Mums in Sweden

Since last November I've been poking around a website called Mums in Sweden, a message board for English-speaking moms in Sweden. It was an invaluable resource for me when Adrian and I were considering making the move (do I even want to go to Sweden??) and then, after we decided to go, to begin to figure out the practical stuff about expat living in Gothenburg (how do I apply for daycares, register at the tax office, learn Swedish?). Last night I met 8 women site for pizza at a popular place around the corner. After dinner we wandered over to a cafe on Vasagatan -- just a fun a gorgeous night. It was so nice meeting everyone in person and hearing about their international love stories. One American woman met her Swedish husband at an ultimate frisbee conference in the U.S. Another Canadian mom did her MBA in Oslo, where she met her Norwegian husband, and they just moved to Gothenburg with their daughter. Most have had their kids here and rave about the support for families, including:

• Nearly free daycare (2 kids full-time is about $200/month)
• 12 months off at 80% pay for mom OR dad
• Another 12 months off at 80% if you have another child within 2 or so years (so THAT's why there are so many double strollers around!!)
• Moms can work 80% time for 10 YEARS
• Free healthcare

So, no commentary on the benefits because it just makes you want to cry, doesn't it? Obviously the taxes are high to pay for this stuff. At any rate, the expat community has been amazingly friendly and welcoming. We had a playdate this morning with Traci and her son Oliver in Askim. Ava cried when we left because she had so much fun. And because Traci has ice cream with cones and sprinkles and whipped cream, so clearly she is awesome.