How to Raise a Viking

'Helen has a way to take big ideas and convey them with warmth and wisdom' Dr Rangan Chatterjee


'A well researched study injected with humour and humanity' Mail on Sunday




What do Vikings know about raising children? Turns out, quite a lot…




After a decade of living in Denmark and raising a family there, Helen Russell noticed that Nordic children are different. They eat differently. They learn differently. They run, jump and climb out in nature for hours a day, even though the weather is terrible and it's dark October to March. And then they grow up to be some of the happiest adults on the planet. Her question was: how?


In How to Raise a Viking, Russell takes a deep dive into the parenting culture of Denmark and the other Nordic nations, from parental leave policies to school structure, screen time, and the surprising customs that lead to happy, well-adjusted humans. This fascinating peek behind the cultural curtain allows readers a glimpse of another world, where babies sleep outside in their prams up to -20°C and pre-schoolers wield axes.


Refreshingly funny and unfailingly optimistic about the new generation of humans growing up in the world right now, this is a heart-warming love letter to Russell’s adopted homeland and proof that we could all use a bit more Viking in our lives.


'Ditch all the other parenting books. This is the one – funny, helpful, doable and not guilt-inducing. Makes me want to have kids all over again and try it this way' Matt Rudd


‘I've long been a fan of Helen Russell's writing (The Year of Living Danishly is a wonderfully uplifting guide to life) and this new book of hers on parenting is top-notch’ Good Housekeeping – Best Parenting Books


‘Helen Russell explains from experience how Nordic countries put a strong emphasis on resilience, outdoor play, independence, egalitarianism and a balanced approach to education and family life. "Viking parenting" is about raising children to be self-assured, capable and connected to the natural world, and studies suggest the happiest children are in Scandinavia’ The Week