My New Norwegian Home

Just last week this interview was featured in Norwegian news articles after it became popular on the blog  A Cup of Jo . I find it interesting from both a cultural and personal perspective after reading what this American woman from Cincinnati has to say about parenting in Norway. Last month when in the US, my husband, Arild pointed out to me many times the difference between parenting in Norway and the US. Though many things about both countries are similar, there is clearly a difference when it comes to parenting. Arild would tell me during his observations in the US that parenting is done the same way in Norway and it's "done by the books" whereas, in the US it seems to be vastly individual and parents just raise their children the way they see fit. Of course I've been quite aware of some of the typical parenting since living here like children only eating candy on Saturdays, children's bedtimes being at 7 and being outdoors at daycare. I haven't really f

In Finland, parents are given by the state a baby box complete with a mattress, clothing and basically everything a baby could need. This is to ensure all children get an equal start in life despite social background. Here in Norway, while parents don't receive a governmental baby box, parents can however, go to various websites and order free baby boxes which have coupons and free samples. The samples include things like diapers, wipes, diaper cream, hand sanitizer, baby laundry detergent, a coupon for a onesie, pacifiers, bibs, socks, lotion and many other baby related necessities. I have recently picked up 2 baby boxes and a diaper disposal. A list of the sites can be found here: www.bam.no www.libero.no www.barnashus.no  - you can sign up for a diaper disposal here www.apotek1.no  - you can pick up a baby box at your local pharmacy www.vitusapotek.no  - you can pick up at your local pharmacy www.rimi.no www.babybox.no

Well, I've been back in Norway for a couple of weeks now. I have so many topics of ever-changing life in Norway, but I lack the energy to do much of anything these days - let alone write in my blog. So I've kind of been neglecting this blog and just hope for the best in a couple of months. Someone please  tell me you can feel human again after a baby is born, right? Right? Or does that happen sometime 18 years in the future? However, here I am for now and we had a fantastic time going back to Kentucky, but it is good to be back home in Norway. There are no Amish in Norway, but even so, I'm not sure what his fascination with the Amish is all about?  I kind of really missed Kentucky farmland... I've been back to Kentucky twice since my big move and both times I've begun to notice more and more differences between each place. What was most fun was bringing along my husband for this trip and listening to him grumble at some of the cultural diffe