There's No Such Thing as Bad Weather

A Scandinavian Mom's Secrets for Raising Healthy, Resilient, and Confident Kids (from Friluftsliv to Hygge)

By: Linda Åkeson McGurk

Narrated by: Ann Richardson

Length: 8 hrs and 39 mins

Publisher's summary

Bringing Up Bébé meets Last Child in the Woods in this lively, insightful memoir about a mother who sets out to discover if the nature-centric parenting philosophy of her native Scandinavia holds the key to healthier, happier lives for her American children.

When Swedish-born Linda McGurk moved to small-town Indiana with her American husband to start a family, she quickly realized that her outdoorsy ways were not the norm. In Sweden children play outside all year round, regardless of the weather, and letting young babies nap outside in freezing temperatures is not only common - it is a practice recommended by physicians. In the US, on the other hand, she found that the playgrounds, which she had expected to find teeming with children, were mostly deserted. In preschool, children were getting drilled to learn academic skills while their Scandinavian counterparts were climbing trees, catching frogs, and learning how to compost. Worse, she realized that giving her daughters the same freedom to play outside that she had enjoyed as a child in Sweden could quickly lead to a visit by Child Protective Services.

The brewing culture clash finally came to a head when McGurk was fined for letting her children play in a local creek, setting off an online firestorm when she expressed her anger and confusion on her blog. The rules and parenting philosophies of her native country and her adopted homeland were worlds apart.

Struggling to fit in and to decide what was best for her children, McGurk turned to her own childhood for answers. Could the Scandinavian philosophy of "there is no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothes" be the key to better lives for her American children? And how would her children's relationships with nature change by introducing them to Scandinavian concepts like friluftsliv ("open-air living") and hygge (the coziness and the simple pleasures of home)? McGurk embarked on a six-month-long journey to Sweden to find out.

There's No Such Thing as Bad Weather is a fascinating personal narrative that highlights the importance of spending time outdoors and illustrates how the Scandinavian culture could hold the key to raising healthier, resilient, and confident children in America.

©2017 Linda Åkeson McGurk (P)2017 Audible, Inc.

Great way to get kids outdoors!

I loved the book. It was awesome to learn different tips and tricks for getting kids outside. It also changed my views on some traditional parenting ideas.

So much good information.

sharing the outdoors with children is a passion of mine and this book validated so much of what I already believed. It gives solid evidence based on research about why being outdoors is so good for all of us and the authors own experiences as well. A great book to listen to!

A Danish guide to a happy childhood

I adored listening to this book. It was accessible, helpful and interesting. It paints a picture of a Scandinavian childhood and how anyone who picks up the book can use helpful tips to provide their children with such a childhood. Thank you .

weather🏞🏜🏔

I love this book! weather is not a problem! you can work and listen to this.

A very important book that every parent should read

Together with Richard Louv’s books, this book provides the important guidance and personal experience in how to enrich a child’s life with nature.

Loved it !

Some of my family motos have been developed from this book! Very good advice ! Well written and well read !

Love, love, love it!

A modern day parenting must read. A wonderful blog style story that makes for an easy read that has studies cited to help back up some first hand observations about outdoor playtime.

wonderful book!

Great advice on parenting! This book has convinced me to switch our homeschool to be 90% outdoors and let my 13 year old explore the woods around our house. I haven't yet worked up the courage to let my younger 4 explore. I'll get there. If you feel overwhelmed by FOMO and the insane amount of screen time you and your children are getting, this book is for you! The reader's voice is soothing and contributed nicely to my morning routine.

Great book

This book was filled with things that I already do but didn’t realize was outside the norm. And was very informative on things for me to make improvements on in my life.

Great!

Thought this had some good information for parents, educators, and everyone who would like more access to nature.