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  • There's No Such Thing as Bad Weather

  • A Scandinavian Mom's Secrets for Raising Healthy, Resilient, and Confident Kids (from Friluftsliv to Hygge)
  • Written by: Linda Åkeson McGurk
  • Narrated by: Ann Richardson
  • Length: 8 hrs and 39 mins
  • 4.7 out of 5 stars (80 ratings)

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There's No Such Thing as Bad Weather

Written by: Linda Åkeson McGurk
Narrated by: Ann Richardson
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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.

What listeners say about There's No Such Thing as Bad Weather

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love!!!

I don't even have kids yet and I really enjoyed this book. A great reminder for adults too.

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Refreshing

I really enjoyed this book. It brought me back to my own childhood and gave me inspiration as to how I can allow my own children more freedom, adventure and joy in nature.

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Couldn’t finish it

So keeping in mind that I didn’t finish it, it made its point in the first few minutes and didn’t really go anywhere after that. At least for the third or so that I listened to.

Here it is: “Get your kids outside. It is good for them and the environment.” It portrayed an idyllic Swedish culture against a *shocking* American one. <gasp> I am not saying she is wrong but it’s so biased that I was getting more sceptical rather than convinced. I totally agree with the premise of the book but I didn’t have to read a book to agree. So I didn’t learn anything very useful. Meh. Maybe I should have read more.

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A Must Read

Whether you’re a future or current parent, the advice in this book is gold. I highly recommend it.

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Refreshing read

Makes me feel better as a new parent and teacher that kids can be cured from their distaste of the outdoors. A great read with good tips and refreshing view.

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Great perspective on the importance of outdoor play

Loved listening to this book. The narrator at times sounded a bit like Siri or an automated system, but otherwise was easy to listen to. The book is a great perspective on the importance of outdoor play. Some good takeaways. Definitely recommend for those interested in the Scandinavian culture and their way of parenting.

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Inspiring Biography

I enjoyed the concepts in this book and having had the opportunity to peek into Scandinavian culture. I didn't fully realize it was a biography when I began, but I enjoyed it all the same.

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Great book!!

This audiobook opened my mind about my own family. Great point on allowing more play and be prepared for weather. So many insights to take away!!

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Inspiring

Inspired me to start taking my 2.5 year old outdoors more. We are 5 days into doing 2-3 hours every day and she now always wants to be outside and we are having less tantrums. I am enjoying it too!

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What a wonderful book!

An amazing book to listen to, so informative without being judgemental. Highly recommend this book to anyone who is a parent, would like to be a parent, or works with children!

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