The Happiest Kids in the World A Stress-Free Approach to Parenting—the Dutch Way Quotes

“are self-aware and confident, and are able to foster meaningful ties with family members, build loyal friendships, find love and discover their place in the world. This is the kind of happiness children experience when their parents listen to and respect their opinions.”
― Rina Mae Acosta, The Happiest Kids in the World: How Dutch Parents Help Their Kids (and Themselves) by Doing Less

“As with all things in a Dutch childhood, gradual, regulated exposure seems to be the key to progress. There’s less focus on milestones, on children having to be able to do things by a certain age. Instead, parents watch out for indications that a child is ready for a new step and eager to attempt it. It’s the same for potty training and swimming as for cycling: The best progress is made when it is child-led, not parent-pushed.”
― Rina Mae Acosta, The Happiest Kids in the World: How Dutch Parents Help Their Kids (and Themselves) by Doing Less

“Dutch children are self-aware and confident, and are able to foster meaningful ties with family members, build loyal friendships, find love and discover their place in the world.”
― Rina Mae Acosta, The Happiest Kids in the World: How Dutch Parents Help Their Kids (and Themselves) by Doing Less

“Doe maar gewoon dan doe je al gek genoeg (Just act normal, that's crazy enough)."

A common Dutch phrase cited in "The Happiest Kids in the World - How Dutch Parents Help Their Kids by Doing Less”
― Rina Mae Acosta, The Happiest Kids in the World A Stress-Free Approach to Parenting—the Dutch Way

“Professor Peter Gray "The goal in class, in the minds of the great majority of students, is not competence but good grades"

By focusing primarily on grades and exam results, there's a danger the student will miss out on the other things education has to offer.... Career opportunities and the material things good grades might bring our kids are not the only important things in life.”
― Rina Mae Acosta, The Happiest Kids in the World Lib/E: How Dutch Parents Help Their Kids (and Themselves) by Doing Less

“Let kids be kids. Let them play. Play”
― Rina Mae Acosta, The Happiest Kids in the World: Bringing up Children the Dutch Way

“One important lesson is that other people aren’t always the reason for your problems – the cause might lie in yourself, so if you want things to change you should start with yourself.”
― Rina Mae Acosta, The Happiest Kids in the World: Bringing up Children the Dutch Way