toddler

This week’s challenge – the solo toddler getaway

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ossiachersee

Was I crazy for considering a weekend away, just me and my toddler? Some would for sure say yes, others would say go for it!

The idea began forming after I came home from Australia earlier this year… as a way that I could re-connect with Sammy after such a long absence. But the months went by and I baulked when it came to actually booking. I have to admit, I was afraid. How would it work? Would I survive? Holidays with kids are not holidays, it’s just parenting in another location without the comforts of home.

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I know… let’s go away four weekends in a row… what can go wrong?

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sea in croatia

I love summer. With good weather, long nights, the swimming pool open and the garden to nurture, there’s plenty to do. So, since Sam’s not yet in school, we generally plan holidays in shoulder season when it’s quieter, and cheaper. But all of a sudden, summer was about to end, and I hadn’t organised anything.

That’s how it came to be that I was due to head away every weekend in September.

And guess what? It was too much.

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You know you are in Austria not Australia when… the kiddie pool is not packed on a Saturday morning

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empty pool

When I was in Australia this year, I went to the swimming pool on a Saturday morning to do my laps. “There won’t be much space,” my friend informed me, at which I scoffed. Sure, for the hour or so after opening it can be pretty crowded, but then it’s pretty much clear sailing… or clear swimming as it were.

But she was right. The pool was PACKED. I struggled to park.

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You know you’re in Austria and not Australia when… Babycino is free

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Babycino reciept

Despite not wanting to do weird hipster things like ordering Babycino for my kid… it had to happen at some point. Froth off coffee is fine, except the child does not need a caffeine hit. So eventually Sammy started requesting Milkschaum (which translates to milk foam).

I am aware of the concept of Babycinos from Australia. I am aware they cost money. So, the first time I went out with Sammy and bought him a babycino, I was interested to see what they charge in Austria.

It didn’t cost $1. It certainly didn’t cost $4 (as it has been reported in Australia). It cost nothing. Even though we didn’t order coffee (though we did order spritzers so it counts for something).

So enjoy your Babycinos, Sammy. Just not when we go back to Oz. lol.

With one picture… you know you’re in Austria and not Australia when… you have to sign this permission slip at daycare

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permission slip nuclear

What is it, you ask? It’s a daycare approval form. But not any kind of approval form that you’d see in Australia.

It’s asking for approval from us, as parents, that in the event of a nuclear accident (yes, like Chernobyl), daycare is allowed to administer iodine tablets, which apparently prevent radioactive iodine from being absorbed by the thyroid gland which leads to thyroid cancer.

So… sure! Yes please, I will sign said form. Because as much as it seems ridiculous to me coming from Australia, I guess better safe than sorry! And let’s hope we never have to worry about it.

Winter is even more of a bastard with a toddler

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winter austria

Those who know me will know that I dislike winter. Dislike is probably a little mild, actually. Hate, would be a better word. Abhor, perhaps. Loath. Detest. Hey… sure, a fine winter’s day with snow on the ground when you’re dressed properly… I can enjoy that. But the rest of it. Hate it. Abhor it. Loath it. Detest it. But it’s worse now. Cause not only do I have to try and keep myself warm, I have to keep a child warm! Read on for my rant!

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Off to the petting zoo

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Petting zoo - wallabies

When Sammy was around 18 months, things got a whole lot more fun. He liked going places and doing things on his own two feet. The days of easy stroller walks were unfortunately over, but it opened up other possibilities.

Earlier this year I was still home with Sammy full time, and although it was lovely… it can get pretty monotonous. I was looking for new things to do… and living in a small town limits things somewhat. A visit to a playground… playing in the garden… visiting the supermarket. These are all things to do… but they’re not terrible exciting.

So one day, in the grips of loneliness, I translated the word Petting Zoo and googled it. Cause that’s what we were ready for. Sammy was too young to enjoy a large zoo – but a petting zoo? Hell yeah.

And wouldn’t you know? There is a Streichelzoo (petting zoo) 20 minutes away from where I live. Though it’s more on the scale of a hobby farm than those mobile petting zoos that visit schools and shopping centres.

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Back to work… for real

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office

Even with a generous allotment of maternity leave in Austria (for me it amounted to 2 years, 2 months), it did eventually come to an end.

I was looking forward to going back to work. Craving it, even. Something new to look forward to; getting out of the house (wearing more than stained tracksuit pants); drinking a cup of hot tea in peace while I read through emails; talking to my colleagues about more than just nap lengths and tantrums.

In some ways it was as easy and enjoyable as I imagined. In others it was harder.

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Sammy does daycare

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daycare

Like many other places in the world, getting your child into subsidised care in Austria, means registering early. But given the two years of potential maternity leave, there’s more time for planning. You don’t, for example, have to think about it before you even get pregnant! But there were some things about childcare in Austria that I wasn’t quite expecting. Though to be fair, I based it all on my perceived notion of Australian childcare. And obviously I’ve never had a child in Australian childcare! But here’s how it works here.

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