The perfect imperfect parental leave
Parental leave – a haze for some, an endless stretch of dead time for others. Some walk and rock and comfort little colicky stomachs with a burning lack of sleep in their bodies, while others seem to have all the time in the world for walks and picnics with a little snuffling baby in the pram. It's so unfair. But for most people there is usually – at least during some part of the parental leave – the energy, desire and opportunity to get outside the walls of the home.
Hi Anna! FINALLY! It almost feels surreal to see each other IRL considering how many times we've rescheduled this home visit. Is it life with toddlers or is it our personalities?
Haha - write that it is 99% the children's fault and 1% our fault and we appear a little better. No, but seriously, in moments of chaos and defiance (and even otherwise) I imagine life in 7-minute intervals (exercise 7 minutes, play intensively 7 minutes, cuddle 7 minutes, sing "singing bag" 7 minutes). A life puzzle divided into 7 minutes.
While we're on the subject of puzzles (good transition huh?) - how well do you combine the role of mother with the role of Anna?
I try to hang out with people who give me energy! But sure. Some days it feels like I'm running a bad toddler mother life, other days I should be nominated for an Oscar because I play all the roles so well. But I think I have lowered the requirements quite a lot after child number two.
Speaking of roles. We usually joke in the Stacking Stories office that parental leave either leads to a career change, a new company or a change of residence. How does it look to you?
Yes, there is recognition there. The time you spend with your thoughts makes you start thinking and processing things. Right now I'm in a phase where I throw up ideas to see how they land, some I say out loud and others I marinate to myself. No idea where it leads, you'll have to ask again in six months.
"The time you spend with your thoughts during parental leave means that you easily begin to question the puzzle of life"
Now you will get to reveal your innermost secrets. We'll start with a really juicy one – what makes you laugh out loud?
So I laugh a lot and often so it's hard to say what makes me laugh out loud, it's a lot. But the children are a good source of laughter, both to laugh with and sometimes at.
Do you have a favorite place?
The blue bench outside the large bakery on Torsgatan in Stockholm, in the middle of the rush of traffic with a cappuccino and croissant. Definitely my favorite place, by the way a good place to sit and laugh too, haha.
How do you prefer to spend a child-free day?
Eat well, drink well, sleep well - and then talk about the children.
The last get-to-know question, what ingredients must be included for a successful family day?
Scone breakfast. Excursion to the park, or a blue light walk -
Blue light walk? Tell?
Yes, haha, that's when we go around and check the police and the fire station on Kungsholmen, or we go towards Sabbatsberg and count ambulances. You also need lunch, sausages with bread are a child-friendly hit, or Italian. Maybe a good hamburger. Haha, realize it was all about food now.
Impossible equation? Drink coffee, fill in the book and play with children.
Your five best things to do with children in Stockholm?
1. The Peacock Pantomime Theatre
2. Police Museum
3. Ivar Los park Södermalm
4. Vasa Park
5. International library Kungsholmen
6. Tram park Kungsholmen
7. Junibacken
Oh, there were probably seven tips, you can forget two.
We are happy to take seven, it is appreciated! Do you have any other places in Stockholm that you love to visit, with or without children?
Without children:
- Ambar (wine bar Tomtebogatan with orange wines and Japanese home cooking as a specialty)
- Pom & Flora (breakfast all day)
- Stora bageriet (Torsgatan)
And with children:
- Snow (pasta & ice cream)
- Flippin Burgers
- Rosendal's garden
"Everything I buy doesn't really go home with the children. For Stig's room, I bought a slightly more expensive painting with a bird motif on it. When he saw it, he asked which child painted it."
Before we say thank you. What does the future look like? What are you dreaming about right now?
Plenty! Copenhagen, to eat pizza and drink natural wine with a nice label, maybe dribble? Maybe research? Maybe become a barista? I guess we can see in six months what I have managed to tick off.
