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How Swedish Parents Raise Their Children: 7 Secrets
Sweden is considered one of the best countries to raise and educate children.
In 2016, she was ranked number one, according to US News & World Report magazine. Countries were assessed in eight categories: human rights, gender equality, family friendly, income equality, security, average happiness, public education and health systems.
It is not only the environment in which the child is brought up, but also the peculiarities of the approach to upbringing. So what is the Swedish system built on? The Swedish brand Libero helps to figure it out.
The Swedish Code of Responsibilities for Parents and Guardians states: “Children have the right to care, safety and a good education. Children should be treated with respect for their human dignity and individuality. They cannot be subject to any degrading treatment. ” So no spanking or punishment. Raising your voice is also discouraged.
Practice shows that such a law disciplines and teaches parents to seek compromises.
The kid always has a choice
From an early age, Swedes bring up liberalism and freedom of expression of feelings and desires in children. It all starts with a banal choice of food. At home, even at the stage of food preparation, the mother will always offer the baby several dishes to choose from. The children’s menu in Swedish cafes is also varied.
No one will stop a baby who is wet in a puddle and continues to splash joyfully in it. You say: “He will catch a cold!” The Swedes reason like this: let him independently find out about the consequences. Once ill, he will not step on the same rake twice.
Sweden is known for fighting for equality between men and women. Parental leave is no exception. If the child’s dad does not take at least three months to take care of the baby, the family will lose those days from paid leave (in total, the decree lasts 480 days).
Therefore, both parents take turns on parental leave.
As a rule, the mother does this first (from the 1st to the 12th month), then the baby’s father (from the 12th to the 14th month).
Sweden has everything for a comfortable pastime with children. Each shopping center has children’s corners and rooms with animators, in toilets (even in men’s!) – changing tables. All settlements have large playgrounds. There are spaces for families with children in the parking lot of each large store. They are larger than normal parking spaces, which allows you to freely open the doors and put your child in the car seat.
Taking care of your health from childhood
Make it a habit, like the Swedes, to visit a therapist and dentist regularly (once every six months), show your kids how important it is.
By the way, the Swedes themselves are sure that the key to good health is not only in going to the doctors. The main thing is long walks in the fresh air. And preferably with the whole family!
Sweden is not the most ideal country in terms of climate, but children walk here every day. When sending a child out into the street, adults recall an English proverb: “There is no bad weather, there is inappropriate clothing.” Even in severe frosts, the streets of Stockholm are full of people, among them are mothers with strollers.
In kindergartens, groups spend most of the day outdoors. In the summer, the quiet hour kids spend in sleeping bags on the open veranda
Tradition unites the family
The Swedes believe that the family is truly united only by tradition. The most common of these are cooking and reading aloud together (especially books held in high esteem by local writers such as Astrid Lindgren and Ulf Stark).
There are also several original, but very simple rituals. For example, at the end of the working week, the whole family gets together. Candles are lit, everyone is located near the TV, by all means grabbing something harmful, like pizza or chips. The family watching a movie or favorite show begins. The Swedes call such a day fredagsmys, which literally translates into Russian as “cozy Friday”.
Another good tradition, which is more than 40 years old: on Christmas Eve, families sit in front of the TV to watch old Disney cartoons. Cinderella, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, The Jungle Book and other films of the 30-60s are very popular in the northern country. But cartoons with the participation of Donald Duck (in Swedish Kalle Anka) are especially loved.
Children should feel safe and comfortable. Only such an atmosphere contributes to their harmonious development. Everything is subject to strict criticism from adults: from furniture to hygiene items.
Most Swedes prefer to buy locally sourced goods. Not surprisingly, many Swedish companies make sustainable and sustainable products.
So, the Swedish rules are not that complicated and in many ways repeat our traditions. The main thing to learn from the Swedes is to remain calm in any situation and accept children as they are. It is important to spend time with your baby, to give him a choice and freedom for his own discoveries!