As a firefighter, I work four-day shifts with four days off. This gives me great benefits in terms of time spent with my daughter.
We participated in playdates and craft and toy sharing sessions together. I’m usually the only father in attendance, even though online portrays a more egalitarian world.
Perhaps that’s why when my daughter started school, I felt like I was suffering from a mild case of empty nest syndrome. We wanted to strengthen our bond, so we decided to plan a trip just for the two of us.
As we are British we have traveled to Japan twice with my wife and daughter and thought it best to stay in Europe. (I’ll admit that a long-haul flight without my mom was a scary concept).
I researched flights, budgets, and travel times that would support her sleep schedule and narrowed it down to two locations: Porto, Portugal or Bergen, Norway. Then I asked my daughter if she wanted to go somewhere hot or cold. Surprisingly, she chose cold so it was Bergen.
natural icebreaker
We left for Manchester Airport much earlier than we needed to, which ultimately gave us more time to do EyeSpy and talk to people inside the terminal. The child’s confidence and cuteness served as an icebreaker, and I interacted with far more people than I would have traveling alone.
After traveling from Manchester, we arrived in Bergen, Norway.
Source: Thomas Bode
I strategically booked an airport hotel to get through my first night in Bergen. But we both arrived full of energy. When the lights went out, she fell asleep almost instantly and I was lying awake. I was now a kid, excited and excited about the journey ahead.
My daughter exudes confidence and I hope she never loses it.
The next day we took the train to the city center. I already knew then that Norway was the right choice. The tunnels and stunning topography are matched only by the people.
My daughter exudes confidence and I hope she never loses it. She gave a “thumbs up” sign to local residents at each stop platform and always received a gesture and a smile in return. She quickly moved on to a love heart sign with both hands, which the young Norwegian couple mirrored back. With her genuine heart melted enough, she turned back to the coloring book the hotel concierge had given her that morning.
In Norway, “children come first”
From the efficiency of the trains to the cleanliness of the streets, Norway reminded me of Japan.
The similarities with “Land of the Rising Sun” continued throughout the trip. Funny beeps at intersections, the prevalence of 7-Eleven convenience stores, unassuming but kind people, delicate and adult fashion choices, great customer service, delicious food, and generous kindness to children.
“My desire to foster our bond and rekindle my old love of solo travel led me to research trips just for two,” said Thomas Bode.
Source: Thomas Bode
“In Norwegian culture, children come first,” a mother told me at Bergen’s Children’s Science Museum Vilvite. We’ve been talking about how impressive this museum is for children, and how passionate the staff at every corner are about enhancing children’s learning experiences. Open for 17 years, the museum looked brand new. Exhibits change regularly, so local parents keep coming back.
As we talked, my daughter was playing with other kids building cars out of Lego to test them out on the undulating wooden tracks, which ended up being shattered into little bits of wood.
The Virbeit Science Center welcomes approximately 120,000 guests annually.
Source: Thomas Bode
Raising children in Norway is different than raising children in the UK. Monthly caps on childcare fees encourage both parents to work and promote gender equality in the workforce. Children do not start school until they are six years old, so they spend more time as a family unit. The country’s low crime rate means it is common for children to walk alone to school or to other family members’ homes, again similar to Japan.
We planned our trip and let our kids lead the way as much as possible. We ate pancakes by the harbor while listening to the loud horns of nearby cruise ships. We took the cable car to the top of Mount Fløyen and hiked down to the lake to skim rocks by the water. We saw Cologne on the way. This is usually a small pile of stones that marks an important location. My daughter insisted on making her own out of respect for her favorite stuffed animal.
The summit of Mount Fløyen, one of the seven mountains surrounding the city of Bergen.
Source: Thomas Bode
We spent the rest of our short vacation exploring the safe and quiet city’s cobblestone streets and alleyways, taking good photos of the eclectic street art. During our walk, we visited a toy store, a park, an ice cream store, a fire station, and a large church where the choir was practicing.
memorable moments
On our last night together, we sat in a hotel bed, me with a reindeer hot dog and my daughter with a box of leftover pizza. She didn’t care that she didn’t understand the language and was watching children’s programs on TV.
This was an unplanned and simple moment, but I will cherish this memory forever. We were happy and fulfilled with a day of father and daughter adventure without any responsibilities or thoughts about the future.
Explore art scattered throughout Bergen, including this bronze statue known as “The Homeless.”
Source: Thomas Bode
No matter how spontaneous you are, becoming a parent inevitably throws you into a routine. Even “having fun” has an unspoken stipulation and may require some worrying and planning.
That’s why it’s important to have some one-on-one time with your kids to really enjoy them. It’s time to forget about work, household chores, bills, and other things that can weigh down your life. Exploring new territory, solving problems, and having fun together while miles away from home is one of the best experiences I’ve had as a parent.
Will my little 4 year old remember this trip when he grows up?
I know you will. I’m already planning the next one.
