EP 06: Adapting To A New Country - Denmark
In Episode 6, I am talking about adapting to a new country from traditions to everyday life. For some people it is very easy, but for others it is definitely not an easy transition. Sometimes it takes years to adapt, or they never adapt and end up moving back home. Also, raising a family in a new country can be extremely difficult when you don’t have close family or friends near by.
I thought about this episode because last week I was walking my kids in heavy rain to their daycare. They were in their cozy stroller while I was walking and navigating through the rain. I was completely soak and wet from the rain. BUT in Denmark, it doesn’t matter what the weather is and you just do what ever you want to do in the rain, snow, wind or whatever the weather may be. There is a saying here in Denmark ‘’There is no bad weather just bad clothes’’. It doesn’t matter what kind of weather there is outside, you will always get shit done if you wear the proper clothes. Now I run in the rain, I walk everywhere or ride my bike. Bad weather doesn’t stop me from getting things done.
On the other side of the world in Los Angeles, this would never ever happen. NEVER! There is always good weather 300 days out of the year, so everyone waits until the weather is back to sun. If I waited in Denmark, I would be waiting a very long time and never get anything done.
Another major adapting moment was babies sleeping outside in their stroller/pram. It is completely normal in Denmark, but not in the US. My mom and friends thought I was crazy when I told them my kids slept outside for all their naps. Of course they have prams/stroller made to keep the babies warm with the proper clothes, hats, gloves and blankets. They are nice and warm even when the temperature is freezing outside. The colder it is outside the better they sleep.
Enough about me,
I have a very special guest today.
I want to introduce you all to Ruth Mikkelson. Ruth is from Florida, USA but moved here to Denmark a couple years ago with her son and husband at the time. We will be talking about her life in Denmark as an international parent. The difficulties and also some of the benefits of living in Denmark has been.
And if you have any questions or comments, please visit my website My Kids Think I'm Cool, BUT... or drop by my Facebook Page and send me a message!
