It is a big step when you go back to work or studies from being home with your baby. I am still home with my daughter during the days and try to study in the evenings. We will wait until she is one and a half years old and then put her in day care.
There are a lot of things you might want to know before you decide where you you’re your child in the days. We have already had several questions. Which kind of day care is most suitable for my child? For how many hours can she be away? Will she adapt to her new environment? How will the introduction go? (- please, let it go fast and not with any crying…) Our choice had to be made, primarily because of daughters well being. She has, ever since being a toddler been very happy and easygoing -but also a bit sensitive to high noises and too crowded places.
Now, some might think that this isn’t a big deal and that she will learn to be at a new place. We thought this too. There are both positive and negative things to take in consideration, being at a preschool or at a day mother.
First: In preschool there are bigger groups of children and she should find someone in her age to play with. At a day mother she might not find anyone in the same age as her but have someone older to play with.
Second: At a preschool, everything is suited for the children and there are often many things to play with. The outside environment is adapted for children to have the space to play and run around. A day mother might have a smaller space but also more like home, the step between the own home and the day care takers is not so unfamiliar.
Third: At a preschool there are many children, when someone is sick it can spread like an epidemic and everyone sooner or later will get the same illness. This might not happen quite so often at a day mother.
Surely everything will work out fine. I am just being a bit of a “chicken mother,” hovering over my baby. Our first choice was to have a day mother, mainly because of the smaller group of children. Our second choice was a preschool just beside where we live with a nice playground and a little forest. Our friends have their son in the preschool and they are very satisfied with their choice.
We finally decided to have her with a day mother. It was the best alternative for us and luckily we got a place with one who lives quite near us. Let us hope we made the right choice!
söndag 10 maj 2009
måndag 27 april 2009
Blog Assignment #5: Big Brother Is Watching You
I believe it is good to have all the new technology we have today, with cameras, cell phones and internet. If I didn’t have our camera, I would miss out on recording our beautiful baby daughter’s progress. This is so fun to have for us and our family. With cell phones you can reach someone when you are outside. This is a security for me if something happens, for example, if the car breaks down.
With the internet everything is just a click away. You can order almost everything you need without having to leave your home. This is much better when I get stressed in stores trying on clothes or shoes. Much better to have it shipped to you in a box (not good for the environment though…).
To have recordings of our life together is one way to use a camera. You might also have use for it in stores to keep track of any occurrence. It could be if someone commits a crime. Then it can be helpful to go back and check the surveillance tape. Straight across our apartment building lies a small candy and tobacco shop. A few months ago when I was putting our daughter to bed, I heard a sound, like a window braking. I looked out the window and saw a man come out of the shop with the cashbox, running towards another man and disappearing behind a corner. I called the police and almost immediately after, they picked up two men who fitted my given description. Unfortunately I didn’t see their faces and they were released later on. If there had been a surveillance camera, maybe it had been enough to arrest the robbers.
I believe on the other hand that there can be too much of everything. Too much surveillance can prohibit people from going in to shops. When we were in the U.S, I didn’t dare to go inside the Louis Vuitton store because of the security guard standing outside. He looked big and scary.
It is also a bit unpleasant to hand over your personal life on the computer. I don’t know everything there is to now about computers; still I give away my personal number as well as my VISA-card number if I am buying something.
With a cell phone you sometimes don’t get the privacy you want. You can shut it off but then you might feel an obligation to answer, even if you are on vacation. One thing I am very careful with is pictures. I never upload too personal pictures on myself, my family or anyone else.
I believe however that we need to cling on to the fast growth of technology to keep up with everyday life. Luckily we can adapt quickly to every change in the society.
With the internet everything is just a click away. You can order almost everything you need without having to leave your home. This is much better when I get stressed in stores trying on clothes or shoes. Much better to have it shipped to you in a box (not good for the environment though…).
To have recordings of our life together is one way to use a camera. You might also have use for it in stores to keep track of any occurrence. It could be if someone commits a crime. Then it can be helpful to go back and check the surveillance tape. Straight across our apartment building lies a small candy and tobacco shop. A few months ago when I was putting our daughter to bed, I heard a sound, like a window braking. I looked out the window and saw a man come out of the shop with the cashbox, running towards another man and disappearing behind a corner. I called the police and almost immediately after, they picked up two men who fitted my given description. Unfortunately I didn’t see their faces and they were released later on. If there had been a surveillance camera, maybe it had been enough to arrest the robbers.
I believe on the other hand that there can be too much of everything. Too much surveillance can prohibit people from going in to shops. When we were in the U.S, I didn’t dare to go inside the Louis Vuitton store because of the security guard standing outside. He looked big and scary.
It is also a bit unpleasant to hand over your personal life on the computer. I don’t know everything there is to now about computers; still I give away my personal number as well as my VISA-card number if I am buying something.
With a cell phone you sometimes don’t get the privacy you want. You can shut it off but then you might feel an obligation to answer, even if you are on vacation. One thing I am very careful with is pictures. I never upload too personal pictures on myself, my family or anyone else.
I believe however that we need to cling on to the fast growth of technology to keep up with everyday life. Luckily we can adapt quickly to every change in the society.
tisdag 14 april 2009
Blog Assignment #4: Grades
What do you study for? The grade or the knowledge?
I had a discussion with my boyfriend about grades in general. He remembered his years from middle school and up only as fun. He felt as it was an achievement to get good grades and then compare them with his classmates. It was the competition that drew him to study.
When I look back at my school years, I had most fun in primary school up to elementary school. I thought all the subjects were interesting and were eager to learn more. When I began middle school (from the seventh grade) it wasn’t the same. You were separated from your classmates and began in a new class with only a few of who you knew. The teaching was completely different with us going to different rooms where the subjects were located and different teachers in every subject. It took time to adapt to everything being new. Then you got grades and everything got stressful. Suddenly you studied to get as high marks as possible and also trying to squeeze all information in as fast as you were able to. This led me feeling headache and stomach pain.
Many pupils are driven to get high grades. It makes them work harder to get to the top. This can be good for some but those who do not have this competing spirit might feel vulnerable. Some want to see what the other has got in grade and they might try to hear or see their grades. The one who don’t compete might feel exposed and uncomfortable.
I believe grades in such early age are unnecessary. Children are so dependent of us adults. It is our job to give them their self confidence in what they are doing. They want to hear that they are good at something and get the credit they deserve if they have finished an exercise or a test. They want to hear that they have done an okay job, no matter of the result.
On the other hand, I can understand parents who want to know if their child needs any backup in a certain subject. My experience is that it is a truly blessing to have a teacher with good documentation of the pupils. In Sweden I believe we have good documentation like this. An example is every semester the teacher and parents have a conversation of the child’s development (utvecklingssamtal).
The laissez-faire attitude is not a bad thing. Young children especially, need the time to adapt and grow into the work they tend to do. Let them play. Does it really matter if it takes a little longer time for them to understand what they are intended to do? Let kids be kids.
I had a discussion with my boyfriend about grades in general. He remembered his years from middle school and up only as fun. He felt as it was an achievement to get good grades and then compare them with his classmates. It was the competition that drew him to study.
When I look back at my school years, I had most fun in primary school up to elementary school. I thought all the subjects were interesting and were eager to learn more. When I began middle school (from the seventh grade) it wasn’t the same. You were separated from your classmates and began in a new class with only a few of who you knew. The teaching was completely different with us going to different rooms where the subjects were located and different teachers in every subject. It took time to adapt to everything being new. Then you got grades and everything got stressful. Suddenly you studied to get as high marks as possible and also trying to squeeze all information in as fast as you were able to. This led me feeling headache and stomach pain.
Many pupils are driven to get high grades. It makes them work harder to get to the top. This can be good for some but those who do not have this competing spirit might feel vulnerable. Some want to see what the other has got in grade and they might try to hear or see their grades. The one who don’t compete might feel exposed and uncomfortable.
I believe grades in such early age are unnecessary. Children are so dependent of us adults. It is our job to give them their self confidence in what they are doing. They want to hear that they are good at something and get the credit they deserve if they have finished an exercise or a test. They want to hear that they have done an okay job, no matter of the result.
On the other hand, I can understand parents who want to know if their child needs any backup in a certain subject. My experience is that it is a truly blessing to have a teacher with good documentation of the pupils. In Sweden I believe we have good documentation like this. An example is every semester the teacher and parents have a conversation of the child’s development (utvecklingssamtal).
The laissez-faire attitude is not a bad thing. Young children especially, need the time to adapt and grow into the work they tend to do. Let them play. Does it really matter if it takes a little longer time for them to understand what they are intended to do? Let kids be kids.
tisdag 31 mars 2009
Blog Assignment #3: Climate Change
When we a year ago moved to an apartment building owned by KBAB (Karlstad Bostad AB), we became much better at recycle.
Earlier we only went away with paper, cans and bottles. We also gave away clothes to Myrorna or Frälsningsarmén.
The transport to recycle stations made it a bit more difficult before. KBAB have made it possible to recycle much more of our garbage. Now I am almost ashamed when I think about how much we have thrown in the garbage in the past.
Recently, KBAB handed out paper bags where we are supposed to throw food. It is a bit more to think about but a great solution in the long run. Our dustbin isn’t as full as it was before either.
Right now, I feel like a huge environmental villain. We have a little daughter who is in diapers. I dare not to think about what happens to the diapers, how many years it takes to decompose them.
When it comes to the actual assignment this time, why the world has been so slow in reacting to our environmental situation, I think it is many different things.
First, I think most people think “It doesn’t matter what I do, I can’t do any damage alone.” That would be “ok” if it was this only person, but there is not one, it is millions of people thinking the same.
Second, people today don’t have the time to think about the world. There are so much other things they have to do. They have some much other thing on their minds. The stress of today does not allow us to stop and think of the consequences.
And finally, even if we have heard about the climate change and the hazard that follows, we haven’t seen any “real damage” until recently with the change in weather around the world. In this saying I mean that people have closed their eyes to the actual problem. It is a bit harder now but many have still their eyes closed. It is easier that way. No uncomfortable feelings by doing so.
I only hope more people stops and think about their environmental affection and starts to do something to prevent the world from falling apart.
Earlier we only went away with paper, cans and bottles. We also gave away clothes to Myrorna or Frälsningsarmén.
The transport to recycle stations made it a bit more difficult before. KBAB have made it possible to recycle much more of our garbage. Now I am almost ashamed when I think about how much we have thrown in the garbage in the past.
Recently, KBAB handed out paper bags where we are supposed to throw food. It is a bit more to think about but a great solution in the long run. Our dustbin isn’t as full as it was before either.
Right now, I feel like a huge environmental villain. We have a little daughter who is in diapers. I dare not to think about what happens to the diapers, how many years it takes to decompose them.
When it comes to the actual assignment this time, why the world has been so slow in reacting to our environmental situation, I think it is many different things.
First, I think most people think “It doesn’t matter what I do, I can’t do any damage alone.” That would be “ok” if it was this only person, but there is not one, it is millions of people thinking the same.
Second, people today don’t have the time to think about the world. There are so much other things they have to do. They have some much other thing on their minds. The stress of today does not allow us to stop and think of the consequences.
And finally, even if we have heard about the climate change and the hazard that follows, we haven’t seen any “real damage” until recently with the change in weather around the world. In this saying I mean that people have closed their eyes to the actual problem. It is a bit harder now but many have still their eyes closed. It is easier that way. No uncomfortable feelings by doing so.
I only hope more people stops and think about their environmental affection and starts to do something to prevent the world from falling apart.
fredag 13 mars 2009
Blog Assignment #2: The Fascination of a TV Series
In 1990, I was seven years old and remember with love how we all; mother, father, grandmother and grandfather sat down together on the Sunday evenings and watched Dallas. It was my favourite TV series. No other show has come close to the great memories I have of that.
Whether it was the series or our family meeting that made it so special I can not decide but I think it was the hole aura about us having something we all enjoyed watching. I remember my granddad laughing when J.R said something mean or sarcastic. Not that my grandfather was anything like J.R, he just found it very amusing how anyone could behave like that. The worst part was that J.R seemed to get away with it all the time, if I don’t remember it wrong. Was he ever nice?
Nowadays, I don’t have the time to follow a TV-series every week. The great (?) thing about soaps like “Days of our Lives” or “Glamour” is that you can watch an episode one day and if you haven’t seen it for a couple of days or sometimes weeks, you still know what has happened.
One TV series I sometimes watch is Desperate Housewives. I find it quite amusing. They have their differences and you can recognize a bit of yourself in either one of them. Though they are extreme in different ways, Bree who is a housewife to the top of her fingers or Susan who seem to be a bit neurotic, you always feel with them and recognize things in the ordinary life.
Whether it was the series or our family meeting that made it so special I can not decide but I think it was the hole aura about us having something we all enjoyed watching. I remember my granddad laughing when J.R said something mean or sarcastic. Not that my grandfather was anything like J.R, he just found it very amusing how anyone could behave like that. The worst part was that J.R seemed to get away with it all the time, if I don’t remember it wrong. Was he ever nice?
Nowadays, I don’t have the time to follow a TV-series every week. The great (?) thing about soaps like “Days of our Lives” or “Glamour” is that you can watch an episode one day and if you haven’t seen it for a couple of days or sometimes weeks, you still know what has happened.
One TV series I sometimes watch is Desperate Housewives. I find it quite amusing. They have their differences and you can recognize a bit of yourself in either one of them. Though they are extreme in different ways, Bree who is a housewife to the top of her fingers or Susan who seem to be a bit neurotic, you always feel with them and recognize things in the ordinary life.
onsdag 25 februari 2009
Blog Assignment #1: Childhood Memories
I would like to see that the children would take care of each other as well as the nature. The topic today is the environmental situation we have. I hope they are more educated about the situation that is going on. We have heard about the effects created to nature, but just now we start to realize that we have to do something. This should have been done for ten or twenty years ago.
I hope the children will play more outdoors. Not just, as we have read, sit in front of a computer or a TV all day. It would be great if they come up with their own activities outside.
I’m not saying this is not the case now- that no one can play outside, but I’ve seen many kids become apathetic as soon as they go for a break. I have many times tried to start up a game to make them play. I blame it on all the new computer games and similar things. They are not used to play outside. Sadly.
I have to say, I thought my mind would change when I became a parent.
Now, I see that it hasn’t. At least, not so much. I still believe in the same moral values.
The most important thing for a child is to feel loved. Security is the next. A child who grows up with these two things will achieve so much more in life. The child hopefully becomes a confident and secure person and can pass this on to others.
Our responsibility as adults is to make sure they know as much as they can about all the fun and beautiful in life. That is quite a lot; hopefully we can show them at least some of it.
I hope the children will play more outdoors. Not just, as we have read, sit in front of a computer or a TV all day. It would be great if they come up with their own activities outside.
I’m not saying this is not the case now- that no one can play outside, but I’ve seen many kids become apathetic as soon as they go for a break. I have many times tried to start up a game to make them play. I blame it on all the new computer games and similar things. They are not used to play outside. Sadly.
I have to say, I thought my mind would change when I became a parent.
Now, I see that it hasn’t. At least, not so much. I still believe in the same moral values.
The most important thing for a child is to feel loved. Security is the next. A child who grows up with these two things will achieve so much more in life. The child hopefully becomes a confident and secure person and can pass this on to others.
Our responsibility as adults is to make sure they know as much as they can about all the fun and beautiful in life. That is quite a lot; hopefully we can show them at least some of it.
lördag 14 februari 2009
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