Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.

This was a truly interesting read with lots of great information about some of the best Scandinavian parenting techniques, including encouraging children to spend far more time playing outside and not panicking when they do something potentially dangerous, like throw an axe. The stories of Russell's journey to raise mini Vikings are told with humor, wit, and compassion. This is a valuable read with a great deal of heartfelt advice for anyone wishing to raise kids in a more nurturing environment, and the perspectives offered on what makes the Nordic child-rearing culture different are accessible and meaningful to modern parents from all walks of life.

The overall mood of this book is so off-putting. The chapters are written in a somewhat anecdotal manner. The author describes her experiences in raising her three children in Denmark but seems to hate every second of it. At the end of each chapter there is a short run down of the main things she learns about each stage of child development and even that comes across negatively.

I was expecting a parenting book with a positive outlook on how the people of Denmark raise their children but this comes across as the opposite of that. It’s really just a biographical account of the author’s time in Denmark while her children were growing up.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Great and insightful. Makes you think about how you do things and what can be changed. Fun to learn about how different cultures do things

What a crazy change in expectation for this book. I expected a knock-off of “Little Book of Hygge” or “There’s No Such Thing As Bad Weather” but this book shocked me. It was a hilariously touching memoir that has little nuggets of parenting advice that finally isn’t a book that feels like it’s yelling at you. Sometimes you just need some cozy parenting conventions where you commiserate and look for hope together, and that’s exactly what this book is. I will be recommending this book for years to come

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of “The Danish Secret to Happy Kids: How the Viking Way of Raising Children Makes Them Happier, Healthier, and More Independent” by Helen Russell. All opinions are my own.

I adore these books about Denmark and happiness. Great advice and insight to learn from other cultures.

I am a self-diagnosed parenting book junkie. I love all sorts, and I do think each book is good about giving nuggets of advice and information even when the entirety of the book is not one’s personal parenting style.

In terms of all the parenting books I’ve read, this reads more anecdotally like having a coffee with a friend and talking about the kids and how different it is to live somewhere that cares about kids and families the way we wish we were cared for in the US. I appreciate the way this was written in a friendly way versus some parenting books that are very much “this is the proper way to parent a child.”

I think the biggest feedback for this book that I can predict would be that it isn’t truly full of …. Advice. It truly is just one family’s experience living elsewhere and how it differs from the cultural norms we know in the US. If that doesn’t bother you, jump on in!

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC.

The Danish Secret to Happy kids is a very odd little book that is a bit misleading. Helen Russell is not a native Dane and I think that lends to this weirdness. At time she seems critical (not in a logical way but more of a foreigner mocking) and at other times she seems very detached. There’s a lot of “I wouldn’t do this except I live here so guess I do now” sentiment. It almost makes me wonder what her aim was in writing this.

I did DNF this but read enough to give feedback.

The Danish Secret to Happy Kids is fantastic. It is well-researched, enjoyable to read, and packed with practical parenting advice. Everything in it simply makes sense, and Helen Russell employs incredible voice that had me laughing out loud. I've talked about it with anyone who will listen, and I'm excited to see its impact.

A fun and interesting read, let the author take you on her journey
to find out what the Danes do differently. How come the Viking way makes you live happier?
Is it the food, the family life, the interior design or education?
Maybe it’s the fact the kids play outdoors, they’re free to figure life out on their own?
Having a trusting culture towards others is liberating, enhance their mental well-being,
The Viking parenting is an inspiration to the rest of us parents, clueless and learning all the time
just like the author herself.

I first learned of Helen Russell through her book, A Year of Living Danishly, in which she recounts her decision to leave London and move to the wilds of Denmark for her husband’s new job at Lego HQ. She wonders about Denmark’s reputation as one of the happiest places on the planet, where everyone is fit, relaxed, and getting together for coffee and cake — and discovers that, like many things, it’s all more nuanced than it initially appears. Danes, it turns out, have struck a balance between high taxes and a lot of regulation on the one hand, and the ease of living more egalitarian, family-centered life on the other.

The Danish Secret to Happy Kids takes the story forward to what she discovers about how Danes and other Scandinavians raise their children —spoilers: lots of fresh air and outdoor play, not so much on the electronics, great snacks and axes. This book is well-researched, and blends stories from her life with expert research. She writes about how Danish children are raised to be adventurous within limits and, as they succeed and the adventures get bigger and bigger, develop trust in themselves and others.

The book is funny, enlightening, and thought-provoking — and many of the ideas Helen proposes can apply to everyone, not just children. We all would benefit from being out in nature, pushing our boundaries and learning how to cope with whatever the weather might be. Be more Viking!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the digital ARC.

Thank you for the publishing company, as well as NetGalley, for providing me a copy of this book and exchange for an honest review.
As a teacher and a parent, it is something that always stays with me, and that is how children can truly be happy? We live in a really different world than even from when I grew up and I truly want to give the best to my kids and make sure that they are happy. After reading this book, it was really eye-opening, because there are things that we can do here in our home to make the lives of our children better, but also things that I can do in the classroom to support my students. If you are looking for something to make you rethink happiness, especially when it comes to your own children if you are a parent or a teacher or a guardian, I would definitely recommend picking up this book because it has a lot of insight.

"The Danish Secret to Happy Kids" by Helen Russell offers a fascinating exploration of Nordic parenting practices and their impact on children's happiness and well-being. Drawing from her own experiences living in Denmark and raising her children there, Russell uncovers unique strategies and customs that contribute to the development of resilient and content individuals.

Through insightful observations and anecdotes, Russell reveals how Nordic children, or "mini-Vikings," are raised differently from their counterparts in other parts of the world. From embracing outdoor play in all weather conditions to fostering independence and resilience from a young age, Nordic parenting prioritizes holistic development and emotional well-being.

Russell delves into various aspects of Nordic parenting culture, including parental leave policies, school structures, and approaches to screen time. She highlights the importance of nature, community, and practical skills in shaping well-adjusted individuals who grow up to be some of the happiest adults on the planet.

With a blend of humor and optimism, Russell's book serves as a heartwarming tribute to Denmark and its parenting ethos. "The Danish Secret to Happy Kids" offers readers a glimpse into a culture where children thrive and families find joy in simple yet meaningful ways of living.

Whether you're a parent looking for new insights or simply curious about Nordic parenting practices, this book provides valuable lessons and inspiration for cultivating happiness and resilience in children. As Russell demonstrates, we could all benefit from incorporating a bit more Viking spirit into our everyday lives.