As a firefighter, I work shifts, four days on and four days off. This gives me a huge advantage in the time I spend with my daughter.
We attended playdates, crafts and toy sharing sessions together – despite the internet’s portrayal of a more egalitarian world, I was often the only dad present.
Maybe that’s why I felt like I was suffering from a mild case of empty nest syndrome when my daughter started school. I wanted to nurture our connection, so I decided to plan a trip – just for the two of us.
We are British so I thought it would be best to stay in Europe, although I have been to Japan twice with my wife and daughter. (I admit, a long flight without a mother is a scary concept).
I checked flights, budget, and travel times to ensure her sleep schedule would stay the same, narrowing it down to two places: Porto, Portugal, or Bergen, Norway. Then I asked my daughter whether she wanted to go somewhere hot or cold. To my surprise, she chose the cold, so Bergen was.
natural icebreaker
We arrived much earlier than needed, which gave us more time to do some eye spying and talk to people in the terminal. The child’s confidence and cuteness served as an icebreaker and we met many more people than I would have if I were traveling alone.
Depart from Manchester and arrive in Bergen, Norway.
Source: Thomas Bode
I strategically booked an airport hotel to ease the nerves of our first night in Bergen. But we arrived full of energy. As soon as the lights went out, she fell asleep almost immediately, while I stayed awake. I am now an excited kid, excited about our upcoming trip.
My daughter exudes a confidence that I hope she never loses.
The next day we took the train to the city center – I already knew Norway was the right choice. The tunnels and stunning terrain can only be matched by humans.
My daughter exudes a confidence that I hope she never loses. She gave the locals a “thumbs up” gesture at every platform stop, and the locals always responded with a reciprocal gesture and a smile. She soon moved on to the two-hand heart symbol, which a young Norwegian couple also copied. When enough hearts had managed to melt, she returned to the coloring book the hotel concierge had given her that morning.
Norway’s “Children First”
From the efficiency of its trains to the cleanliness of its city streets, Norway reminds me of Japan.
The similarities to the Land of the Rising Sun continued throughout our trip: the interesting beeps at intersections, the prevalence of 7-11 convenience stores, reserved and kind people, subtle yet sophisticated fashion choices, high-quality Customer service, great food, and unconditional kindness to the kids.
“My desire to both nurture our connection and rekindle my past love of solo travel led me to look into trips with just the two of us,” said Thomas Board.
Source: Thomas Bode
“In Norwegian culture, children come first,” a mother at VilVite, the children’s science museum in Bergen, told me. We kept talking about how impressed the children were with the museum and how passionate the staff in every corner were about improving the children’s learning experience. It has been 17 years since its opening, and the museum looks brand new. Exhibits change regularly so local parents keep coming back.
As we speak, my daughter is playing with other kids, building cars out of Legos, testing them on an undulating wooden track, and eventually smashing them to pieces.
The VilVite Science Center welcomes approximately 120,000 guests each year.
Source: Thomas Bode
Raising children in Norway is different to raising children in the UK. Monthly childcare costs are capped, which could incentivize both parents to work and promote gender equality in the workforce. Children do not start school until they are six years old, allowing them more time at home. The country’s low crime rate means it’s common for children to walk alone to school or other family members’ homes – another similarity with Japan.
Our trip was loosely planned and I let my kids lead the way whenever possible. We ate pancakes in the harbor and laughed at the loud horns of nearby cruise ships. We took the funicular to the top of Mount Fløyen and hiked to the lake, skimming rocks along the water’s edge. Along the way we saw cairns, which are small piles of stones that usually mark an important location. My daughter insisted on building her own in honor of one of her favorite stuffed animals.
Located at the top of Mount Fløyen, one of the seven mountain ranges surrounding the city of Bergen.
Source: Thomas Bode
We spent the rest of our short vacation exploring the cobbled streets and alleys of this safe and quiet city, often taking photos of the eclectic street art. We wandered to a toy store, park, ice cream parlor, fire station and a cathedral with a practicing choir.
moments worth remembering
On our last night together, we sat on the hotel bed, me with a reindeer hot dog and my daughter with a leftover box of pizza. She watched children’s programs on TV and didn’t care that she didn’t understand a word.
It was an unplanned and simple moment, a memory I will cherish forever. We felt content and content with a day of father-daughter adventure, without any responsibilities or thoughts about the future.
Explore art scattered around Bergen, including this bronze statue known as “The Homeless Man.”
Source: Thomas Bode
No matter how spontaneous you are, parenthood inevitably throws you into a routine. Even “having fun” may require unwritten rules, worries, and plans.
That’s why one-on-one time to truly enjoy our kids is key—time where we forget about work, chores, bills, and anything else that might be weighing down our lives. Exploring new areas, solving problems, and having fun as a duo miles from home is one of the best experiences I’ve ever had as a parent.
I wonder if my four-year-old will remember this trip when he grows up.
I know I will. I’m already planning our next trip.
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