Ep. 78: The Danish Way of Parenting (Part 2)




Sunshine Parenting show

Summary: One of the hardest things is how to shut out all that pressure and believe in the simplicity.<br><br> -Jessica Joelle Alexander<br> In Episode 78, I’m chatting with Jessica Joelle Alexander, author of <a href="https://sunshine-parenting.com/2018/02/ep-24-danish-way-parenting-jessica-alexander/" target="_blank">The Danish Way of Parenting.</a> We talk about how the Danes raise happy kids who become happy adults.<br> Big Ideas<br> <br> * Denmark is one of the happiest countries in the world.<br> * Danish people are happy because of the way they’re raising their children.<br> * Happy children become happy adults.<br> * Free play is really important for children.<br> * The Danish way is simple and common sense.<br> * It’s really important for students to have a feeling of belonging and connectedness.<br> <br> Quotes<br> Jessica: “I have always actually been living in different countries and interested in cultural differences and studying cultural differences. My background is psychology.”<br> Jessica: “When my kids were born I became really fascinated by Danish children.”<br> Jessica: “I was reading the newspaper and I saw that Denmark had been voted as one of the happiest countries in the world- again. And that it had been for forty years in a row always in the top three.”<br> Jessica: “I had this lightbulb go off in my head and I thought “Oh my God! They’re happy because of the way they’re raising their children.”<br> Jessica: “I had to write this book because this style of parenting had helped me so much.”<br> Audrey: “It’s not just about the parenting. It’s the lifestyle and the way they choose to spend their time and live their life that is getting these really positive outcomes.”<br> Jessica: “The biggest beneficiaries of this time together are the kids and you really see how much they love being with their families and there’s no drama and there’s no negativity.”<br> Audrey: “We have to work a little harder and think a little more about doing the things that we all need for our wellbeing. This connection piece.”<br> Jessica: “Play, free play has been an educational theory in Denmark since 1871. And for them, it’s the most important thing a child can do. It’s considered learning. It’s nothing about can they read, can they write, can they do these things early? Because they know they will learn those things.”<br> Jessica: “Simplifying is what we really need.”<br> Jessica: “One of the hardest things is how to shut out all that pressure and believe in the simplicity.”<br> Audrey: “In the end, what is more important is being a happy person with good relationships? And that leads to success.”<br> Jessica: “Self-esteem is how you feel about who you are.”<br> Jessica: “You can do anything if you believe in yourself.”<br> Jessica: “The book is very much education. It’s focusing more on schools, but it’s also at home. A bit like talking about what you can take home from camp.”<br> Audrey: “Let’s get the whole world to be the Danish/summer camp way!”<br> Links<br> Audrey’s book, <a href="https://sunshine-parenting.com/happy/">Happy Campers: Nine Summer Camp Secrets for Raising Kids Who Become Thriving Adults </a>comes out on May 7th and is available for pre-order now. Visit <a href="http://www.happycampersbook.com">www.happycampersbook.com</a> to find links to all your favorite book retailers where you can pre-order your copy.<br> Download the Hygge Oath and sign up for Jessica’s email newsletter at <a href="http://www.jessicajoellealexander.com" target="_blank">www.jessicajoellealexander.com</a><br> <a href="http://thedanishway.com/" target="_blank">http://thedanishway.</a>