With a short working week and a world famous work-life balance, loved ones come first in all aspects of Danish life.

New parents get 52 weeks leave to share between them and are given the day off if their child is sick, no questions asked. It’s totally accepted that parents will leave work at 4pm to pick up their children from daycare and start making dinner (my son’s nursery shuts at 4.45pm) - because eating together is an important part of life in Denmark, something else that makes us happier.

There are numerous public holidays, or ‘stop what you’re doing and eat cake’ days, as they’re known in our house, where again, the emphasis in on downing tools and hanging out with family and friends. Danes without relatives nearby are often ‘adopted’ for key calendar dates (thank you, Danish neighbours…) and it’s traditional to invite someone into your home for Christmas who might otherwise be alone. Even exes are included.

Denmark has one of the highest divorce rates in Europe (42.7% according to Statistics Denmark) but because splits are so common, they’re often amicable with families reuniting for bank holidays and special events. As my neighbour puts it: “I didn’t like my husband enough to stay married to him, but he’s okay for Easter.”

How we could all learn something from Denmark’s approach to their loved ones