Taking Care of Our Kids

We managed to finalize the care arrangements for Max and Lilja on Tuesday. First and foremost, we have Ilene with us to take care of the kids during the first month of our stay. But, we now know how they will spend their days for the rest of our time in Aarhus. We feel really good about where they are going, a place called Bodøgården Haven (Haven means "garden"). We got recommendations for it from 3 people we trust, and its located about a mile from the department.

The kids will both be there, but in different classrooms, Lilja for 0-3 year olds, and Max for 3-6 year olds. Their rooms will be basically next door to each other, and they will be able to see each other whenever Max wants to come visit. They'll share the same playground—or I should say that Lilja will be in a part of Max's much larger playground—it is huge with trees and lots of climbing equipment and things, and it was basically the selling point for Max. (We were trying to decide between this place and another smaller, quainter place, but the other place really would have been too small for an adventuresome boy like Max.)

They won't start for another two weeks, and so we are glad Ilene is here, because our 3-week long Danish classes started today! When the kids start school on the 16th, the school arranges it so that Lilja will only go from 9-12, and they have a parent or guardian with them that entire first week for the entire time, so Ilene will help us do this. Then the next week, Ilene will still be in Denmark, so we'll keep Lilja's days short to get her used to going to school without a parent and Ilene will help us with her in the afternoon. We're not worried about Max at all—he's dying to go and wishes he didn't have to wait.

There are 4 adults for a 12 child-classroom. The school cooks all the snacks and hot lunches for Lilja and provide diapers. For Max, we have to bring him lunch but they provide the snack, just like at Alaya. And get this: the babies all sleep OUTSIDE summer and WINTER! They have these special beds (I'll take pictures at some point) and they put them in down comforter sleeping sacks. This isn't just this school--this is all Danish schools for under 3 year olds.

The staff is so friendly—actually, everywhere we went to visit we got first class treatment and were given an hour long tour and discussion. It was amazing how much attention is put to child care in this country. Child care work is completely professionalized—"pedagogs" have to have a special education, and there are many men in the business. People do this for their entire careers, and it is all taken very seriously.

Anyway, we are very much relieved. We feel really good about where the children are going and the care feels good and loving, and they are accommodating and welcoming to parents. There is even a Danish-speaking American working at the school (pregnant with a boy she plans to name Maxwell!), and she has taken it upon herself to help Max and Lilja transistion to a Danish-speaking school. So far, the Danish child care system has really impressed us. The whole world should be so lucky. All parents should have this kind of support.

Ken

P.S. This post was written by Leysia as an e-mail message; I've edited it a bit and posted it here to capture it on the blog.