The Danish Way of Parenting

What the Happiest People in the World Know About Raising Confident, Capable Kids

By: Jessica Joelle Alexander, Dissing Sandahl

Narrated by: Kim Mai Guest

Length: 3 hrs and 28 mins

Publisher's Summary

International best seller 

As seen in The Wall Street Journal - from free play to cozy together time, discover the parenting secrets of the happiest people in the world 

What makes Denmark the happiest country in the world - and how do Danish parents raise happy, confident, successful kids, year after year? This upbeat and practical book presents six essential principles, which spell out P-A-R-E-N-T: 

Play is essential for development and well-being.
Authenticity fosters trust and an “inner compass.”
Reframing helps kids cope with setbacks and look on the bright side.
Empathy allows us to act with kindness toward others.
No ultimatums means no power struggles, lines in the sand, or resentment.
Togetherness is a way to celebrate family time, on special occasions and every day. The Danes call this hygge - and it’s a fun, cozy way to foster closeness. Preparing meals together, playing favorite games, and sharing other family traditions are all hygge. (Cell phones, bickering, and complaining are not!) 

With illuminating examples and simple yet powerful advice, The Danish Way of Parenting will help parents from all walks of life raise the happiest, most well-adjusted kids in the world.

©2016 Jessica Joelle Alexander and Iben Sandahl (P)2016 Penguin Audio

Positive and uplifting parenting book

This book was encouraging and positive. Sometimes parenting books can leave us feeling like we are failing. The Danish Way of Parenting is encouraging and simple and full of good ideas to live more peacefully with your tribe.

Wow what an awesome way to go about parenting

loved it what a great concept to parent with realistic optimism.
it was a quick easy listen with a great narrative

A useful book, even if you're not a parent

This book has some fantastic advice about parenting and becoming a happier human. I have been recommending it to everyone.

It’s a good introduction to respectful parenting

I enjoyed this book. It’s a good introduction to the concept of respectful parenting. However, if you’ve already read multiple books by Janet Lansbury and Magda Gerber, you won’t find much you don’t already know. The one concept I am taking away from this book that I didn’t get anywhere else is the practice of reframing negative experiences. (Deliberately look for the silver lining in negative events, and theorize why someone might be in a bad mood when they are rude or unkind to you.) I believe this is a really important practice. It reminds me a lot of Brené Brown‘s advice to make the most generous assumption of other people’s actions. It will protect your relationships, and even if you are wrong, you will be happier.

All that being said, I would still recommend this book to anyone who has not read multiple Janet Lansbury, Magda Gerber, and Brené Brown Books! If you are new to the ideas of respectful parenting, this is a great place to start. And if you’re a seasoned respectful parent, this book could still be useful. If you’re trying to explain your „radical“ parenting choices to resistant in-laws, for instance, maybe you could get them to read this book. It is very inoffensive, and won’t make them feel attacked.

Changed My Broken Approach to Parenting

I grew up in a home that was very authoritarian meaning it’s my way or the highway. It wasn’t OK to disagree and it wasn’t OK to experience emotions. I also grew up being spanked with a wooden spoon. Does that sound normal?

changed my way of thinking not just how I parent

this really had an impact on how I thought about things and the way I spoke and listening to it kind of refrain from the way but I deal with things not only with my child but with myself

great book

I loved it. this book helped me to relax, in moments of parenting stress. I recommend it to everyone and as myself it's a must to read again book for members of stress.

Delightful and refreshing!

Loved it. Great advise for parenting that works well for grandparents too. Highly recommend it.

Fascinating read

Great to get a perspective from such a great culture about on so many important aspects pertaining to parenthood and to fulfilling life in general.

Obvious parenting tips unrelated to Danes

Do you think it's a bad idea to label your kid, "lazy?" Do you thinking having empathy is a good thing? Congratulations! You already have the level of info that's in this book. Close to nothing in this book has anything to do with Danish culture- it's all run of the mill, common sense (read: obvious) advice.