In 2016, she took first place, according toUS News & World Report magazine. Countries were assessed in eight categories: human rights, gender equality, family-friendly attitudes, income equality, safety, average happiness, public education and health care systems. It's not just the environment in which a child is raised, but also the specifics of the approach to upbringing. So what is the Swedish system based on? The Swedish brand Libero helps to figure it out.
Photo: Getty images
Child = personality
In the Swedish Code of Parental Duties andguardians it is written: "Children have the right to care, safety and a good education. Children should be treated with respect for their human dignity and individuality. They cannot be subjected to any humiliating treatment." So no spanking or punishment. Raising your voice is also not welcome. Practice shows that such a law disciplines and teaches parents to seek compromises
Baby always has a choice
The Swedes educate their children from an early ageliberalism and freedom of expression of feelings and desires. It all starts with a banal choice of food. At home, even at the stage of cooking, the mother will always offer the baby several dishes to choose from. The children's menu in Swedish cafes is also varied.
The child himself knows the world
No one will stop a baby who got wet in a puddleand continues to happily splash around in it. You will say: "But he will catch a cold!" The Swedes reason like this: let him learn about the consequences on his own. Having fallen ill once, he will not step on the same rake twice.
Photo: Getty images
Mom and dad are equal
Sweden is known for its fight for equality between men andwomen. Maternity leave is no exception. If the baby's father does not take at least three months to care for the baby, the family will lose these days from their paid leave (the total duration of maternity leave is 480 days). Therefore, both parents take turns on maternity leave. As a rule, the mother does this first (from the 1st to the 12th month), then the baby's father (from the 12th to the 14th month). Sweden has everything for a comfortable time spent with children. Every shopping center has children's corners and rooms with animators, and the toilets (even the men's!) have changing tables. All populated areas have large playgrounds. The parking lot of every large store has spaces for families with children. They are larger than regular parking spaces, which allows you to freely open the doors and put the child in a car seat.
Taking care of your health since childhood
Make it a habit, like the Swedes, to do it regularly (once asix months) to visit a therapist and a dentist, show your kids how important it is. By the way, the Swedes themselves are sure that the key to good health is not only in visiting doctors. The main thing is long walks in the fresh air. And preferably with the whole family! Sweden is not the most ideal country in terms of climate, but children here walk every day. Sending a child outside, adults remember the English proverb: "There is no such thing as bad weather, only inappropriate clothing." Even in severe frosts, the streets of Stockholm are full of people, among them - mothers with strollers.
Photo: Getty images In kindergartens, groups spend most of the day outside. In the summer, the kids spend their quiet hours in sleeping bags on the open veranda.
Traditions unite family
The Swedes believe that a real familyare united only by traditions. The most common of them are cooking together and reading aloud (books by local writers, such as Astrid Lindgren and Ulf Stark, are especially popular). There are also several original, but very simple rituals. For example, at the end of the work week, the whole family gets together. Candles are lit, everyone sits around the TV, necessarily taking something unhealthy, like pizza or chips. The family begins watching a movie or a favorite show. The Swedes call such a day fredagsmys, which literally translates into Russian as "cozy Friday". Another good tradition, which is more than 40 years old: on Christmas Eve, families sit in front of the TV to watch old Disney cartoons. "Cinderella", "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs", "The Jungle Book" and other films from the 30s-60s are very popular in the northern country. But cartoons featuring Donald Duck (Kalle Anka in Swedish) are especially popular.
All the best for children
Children should feel safe and securecomfort. Only such an atmosphere contributes to their harmonious development. Adults strictly criticize everything: from furniture to hygiene products. Most Swedes prefer to buy locally produced goods. It is not surprising, because many Swedish companies produce environmentally friendly and reliable things. So, the Swedish rules are not so complicated and in many ways repeat our traditions. The main thing to learn from the Swedes is to remain calm in any situation and accept children as they are. It is important to spend time with your baby, give him a choice and freedom for his own discoveries!
