3 Parenting Lessons You Can Learn From the Dutch

Did you know that life satisfaction among Dutch teenagers hasn’t dropped since 2013 and they are thought to be one of the happiest in the world?

Many people believe that it is because they have a supportive environment at home, their friends and at school. Dutch parents give their children lots of support and have mild control, which ensures their children take the reins of their own lives.

Parenting is done differently all around the world, but there are definitely some useful lessons to learn from the Dutch, if you want your child to be happy in life.

Parenting Lessons to Learn from the Dutch

Raising a child is no easy feat, and there are always going to be people who tell you how to do it or that you are doing something wrong. But like anything, there’s a balance you need to find between what you believe in and what you want for your child or children.

“Dutch parents understand that they need to give a certain amount of freedom to their children, as this helps to develop their personalities, which in turn helps them to find out what they do and don’t like,” says Sofie Van de Leng, a spokesperson from Adviesjagers.

Sofie adds “Dutch children also seem to be more sure of themselves which helps to prevent bullying or peer pressure. Having supportive friends and a strong family unit are also factors that contribute to their overall life satisfaction score.”

1. Let Your Children Bike in the Rain

The Dutch are known for cycling. It is a country which cycle everywhere and as such their health is excellent.

Allowing your children to cycle in the rain can help teach them various lessons. It can teach them how to prepare for adversity and beat the elements. It can also teach them independence and encourage them not to be afraid of the rain.

1. Set a Good Example

Dutch mothers are often very confident and comfortable in their own skin. This can help set a great example for your children as they will learn how to be resilient in the face of life.

An example of this is that dutch parents are able to balance a good family life and bring in an income, regardless of this being a tricky task. Many dutch stay at home parents make money from their laptop, which means they are able to bring in money for their families, but also juggle the children’s schooling and home life.

1. Make Rules with Your Children

The Dutch choose to empower their children and promote independence by making rules with their children, as opposed to enforcing strict rules. This doesn’t mean that the children can do whatever they want, it just means the decision making is a little more fair.

This lesson can work wonders with children as it means that later on in life they won’t try to challenge you so much and won’t require as much discipline. It also means they are more independent and have a greater knowledge of how rules work.