QUIZ: Are You a Scandinavian-Style Parent or Not?
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Scandinavian parenting has been gaining traction outside of the Nordic countries. Raising kids the “Scandinavian way” sounds impressive, doesn’t it? Outdoor play, building resilience, and... what else? Is authentic Scandinavian parenting really the way it’s portrayed abroad?
I’m definitely not coming at this from a theoretical perspective. You won’t find me quoting parenting books or throwing out technical jargon. Instead, I want to share some everyday observations I’ve made after living in Sweden. I can confidently say I’ve experienced the local parenting style firsthand, and it differs significantly from what I see in many other countries. Ready to find out if you’re raising your kids the Scandinavian way or not?
Let’s have some fun.
Whether you’re a parent, future parent, almost parent, or never-a-parent, here’s your chance to see where you stand:
11 questions. Each one has two possible answers: A or B. Count up your A’s and B’s, and check your score at the end. Ready?
1. Your child has a runny nose. Greenish-yellow snot is streaming down.
What do you do?
A. You grab tissues and chase them around because blowing their nose is essential. Plus, poor kid must feel awful. You stock up on cough syrups from the pharmacy and keep them home from school for a few days, just to be safe.
B. Literally nothing. You figure all kids have runny noses, and they’ll grow out of it eventually.
2. Winter is coming, and it’s time to buy some cold-weather gear for your child. What do you do?
A. You scour deals online or at your favorite kids’ clothing store, picking out the cutest jackets and boots you can find. Kid fashion is just adorable!
B. You head to an outdoor store and grab a functional snowsuit and boots. You’re not too worried about style—your kid needs to stay warm.
3. How do you usually get around with your child?
A. The car, of course! It’s the fastest and safest way to get from A to B. If needed, the bus will do.
B. A bike trailer, a child seat on your bike, or your kid’s own bike. In winter, you swap out the tires for snow tires. It’s the fastest and safest way!
4. You promised to take your child to the playground, but it’s pouring rain and windy.
What do you do?
A. You find some indoor activities instead and explain to your child that the playground is out of the question in this weather.
B. You both suit up in rain gear and head out. You try not to lose them in the crowd of other soaked, rain-coated kids.
5. It’s a freezing Sunday in the middle of winter. What do you and your child do?
A. You head over to Grandma’s for a cozy family lunch.
B. You pack up a thermos of hot coffee, some snacks, and head out to the nearest park or beach for a winter picnic.
6. You’re chatting with other parents at the playground when suddenly, you hear a crash. Your child has fallen off the swing.
What do you do?
A. You sprint over, check for injuries, and comfort them immediately.
B. You glance over, say, “Oops!” and let them pick themselves up. Once they’re back on their feet, you continue your conversation.
7. It’s a cool autumn afternoon, around 50°F (10°C). You put on a jacket and head to the playground. How is your child dressed?
A. Warm boots, sweatpants, a thick waterproof jacket, and definitely a hat.
B. You’re not entirely sure because they left the house a while ago, but you recognize your barefoot child in their favorite T-shirt when you spot them.
8. How many layers should your child wear in winter?
A. Always one more than you.
B. Always at least one less than you – kids run around a lot more.
9. What’s in your home medicine cabinet?
A. Painkillers, fever reducers, cough syrups, nasal sprays, vitamins, and other over-the-counter remedies for every potential symptom.
B. You have some paracetamol somewhere... Wait, no you don’t.
10. You’re a new parent. How soon do you introduce your newborn to the outside world?
A. You limit their contact with the outside world to immediate family for the first few months. Depending on the weather, you wait for just the right day—neither too hot nor too cold—for their first walk.
B. You leave the hospital the day they’re born, or the day after. The baby is greeted with a kiss from the family dog, and you let them nap in the stroller outside, even if it’s freezing out.
11. You notice another child trying to take your child’s toy. Tensions rise. What do you do?
A. You step in and explain that sharing is important. When your child refuses, you intervene and hand over the toy to the other child.
B. You let them sort it out. If things get physical, you calmly explain that fighting isn’t the answer and help them work through the issue.
Results:
Mostly A’s:
You’re more of a traditional parent. You tend to shield your child from potential harm and prioritize their safety and comfort. You dress them appropriately for every weather condition, ensuring they’re always warm, dry, and well-presented. You take a hands-on approach when resolving conflicts and prefer to avoid any risks. You believe children should follow clear rules, and you make sure they know exactly what those are. You take illness seriously, making sure your child is well taken care of at the first sign of sickness. Your parenting style emphasizes protection and care, making sure your child is as safe as possible in any situation.
Mostly B’s:
You’re definitely raising your child the Scandinavian way. You believe in giving your child plenty of freedom and opportunities to explore the world on their own. You trust their ability to learn from their mistakes, even if it means they get a little dirty or hurt in the process. Your focus is more on practicality than appearances, and you don’t sweat the small stuff. You tend to take a laid-back approach to health and illness, only stepping in when necessary. You also believe in fostering your child’s independence early, giving them the tools to become self-sufficient as they grow. You trust that a bit of fresh air—no matter the weather—does more good than harm.
Conclusion
It’s important to note that "Scandinavian parenting" is a broad generalization. Parenting styles vary from family to family, and while there are common themes in places like Sweden, Norway, and Denmark, each parent puts their own spin on things. And let’s not forget, other Nordic countries like Finland and Iceland also share similar parenting philosophies.
The scenarios in this quiz are exaggerated for effect, of course, but they’re based on real-life examples I’ve witnessed while living among Swedish parents and their kids. From babies napping in strollers outside in the cold to barefoot kids running around in the fall, some things really do take getting used to. So, the next time you hear someone say they’re raising their kids the “Scandinavian way,” maybe you can hand them this quiz... just for fun!
