How Viking Culture Has Shaped Modern Scandinavian Parenting

Popular culture frequently depicts Vikings as warriors: sharp facial features, elaborate headgear, and hardy clothing. Many people associate the Vikings with wars, overlooking their everyday lives and the influences that affected their behavior.

Interestingly, the Vikings lived in present-day Scandinavia – Denmark, Sweden, and Norway. It is even more fascinating to realize that many Viking influences have shaped Scandinavian parenting, which the world often hails as exemplary. In fact, the Norsemen and women had several lifestyle habits and choices – from an adventurous spirit to impeccable grooming – that continue to inspire.

Let us examine how Viking culture has affected modern-day parents in Scandinavia. Some of these influences are perfect for making more sense of chaotic lives and building a deep connection with our surroundings.

Breathing in the Great Outdoors

Perhaps the most striking parenting influence from Viking culture is how much Nordic parents adore the great outdoors. For example, many children in Norway practice friluftsliv, which stresses a “free-air life.” Right from babyhood, kids learn to spend time in nature, whether through sleeping outdoors in their strollers or picking blackberries.

The Guardian observes that this love for nature teaches children to be more active and less anxious. It could also benefit cognitive abilities in kids and improve overall happiness.

The Vikings famously didn’t care about bad weather – they had thick woolen clothes to cover up. Likewise, modern Scandinavian parents participate in nature activities throughout the year. The summer hiking transforms into ice fishing and mountain biking in winter. This no-holds-barred approach to life makes children curious and brave, rain, hail, or shine.

Balancing Confidence With Caution

The Vikings are reputed for their fortitude and risk-taking capabilities. These traits have transferred to modern parents in Scandinavia to an extent. It is not uncommon for babies to go for pram rides in extreme weather or for young children to play with “dangerous” tools.

Viking parents got this courage from knowing their children were resilient and able. The National Museum of Denmark notes that Viking women likely handled pregnancy and breastfeeding with care, with other family members joining for household chores. They also had more freedom and rights than women from contemporaneous communities.

In the present day, many Scandinavian countries consider empowering parents through thoughtful childcare provisions. Nature Journal notes that Sweden and Finland are exploring mother-newborn couplet care in the hospital to enhance the health of unwell babies.

This close-knit arrangement of parents and healthcare providers may help identify conditions like NEC or necrotizing enterocolitis, a serious intestinal ailment. Many parents in the US have filed an NEC lawsuit, claiming that cow’s milk formula caused distress to their premature/underweight babies.

A system like couplet care could increase the proximity between the babies and their parents, improving the likelihood of detecting signs early. Parents anywhere can benefit from an approach that combines caution with confidence, particularly in health-related matters.

According to TorHoerman Law, it is crucial to take proactive action if your child has suffered due to negligence. Healthcare can be expensive, and escalating medical bills for children are every parent’s nightmare.

Families That Spend Time Together

Another wholesome way Viking culture has shaped Scandinavia is the focus on family time. The Vikings famously lived in large households comprising 10 to 20 people. All of them worked and participated in leisure pursuits together.

One can find many similar family rituals in Sweden, prioritizing shared parenting and gender equality. For example, Sweden offers shared parental leave and encourages fathers to spend time with their newborns. The BBC reports that Sweden allows parents to take up to 60 days of simultaneous leave until their child is 15 months old.

Danish families are well-known for their home-cooked meals shared over conversations. The fried pork with parsley and potatoes is so much tastier like that! This tradition also furthers equality in the family since everyone joins in for chores like planning meals and tidying up.

More parents globally now realize the value of shared activities like family dinners and walks. However, busy schedules during the weekdays and planned weekends may make these activities difficult. Science Norway notes that having a few family meals during the week can encourage conversation and togetherness. It works even better if the meals are buffet-style.

The Vikings have been gone for many years, but many of their characteristics prevail in Scandinavia. Norse-inspired jewelry and clothes are immensely popular, and fish remains as cherished a dish as it was back then. While the Vikings were not always peaceful, they lived full, community-centered lives, which are worth drawing inspiration from today.

As parents, it can be reassuring to see others focusing on confidence and fearlessness in children – essential skills for these difficult times. It is heartwarming to note that simple joys like camping in a forest or enjoying a hot meal with loved ones are still as meaningful as ever.

We have the Vikings to thank for offering meaningful life lessons for parents and children. It is a welcome change from all the straitjacketed seriousness of post-school classes and orchestrated soft play.