Even in snow and rain.
You might have heard about Scandinavians and their obsession with fresh air. It’s a tradition that goes way back, and it starts early. Get fresh air every day, and stay outdoors as much as possible. There’s an old saying that goes, “There’s no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing.” Meaning, dress up (preferably in layered wool) and get outside.
Latte-Parents
It is not uncommon to see newborns bundled up in their stroller and left outside to nap. Some parents even go as far as leaving the baby in their stroller outside a cafe with a baby monitor while they…
And you need a Bachelor's Degree from the Police Academy to become a police officer
Why is policing so different in the US?
I’m looking at Norway. A tiny country with a population of just a little over 5.3 million. More than once I’ve heard the arguments “well you just can’t compare the US to Norway. It’s a fraction of the size. Crime rates are lower. It’s just too different.” Maybe so, but I’d like to think that the US can change for the better when it comes to police shootings.
In 2020 alone, 1,127 individuals were killed by the police in the US. Two individuals were killed by the police in Norway. …
That, my son, is complicated.
When I was in elementary school, 25 or so years ago, we would go on field trips and learn all about where our food came from. Where milk comes from. We would visit dairy farms and if we wanted to, the farmers would let us try to milk the cows.
Soy and cows and oats and stuff
So the other day as we were eating breakfast my son asked me out of the blue: Mommy, where does the milk come from?
I started thinking. My default would be to say that the milk comes from cows. But that isn’t really the full truth anymore. The dairy industry…
#3. The stroller is your secret weapon
A stroller can be a blessing and a curse. In my opinion, mostly a blessing. Especially in cities. For two years, I got used to wandering the street of New York City with a double stroller. It’s not the same as walking alone sipping lattes or munching donuts, but two kids and a double stroller do have some serious benefits.
Tourist or local
Whether you’re going out for a short walk getting groceries or you’re on a day trip exploring the city, I’ve found these things below to be helpful and true.
- Get a spill-proof coffee mug. If not, you’ll end up spilling…
For seeing a new and confused immigrant
If you were out on a walk and you heard someone talk a different language, would you stop and say; hey, what’s that language you’re speaking?
I wouldn’t, but someone did it to me, and it changed my life.
Happy coincidence
Turned out the woman that stopped me asking about what language I was speaking to my kids was a fellow European. We had more than that in common. We had two kids, boys, same age. Our husbands had the same occupation. On top of that, we lived on the same block. We were both staying at home at the time. We…
5 tips and tricks I try to follow and occasionally fail at.
As a lot of families these days we have two languages to teach our children. We’re international; my husband is American, I am Norwegian. Before having children I was dead set on having them speak both languages. I would do whatever it takes. I am still dead set on it, but it is much more work than I had expected.
Our strategy
There are so many suggestions out there on how to do bilingualism right. As new parents we felt truly overwhelmed. My husband and I simply decided he would speak his native language to our kids, I would speak mine. It…
I am so thankful there are teachers out there looking beyond the academics in a time like this
The word homework has somewhat of a negative association to it, doesn't it?
When my 6-year-old son’s teacher announced they were going to start having homework, I wasn’t thrilled about it. Homework on top of online school and everything that has been going on this past year. It’s been a lot, both for the adults and the kids.
But then my son brings home the sweetest chart I have ever seen.
Adventures of kindness
His teacher named it “After School Adventures”. It is all about showing acts of kindness in daily life and being aware of your environments:
“Ask an adult in your…
Just too.much.stuff.
You know what I’m talking about. The parties with 20 something toddlers or kids running around plus parents mingling and doing their best at small talk with each other. Sometimes the awkward silence. Usually, the birthday parties take place at some trampoline park, bowling alley, or at a children’s gym. That part makes sense, who can host 20 small kids plus parents unless you have a mansion or a gigantic backyard?
If you’re the host, you’re probably planning and stressing several weeks in advance. Find a place that’s not booked already, order food, cake, and everything else. Send out the…
Why I’m forever sold on wool.
I own two throw blankets. The first one I purchased 9 years ago. It’s gray, made from sheep’s wool, and feels incredibly comfortable. The second, my husband got from his work as a Christmas gift 9 years ago. So it’s technically my husband’s, but we share. It’s a Danish brand, also gray, different shade, and the throw is made from Alpaca Wool.
Sustainable
Being somewhat a minimalist, I have not seen the need to buy another blanket. Simply because the ones we have are just as comfortable as they were 9 years ago. …
That beautiful, imperfect story.
I was reminded of my very first story the other day as it was coming up on a decade since it first saw the light of day. It was published in a local newspaper. The story was talking about exchange students. Not a life-changing or super important piece at all. The story came out on a Thursday. I remember seeing the byline, my name. I felt so proud. Called my mom. Got several copies of the newspaper.
Then the months and years go by. You’re used to the byline. The stories. The writing. Writing again. Routines. There’s not too much…
Sara Melissa Frost
Journalist. Mom. Wife. Norwegian in the US. I usually find myself writing about Scandinavia, Parenting and Food. Minimalist-ish.
