How "Reframing" Results In Happy Parents (And Kids)

We found an interesting article about the of the so called "Danish Way of Parenting". This educational approach is based on the fact, that Danish people have been the "happiest people in the world for 40 years", according to a yearly study by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.

Hearing about this instantly rises the questions why and how are Danish people so happy? To find answers one must go back to people's childhood and how there were raised. An educational approach very common in Denmark is so called "Reframing". "Reframing" is a way of looking at life in a more positive and less limiting way, e.g. the glass is half full and not half empty. This way of thinking is called "Realistic Optimism" by Psychologists. Danes are very realistic about life and don't negate negative information, but at the same time they are very good at turning negative thoughts into positive thinking.

"Reframing" with children is about the adult helping the child to shift focus from what they think they can't do to what they can. Parents can help children to focus on positive things in their storyline without telling them how to feel or label themself negatively.

Labeling people is very common in our society and can become a self-fulfilling prophecy. When we tell a child repeatedly that he or she isn't good at sport, it will believe this after some time and not try anymore. Instead adults should talk about positive things and encourage children to try new things. This way children will learn to "reframe" naturally, so that they can reach their full potential and have a confident and positive approach to new things and life in general.

Please click this link to read the whole article. If you would like to learn more about "Reframing" and "The Danish Way of Parenting", we recommend this book by Jessica Alexander and Iben Sandahl of which the educational approach of "Reframing" stems from.