Grandmothers are like Sweden.

Sweden is a country that rocks- fashionable, solid, and full of people with names like Anja, Sofia, and Hanna who can do any winter sport with a smile.

The grandmothers in my world are like that.

One grandmother is my Swedish government-run child care system. (Did you know Sweden’s entire population has access to childcare so parents can work?)

When I’m working, who comes in to pick up during the vast time gap? Granny. She cheerfully tucks my little one safely into her car and takes her on adventures. Well, to her snow covered backyard where my little “e” can run and practice those winter sports with a smile.

The other grandmother is my Swedish National Institute of Public Health (Their policies, by the way, include the statement that health is a key factor for sustainable societal development.)

Whenever “e” has a cold, Oma has a wealth of knowledge to pass on regarding concoctions to assuage ills- honey and tea, salt and hot water, cold compresses for a fever, etc. And, then there is always the back-up call the next morning or in the evening.

My grandmothers climb trees, make snow angels, buy extra winter coats and hats with hearts, paint ceramic creatures with bright silver sparkles, find just the right fuzzy slippers for tiny toes, play with scarves and puppets, and know just how much to tug on soft hair matted and snarled from a nap filled with dreams of dragons and dinosaurs.

As a single mom, I don’t know what I’d do without Sweden in my life.

  Filed under: Parenting, Stuff that floats through this chick?s mind. by  Gwen  No Comments »

“Mommy, I wish the world were a big heart,” my daughter says.

“You think of the best ideas,” I say.

“Love and pink and red everywhere,” she adds.

“That would be quite a world,” I say.

“So, today- like right now- can we make heart cookies?” She turns her head to the side and bats her eyes.

“You are four! What are you doing with those eyes!” I bend down. “Where did you learn to do that?”

“What?” She smiles.

“Four year olds don’t bat their eyes. I knew you were up to something!” I stand up and wipe the kitchen counter.

“Oh, please, mommy, I really, really, really want to make heart cookies. It’s my favorite thing to do.”

“I thought your favorite thing to do five minutes ago was to color dogs, and five minutes before that your favorite thing was to play ‘Feed the Kitty,’ and 5 minutes before that I thought making puzzles was your favorite thing to do?” I put my hands on my hips.

Her shoulders relax. She sighs. “Mommy.” She twirls toward a stool. “I would like a spot of tea.”

“A spot of tea?” I laugh. “You make me laugh little girl! Okay, I shall make us tea with honey.”

“Oh, goody.” She raises her arms and hugs me.

“I guess we’ll need some cookies to go with the tea, huh?” I say. “Heart ones?”

“Yes.” She nods like she’s adding an exclamation point. “Pink and Red.”

  Filed under: Parenting, Stuff that floats through this chick?s mind. by  Gwen  1 Comment »