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One of the best experiences I've had as a parent


I work shifts, four days on and four days off, as a firefighter. This gives me a great advantage in terms of the time I have with my daughter.

Together, we've attended play dates, and craft and toy sharing sessions – and despite online portrayals of a more equal world, I'm usually the only dad present .

Maybe that's why when my daughter started school, I felt like I was suffering from a mild form of empty nest syndrome. I wanted to encourage our connection, so I decided to plan a trip – for just the two of us.

We are English, so I thought it would be better to stay in Europe, despite having traveled to Japan twice with my wife and daughter. (A long flight without her mother was a scary concept, I admit).

I looked at flights, my budget and travel times that would accommodate her full schedule, narrowing it down to two places: Porto in Portugal or Bergen in Norway. Then I asked my daughter if she wanted to go somewhere hot or cold. To my surprise, she chose cold, so there was Bergen.

A natural icebreaker

We left for Manchester Airport much earlier than we needed, which gave us more time to play eyeball and talk to people in the airport. My child's confidence and cuteness was an ice breaker, and we interacted with far more people than I would have if I had traveled alone.

Landing in Bergen, Norway, after traveling from Manchester.

Source: Thomas Board

I strategically booked an airport hotel to spend our first night in Bergen. But we both arrived full of energy. Once the lights went out, she fell asleep almost immediately, while I was awake. I was now an excited child, thrilled with the journey ahead.

My daughter has a confidence that I hope she never loses.

The next day we took the train to the city center – and already I knew that Norway was the right choice. The tunnels and amazing topography were matched only by the people.

My daughter has a confidence that I hope she never loses. She gave the locals “thumbs up” signs on the platforms at every stop, always getting a gesture and a smile in return. She quickly moved on to a two-handed love sign, which a young Norwegian couple showed back. With enough real hearts successfully melted, she returned to the coloring book the hotel concierge had given her that morning.

'Children come first' in Norway

From the efficiency of the train to the cleanliness of the city streets, Norway reminded me of Japan.

Similarities to the “Land of the Rising Sun” persisted throughout our trip: the funny bees on roadsides, the frequency of 7-Eleven convenience stores, the reserved but kind people, smart and mature fashion choices, good customer service, delicious food and the kindness to the children.

“With my desire to nurture our connection and rekindle my love of solo travel in the past I began researching a trip with just the two of us,” said Thomas Board.

Source: Thomas Board

“Children come first in Norwegian culture,” a mother told me in the VilVite, a children's science museum in Bergen. We had been talking about how great the museum was for the children, as staff in all areas were eager to improve the children's learning experience.Opened 17 years ago, the museum had a new look.Exhibitions change regularly so that local parents come back.

As we talked, my daughter played with other children, building cars out of Lego to test a wavy wooden track that they smashed to smithereens.

The VilVite Science Center welcomes approximately 120,000 guests each year.

Source: Thomas Board

Raising children in Norway is different from raising them in England. There is a monthly cap on childcare costs, which encourages both parents to work and promotes gender equality in the workforce. Children do not start school until they are six years old, which gives them more time in the family unit. The country's low crime rate means that it is normal for children to walk to school or to the homes of other family members, alone – another characteristic of Japan.

Loose plans guided our journey, and I let my child lead the way as much as possible. We ate pancakes by the harbor, laughing at the loud horns of the cruise ships nearby. We rode a wagon train to the top of Mount Fløyen, walked to a lake and peeled rocks at the water's edge. We saw cairns on the way, which are small piles of stones that usually mark an important place. My daughter insisted on building her own, honoring one of her favorite stuffed animals.

At the top of Mount Fløyen, one of seven mountains surrounding the city of Bergen.

Source: Thomas Board

We spent the rest of our short vacation exploring the cobblestone streets and alleyways of the quiet, quaint town, often photographing eclectic street art. Our joy took us to a toy shop, parks, an ice cream parlor, a fire station and a large church with an active choir inside.

A moment to remember

During our last night together, we sat on our hotel bed, me with a reindeer hotdog and my daughter with a leftover box of pizza. She watched children's shows on television, not caring that she could not understand a word.

This was a simple, unplanned moment, and I will cherish this memory forever. We were both happy and fulfilled from a day of father-daughter adventure with no worries or thoughts about the future.

Exploring the art scattered around Bergen, including this bronze statue, called “The Homeless.”

Source: Thomas Board

No matter how inactive you are, being a parent inevitably throws you into a routine. Even “fun” can involve unwritten terms, anxiety and planning.

That's why it's so important to enjoy one-on-one time with our children – a time when we forget about jobs, housework, bills and anything else that can slow life down. Exploring new territory, solving problems and having fun as a couple, miles from home, is one of the best experiences I've had as a parent.

I wonder if my little four year old will remember this trip when she grows up.

I know I will. I am already planning our next trip.



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