Summary: This episode of the podcast is an excerpt from my interview with Jessica Alexander, co-author of The Danish Way of Parenting.<br> When we’re so immersed in our own culture, we rarely take the time to step outside our ways and see if there may be some things we can learn from others, like a de-emphasis on competitive sports for kids.<br> In The Danish Way of Parenting (subtitled, “What the Happiest People in the World Know About Raising Confident, Capable Kids”), authors Jessica Alexander and Iben Sandahl share that one of the best cultural practices of Danish parents is not judging other parents. So, if the Danes were assessing American parenting practices, most likely, according to the authors, they’d look for the positives in our competitive, self-focused, over-scheduled, and over-supervised craziness. What this book does so nicely is not focus on what American parents do wrong but instead shares a glimpse into a culture that is obviously doing some things right – they are, after all, the happiest people in the world!<br> I had the opportunity to interview Jessica Alexander, and it was refreshing to hear her insights. An American-born mother of two, she married a Dane and is raising her kids overseas (in Rome). Before her children were born, Alexander observed that Danish children seemed especially well-behaved and happy.<br> She explained, “I saw in Denmark a long time ago how well-behaved the kids were […] and I was really struck by it.” She watched this phenomenon over the years and realized the Danes have it right. When her daughter was born, Alexander read many parenting books, but found herself always going to her Danish family and friends for advice. Without realizing it, that network became her “go to” for everything. “I really prefer the Danish Way,” she said. “And then, one day, I was reading the <a href="http://worldhappiness.report/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2016/03/HR-V1_web.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Happiness Report</a>, and I found out they were the happiest people 40 years in a row!”<br> Once she had her own kids (now ages four and seven), she started delving into the “why” of the phenomenon she had witnessed first-hand, and what came of it was her co-authored book. A quick read (just 103 pages) The Danish Way offers some straightforward and easy-to-digest wisdom about simple practices that come so naturally to the Danes. The practices, admittedly, may be easier read about than done, but offer some suggestions for a more connected and happy family life.<br> Play<br> We all know that research supports the importance of play for children’s optimal development, yet our schools and our family schedules have not changed much to accommodate this knowledge. Despite compelling research, American kids are getting less, not more, recess and play time. Meanwhile, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jkiij9dJfcw" target="_blank" rel="noopener">“Forest Kindergartens,”</a> exclusively outdoor preschools, are common in Denmark and other Scandinavian countries. A few have popped up in <a href="http://cedarsongnatureschool.org/forestkindergarten/forest-kindergarten/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">America</a>, too, which is encouraging. The Danes value play and it shows in their children’s daily lives and helps Danish children develop important social skills like <a href="http://www.salon.com/2016/08/09/teaching-kids-empathy-in-danish-schools-its-well-its-a-piece-of-cake/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">empathy</a> and teamwork.<br> Reframing<br> I loved Alexander’s description of Danish “realistic optimism,” and how Danes practice supportive language. She writes, “Danish parents are good at helping their children conceptualize their emotions and then guiding them into finding something more constructive, instead of a disparaging or limited belief” (p. 45).<br> I know I could use some more of this “reframing” skill!<br> <a href="http://www.skagen."></a>
