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.