Discover the Heart of Danish Parenting

A Danish parenting collective that’s passionate about helping you to raise happy, confident, & capable kids

A SHORT INTRODUCTION

A dedicated Danish parenting team here to support you in raising joyful, confident, and capable children. Iben Sandahl has carefully curated a one-stop destination for all your parenting needs: the Parenting by Iben Sandahl app. Dive into episode after episode during your daily routine, whether it's on your way to work, during a peaceful nature walk, or in those precious quiet moments. Inside, you'll discover a treasure trove of guidance, practical tips, and inspiration from a country that has consistently ranked as the world's happiest for over four decades. Join us on this journey to explore the secrets of Danish parenting success!

The Danish Way

The Danish way of parenting consists of ten principles, which together form the essence of Danish upbringing:

  • Play: The cornerstone of child growth and well-being.

  • Trust: Building happier, worry-free lives.

  • Reframing: Empowering kids to find silver linings.

  • Empathy: Fostering kindness and compassion.

  • Freedom with Responsibility: Teaching autonomy and responsibility.

  • Authenticity: Unlocking confidence and inner strength.

  • No Ultimatums: Creating trust and respect.

  • Uniqueness: Celebrating individuality.

  • Formation: Nurturing educated, insightful, autonomous individuals.

  • Togetherness (Hygge): Crafting warm, meaningful moments.

I believe the way we meet children matters far beyond childhood. When we respond with trust, empathy, clear boundaries and genuine connection, we help children build a stronger sense of themselves and of others. My work is about helping parents become more aware of what they bring into the relationship, so we can pass on less unconscious pain and more confidence, compassion and connection to the next generation.

  • “Iben Sandahl’s work is truly a gift to all parents and families and those who work with them. Her writing is a perfect blend of research, experience, and applicability making it easily accessible for any reader. Her passion and dedication to her work comes through in all she does and it is a pleasure to know and learn from her.”

    — Amanda Hardy Hillman, PhD, LPC

  • Thank you for creating this membership to learn about Danish parenting principles. I love that I get insights and tips emailed to me every week and that I am now part of a larger community. I am a fan of The Danish Parenting Club already!

    Crystal W.

  • The Danish Parenting club is what I've been waiting for. I have followed Iben's work for many years and love her gentle and authentic approach to life and parenting. You can immediately sense the calm and reassuring atmosphere and feel welcome as a member. I love how well-produced everything is.

    Patricia Smith

  • “Everyone around the globe can gain something from the valuable wisdom found in The Danish Way of Parenting. Concepts such as reframing and hygge prove useful to families from all cultures. It’s wonderful to see that Danish parenting has so much in common with Positive Parenting! I highly recommend this book!”

    — Rebecca Eanes, author of Positive Parenting: An Essential Guide

  • “Having studied the reasons behind the Danish happiness model for years. I found The Danish Way of Parenting to be a clear-sighted, very useful and smart guide on how to improve your own happiness level as a parent and how to foster happier children the Danish way. I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to give themselves and/or their children the best chances of a happy life.”

    — Malene Rydahl,

    Keynote speaker and Goodwill ambassador of Copenhagen

  • “If the `grown-ups` of every nation put the principles outlined in The Danish Way into practice even 50 percent of their waking lives, oh, the potential change to humanity…. Sometimes a book has the power to literally re-sculpt the world as we know it, bringing about changes to the next generation which could even make the word war a concept of the dim and distant past. The Danish Way of Parenting really is every adult’s Bible.”

    — The Glass House Girls

  • “An emotionally smart gem of a book. The Danish Way of Parenting offers a shining alternative to high-stress modern parenting, and families from New Delhi to New York will shout with joy. Forget the pursuit of happiness, this book gets to the authentic roots of family happiness. I guess I’m Danish.”

    — Heather Shumaker,

    Author of It´s OK Not to Share and It´s OK to Go Up the Slide

  • “Getting into the philosophy of Hygge and “The Danish way of Parenting” made me stop to reflect on my life and what my purpose in this world is. After meeting Iben Sandahl and spending some time experiencing Danish culture, I learned so much and I see that it is now impossible to go back to the way it was. Thank you for being such a source of light and inspiration for the world!”

    — Aline Basso, Brazil

  • “I am very happy that I met such a warm person. I think that Iben was a great teacher who gave me a lot of knowledge. The most important thing that I bring with me is that we should always meet children with respect and remember being human. When I listened to Iben, I said: ‘Yes, this woman is great. ”

    — Alenka, Principal from Slovenia

  • “From the moment I met Iben Sandahl, I was impressed by her keen intelligence, professionalism, competence, attention to detail and unpretentious demeanor. With reflective insight from her education, training, private practice and her own experiences as a parent, Iben explains, in very clear language, key parenting concepts backed by research, child development theories, and clinical and anecdotal examples. As such, her books are an accessible and exceptional read that is relevant for a wide audience including parents, educators, individuals who work with children, and anyone who hopes to be a parent someday!”

    — Kimberly Kopko, Ph.D. Senior Extension Associate Director, Parenting In Context Project Cornell University

Photo: Signe Bay

Receive Gentle Guidance

ROOTED IN EXPERIENCE, GUIDED BY RELATIONSHIPS

Iben Sandahl is a Danish psychotherapist MPF, former teacher, author and family professional with many years of experience working closely with children, parents and families. Her work brings together psychological insight, educational experience and a Danish relational approach to parenting.

At the heart of her work is a strong belief in trust, empathy, authenticity and meaningful connection. Rather than offering quick solutions or fixed formulas, Iben helps parents look beneath behaviour, understand what may be happening in the relationship and respond with greater awareness and confidence.

Learn more

Why Denmark?

Denmark has long attracted international attention for its strong levels of trust, social connection and wellbeing. For me, however, the most interesting question is not whether Denmark is “the happiest country in the world,” but what we can learn from some of the values that shape everyday life here.

Ideas such as trust, equality, play, responsibility, authenticity and togetherness are deeply woven into Danish culture and family life. They do not create perfect families, and they do offer a meaningful perspective on how children can grow up feeling seen, capable and connected.

This Danish perspective has become an important foundation in my work with parents, families and professionals around the world.

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My work is rooted in a simple belief: the way we meet children shapes how they come to understand themselves, other people and the world around them.

By bringing together psychology, education and a Danish perspective on parenting, I aim to help parents build relationships with more trust, empathy, awareness and connection.

Parenting App

Parenting by Iben Sandahl offers thoughtful support for the everyday questions and challenges that come with family life. Through practical episodes, personal reflections and answers to real questions from parents, Iben brings together psychological insight and Danish parenting principles in a way that is easy to understand and use in daily life. It is a place to find new understanding, useful guidance and support when you need it.

Books & Writings

For more than a decade, Iben Sandahl’s work has contributed to international conversations about parenting, childhood and family life. Her books have been published in 32 languages, bringing a Danish perspective on trust, empathy, connection and raising the next generation to families around the world. Her work has also been featured in international media including The Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, Psychology Today and Reader’s Digest.

The Sandahl Family

Iben lives north of Copenhagen with her husband, Morten, and is the mother of two adult daughters, Ida and Julie. Family life has always been an important part of her perspective on relationships, parenting and the many transitions that come with raising children into adulthood. Today, both daughters are building lives of their own, while Iben continues to draw inspiration from the everyday experiences, conversations and connections that shape family life across generations.

Get access to the app here

Parenting by Iben Sandahl

INSTAGRAM

Sometimes another person’s mood can change the whole atmosphere inside us. Your child comes home and barely answers. Your teenager looks irritated. Your partner is distant. And before we know it, our mind starts working. Did I say something wro
It can be surprisingly difficult to leave time unfilled when we are parents. An afternoon without plans can quickly make us wonder whether we should arrange something. An activity, a playdate, an outing or simply something meaningful for our children
I have spent most of my adult life being curious about children. First as a teacher. Then as a psychotherapist. As a mother. And later, through my books and work with parents and professionals around the world. What has stayed with me through all of
Pain does not decide who we become, but it can influence the way we meet ourselves and other people. Some protect themselves by becoming hard. Some become highly attentive to every change in mood around them. Others learn to care for everyone else be

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