAT. But I won’t send my daughters on a flight two hours away to billet with an unknown family, by herself. No. Sir. I am one of two parents of thirty not comfortable with this scenario. Am I mad? Families will be police vetted but what about the pervy 16 year old son flying under the radar? I know. That is where my mind goes. Just not comfortable.
And don’t even get me started on letting a 5 year old walk home alone. Without shoes.