Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Human Nature

More than just a magnificent Michael Jackson song, human nature versus nuture is an age old debate that really hit home after my last visit to the US to meet my 6 week old nephew.

This little man was born with personality, preferences, and physical traits of both parents. I clearly witnessed the fact that he liked to be held just a little bit longer after he wakes versus after he eats and likes to be bounced when he's tired, not to mention given attention when he's put down. He's a cuddler and attention seeker. One could say he also got that from his parents.

However, what really hit home hard was the fact that his nurturing was going to have to be cut short due to the shotty maternity benefits in the US and that infuriated me. In 6 short weeks he will be put in a daycare center where hopefully the care providers have enough time to take care of his needs, but most likely he will just have to adapt to their schedule and availability.

Right now he is at home in his safe little environment being nurtured and although there are arguments on either side for what is better for the social skills and discipline of the child, there is no argument in my mind that Denmark's policy that a child should be with his mother for the first 6 months of his life is the most humane one.

Tuesday, February 2, 2010

New Digs in DK

The entire month of January was pretty much dedicated to preparing ourselves for the official move to our new home in Vanløse the weekend before February 1st. However, nothing could have prepared us for the blizzard like conditions on actual moving weekend.

The difference between a Danish move and an American move is in DK moves happen year round, whereas we typically move in the Spring, Summer, Fall in the Midwest when the weather is mild and favorable for such things. In Copenhagen, reasonably priced apartments for rent are as hard to come by as a cheap latte so when you find one you like, you take it right then and there.

We woke on January 30th to the biggest snow storm of the season yet. Møn, where Tobias' parents live, was hit the hardest. We knew the van we had lined up wasn't going to make the trip, but Tobias' Dad wasn't giving up just yet. He test drove the roads, decided they weren't "too slippery" and made the 2 hour trip to Copenhagen.

Four trips back and forth and a trailer rental later we were all packed into our new home thanks to the will and determination of Ib and Marianne Møller. It's only February and they deserve the "Parents of the Year" award.