Any other MDCer out there in Italy? [Archive] - MotheringDotCommunity Forums

tonlo

01-07-2005, 01:24 AM

Wow Rocky! If I had this to do all over again, I would spend the time to try to find a place in Sperlonga to live.

I teach at Gaeta American School so it would be about the same drive to work and I absolutely love Sperlonga. We moved here from Houston, TX almost 3 1/2 years ago. Unfortunately, the school will shrink considerably this next school year and I will no longer be needed so I am still waiting to hear where we are going next. I asked for Rota (Spain), Ankara (Turkey), or Pisa, but it is possible we could end up anywhere the U.S has a military school (we are civilians, but I work in the schools for military dependents).

How long have you lived in Rome and where do you originate?

Gabbi

01-26-2005, 04:09 PM

We are in Formia (about halfway between Rome and Naples on the coast) until this summer.
I am NOT in Italy..but please don't throw me out on my ear!
My husband is from Italy..from Cassino to be exact...which is halfway between Rome and Naples also I believe I LOVE FORMIA..we were just there in June. Our family is spread out around Rome, Naples, Cassino, Milan.
Anyway... are you military? Hope you don't mind me messaging.
If you want to talk sometime just yell! (or message..that may be easier) :innocent

3JKids

01-27-2005, 06:13 AM

We're just outside of Naples. :)

Gabbi

01-27-2005, 03:30 PM

We're just outside of Naples. :)
How long have you been there?
It makes me a little sad, my inlaws are about an hour from you in Cassino.
Do you like living there? Do you live on base?
message me anytime.......:)

3JKids

01-28-2005, 12:06 AM

We live on base now... We lived on the economy for a year and a half, but when we had our new baby we decided we needed the support of being on base, especially if there was chance of deployment! There were a number of other factors which influenced our move too, including being the victim of some crimes while out there. We love Italy, but we are ready to go home! Naples has been a great experience, but it is one of the less scenic parts of Italy. Fortunately we have been able to travel, and it has been a beautiful experience.

tonlo

02-01-2005, 07:27 AM

Anyway... are you military? Hope you don't mind me messaging.
If you want to talk sometime just yell! (or message..that may be easier) :innocent

We are not military, but I teach in the Dept. of Defense Schools. Unfortunately, we won't be here long. They won't need me next year so we will move someplace else overseas. Don't know where yet.

peggyitaly

02-28-2005, 07:35 AM

HI everyone,
I'm glad to see that there are others out there in Italy.
We are in Ancona (central Italy) on the Adriatic coast. My husband is from Ancona and I met him in Bologna while I did study abroad program in 1995.
I've been here since 1998 teaching English privately, but i'm looking for another work opportunity...
We've got an adorable dd who just turned two.
Are any of you part of La Leche League Italia?

Peggy

kellyr2

02-28-2005, 12:57 PM

My husband is in the army, and we're considering Italy. Can anyone tell me about homebirthing in Italy? We'd be in Vicenza. I'd be willing to do birth center instead if i had to, but do NOT want to do hospital. I'd make an exception to the no hospital rule IF the Italian hospitals are super super super duper non-interventionist and natural. So if anyone can just tell me about birthing in Italy, in general, i'd appreciate it. I've found a few websites, but i need english! LOL

peggyitaly

03-10-2005, 01:20 PM

I know that it is possible to have a homebirth in italy because i looked into it. In the end we decided to go to a hospital that promoted "parto attivo" - active birth. We also made that decision based on costs because there is a risk in losing money because you have to pay for the midwife's availability even in the case that something goes wrong and you get rushed to the hospital. As for hospitals, epidurals are not the norm because you pay extra for and social healthcare does not deem it necessary. The majority of women whom i met have had completely natural birthes and they aren't into attachment/natural parenting. I actually had a nice birth experience in my hospital. The staff were really great. However, not all hospitals are into holistic approaches...some will try to induce. So it is important to find out which hospital near by promotes "parti attivi".
If you have any other questions let me know. Joining the local llleague should be helpful too.

peggy with melania on lap nursing

rocky

03-10-2005, 01:48 PM

I had both my kids (very happily) at home in Rome.
Although many hospitals don't routinely use epidurals, the C-section rate is very very high in Italy. I would try to find c-section statistics from local hospitals to get a better idea of how things may go.
Homebirth is no different in one country than in another so there's not much I can tell you on that front. If you don't speak the language though you will surely be better off at home - I think I would feel not enough in control of the situation surrounded by strangers speaking a strange language - be it a beautiful one...
please let me know if I can be of more help.
Rocky

Sisyphus

03-21-2005, 09:17 AM

Hi,

My family and I are visiting Italy this summer and I'm wondering if you can give me some tips and info.

We will be flying into Rome, staying there a few days, then driving to Umbria where we've rented a place for a week. We will then drive back to Rome for a couple of days and fly back home.

I'm mostly concerned with Rome... I know it will be crawling with tourists in July, so I'm wondering if there are any cool things to do with little kids (our boys will be 5 and 2) in Rome. I don't want to have to drive them around or have to take them on long bus or subway rides, so stuff in the city center would be ideal.

I plan to let them throw coins into fountains, eat gelato, people watch, etc... additional ideas are really appreciated!!

Also, if you know of a nice, moderately priced hotel/b&b for us to stay at, I'd appreciate any advice on that front as well.

Thank you in advance!

rocky

03-22-2005, 08:27 AM

Hi Lolov,
I rent out my place in Rome during the summer. We live at the beach from June until September. I advertise it at http://www.slowtrav.com/cl/detail.asp?l=1142
and can give you more info if you'd like. My kids are 3 1/2 and 16 months - so we have tons of books, toys, etc. My kids are out of diapers but I have the set-up to CD here despite no dryer - in july things dry FAST outside.
pm me if you want more info.
I'll see what I can do in terms of suggestions for activities as well. My 3 year old loves the colosseum because he loves BATTLES! (la Battaglia!) - he talks about la battaglia non-stop. (and we are non tv watchers so I don't know where he gets it) - My kids also like the fountains in rome. Villa Borghese is sort of the Central Park of rome - there are bike rentals, a beautiful lake with swans and paddle boat rental, a hot air balloon ride (really), pony rides, one of the best museums of rome - the galleria borghese, etc. One day at least spent in villa borghese with kids would be very enjoyable. There is a kids museum that is absolutely perfect for the under 6 set... much much more.
best,
Marji

Sisyphus

03-22-2005, 09:46 AM

Thanks, Marji!!

I will check out the link! That is awesome!

I am hoping that *I* can get to do some museum crawling, probably alone... dh doesn't enjoy as much and the kids can only take so much LOL. I'm an art history person (in my pre-kid life I worked at the Getty, LA County and Bowers Museums here in California) so I love, love LOVE spending days just wandering around :)

The Villa Borghese sounds divine!!! I'm so excited!

Thanks again, and any additional ideas are more than welcome!

P.S. Would it be terribly bad taste to walk around wearing a t-shirt that says, "Don't hate us because we're AMerican, We hate Bush, too!"??? LOL

Tomoe

03-29-2005, 01:58 AM

I'm mostly concerned with Rome... I know it will be crawling with tourists in July, so I'm wondering if there are any cool things to do with little kids (our boys will be 5 and 2) in Rome. I don't want to have to drive them around or have to take them on long bus or subway rides, so stuff in the city center would be ideal.

In june Rome is usually crowded. I am Italian and I live in Rome, my son is 27 months old. The Rome city centre is wonderful, but be prepared, you may have to do la lot of walking! I suggest you to take a little, "portable" stroller for your little one, or rent it when in Rome.
A problem visiting Rome with children is: no places where to change diapers, toilets are usually very little and without anything useful for this task. The only place I've seen with a changing station is the Ikea shop.
There are few public toilets, and I don't recommend them, so you'll have to go in a bar for this, have a coffe while the kids get the toilet.
Bring little toys, games, something they can do as a pastimes. Kids may get bored.
Kids are welcomed everywhere, and people is usually nice with them, even if they are fully in the terrible twos. Is normal to theke them to the restaurant or pizzeria, normally there aren't kids menu, but you may ask for the less spiced food or reduce the quantity of the food in their dishes.
While walking, bring water in a little bottle and juice, but don't buy them at the bar, it's better in supermarkets, as it's cheaper. However, there are a lot of little fountains, metallic, green, called here "nasoni", along many streets, you may see the water running from the fountain "nose". This is drinkable water, my son adores drinking from them, just be careful: you must close with a thumb the whole where the water is coming from, and suddenly the water is springing from anothe hole on the top of the "nose" so you may drink catching the water with the mouth. Don't let the children put their mouth at direct contact with the fountain nose. Anyway, this is something of very fun for children. They may wet the clothes, but it's hot...
Food: you may have a lunch in a restaurant, but also buy something to eat while walking, or sitting somewhere: there are lots of pizzerie al taglio where you can buy slices of pizza, and also a lot of roman fast food: supplì, crocchette...
If you want to know in advance the events in Rome, you may have a look to the magazine "Wanted in Rome" that is sold everywhere. It's in English and there is also his website. I don't know if I am allowed to post the site, but you can easily find it.
Have a nice holiday!

LailaCA

05-21-2005, 08:03 PM

Tonlo...

Any news on your moving? Where will you be going? What age level do you teach? Hope you get what you want.

Sisyphus

06-04-2005, 12:08 PM

It's me again... asking for advice!

We JUST finalized our plane tickets to Italy for July. We are in Rome from 6 July to the 9th and then again from the 17th - 22d. I think I am too late to get an apartment, so I found a hotel near the Borghese gardens called the "Delle Muse" www.hoteldellemuse.com which can accomodate us for these dates.

Do any of you know this hotel? Is the location OK? I figured we'd stay close to the gardens so that we can take the boys there every day... I'm not planning to do a whole lot of "adult" sight seeing as I don't think it's fair to drag them all over creation and make them museum crawl with me...but we plan to do things like ruins, that baroque chapel (or is it an altar, I can't remember!) made of monk's bones, etc... stuff that they would like and where they can be "kids" kwim?

I have a Kozy carrier for the 2yo for when he wants to be held. I also have a sling and we have a three wheeled Jeep stroller.... it's larger than I'd like,but it's very sturdy and I think would handle the uneven streets, etc. well. My 2yo is pretty well potty trained now (he did that himself believe it or not!) so, the bathroom thing is pretty much the only concern I have about public toilets, etc.

Also, I've heard that in Umbria (where we will be for the week between the 9 - 17th) there are tons of mosquitoes and other bugs... is this true? Should I bring along some natural repellant?

Anything else you can think of to make the trip a bit smoother with the boys? We are veteran travelers, but, well... advice is ALWAYS welcomed!

Thank you so much!

KindRedSpirit

06-04-2005, 06:02 PM

Hey,We live in Utah,U.S.A. now,but we are looking into moving to Europe,maybe Italy for a few years.We thought we would ask for advice,great locations,stuff like that.We are on a very small income,($25,000/year)and we have 3 kids,so we are wondering what goals we should be making to make this happen,and would love your input.
A few points of possible interest:
We don't speak Italian(just english)
We homeschool,but are open to any great educational outlets
We are L.D.S.(Christian,but not Catholic)not sure whether this will make any difference or not...
We are looking for a great new experience,and to live out of our bubble of sorts...

It's a start...Thanks:)

Ilaria

06-07-2005, 10:34 AM

Ciao a tutti!
Just wanted to join this thread...I'm Italian, but married an AMerican so we usually live in Arizona, but are living in Malaysia at the moment. (I know, confusing! :LOL)

As for mosquitoes, they are everywhere, not just Umbria! You should try Milan! (where I'm from) You can mistake them for birds! :p

We don't speak Italian - you can try and pick up a little before you go, and then you will learn there
We homeschool,but are open - I would have the kids attend a public school, for the language, cultural immersion...
We are L.D.S.(Christian,but not Catholic) - doesn't really matter. :) Most Italians have heard of "I Mormoni" ;)

Living in Italy is definitely more expensive than the US, though.

Tomoe

06-08-2005, 05:43 AM

As for mosquitoes, they are everywhere, not just Umbria! You should try Milan! (where I'm from) You can mistake them for birds! :p

I agree with Ilaria (Hi, mom!) mosquitos are everywhere, and unfortunately, in the last years a new kind of them appeared, coming from Africa, and spread almost here and there along the Italian paeninsula: the tiger mosquitos (zanzare tigre). They are very nasty, and bite day and night (the national kind bites only by night). They are fast, with black and white striped legs, little compared to the normal ones, and bite many times. The bite is more painful than the usual, and needs to be treated with some medication.The bite is just painfunl, but doesn't represent a risk for the health, doesnt' bring ilnesses. Fortunately with a good repellant they stay away like the others, but you have to put it on the skin often to be safe!

Tomoe

06-08-2005, 06:06 AM

We don't speak Italian(just english)
We homeschool,but are open to any great educational outlets
We are L.D.S.(Christian,but not Catholic)not sure whether this will make any difference or not...
We are looking for a great new experience,and to live out of our bubble of sorts...

It's a start...Thanks:)

I think that you should start studying Italian where you live, just to have a small amount of word useful for the everyday life. Then take a course here in Italy. There are courses held by the city council for immigrants.
In Italy homeschooling is legal, called "scuola paterna", but you have to do that under strict autority surveillance. The parents or those who are going to theach must demonstrate that they have the technical skills and economical base to do that, and tell year by year what they are doing to the a"dirigente scolastico (like a manager for all the local schools). Education is compulsory until 18 years old, and it's a crime not to let childred to go school. Autorities check trought the registry office if someone is not sending children to school, because in some area people make children to work instead to go school. So, to avoid problems, if you want to do homeschooling you should tell that to the authorities.
But if I where you, i'll send the children to the local schools, so they can integrate themselves in the new society and learn the language.
In Italy you can be of whatever religion, not a big deal for anyone.

Rikki Gard

06-10-2005, 12:12 PM

Hi! I am moving to Naples in October for 2 yrs. from Hawaii. My husband is in the Navy. I have a 5 month old son and we will know no one there! We have a fabulous group of moms here so it will be sad to leave, but fun to meet other great moms! I can't wait!
Rikki

Rikki Gard

06-10-2005, 12:14 PM

Hi again, sorry I just read some more. I am actually going to try to be a LLL leader around Naples. I am in the process right now with our current leader here in HI since there is only a group in Northern Italy. Wish me luck!
Rikki

marnie

08-03-2005, 09:56 AM

hi!

We have an apartment in Milan (my husband is milanese) and we lived there throughout my pregnancy and until maya was 9 months old. we're considering returning to italy, though not Milan. our apartment there has been rented out for the next 3 years and i really didn't care for the city that much anyway.

We're thinking about Rome. We live in NYC right now and Rome appeals to us in that it shares some of the characteristics we adore about New York.

anyway, just popping in to say hi and see how all the italian-living mammas are doing.

Rikki Gard

08-03-2005, 12:05 PM

I can't wait. We still haven't found a realtor, but hopefully can buy a house after we arrive. Hope to meet some of you soon! Living in Rome would be good too.
Rikki

OtherMother'n'Madre

09-15-2005, 03:57 AM

Hi there! We are considering moving to Sicily here in a few years. I'd love to get some great links if any of you mama's have some! I read through the thread but have some questions..
We own our own business.....how hard is it to do that in Italy?
Are Montessori schools hard to come by there?
Where can I find what is in demand jobwise.....I'm going to be a sign language interpretor so I'd like to know before hand.
And the big question............

what is winter like in Sicily?
I HATE HATE HATE cold weather (one reason we moved from Idaho to Oregon). TIA mamas!

mom*of*6

05-25-2006, 09:55 AM

we were stationed at Camp Darby Italy for A LOOOONG time.. I went through 3 deliveries with friends there.. It was Italian Hospitals. 1 at the Pisa University and the other at San Rosore, a private hospital. European hospitals are NOT invasive at all. I just had a baby in Germany at a Private German Hospital and it was the BEST experience EVER.. and that was our 5th baby!! I didnt have to have an IV, the rooms are very homelike, they didnt monitor me, except for 2 times, just to check the heart beat. I had a HUGE round jacuzzi tub to lie in and give birth in. They didnt even bathe him for HOURS and HOURS.. as soon as he was born, they laid him on me and I kept him there for about 2 hours. It was the same for my friends deliveries in Italy as well.

mamabike

05-30-2006, 11:14 PM

My dh is with the Canadian military and he is considering applying for a position in Italy. We have a couple of health related concerns though. My 3 year old ds is mildly autistic. Does anybody know of the view/support of autistic individuals there? Three of my family members have celiac disease (strictly no gluten). Are there lots of "health food" stores? How easy is it to find gluten free products?

Thanks!

Ilaria

05-30-2006, 11:46 PM

Celiac disease is getting to be well known in Italy and gluten-free products are becoming more and more common. "Celiachia - Intolleranza al Glutine" is what it's called in Italy.

As for autism, that, as well, is getting widely known and I'm sure there are plenty of therapists and support groups. It still is a relatively 'new thing' in Italy though, so I'm not sure how autistic children are viewed by 'regular' people. People might only have a vague idea of what autism is and might be nosy and ask questions or stare, maybe? Words are "autismo" and "bambini autistici", if you want to search how much is out there on the subject.

HTH
Ilaria (from Italy, but not living there at the moment) :)

Ilaria

05-30-2006, 11:48 PM

Here's a good site:
http://www.celiachia-food.com/start/frame.asp?l_ingua=1

RomanGoddess

06-29-2006, 01:49 PM

We are moving to Rome at the end of July for what will likely be three to four years.

peggyitaly

09-11-2006, 08:50 AM

Hi everyone,
I'm glad to hear that there are others out there. So for those of you who are Italian / married to an Italian / have been living in Italy for a while, what are your experiences of raising children with ap styles in Italy?
I'll go first. I'm an American married to an Italian and we live in a very small town (5000 people) outside of Ancona (a bigger city of 100,000 people). We've got a dd who is 3 1/2 and goes to scuola materna. It would be nice to homeschool but we need two incomes in our household. I usually attend the Ancona lll meetings on a monthly basis where we have formed a nice group of 5-6 regular moms. We tend to talk about bf and co-sleeping but really not so much about discipline and communications. A lot of the discipline books I'm into have not been translated into Italian (like How to talk so your kids will listen by Faber & Mazlish) and I wouldn't know who to reference to in italian so they too can read up on these ideas. Even so i can introduce these concepts to my inlaws who are very opposite of ap (spanking, sleeping in own bed, extended bf not acceptable).
The scuola materna has been disappointing (can't change it either). I hear a lot of name-calling coming from the mouths of the bidelle. They watch videos twice a week. I'd like to maybe regalare a non-violent communication book to the teachers as a resource book but i'm not sure if that would be viewed as ok.
I guess those are just some of the things i'm thinking about these days.
I'l like to hear from you and your experiences

Ciao
Peggy and Melania (DD)

Ilaria

09-11-2006, 08:58 AM

(spanking, sleeping in own bed, extended bf not acceptable).

Tat's just so weird to me...I slept with my parents until I was 9 or so (starting out in my own bed by then) and no one viewed it as weird...my cousins did the same and most people I know find nothing strange about that, still. Gosh I hope Italian culture is not going down that path...:(

(I was spanked all the time though...)

Io glielo regalerei il libro, perche' no!?

peggyitaly

09-11-2006, 02:15 PM

Ciao a tutte!

Ilaria, that was great input and makes me feel relieved. The people from the lll group are like us...thank goodness! My husband's family might be particular, but my sister-in-law who is an educatrice in an asilo nido really has been greatly influenced by her job. Unfortunately, she spanks her ds (3), calls him names like idiota, stupido when he starts "acting up" and actively gives him times out. My dh family thinks her parenting techniques are the way to go and mine (gentle discipline, extended bf, co-slp) are bad and can only viziare my dd. I however do feel that Italians do seem to naturally be more compassionate about children. For example, i don't know any italian who would let their child cry it out. I also like how parents put their children in the same bedroom even if they have the extra bedroom. Yeah, I really love this aspect of Italian parenting culture that is regardless of socio-economic class. I have a twin sister in the USA and she is also into AP and she seems to get hassled more often for her parenting styles.
My husband thinks it is a bad idea to give a book because he thinks it would offensive. I just found an Italian pyschologist who specilaizes in nonviolent comunication named Vilma Costetti who also writes children's books on the topic. I think this could be an alternative.
In addition, do you of any books available in Italian on gentle discipline?
I have my next lll meeting tomorrow, so these are great things to bring up.

thanks for the input!
Peggy

RomanGoddess

09-11-2006, 02:42 PM

my sister-in-law who is an educatrice in an asilo nido really has been greatly influenced by her job. Unfortunately, she spanks her ds (3), calls him names like idiota, stupido when he starts "acting up" and actively gives him times out.

Oh no! Is this how my daughter is going to be treated if I put her in asilo nido for a few hours a day?? I sure hope not! The Italians in the street are so nice to her!

Ilaria

09-11-2006, 08:59 PM

I loved my asilo growing up and we got none of what Peggy mentioned. I would like to think that that's an execption and would bring it up with the principal. The Italian asili have their foundations on Maria Montessori philosophies...I wonder how much hey have strayed from them since I left my asilo!?! (It's been over 30 years!)

Peggy, a book wouldn't be too bad along with othe gifts like soaps and candles...chissa'...magari fanno effetto!:thumb

peggyitaly

09-12-2006, 08:08 AM

HI everyone,
I think my town might be the exception since they have been also experiencing many nascite in teh recent years. The scuole materne have been forced to fill up their classes to the maximum. My dd started scuola materna last year and there were 27 3 yr old students in her class. She has two teachers who split 8 hours with two of them overlapping. I really think the teachers definitely are definitely caring teachers but at the same time I think they are overworked, which leads them to use certain tactics that i don't think most parents approve of (giving candy, putting on videos, etc). Those small things i can overlook. I found that most of the problems at her scuola materna however are from the bidelle (i don't know how to translate this one...kind of like assistant) who have a big influence on the kids. My dh one day came home and told me about a scene he and dd saw in the bathroom. A boy was peeing outside of the toilet and the bidella saw him doing and started screaming at the top of her lungs (che fai? sei stupido? matto?). Then she brought the embarassed 3 yr old boy back to the classroom and told the maestra that she has all the strange kids of the school. This was all said in front of the class and my dh and dd.I was going to report this but then my dh recommended not doing it because we have the next three yrs ahead of us and we shouldn't get on their bad sides.
I have given the maetre small little gifts but i'm starting to think that i need to do this to the bidelle:wink .
Some considerations: Ancona and surrounding areas are pretty provincial. I have a friend from Milan who is also shocked about the school system here and pretty much at everything else. There is one Montessori school here (materna and elementare) and they are trying their best to get parents to send the kids there but with little success. It's really strange that there are parents who are actually against it here. Unfortunately for us it is really far and I don't have a car.
One thing I am definitely pleased about is their school lunch program. The food is AWESOME here! :thumb

ciao for now
Peggy

peggyitaly

09-12-2006, 08:10 AM

Maria Montessori is from Chiaravalle which is 15 minutes away from my house!!! A lot of people here don't even know why she is famous!!!

RomanGoddess

09-12-2006, 01:27 PM

The Italian asili have their foundations on Maria Montessori philosophies...I wonder how much hey have strayed from them since I left my asilo!?! (It's been over 30 years!)

Er, having spent the past 3 weeks in Rome visiting asilo after asilo to find one suitable and convenient to get to (an impossible task), I can definitely confirm that, with the exception perhaps of having child-sized tables and chairs (and every daycare in the world has that), there is NOTHING Montessorian about these places. Absolutely nothing. It is 100% plastic, useless toys (aka junk), thrown into a box or on an inaccessible shelf. These children are not learning. They are passing time. Contrary to Montessori principles, there is chaos instead of order, the child is surrounded with ugly white walls and gawdy-coloured garish plastic toys instead of beauty and natural materials to "work" with. Montessori would roll over in her grave if she heard someone associate these places with her. Trust me.

peggyitaly

09-14-2006, 03:08 PM

It sadly doesn't surprise me about the Montessorian schools. I think there might be some financial factors related to this. In my eight years of being in Ancona, I've seen that is hard to come by natural toys and materials. When you eventually do find them (after a lot of searching), they cost an arm and a leg. Here in Ancona, schools have very little money to spend on materials. Parents are often the ones to donate toys... that is where the awful plastic toys come from. When my dd started school, I had to bring tissue, paper cups, and paper towels. At the end of the year, we were asked to make a contribution for materials. I tutor many older students and parents tell me how they have to buy the schools chalk. We're talking about public schools. Once kids reach middle school you have to start paying for books. The conditions of the schools are also awful here in the Ancona area...paint falling off the walls, small classrooms for a large number of students, small playing areas outside.
Parents are well aware of these problems and voice them as well. The fact of the matter is that there is very little money for those things that aren't considered important enough.
The Montessori school in Ancona is public and so it is also in a poor financial situation.
I hope you find something that works out for you!

Kanga

03-08-2007, 03:45 PM

I think I'm going to be sick. Reading what you've had to say about the state of schools in Italy is shocking and depressing. My husband also have very good memories of what the education system used to be like (30 years ago). My two children currently have a beautiful school in California that not only has beautiful materials to work with, but more importantly, they are treated with respect, valued and loved as individuals there. We will be moving to Trento in a few months and I WAS planning on enrolling them in the Italian school for a full immersion experience. But if that experience includes the behavior you've described from the TEACHERS, no thank you! We are going for an exploratory trip in April to find housing... but now my biggest concern is the schools. I'll be sure to put that on our schedule. Thank you for giving me a heads up.

Kanga:irked:

tonlo

03-09-2007, 10:13 AM

I am a teacher living in Gaeta (still), but now have formal reassignment papers to Vicenza in June. We have registered our 3.5 year old in one of 4 public Montessori schools there. It has a good reputation in the American community, but we will visit in 2 weeks mostly just to see how comfortable the children seem.

In the almost 6 years that we have been in Italy, I have noticed a prevalence of adults name-calling to children. However, I am still hoping for my daughter to have a positive experience, become bilingual, bicultural, etc.

I guess what I want to say is that every school is only as good as the teacher(s) your child deals with all day, every day. That is true of every school I have worked in (all American). There have been many classes in schools I have worked in that I would never leave my child in. I think you just have to go see for yourself in each situation.

By the way, I found the Montessori schools in Vicenza by looking on Montessori.org in the Italian listings.

I'll let you know what my impressions are of Casa dei Bambini Campedello in Vicenza.

RomanGoddess

03-09-2007, 10:47 AM

Just wanted to clarify that in my previous post, I was referring to the regular private asili nido that we have visited, NOT Montessori private or public schools.

As for public schools, from what I have seen, the NON-Montessori public schools are generally somewhat Montessori inspired (mixed ages in one class, for example) but are for the most part pretty traditional in teaching methods. Our daughter will be attending a public Montessori school here in Rome and as far as I can tell, it is truly Montessori. But you have to pick a Montessori school to get Montessori. You won't get it in a regular public school.

tonlo

03-09-2007, 11:59 AM

It is reassuring to hear about your experience with the public Montessori. Thanks for clarifying.

Kanga

03-19-2007, 06:10 AM

My husband has done a fair amount of research on the Italian schools in Trento and says that it looks encouraging. We've arranged to visit a few when we go in April and we're bringing the kids.

Since we're discussing schools, could you all give me an idea of the schedule followed by the school your child attends? Hours, how long are instructional periods, is there recess?, art, music? How much homework?

Also, how about standardized testing? What metric do they use to rank schools?

RomanGoddess

03-19-2007, 08:50 AM

The kindergartens are mixed age, 3 to 6, a la Montessori. The 3 year olds can stay until 1PM but in the school my daughter will go to in the fall, the 4 and 5 year olds have to stay until 4PM. Don't know if that is the same for all the public kindergartens. As for elementary school, which starts at age 6, parents have the option of enrolling their children for school that ends at 1PM every weekday afternoon (with lots of homework for afterwards) or school that ends at 4PM (but then no homework). Great system if you ask me!!

Oh, and the Italian system places great emphasis on oral exams, starting at around age 9.

Ilaria

03-19-2007, 09:02 AM

When I went to school, we had school on Saturdays as well: 8am to 12:30am with a break from 10 to 10:30 outside. Oral exams started in "prima" (Grade 1)...and they never end...
I always had homework. Up to 3-4 hours a day in high school.

Adding:
As for subjects, this is what I had in elementary school (same teacher for 5 years, a la Montessori)
Italian
History
Geography
Math and Geometry
Science
Religion (we still had a crucifix in eachclassroom in public school then - in the 70s)

I think that's it. Lots has changed since, this is what they have now after the 'riforma', I guess:

Italiano
Inglese
Matematica
Tecnologia ed informatica
Scienze
Storia
Economia e diritto
Geografia
Arte ed immagine
Musica
Scienze motorie e sportive
Educazione alla convivenza civile

Kanga

03-19-2007, 01:01 PM

RomanGoddess

03-19-2007, 02:00 PM

That does sound like a pretty good system. My dh said that the school we're looking at goes until 4, so I hope that means no homework. I want the kids to have time for open ended play.

Did anyone move their kids into the school system before they were fluent in Italian. My kids know some phrases and that's about it. We'll all move there in June, so we'll have a few months to get settled and work on language before school starts.

Thanks for all the info,
Kanga

Kanga, it is not clear to me how old your child is. As stated in my previous post, kindergarten goes until 4PM for ages 4 and 5. In elementary school, kids have the option of staying either until 1PM or 4PM. You make the choice at the beginning of the year. At least that is how it works in Rome.

As for learning Italian, my daughter is only 2.5 and in an Italian asilo nido 6 hours per day. Italian is coming pretty quickly to her. She is already using words at home and we are trying to insist that Italian is for nursery only, not for home. I don't want her to lose her English. I know an American mother of a 7 year old. Her boy started an Italian elementary school in Rome at age 6 and was bilingual within about 3 months. I guess they learn quickly at that age.:wink

Another question: an Italian parent told me the other day that Italians tended to be nurturing but nevertheless quite controlling of their children. One thing that I have noticed when we are at the park is that when my DD is running around with the Italian kids, the Italian mothers are all saying, "piano, piano" constantly and pulling their children away from things that I wouldn't care if my daughter explored (a grate on the ground for example). Anyone else have any observations in this regard?

Kanga

03-19-2007, 05:06 PM

So, in the fall, my kids will be 6 and 4... They are my two "Roo"s (a play on my Screen name Kanga)... I think all day at school will be fine, esp since this one in Trento is supposed to have their instruction in English in the afternoon.

As far as the nurturing, but controlling, I must say that describes my husband pretty well. It took a long time for him to learn to allow the kids to make their own mistakes and let them explore things for themselves. He's pretty good, or at least getting better about just sitting back and letting them have fun now.

We'll see what I observe from other Italians when we move there in June. A dear friend of mine in Roma pretty much lets her son explore as he pleases and we have very similar parenting styles...

cchelms

03-24-2007, 03:19 AM

Hi All,

As an MDC person in Italy - I just wanted to add a post to this thread to say hello. Here are my specs!

American, mother of two boys (3/6 very soon to be 4/7), married to an Italian, graduated from Oberlin and Columbia U, orginally from Texas, lived for a long time in NYC. Basically alternative values, interested in (secular) home schooling, but haven't managed it so far in Italy.

We are restoring a house in Piedmont, near Canelli, for the weekends. Are there any other MDC families in Milan/Piedmont who are interested in getting together?

A presto!

Christina

Ilaria

03-24-2007, 05:09 AM

Sign this petition!

Il ministro Livia Turco ha risposto dalle pagine di Donna e Mamma alla lettera che hai firmato su www.naturalmentemamma.it.
Le risposte, però, non formalizzano nessuna azione concreta. Per questo motivo la rete Nascere in casa e le altre associazioni firmatarie hanno deciso di inviare una seconda lettera in cui vengono formulate 3 proposte concrete:
la possibilità di espletare il parto in acqua, per chi lo desidera, in tutti i centri nascita;
il rimborso per le spese di parto domiciliare in tutte le Regioni italiane.
il riconoscimento di incentivi economici o di altra natura per le strutture che realizzino i “Dieci passi dell’Ospedale Amico delle Mamme” e i “10 passi per l’Ospedale amico del Bambino – OMS Unicef”
Puoi leggere la nuova lettera e firmarla su http://www.naturalmentemamma.it/iniziative/iniziative.php

Ilaria

03-24-2007, 05:22 AM

Cotronlling and protective. That's Italian parents to a T. I grew up hearing "Attenta!" "Cadi!" "Pianino!" "Stai qui!" "Non correre" "Ti fai male!" about a million times a day....

I'm not like that at all, but my parents haven't changed... just about an hour ago Owen was laying on the floor and asked Caroline to get on his back , that he'd carry her and my mom went on and on about tiles being cold on his stomach....:rolleyes

RomanGoddess

03-24-2007, 06:30 AM

What abbreviation do I put for "provincia" on the form to sign the letter? We are in Rome.

Ilaria

03-24-2007, 06:45 AM

Like in an address? You don't need the word 'provincia' at all...if you live in Rome proper, you just put Roma. If you are in provincia di Roma , you still just put Roma after your town (Roma has no abbreviation, as the capital!).
Other cities have the abbreviation, like Milano is MI, Torino is TO...so if you live in Buccinasco, in provincia di Milano, you would just put the CAP (zip code), then town, then MI. Like this:

Marta Bianchi
Via Sforza 31
20090 Buccinasco - MI - or (MI)

Ilaria

03-24-2007, 06:48 AM

Ilaria

05-15-2007, 01:18 AM

If you are in Northern Italy or want to take a road trip to Milan, this is what's going on on Sunday for the 77th anniversary of the Planetarium:

http://www.comune.milano.it/WebCity/Documenti.nsf/a05ac22aa8296639012567b6005b1193/6afba4d52ce36f75c12572db0028b20c?OpenDocument

(Kiddos and I will be there, btw, if anyone wants to meet up) :)

gaialice

06-07-2007, 05:49 PM

We are restoring a house in Piedmont, near Canelli, for the weekends.

Christina, this is just incredible... I spent many many childhood summers in Calosso, a little place not far from Canelli... it is such a lovely area.. I grew up in Milan, but I now live in Geneva (Switzerland) and have two girls age 4 and 6. If we come to Milan to visit the grandparents, I'll PM... we do not have many friends in Milan anymore and when we come to visit, I often feel a bit lonely, and overwelmed by the "fai pianino" "stai attenta" "non ti sporcare" all around us..

gaialice

06-07-2007, 06:00 PM

stuff that they would like and where they can be "kids" kwim?
I love Rome! There's lots of places that you can sightsee which will not be boring for them at all, like Colosseo, Fori Imperiali, etc etc... Anyway, the list would be endless... I just wanted to mention the "Museo del Bambino" a mseum for children, that we visisted and the girls really really liked... Have a nice trip...

RomanGoddess

06-08-2007, 03:14 AM

I love Rome! There's lots of places that you can sightsee which will not be boring for them at all, like Colosseo, Fori Imperiali, etc etc... Anyway, the list would be endless... I just wanted to mention the "Museo del Bambino" a mseum for children, that we visisted and the girls really really liked... Have a nice trip...

We have an annual membership at the museo dei bambini and it does come in handy on a rainy or super hot day. For families who live in Rome, I find that there is very little for children under four other than the children's museum and the bioparco. My 33 month old DD would have very little interest in the colosseum or the forum. There is a SERIOUS lack of safe play areas for small children. The villa borghese has ONE, right next to the casina di rafaella (the casina is also only for children age 4 and over by the way).

This might be of interest (http://www.firstparisthenrome.com/2007/05/child-friendly-how-french-and-italians.html), coming from someone who used to live in France:

Paxetbonum

06-14-2007, 12:53 PM

We are hoping very soon to be living half of the year in my father's paese south of Parma near Pontremoli. I didn't run into any AP mom's while I was living in Italy last year but I did meet a cool Canadian midwife. Unfortunaltley I lost her contact info. Out of curiosity does anyone know of a midwife who would come all the way to a remote village to deliver a baby? Where we were and will be living is in a tiny village way up on a mountain and pretty much just a handful of old people on pensione live there.

Kanga

09-26-2007, 05:50 PM

I posted a while back about moving to Trento from the US... well, we are here and LOVING it. I had only ever been to Rome and Amalfi for more than a day, so this was all new for us. We love all the great parks here... lots of beautiful wood carved playstructures, green space, and the city center where we live is very bike friendly... great for kids on scooters and training wheels. Also, the attitudes of many of the parents is much more relaxed than I had experienced in Rome... the kids play very freely and are allowed to explore the environment.

Anyway... if there are any Moms in Trento, I'd love to meet. Otherwise, I'm fine with a little online companionship.

A presto,
Kanga

Ilaria

09-26-2007, 06:23 PM

That's great, Kanga! It's nice to hear people enjoy their host country, it gets so annoying when all they do is complain :blah

alilu

10-01-2007, 05:21 PM

Welcome to Italy, Kanga!
We're southwest of Milan but I have friends here who lived in Trento for years and loved it--especially with small children.
Great to hear that you're all getting acclimated.
Enjoy

lalaura

11-08-2007, 07:44 AM

Hi,
just wanted to know if there's anyone else out there in Italy?

Peggy

Here I am!
Laura from Reggio Emilia. Nice to meet you all! :o

Miss 1928

11-12-2007, 04:02 PM

Ciao Tutte!

I am new to this site, and it is just what I was looking for.
I am an American who has been living in Roma for over 5 years. I'm married to an Italian and we had our first bambina in February (Today is her Complemese! Nine months!). I'm mostly a SAHM, but I also perform a few nights a week in a tourist locale, I'm an opera singer.

Kanga, after reading your post about all the green in Trento (I sang there on tour 2 years ago, loved it!) it makes me want to relocate! I'm sure there are more parks here than I've found so far... I just feel like they're hiding from me. Every now and then I stumble across a good one, but I haven't found one close to my home yet.

I do love a lot of things about being here in Italy, but I miss certain aspects of life in California too. I have to say, after reading your posts about the school system, I'm not looking forward to figuring all that out. Ugh. I'll probably be asking for advise from y'all when the time comes.

Alexandra
Mamma to Eloisa --12 Feb 2007

RomanGoddess

11-13-2007, 02:13 AM

Ciao Tutte!

Kanga, after reading your post about all the green in Trento (I sang there on tour 2 years ago, loved it!) it makes me want to relocate! I'm sure there are more parks here than I've found so far... I just feel like they're hiding from me. Every now and then I stumble across a good one, but I haven't found one close to my home yet.

Hi alexandra, I have just published an article in Wanted in Rome magazine on Rome's best play spaces (yep, they're pretty hard to find). Should be in newstands in about two weeks' time! Send me a pm and let me know where you live!

Caroline

peggyitaly

11-28-2007, 07:04 AM

Welcome new mammas!
I love Trentino ALto Adige! We go to the Dolomites every summer.
My dh and I dream of one day of buying a vacation home there... but not likely it will happen. I'm happy to see that this thread has continued!

Peggy

Miss 1928

01-08-2008, 05:23 PM

Hi alexandra, I have just published an article in Wanted in Rome magazine on Rome's best play spaces (yep, they're pretty hard to find). Should be in newstands in about two weeks' time! Send me a pm and let me know where you live!

Caroline

Ciao Caroline!

I saw your article in Wanted in Rome. Brava! I appreciate it and will be taking La Bimba to visit some of them. Unfortunately we're a bit outside Roma so the parks you listed are a drive, but as it is now, I have to drive 15 minutes to the nearest good playground anyway. It's worth it though, for La Bimba to swing on the swings.

I'll try to contact you soon so we might be able to get together. :)

--Alexandra--
Mamma to Eloisa
:fambed21:bfs

RomanGoddess

01-11-2008, 03:14 AM

Ciao Caroline!

I saw your article in Wanted in Rome. Brava! I appreciate it and will be taking La Bimba to visit some of them. Unfortunately we're a bit outside Roma so the parks you listed are a drive, but as it is now, I have to drive 15 minutes to the nearest good playground anyway. It's worth it though, for La Bimba to swing on the swings.

Glad you found the article helpful. I have another one coming out in early February on 13 places to take the kids on a winter's day in Rome. Your daughter will still be too little for them but might be a useful reference for future years.

Amulet

01-13-2008, 01:32 PM

Hi folks
just wanted to re-introduce myself. We're here in Geonoa and homeschooling our 3 kids - much to everyone's horror and confusion! Its our second stint. Was here for a year and then bailed out leaving dh soldiering on while I returned to Ireland with the kids for 5 months of social life, school, friends etc. now back to the enforced isolation but just till the summer. Actually things are a bit better but still find it tough going here.
Anyone new anywhere near Liguria?
Amulet

gaialice

01-16-2008, 04:10 PM

I love Genova so much Amulet.. but it really must not be practical with the little ones with all those steep little alleys and very little green space... But wow the views, and the port... and the focaccia and the cuisine ... How old are your kids?

Plaid Leopard

02-13-2008, 04:03 PM

Hi all -
I am an American, with a French DH and 4 kids, ages 4 months, 4, 7 and 9. We are currently living in Germany but DH is looking for work and we will be leaving in about 2 weeks - to go live with his parents! EEEK!
He has a possible job opportunity in Trento. I was really hoping to go to an English or French-speaking place after 6 years in Germany, but wt this point we can't be picky.
SO, I have questions which will be mostly directed to Kanga but some are more general:
what is the cost of living in Trento?
Are there AP/Natural living families?
Is it easy to find (affordable) organic food and natural health care products etc?
Is it hard to homeschool in Italy?
Are vaccinations mandatory in Italy, and if so are there exemptions?
How is the health care system?
Are there any family/children allocations? (for example, here in Germany all families with children receive Kindergeld each month, regardless of income)

TIA

peggyitaly

02-19-2008, 11:08 AM

Hi Plaid Leopard-

I'm in Ancona but thought I would give it a try in answering your questions.

what is the cost of living in Trento?

I know that as a tourist renting an apt in Trentino Alto Adige it's more expensive than central Italy (grocery shopping, restaurants, etc). I believe people get better salaries in the north. Trentino Alto Adige is a special region because it borders with Austria so it gets more government money. So residents may have privledges (spelling?) and not feel the higher costs.

Are there AP/Natural living families?

IMO, Italians in general are more into Natural living lifestyles and AP. Very common for people to co-sleep, bf at least 6 mos, eat naturally and healthily. Only knew one mom to try CIO and didn't continue. Less people are vaccinating as well. Circumsizing is unheard of here.

Is it easy to find (affordable) organic food and natural health care products etc?
Organic food / natural health care products are not very affordable BUT you can find them. For produce, your best bet is to find a local farmer by word of mouth. For healthcare products, you can try your local fairtrade shop or health food shop or try www.ipiccolissimi.it

Is it hard to homeschool in Italy?
It would be where I am. I've only vaguely heard of homeschooling in Italy in Milan. Nobody here has heard of it.
BUT having said that, you would be in a beautiful natural area...great for lots of outings.

Are vaccinations mandatory in Italy, and if so are there exemptions?
They are considered mandatory but you can go to the local courthouse to sign some papers saying that you know the risks involved with not vaccinating.

How is the health care system?
MUCH better than the states. BUT it depends on the region you are in. Italy ranked around number 2 in teh world. You have to ask around for good doctors. I'm pleased with my doctors/peds. BUT it's definitely different. I keep all my records (xrays, blood work, etc), so imo I have more control over my situation. Homeopaths are MDs here.

Are there any family/children allocations? (for example, here in Germany all families with children receive Kindergeld each month, regardless of income)
If your husband has a job with a certain kind of contract her can get an ASSEGNO FAMILIARE. If they go to school, you can get discounts on lunch / books based on number of family members and income. HERE you would have to go see a social worker in your area to see what you can get because it is in part based on the region and in part on national programs.

I hope I was helpful. People in Trentino Alto Adige speak German so you might find some of this info on the region's website which should be in German and Italian. Sorry if there are any typos / errors...trying to be fast before baby wakes up.

I personally love that area and really like Italy in general. There are some negative aspects but i won't go into those :)

Good luck and I hope someone else can add to what I had to say.

Peggy

Plaid Leopard

02-22-2008, 02:01 AM

Peggy -
thanks for responding. That is helpful information. DH is now looking into a temp contract there (only a few months). I would love to live in Italy - just not now.

AllysonB

02-26-2008, 08:33 PM

We are pcsing to Aviano in May this year. We will be HSing for the "first" time (DS was in public K). I hope to meet some MDCer's. I haven't found too much of a support system for HSing in Italy.

fofo

02-27-2008, 10:30 AM

Kanga

03-02-2008, 07:05 PM

Hi.... I'm in Trento.

I haven't seen anything about homeschooling since we arrived here last May. We investigated the system pretty thoroughly. My son currently is in first grade at a public school, but we're considering moving him to a local Steiner school next year. But there is nothing official that I can find one way or another about homeschooling.

I do know someone who is doing it here, but they are here for just a year on the DH's sabbatical and I don't think they even got fiscal codes for the rest of the family. Their daughter is going to a scuola materna, but they are homeschooling their third grader.

I'll take a closer look and let you know if I find anything.
-Kanga

RomanGoddess

03-04-2008, 08:23 AM

We have an Italian university student living with us right now, and from what she says, HSing is illegal. She had never heard of it until she came to Canada. She is actually my brothers girlfriend and is very curious about it because they are considering HSing their future children.

Perhaps it would be different for you because you aren't Italian citizens. Good Luck.

While I have never read the laws in Italy, I would be very surprised if homeschooling was illegal. I think that it is more likely that, while school is not mandatory in Italy, educational instruction is mandatory, from age 6, and that most uninformed people (the vast majority who have never cared to read up on the subject) consider "instruction" to be equivalent to "school" (wrong).

In France, educational instruction is mandatory and if you do not send your child to school, you must follow a specific program at home and your kids have to take a test every year to make sure that they are learning the right stuff. Italy might be the same.