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Abstract

ty, and, well — snow. Where I live, in the Northeast, people are not always prepared for that.This school year, there have been two snow days so far. The kids were outside playing and sledding down our hill. We have the perfect hill for sledding and because we usually don’t get meters of snow, it’s only used a handful of times every year. If there hadn’t been a snow day, the kids would’ve missed out on the opportunity to play because the snow usually tend to melt in a day or so (if not hours) where we live.Snow days are inconvenient for working parents, but there are only so many years your kids live at home with you before they’re off to explore the big wide world. I’m trying to be as flexible as I can on snow days, embracing those rare moments.<h2 id="bde3">Eating out</h2>I am fairly certain I eat out more than the average Norwegian do. I don’t have numbers to support it but I have a hunch. At the same time, I am fairly certain that compared to the average American, I don’t eat out as often as most people do.Maybe it’s come as a reaction to the pandemic and the lockdowns it brought, I’ve really started to enjoy eating out. Seeing people having a good time, having a good time myself, it’s refreshing.These days, my sister-in-law and I meet up at a new restaurant or bar once a month. We always focus on finding local, small-scale restaurants in an effort to support local businesses. It’s become a nice tradition and a time when we press pause from all the duties of everyday life.<h2 id="0e84">Organized sports</h2>Last year, as I was signing my kids up for organized sports for the first time, I was nervous. Would it be all-in competitive blah, or would it actually be fun for the kids?<p id="5830

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">Although Norway does have organized sports, it is known for its <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2019/04/28/sports/norway-youth-sports-model.html">low-key approach</a>; there are no national championships before the age of 13 and no regional championships before age 11, or even publication of rankings.Of course, it’s a bit different here, overseas.I was dreading the practices, imagining it’d be incredibly boring to watch kids play sports several times every week. (I know, great mom?).It’s been good.Seeing my kids experience the feeling of accomplishment and the importance of teamwork has been invaluable. Also it hasn’t been too competitive — just right—since my kids are not on the elite teams, as they’re called in our county.<h2 id="1e1f">Remote work</h2>Although it’s become more common since the pandemic, Norway doesn’t love remote work, or even hybrid work. They’re a bit old-school, preferring everyone to be in the office.There are, of course, companies in the United States preferring that as well, but you’ve got more options here.I didn’t realize I enjoyed remote work until I found myself in it.Had I stayed in Norway, I would never have experienced it. Maybe briefly during the pandemic. My first remote job was in 2018 and since then, I’ve been in an office but also worked a lot from home.The flexibility, especially as a parent, is nice.Life is a journey with frequent ups and downs.I never envisioned I’d enjoy working from home. I do. Occasionally. I didn’t think organized sports at a young age would be positive. It has been. Food is always good, and so is a healthy amount of confidence.</article></body>

5 Non-Scandinavian Things I’ve Embraced In America

Food, of course, and sports

It could’ve been worse, I often tell myself whenever things get tough. Probably not the best approach to challenges according to experts and research, but it helps me. Instead of thinking of everything I dislike, I reflect on the good things in life.

Today, it looks like this:

Occasional confidence

Like many Scandinavians, I am not overly confident.

It stems from an unspoken law that’s deeply ingrained in people where I’m from — passed down generation after generation. Known as janteloven (law of Jante), Danish author Aksel Sandemose published a novel in 1933 where the famous “law” was printed. It all boils down to this: Don’t think you’re special. And don’t think you’re good at anything.

If you’re interested in hearing more about this confidence killer, I’ve dedicated an article to it here.

The moments I do feel confident, it doesn’t stem from my Norwegian background. This is all America and my supportive husband. For personal growth and self-esteem, I think it’s good to have a healthy dose of confidence.

I found that in the United States.

Snow days

Any Norwegian would scoff over the fact that Americans take snow days.

It’s just snow!

Except for here in the United States, it’s more complicated than that. It’s liability, safety, and, well — snow. Where I live, in the Northeast, people are not always prepared for that.

This school year, there have been two snow days so far. The kids were outside playing and sledding down our hill. We have the perfect hill for sledding and because we usually don’t get meters of snow, it’s only used a handful of times every year. If there hadn’t been a snow day, the kids would’ve missed out on the opportunity to play because the snow usually tend to melt in a day or so (if not hours) where we live.

Snow days are inconvenient for working parents, but there are only so many years your kids live at home with you before they’re off to explore the big wide world. I’m trying to be as flexible as I can on snow days, embracing those rare moments.

Eating out

I am fairly certain I eat out more than the average Norwegian do. I don’t have numbers to support it but I have a hunch. At the same time, I am fairly certain that compared to the average American, I don’t eat out as often as most people do.

Maybe it’s come as a reaction to the pandemic and the lockdowns it brought, I’ve really started to enjoy eating out. Seeing people having a good time, having a good time myself, it’s refreshing.

These days, my sister-in-law and I meet up at a new restaurant or bar once a month. We always focus on finding local, small-scale restaurants in an effort to support local businesses. It’s become a nice tradition and a time when we press pause from all the duties of everyday life.

Organized sports

Last year, as I was signing my kids up for organized sports for the first time, I was nervous. Would it be all-in competitive blah, or would it actually be fun for the kids?

Although Norway does have organized sports, it is known for its low-key approach; there are no national championships before the age of 13 and no regional championships before age 11, or even publication of rankings.

Of course, it’s a bit different here, overseas.

I was dreading the practices, imagining it’d be incredibly boring to watch kids play sports several times every week. (I know, great mom?).

It’s been good.

Seeing my kids experience the feeling of accomplishment and the importance of teamwork has been invaluable. Also it hasn’t been too competitive — just right—since my kids are not on the elite teams, as they’re called in our county.

Remote work

Although it’s become more common since the pandemic, Norway doesn’t love remote work, or even hybrid work. They’re a bit old-school, preferring everyone to be in the office.

There are, of course, companies in the United States preferring that as well, but you’ve got more options here.

I didn’t realize I enjoyed remote work until I found myself in it.

Had I stayed in Norway, I would never have experienced it. Maybe briefly during the pandemic. My first remote job was in 2018 and since then, I’ve been in an office but also worked a lot from home.

The flexibility, especially as a parent, is nice.

Life is a journey with frequent ups and downs.

I never envisioned I’d enjoy working from home. I do. Occasionally. I didn’t think organized sports at a young age would be positive. It has been. Food is always good, and so is a healthy amount of confidence.