The Dutch way of parenting doesn't involve any extraordinary practices for dealing with children, but it seems to work quite well. Researchers have also proven that Dutch children are well ahead of their international peers in terms of well-being and happiness. So if you want to know exactly what Dutch mothers do differently from other mothers in the world, just keep reading this article.
Bright Side tells us 5 tips from Dutch mothers that you can follow if you want to raise a happy child:
Let them sleep more
Dutch parents usually choose lower intensity activities at home for their children. This helps them feel more relaxed and have a more regular sleep schedule. Some studies even show that 6-month-old babies get an extra 2 hours of sleep per day when compared to American babies. And because their babies sleep better, Dutch mothers also sleep better and feel calmer.
Give him chocolate in the morning
Eating chocolate for breakfast seems like a bad idea, but not for Dutch mothers. They believe that if they let their children eat chocolate in the morning, it makes them have more self-control.
Show them that money doesn't matter
Dutch mothers focus on a simple life, work and make their children understand that if they want something they have to fight to get it. Even Dutch children celebrate their birthdays, but they don't get expensive gifts. There is a tacit pact among parents that children's gifts should not cost more than $10.
Create family routines
One of the best principles of Dutch parents is their routine. When you have a strict schedule, children know when they should sleep, eat and play with friends. That way, there isn't a lot of confusion for parents, everyone knows the schedules, and there are no other expectations.
Don't put pressure on yourself
In other countries, parents put pressure on their children, in their studies, behavior and everything else to be the best. Dutch parents can be a bit lazy in this respect, because they let their children be children, without pressure.
