Italian mother Valeria Quintodei wants to adopt the same routines as Finnish families

Italian mother Valeria Quintodei wishes to adopt similar daily habits as families in Finland. Children in Italy usually go to bed later compared to Nordic nations, with dinner times coinciding with when Finnish youngsters retire for the night. However, this may be evolving. In numerous southern European countries, including Italy, young children are often seen playing outdoors around 9pm as the evening cools down before having dinner.

Quintodei and Teo Rigon, parents of two young kids, don't typically stay out late with their children or dine out late. Both Quintodei, a physician, and Rigon, who agrees, believe that children require ample sleep and a consistent routine. Quintodei notes that staying out late with young kids often leads to irritability the following day.

Rigon returns home from work, and the family shares dinner around 7pm. The children then go to bed, usually by 8pm or 8.30pm at the latest. A study primarily conducted by researchers in Rome revealed that pre-school children in Italy typically sleep between 9pm and 10pm on weekdays, with even later bedtimes during weekends and holidays.

In Finland, parents are advised to uphold a regular sleep schedule for children. For instance, three- to four-year-olds need up to 13 hours of sleep. Sociologist Nazareno Panichella from the University of Milan explains that social life, family time, and togetherness hold greater importance in Italy than routines. Family traditions, such as late dinners at restaurants or friends' homes, are cherished in Italy as they teach children how to interact with adults and navigate social settings.

Panichella emphasizes that these rituals gradually introduce children to the adult world and help them comprehend their role within a group.

Despite rising education levels in Italy, Panichella does not foresee a significant shift in the Italian lifestyle anytime soon. Even if families gradually adopt more Nordic practices, such as earlier bedtimes, strong cultural forces will continue to prioritize other aspects like food, family gatherings, and spending quality time together.