Lessons (not) to be learnt from the Ancients

[Nocaloriesinchocolate]

I’m reading a book about, inter alia, ancient Sparta, and the author quotes Plutarch on the Spartans’ approach to raising toddlers - “When they were given food they were to eat it and not be picky; night-fears and clinginess were to be firmly stamped on; tantrums and whining too”.

I am fantasising about a Spartan posting this on Mumsnet and the replies s/he would get!!!

Sounds perfect

Didn’t the Spartans leave babies on a mountain to see which ones would survive? I remember something in a horrible histories book… fairly sure they’d make Gina F look like a massive hippy.

Absolutely the worst society ever. Monsters.

Yes, its absolutely horrifying.

@Bunnycat101

Didn’t the Spartans leave babies on a mountain to see which ones would survive? I remember something in a horrible histories book… fairly sure they’d make Gina F look like a massive hippy.

I like the idea of Spartan mothers rolling their eyes in the gymnasium about Gina ‘Softie, Wet Hippy’ Ford, breaking off only to roar ‘Return with your shield or borne on it’ as their toddlers were led out to sword practice.

@Bunnycat101

Didn’t the Spartans leave babies on a mountain to see which ones would survive? I remember something in a horrible histories book… fairly sure they’d make Gina F look like a massive hippy.

Thats awful

OK, they weren't up there as A1 parents, but they saved the civilised world at Thermopylae!