Every year the Network of Solutions for Sustainable Development of the United Nations Organization makes a report, which classifies the 156 countries of the world according to their degree of happiness. Denmark has been in the top 5 of said ranking since 1973.
The Danes are people who live very happily, and that is partly due to a social context that helps them; but to a large extent, it is due to a way of upbringing that makes that happiness and lifestyles pass from generation to generation.
For this reason, the Danish therapist iben designing and the American psychologist Jessica Joelle Alexander They decided to study the basics of the Danish breeding method. From this exhaustive analysis came the book “How to raise happy children. The Danish method to develop our children’s self-esteem and talent”, which is making waves all over the world.
These are the 6 tips that these women propose to follow to raise happy children.
1. Teach them to play
Many times adults, without realizing it, do not give the game the importance it has. We try to get children to do many things, and we forget to give them time to play, to get dirty, to run, to imagine.
However, it is through play that children learn the world. By playing, the boys improve their abilities to overcome adversities and especially those of adaptation. They also learn to solve problems, follow rules, and set goals.
They are all capacities that will later serve them in adult life. For this reason, it is very important that all children have the time and the possibility to play… Get them away from the mobile and the TV and make them use their imagination!
2. Let them be authentic
According to the Danish method of raising happy children, it is important that you let them be who they are, and that you help them to compare themselves less and, instead, to enhance their individuality.
Teach them that we are not all the same, and that we all have flaws as well as virtues. There is nothing wrong with not being perfect; on the contrary, it is what makes you human. And also teach them to recognize and accept their feelings.
3. Focus on the positive aspects of the situation
This Danish method also proposes to help children to look at all situations from different points of view, trying to find the positive aspects even when things have not turned out as expected.
In addition, they try not to use negative language or limiting with his kids. Thus, the boy or girl is given the necessary tools to deal with something using their originality. In addition to helping them focus more in the processes than in the results.
4. Create empathy
Help your child live in an environment that allows them to build healthy relationships with others later on. May he learn to put himself in the shoes of others, and may he feel how you put yourself in his.
Yes: without overprotect. The overprotection it can suffocate the child and make him an insecure person.
5. Do not put ultimatums
“Things are done that way because I say so, period.” That phrase that you have surely said at some time if you are a father or a mother, or that you have heard from your own parents, is actually more dangerous than it seems.
It’s okay if a particularly exhausting day turns out like this, but if things are always resolved through ultimatumsthe child will never learn anything, except that he has to respect authority.
This is not healthy for the upbringing of the child. It is important that you, together with your partner if you have one, take the trouble to talk to your children, explain your own values to them, and discuss things that you consider important in the family.
6. Strengthens the union and the hygge
The hygge is a Danish concept that talks about spending quality time with loved ones, like family and friends.
Teach your children that it is always a good idea to save a moment of the day to disconnect from everything and simply spend time with the people we love in a welcoming atmosphere.
And the best way to teach them is, of course, by example.
Enjoy raising children!
Sources:
Muhimu
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