The Danish Way™️

It’s been a while since I last introduced myself, so here’s a brief update about me. Wishing you a happy Monday. #authenticity #parentingexpert #dane #thedanishway #thedanishwayofparenting #ibensandahl #writer #mom

The most important thing to take away from this post is activating the vestibular system through balance activities leads to stability, stability leads to safety, and a felt sense of safety leads to emotional regulation. This is why so much trauma-informed care focuses on movement & vestibular activation. Vestibular input is incredibly grounding and regulating! Think about it, if you do not feel in control of your body, how will you be in control of your mind? That’s why it’s so essential to start with body based and sensory based strategies when addressing dysregulation. Vestibular input requires you to focus on your body while clearing your mind at the same time. Imagine you are balancing on a high balance beam, hiking on a steep cliff, walking along a diving board, or doing a more challenging yoga pose, does your mind begin to wonder? No, your mind is focused solely on your body! If you have a child who is frequently overstimulated, dysregulated, overwhelmed, anxious or just seems stuck, try implementing some balance activities throughout their day when they are regulated. That is key!! You do not want to try this when they are mid-meltdown. By providing them with balance activities when they are regulated they are getting that feeling of stability & control so over time when they are dysregulated they are more likely to be able to accept co-regulation strategies from you and eventually develop the awareness to implement themselves. If your child is cautious or challenged with balance activities begin where they are most comfortable! This is powerful knowledge to have, share this with others to help someone out! Photo and text above credit @coastalconnectionsot #childrenslife #selfregulation #balancing #fun #freeplay #happiness #thedanishway #thedanishwayofparenting #writer #mom

In my mission to raise kind and compassionate kids, there's one thing that stands above all: love. As we guide our children through life's journey, teaching them to understand, respect, and cherish one another is essential. The world can sometimes feel clouded by negativity, hate, and divisiveness. It's our responsibility to counterbalance this with the powerful energy of love. By instilling love in our children's hearts, we equip them to make a positive impact and help heal our sometimes fractured world. Let's nurture their empathy, encourage understanding, and promote unity. Together, we can pave the way for a brighter, more harmonious future where love prevails over hate and compassion overcomes division. Photo credit? #authenticity #teachlove #compassionatekids #nurturingempathy #unityindiversity #parentingwithhope #chooseloveoverhate #thedanishway #thedanishwayofparenting #ibensandahl #writer #mom

Absolutely true. Life often presents us with difficult choices that are both scary and necessary. Despite the fear, we recognize that these decisions are the right ones to make. It's essential that we pass on this wisdom to our children and encourage them to be brave in making choices that serve their best interests in the long run. Preparing them to embrace such decisions will empower them to navigate life with confidence and conviction. Photo credit @yourbeautifullife #lifechoices #braveryinaction #empoweringchildren #navigatinglife #thedanishway #thedanishwayofparenting #ibensandahl #writer #mom

#4 conversation with @juliesandahl 💞 Today, Julie will share her perspective on chores at home, body image and weight. ↓ I am incredibly proud and honored that Julie has agreed to join me on camera to answer the multitude of questions you’ve sent in. We received nearly 200 questions and thoughtfully categorized them, selecting one question per category that captures the essence of your inquiries. You will have the opportunity to get a glimpse into Julie’s world. English is not our native language, and at just 20 years old, Julie is still quite young. I kindly ask you to be gentle and understanding as she opens up about her life. I believe she possesses incredible bravery and a zest for life, qualities that should be embraced and cherished. So, let’s surround her with positive energy and kindness. Throughout our unscripted conversations, I have personally learned so much from her. Every word she spoke was genuine and spontaneous, with no scripted or pre-recorded tests. Nothing in our conversation should be perceived as disrespectful or with the intention to offend or advise. In the coming weeks, I will continue sharing more of our conversations with you, exploring new and exciting topics. Through Julie, you will gain insight into how the Danish parenting principles have been adopted into the life of my one child. Thank you for your time and interest in my life, Julie’s life, and the Danish way of parenting. With warm wishes, Iben #authenticity #unscriptedtalks #familsstories #youthfulwisdom #danishculture #sharinglife #thedanishway #thedanishwayofparenting #ibensandahl #writer #mom

Teaching our children that beauty originates from within is a transformative lesson. In a world often focused on appearances, guiding them to recognize the significance of kindness, empathy, and authenticity cultivates a lasting sense of self-worth. Remind them that a beautiful heart shines through, making the world a brighter place and inspiring others to do the same. Photo credit @littlesavagedesigns #authenticity #empathy #innerbeauty #kindheartmatters #selfworth #thedanishway #thedanishwayofparenting #ibensandahl #writer #mom

SHE IS NOT SLEEPING 🌙 Her eyes are closed, but she is not. Her arm's is in the wrong position, it hurts! But it doesn't move, because the baby is comfortable like this! She's tired, she closes her eyes and listens to her baby's every breath. Every night she will do the same position, Uncomfortable, strange, but it should be like that. Does not move to not waking up the baby. Always staying alert. Mommy's night are just the other half of the day! ☺️ Love the mommies out there.” Photo and text credit @myfirstparenting_official #authenticity #momlife #empathy #love #togetherness #thedanishway #thedanishwayofparenting #ibensandahl #writer #mom

Bravery isn't always about grand gestures; it's often found in the quiet battles we fight within ourselves. As we grow, our hearts gather scars from childhood wounds. But let's remember, we are all brave for surviving those moments, for healing, and for continuing to embrace life's journey. Each scar tells a story of resilience, reminding us of the strength we carry within. Photo credit @lanarafael.wall #authenticity #empathy #innerstrength #bravehearts #healingfromwithin #thedanishway #thedanishwayofparenting #ibensandahl #writer #mom

In the midst of those challenging tantrum moments, keeping our composure is like wielding a superpower. When our children are caught up in their emotions, our steady presence provides them with the anchor they desperately need. Our ability to remain calm becomes a guiding light, helping them navigate their feelings and showing them how to handle them. Let's not forget, our reaction shapes theirs. By staying composed, we're demonstrating emotional resilience and giving them a powerful lesson in managing frustrations. So, when things get tough, let's take a deep breath, maintain patience, and be that comforting force during the storm. Our composed demeanor speaks volumes and imparts a valuable life skill. Photo credit? #authenticity #empathy #calmparenting #emotionalresilience #stayingcomposed #navigatingtantrums #thedanishway #thedanishwayofparenting #ibensandahl #writer #mom

Remember, you should never be afraid to walk away from something that isn't good for you. Your well-being and happiness are invaluable. Sometimes, the bravest choice is to step away from situations that don't nurture your growth or bring positivity into your life. Trust your instincts, value yourself, and know that walking away is a courageous step towards a brighter path. Photo credit @wordologyofficial #authenticity #empathy #bravechoices #selfvalue #walkingawaystrong #childhoodwisdom #thedanishway #thedanishwayofparenting #ibensandahl #writer #mom

Read the text 🤍 So beautiful post from @brandonjanous ↓ ”We live in a 4-bedroom home. And this is us. Every night and every morning. This is us. I used to fight it. I used to tell them that this wasn’t healthy. I’d tell them that they’d get better rest in their own beds. To give it a chance. That their beds are more comfortable than my floor. It never worked. No matter what I said. Two February’s ago, I spent each night, on the floor, next to Rachel's hospital bed. People tried to tell me to go home. To get some rest. To give it a chance. That my bed would be more comfortable than the floor. It never worked. No matter what they said. It took me almost two years, but I get it now. No one was going to convince me to leave her side. No matter what anyone said, by her side is where I was going to be. There was no place where I felt more safe, than on the floor, right next to her. I don’t fight it anymore. It’s been almost 2 years since they lost their mommy. In that time it’s become pretty clear that by my side is where they are going to be. And that to them, no place feels more safe, than on the floor, right next to me.” - Brandon Janous #authenticity #familybonding #love #togetherness #safesleep #secureattachment #thedanishway #thedanishwayofparenting #ibensandahl #writer #mom

As parents, it's crucial to recognize how praise shapes our children's view of intelligence. Constantly commending their innate smarts can unintentionally foster a fixed mindset. Conversely, when we highlight the value of effort in developing intelligence, we encourage a growth mindset. Kids with a fixed mindset worry about appearing 'smart' and avoid challenges to protect their image. They believe skills should come naturally and shun tasks that challenge them. In contrast, a growth mindset promotes a love for learning and embracing challenges, cultivating lasting success. Though we may think praising intelligence boosts confidence, it can undermine it during challenges. Applauding their effort and process fosters motivation and resilience. This type of praise helps them see their role in their success and future achievements. Differentiating between praising intelligence and effort has a big impact. It's not just about confidence but building a growth-oriented perspective. This approach supports better learning and personal development. The fixed and growth mindset concept from Stanford psychologist Carol S. Dweck guides us. Cultivating a growth mindset empowers our children to tackle challenges, embrace learning, and develop the resilience they need. Photo credit @coachfrank.official #authenticity #parentingperspective #growthmindset #resilientkids #empoweringparents #mindsetmatters #thedanishway #thedanishwayofparenting #ibensandahl #writer #mom