Nordic secret: Fathers spend more time with their children

Every culture has its own way of raising children, and Northern Europe is often seen as a model for the world in raising happy children. Here are some tips you can apply.

1. Do not push children to study

Nordic parents do not stress about raising their children, but rather want to be as relaxed as possible. This means they do not focus on early education courses, nor do they push their children to learn a foreign language and synchronized swimming at the same time. According to the Nordic educational philosophy, children should have a lot of free time to just play or do nothing. This allows them to develop important skills, learn to manage emotions and expand their imagination.

2. Teach children to take good care of their teeth

The more health conscious children are in childhood, the less costly they will be in adulthood.

In Sweden, the state sponsors special dental programs for children, using tips to help children overcome their fear of the dentist. Parents take it very seriously to teach their children proper dental care from a young age.

3. Encourage independence

Northern Europeans often allow children to make their own decisions in many things, encouraging them to do some chores around the house such as mopping the floor, washing the dishes... The floor and dishes may not be completely clean, but the trust of adults makes children want to become responsible people.

4. Teach children to love their bodies

Nordic parents allow their children to run around naked in the family backyard, even in bad weather. They don’t tell their children that nudity is shameful, they encourage them to explore their bodies so they don’t feel embarrassed about taking their clothes off in public places like the pool or the beach.

5. Not affected by gender stereotypes

When a baby is born, parents do not buy pink or blue clothes depending on the gender, but choose neutral colors. These clothes will continue to be passed down to younger children.

Toys are also not differentiated as male or female, they will buy whatever they like for their children. Nordic countries have gender-neutral kindergartens where children are not imposed by gender stereotypes.

6. Prohibit corporal punishment

In 1979, Sweden became the first country in the world to ban corporal punishment at home and at school. Everything should be solved with words instead of beatings.

When a person sees another person hitting a child, they will call the police. In this case, the child can be placed with another family and the parent can be arrested. If the court proves that the hitting has been happening regularly for many years, the parent can be sentenced to up to 1.5 years in prison.

7. Play sports but don't chase after achievements

Children start playing sports at a young age. Parents do not judge their children’s abilities or control what they choose to do. If an overweight girl wants to do gymnastics, her family will not object and her coach will support her.

8. The role of the father

The Nordic governments encourage fathers to take paternity leave. Paternity leave lasts six months in Norway, four months in Denmark and three months in Sweden. They receive full pay during this time. Such conditions allow fathers to spend more time with their children, playing an important role in their development without feeling like they are being burdened.

9. Let your children play outside even in bad weather.

Norwegian has a special word,friluftsliv, literally translated as "life filled with air". Today,friluftslivusuallyused to refer to the philosophy of life of this country, which is to know how to stop and feel the beauty of nature.

Scientists believe that the methodfriluftslivhelps people reduce stress, improve relationships with loved ones and increase endorphin production (positive emotional hormones).

Moreover, the weather conditions in Northern Europe are not always good. So people are not afraid of bad weather. They believe that playing outdoors makes the immune system stronger and better able to cope with viruses.

10. Encourage children to express themselves

On the playground, you will never see a mother yelling, “Don’t go over there, you’ll get your shirt dirty!” Nordic parents encourage their children to express themselves, without limiting their desire to explore the world. So children are allowed to touch a dirty rock or jump in a puddle without fear. If a child comes home with clean clothes, parents will not believe that they have been playing outside.

11. Don't buy too many toys for children

Nordic parents believe that having too many dolls and toy cars will reduce a child’s attention span. A small number of toys gives children the opportunity to use their imagination and appreciate what they have.