Many of us would like to think that we were the best parents in the world. Although we might be doing a good job of it, you really need to compare yourself with what they are doing in Sweden. You should do so, not to feel bad about your own efforts but to see where improvements are possible.
Sweden gives you 480 days of paid parental leave
Throughout the world, you will not find a better place to have children then Sweeden. For 390 days after the baby is born, you receive 90% of your salary and the final 90 days are paid at a flat rate. 90 of those days are given to the father but if he doesn’t take them, they are not available for the mother. Sweden also provides a gender equity bonus so that both parents may split the parental leave.
You don’t need to take a leave immediately. It can be claimed at any time until the child is eight years of age. It applies to those who are employed as well as to those who are unemployed when the child is born. If there are multiple children, leave can be collected from all of them. Some Swedes will go on vacations that lasts for months!
Sweden allows you to reduce your regular working hours by 25%
Until the child turns eight years of age, you have the right to only work 75% of your previous job hours. For those who feel overwhelmed after going back to work and who want to spend more time at home, you can do so and your employer can’t do anything about it.
Plenty of drop-in play centers
It can be difficult to stay home and find something to do with your children. That is where the “open preschool” comes into play. These drop-in play centers are federally funded and are scattered about in every city. There are also private open preschools funded by various other groups.
In these open preschools, there are music sessions, arts and crafts, gym equipment and sing-alongs. Coffee and tea are available for the parents and you can interact with other adults.
Dads are everywhere
It is not uncommon to see fathers wearing their babies in woven wraps or feeding their children at the playground. Changing tables are found in men’s rooms and nobody thinks twice if a man misses work to take care of his child.
Pick and mix candy
It is true that Swedes tend to be healthy but that doesn’t mean they avoid candy altogether. Swedish families enjoy what is known as “Saturday candy.” They take a small bucket and shovel to the market every Saturday and fill up on treats.
They don’t care about the weather
According to a Swedish motto, “there’s no bad weather, only bad clothing.” It doesn’t matter what the weather are like, you can take your baby out in it and nobody is going to think a thing about it.
Government salary for sick children
You get a salary paid by the government if you have to stay home with your child because they are sick. This is available until the child is 12 years old.
Fika
This is a snack break that occurs around 10 AM. Parent groups meet up for Fika and children will sit at a table or bench to eat their snack before going back to playing.
Good foods
Swedish kids tend to have different palates than children in other parts of the world. For the most part, children eat regular food from the time they are very young.
Mysig
In Sweden, there is no such thing as being too cosy (Mysig). It can happen any day of the week, but people get especially cozy on Fridays.
Via: Matador Network
Be sure to share this with your friends on Facebook