It was my mother who first encouraged me to read Thomas Harding’s ‘The House by the Lake’. She left it in our flat, a few months after we’d moved to Berlin. Foolishly, it took me a while to pick up this extraordinary book. But when I finally did, it was hard to put down. 100… Continue Reading
Berlin: Embracing German Kindergartens
At 11 o’clock on Monday, 14th August, I arrived at a Kindergarten in central Berlin with my 15-month-old daughter. It wasn’t to be a long visit – in fact it lasted just a few minutes. But this was the start of Cecelia’s ‘settling-in’ period at her new nursery or Kita. It’s an incremental approach that… Continue Reading
Kulturnatten – Copenhagen’s Culture Night
The city was buzzing as museums, Government buildings and shops were all open for business. It was 9pm on Friday but this was no ordinary evening. Welcome to København’s Kulturnatten 2014 – Copenhagen’s very own Culture Night. As we wanted our four-year-old son to experience this event, we couldn’t visit every attraction we would have… Continue Reading
A Year in Copenhagen
I can’t really believe it’s been twelve months since we left London for Copenhagen. But in June last year we started our new Danish life. On the whole it’s been a fantastic adventure and I personally feel it’s been one of the best decisions we’ve made as a family. That’s not to say things have… Continue Reading
Nowhere’s Perfect – not even Denmark
It’s funny living in a country which many people across the world think is perfect. If I’m honest, one of the main reasons we came here last year was because we too were intrigued by Denmark – well Copenhagen at least. Afterall, no-one can ignore the hype: * Denmark’s the happiest country in the world!… Continue Reading
Why we are Leaving the Forest School
This has been the hardest blog to write. But after much thought, my husband and I have decided to pull our son out of his Danish forest school. The decision was really made for us – after three senior members of staff decided to quit. We didn’t find this out from the management, but through… Continue Reading
What age should School start?
At what age should a child start school? As a parent I find it a really difficult question to answer. If we were still in the UK, Charlie would begin next September, when he’s four and a half. Here in Denmark the average age is six and soon we will have to decide whether we… Continue Reading
Come on Princess Leia! Faster! Faster!
When people tell me it’s as easy as riding a bike, alarm bells start ringing. I don’t find cycling – particularly while pulling my son Charlie along in the trailer behind me – that easy at all! But after a few weeks in the saddle, I am beginning to re-discover how enjoyable and safe cycling… Continue Reading
A Forrest in the Forest on Friday 9th August
08.00 – Arrive at a small kindergarten in Copenhagen, 15 minutes bike ride from where we live. Inside Charlie plays with other children. Breakfast is served for those who arrive between 7-8am. 08.25 – Charlie and twenty or so other children get on a bus with the staff (and me) as we take a 20… Continue Reading
If you go down to the woods today…
CHARLIE AT DANISH FOREST SCHOOL The biggest decision we’ve made so far in Denmark has been where to send our son to kindergarten. Charlie is three – energetic, bright and extremely sociable. But the move away from friends and family has somewhat thrown him. He misses his routine and his great nursery in South London.… Continue Reading
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