Notes on Acosta & Hutchison – The Happiest Kids in the World

Recently I read a book called The Happiest Kids in the World, about how Dutch parents raise their kids. I live in the Netherlands, I’m not Dutch and I have a young daughter, so this book was really interesting to me!

To summarize it very very briefly: chill out. Give your kids a bit of structure and a lot of freedom. Nurture them and nurture yourself. Happy kids have happy parents. Do less, and instead do more of what matters. The message of the book is positive, actionable and a tremendous relief for parents, especially those who come from an overachieving background.

Here are my notes from the book: