logo
episode-header-image
May 2025
38m 56s

Is a "Viking" Childhood a Happier Childh...

Pushkin Industries
About this episode

Nordic countries are known to be happy - so should we all raise our children like the Scandinavians do? British parent Helen Russell moved to Denmark and was shocked that Danish children play outside in all weathers; are given sharp tools and they're shown how to light matches.

In her book The Danish Secret to Happy Kids: How the Viking Way of Raising Children Makes Them Happier, Healthier, and More Independent, Helen explains why play, risk and independence are the cornerstones of "viking" parenting.    

This series on parenting coincides with Dr Laurie's new free online class, The Science of Wellbeing for Parents which is available now at Coursera.org. You can sign up at drlauriesantos.com/parents.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Up next
Nov 5
Reset Your Relationship with Stress (for National Stress Awareness Day)
On National Stress Awareness Day we've pulled a popular episode from our archive. Stress can suck. Many of us drown in it - worrying about past events and fearing upcoming challenges. We even stress about feeling stressed. So how can we reset our relationship with stress - benefi ... Show More
43m 27s
Nov 3
Listen Now: Decoding Women’s Health with Dr. Elizabeth Poynor
Here’s a preview of a new show I think you’ll enjoy, Decoding Women’s Health. On Decoding Women’s Health, Dr. Elizabeth Poynor makes the science of women’s health accessible—from hormones to metabolism to longevity—so you can thrive at any stage of life. A world-renowned gynecolo ... Show More
53m 50s
Oct 27
How Horror Movies and True Crime Can Make You Happier
Halloween isn't just costumes and candy. It's also a time when we indulge our interest in the scary and macabre. But there's also a taboo about gory horror movies and gruesome true crime shows - we often feel that being interested in blood and violence is unhealthy. The opposite ... Show More
44m 57s
Recommended Episodes
Nov 2016
2. Hygge – Happiness and the Danish Art of Cozy Connection
Are You Curious Why Scandinavian Cultures Are So Happy? Are You Craving More Cozy Connection In Your Home? Do You Want To Slow Down And Savor Your Relationships? Join Us! According to the World Happiness Report, people in Denmark are unusually high on ratings of happiness and ... Show More
43m 17s
Jan 2021
Unconditional Parenting - Alfie Kohn [259]
What do children need most? Unconditional love. Most of us can agree on that, yet we often don’t even realize the ways in which we are conditional with our parenting, which is not only bad for kids, it’s deeply counterproductive! Author and peaceful parenting leader, Alfie Kohn g ... Show More
40m 40s
Apr 2025
Jay’s Must Listens: What Every Parent Needs to Hear Right Now—How to Raise Confident & Emotionally Strong Kids (Ft. Dr. Amen & Kim Kardashian)
What’s the hardest part about being a parent? How do you balance discipline and love while navigating the ever-evolving complexities of raising children? In this special compilation episode, we explore the meaningful lessons, struggles, and joys of parenting. Jay Shetty and his g ... Show More
33m 15s
Aug 27
From Toddler to Teen: Building Confidence, Resilience, and Emotional Strength with Lighthouse Parenting
How to raise kids who are confident, resilient, and emotionally strong without controlling their every move? Dr. Ken Ginsburg, pediatrician, adolescent medicine specialist, and author of Lighthouse Parenting, joins me to share how parents can be a stable guiding presence while st ... Show More
51m 34s
Apr 2025
#933 - Brad Wilcox - Why Are Liberal Women Becoming Unhappy?
Brad Wilcox is a Professor of Sociology at the University of Virginia and Director of the National Marriage Project. Why are some people naturally happier than others? Whether it's genetics, upbringing, or life circumstances, how can you finally rediscover joy and feel like your ... Show More
1h 14m
Feb 2019
How To Be a Happier Parent - KJ Dell’Antonia [153]
Hunter talks to KJ Dell’Antonia about How To Be a Happier Parent. Find yourself constantly irritable? Wish that you could enjoy parenthood more? That’s the place my guest, author KJ Dell’Antonia found herself in. So she set out to find the answers to frustrating struggles like ch ... Show More
58m 56s
May 2024
Do I need to be 100% sure I want kids? - with Laura Henshaw
<p>If you're talking to people about the decision to have children it’s likely you’ve heard a version of this - “parenting is really hard so if you’re not 100% sure that you want children…don’t do it”.</p> <p>This episode is here to challenge that idea. The reasons people say not ... Show More
44m 43s
Nov 2024
Cycle -Breakers: Creating Safe Relationships With Our Children With Sarah R. Moore
<p>In this conversation, Monique Koven and guest certified Master parenting Trainer Sarah R. Moore discuss the importance of creating safe spaces for children, the significance of secure attachment, and the impact of trauma on parenting. They explore the four S&#39;s of secure at ... Show More
36m 52s
Mar 2023
109 - What the Experts Say: Translating Scientific Research for Parents with Dr. Cara Goodwin, founder of Parenting Translator
<p class='MsoNormal' style='mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-add-space: auto;'> <span lang='EN' style='color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white;' xml:lang='EN'>There is so much research out there for us parents – screentime, discipline, ... Show More
33m 18s
Sep 29
How do we build resilience in our kids without being harsh or overprotective
<p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/1255388/open_sms">Send us a text</a></p><p>Do you ever hear your child say things like, <em>“I’m such a bad kid”</em> or <em>“I’ll never be good at this”</em> and your heart sinks because you don’t know w ... Show More
50m 41s