The Happiest Kids in the World

How Dutch Parents Help Their Kids (and Themselves) by Doing Less

By: Rina Mae Acosta, Michele Hutchison

Narrated by: Henrietta Meire, Karen White

The secret to raising the happiest kids in the world? Whatever it is, it's somewhere in the Netherlands.

Would parents rather their children be successful or happy? Kids in the US face lots of pressure to excel - often at the expense of happiness. But does it have to be this way? Not in the Netherlands! In The Happiest Kids in the World, expats Rina Mae Acosta and Michele Hutchison - both married to Dutchmen and bringing up their kids in the Netherlands - examine the unique environment that enables the Dutch to turn out such well-adjusted, independent children. With heaps of good humor, and no shortage of amazement, the authors are delighted to find that babies get an average of 15 hours of sleep per day, children learn bike safety and proficiency in school, teenagers are less likely to get pregnant than their counterparts in almost every other nation, and parents really do serve chocolate sprinkles for breakfast!

Along the way, they discover that the most commonly strived-for grade is just passing (6 points out of 10), how to achieve the perfect work-life balance, and that being normal is crazy enough.

©2017 Rina Mae Acosta (P)2017 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Very insightful

It was interesting to hear how the Dutch care for their families and how the whole society as a result is happier, more relaxed and overall better off.
Having spent some time in Holland with my own little kid I was impressed by the Dutch easygoing lifestyle and not a day goes by I don’t wish to replicate it in the US. But American infrastructure is not built for a such a life at all.

Fully engaging & informative

This book caught my eye when I was looking for a kids book in Dutch for my toddlers.

Many of us have heard over the years how the Netherlands is one of the best places to bring up kids - a reason my husband and I have decided to relocate there. We are British who have been living in the USA for a few years but want more for our boys - to be part of the happiest kids in the world group and get that non-traditional style education.

I started reading the sample of this book in the car while my boys napped and was hooked. I asked my husband to immediately buy the audio book so we could both listen.

It did not disappoint and I am more excited than ever to have what we had heard confirmed by everything in this book.

So much great info about the culture, education and general way of life, as well as all the tips. I liked hearing about the different stages as the kids grew.

Very relatable and inspiring.

Bianca

Astonishing

Some reviews stated this just wasn’t applicable in their region. I disagree. There is much to take away from this book.

This book is informative, insightful, offers many tips and suggestions, and she provides the reference to back up the research.

Not surprisingly one is able to see what contributes to some of the dysfunctions in the workplace, school system, and families of the western world.

A couple weaknesses are, like many audibles, the chapters are not labeled. Also, in the adolescence section, she makes statements like, “the pamphlet teaches XYZ” but doesn’t provide information on the XYZ or its resource so we can learn too..

Overall, this audio was interesting and informative. Although many would not be able to allow their children the freedom to ride their bike to school in the many congested places in America, one can surely apply some of the suggestions in their household.

nice view into Dutch life

the combo of experience was interesting. lots of traditions and sayings to take into English life

Puts life with kids into perspective

loved this book. I wish I could take more away from it, or apply more of it to my own kiddos. i will do my best with home life, less pressure, more trust. But schools and society in US need to change