Raising Happy Children: Lessons from Danish Parenting

In this Parent Unplugged highlight episode, I’m joined by Jessica Joelle Alexander, bestselling author of The Danish Way of Parenting, to explore what makes Danish children some of the happiest in the world.We talk about why free play matters more than activities, how involving children in everyday chores builds deep self-esteem, and why feeling genuinely needed in the family is more powerful than praise. Jessica shares the Danish mindset shift that turns cooking, cleaning and daily routines into moments of connection, play and belonging.We also dive into nurturing the roots of self-esteem (not just the “foliage”), teaching children to embrace all emotions, and the Danish concept of we-fulness - being fully present together, without distractions.A gentle but powerful conversation for parents who want less pressure, more connection, and happier homes.