The Danish Way of Parenting: What the Happiest People in the World Know About Raising Confident, Capable Kids

by Jessica Joelle Alexander

We learn more about character from our sufferings than from our successes; therefore, it’s important to examine all parts of life.

Learning to act on intrinsic goals, such as improving relationships or engaging in hobbies you love, rather than on extrinsic goals, such as buying a new car, is what is proven to create true well-being.

All change involves a change in language. A problem is only a problem if it is referred to as a problem.

The more we can separate the behavior from the child, the more we can change how we see her and, thus, how she sees herself. This lets her know that she is OK and that the behavior is not her destiny. Labels, as we have seen, can become a self-fulfilling prophecy.

Feeling connected to others gives meaning and purpose to our lives, and this is why the Danes value hygge so highly. The individual is prized too, but without the interaction and support of others, none of us can be truly happy as a whole person.