Parenting in Sweden: The A−Z Guide
Sofi Tegsveden Deveaux
Get to know your child’s home country and become a more confident parent with this comprehensive handbook.
Embark on your parenting journey in Sweden with this indispensable guide! Whether you’re new to the country and planning to start a family, recently relocated with your children, or seeking deeper insights into Swedish parenting practices, this book is your go-to resource. Containing over 600 entries, it offers a profound understanding of what Swedish parents already know or take for granted.
- Make informed decisions related to your child’s education by understanding Sweden’s school system, learning philosophy, grading criteria, and views on academic achievement.
- Navigate Sweden’s healthcare system, ensuring the well-being of your child through effective paths to care.
- Learn how to dress your child appropriately for all kinds of weather, embracing Sweden’s outdoor culture.
- Master the unwritten rules and etiquette of social interactions, gaining confidence in hosting and attending birthday parties, arranging playdates, and connecting with other parents.
- Explore the core values shaping Swedish society’s approach to family policies and parenting, and get valuable insights into upbringing methods and parenting styles.
- Familiarise yourself with typical Swedish habits and traditions, preparing for the cultural nuances and preferences your child will bring home. Stay informed about upcoming traditions and holidays, and understand what is expected from you.
- Understand the rules and legal frameworks surrounding parenthood and develop effective communication skills with teachers, healthcare professionals, and social workers.
- Discover the resources, solutions, and support mechanisms that enhance life for you and your child, offering ease and enjoyment even when you are far away from your family and friends.
In an easy-to-follow A–Z format, this reference is essential reading for all international parents navigating the unique landscape of parenting in Sweden.
Swedish for Parents
Sarah Campbell
Welcome to parenthood in Sweden. Bring coffee.
Combining easy-to-access information with ready-to-use language content, this book has been created with the multitasking parent in mind — whatever your parenting style or background.
Swedish for Parents won’t help you manage sleepless nights or the tears and tantrums, but it will equip you with a wealth of practical knowledge to help you settle into Swedish life as an international parent.
- Understand the Swedish system of anything from preschool and healthcare to traditions and parties, winter clothing and typical Swedish concepts such as välling, åkpåse and pyssel.
- Learn child-related language through illustrated guides, 500 searchable keywords and language exercises.
- Use Swedish to talk to other parents, with ready-to-use phrases, small-talk guides and advice on language learning.
- Feel like you belong through reading shared stories, perspectives and insider tips from other international families.
- Take the opportunity to establish a support network and build a life in your new community.
Why your child should learn Swedish
In my work, I meet plenty of parents originating from all over the world and who find themselves raising a family in Sweden. Some plan to stay for good, whereas others are here on short-term work contracts or have other reasons for not staying in Sweden for more than...
Five things all Swedish families do for Easter
If you have ever experienced Christmas in Sweden, you are familiar with the phenomenon of pretty much the whole population celebrating in the same way. The same buffets of meat and fish are served, the same types of cookies are eaten, and the same Disney clips are...
Förskola BINGO
What is your experience of having children in Swedish förskola? Anything that should be added or omitted from this bingo sheet? Send us an email at redaktion@lysforlag.com or tag us on social media. We are @lysandelagom.Do you want to know more about how to connect to...
Navigate family-related false friends in Swedish
A false friend is a word that looks identical or similar to a word in another language, tricking the learner to believe they understand the meaning of this word. Listed below are ten Swedish words, related to children and family life, that may cause some confusion for...
An unexpected gift (or what’s taken for granted about children’s birthdays in Sweden)
In two months exactly, it’s my children’s birthdays. This time, they will turn 10. “Vi fyller jämnt,” ponders my son. (Att fylla jämt (“to fill even”) is an expression Swedes use to refer to big birthdays, such as 40, 50, 60, or 70.) His twin sister sneers. “You are...
Nationella prov explained
In school years three, six, and nine, Swedish schoolchildren write an exam called nationella prov (‘national exams’). Nationella prov are also written in gymnasiet, the last three years of school. Third-graders take exams in Swedish and mathematics only, and six- and...
Webinars
Join our free webinars to learn more about life as an international parent in Sweden and gain insights into the Swedish education system. Hosted by Sofi Tegsveden Deveaux—Swedish language teacher, cultural coach, and author of several books, including Parenting in Sweden: The A–Z Guide (and the busy mother of ten-year-old bicultural, trilingual twins)—these sessions will provide valuable information to help you navigate parenting in Sweden.
Our webinars are free and open to everyone. The language is English. Registration is required.
Terms and Conditions
Please note that we will be recording the webinar and posting it on social media and the website later. If you want to remain anonymous, don’t enter your real name when entering the webinar. Your camera is set to be sweitched off by default, but you may choose to turn it on during the session. Registering for the webinar means we will collect and store your email address and occasionally send you information about LYS books and events that we believe can be interesting to you.