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- I’m an American raising my kids in Norway. Full-time childcare costs $420 for two kids, and I get a $350 a month stipend. (businessinsider.com)
From New Jersey to Norway: One Family’s Story of Embracing a New Life
Monica Virga Alborno, an engineer originally from New Jersey, has always had a thirst for international living. After a stint in Kuwait, where she met her husband Ziad, the couple’s careers took them to Angola.
However, when they decided to start a family, concerns about healthcare during pregnancy led them to seek yet another new home. Their company facilitated a move to Norway, a decision that would reshape their family life.
A Scenic Haven and Parental Paradise
Norway offered the perfect blend of nature and family-friendly policies that the couple sought. Living just a short ferry and bus ride from Norway’s second-largest city, they enjoy breathtaking views of fjords and mountains from their spacious home.
Beyond the scenery, Norway’s progressive parental leave policies stood out. Both Monica and Ziad were able to take substantial paid leave – nine months for Monica and four months for Ziad – designed to alternate, ensuring both parents are actively involved in childcare from the start.
Affordable Childcare and Holistic Healthcare
The couple’s children thrive in Norway’s public daycare system, known as Barnehage. This unique program blends forest school principles with Montessori education, fostering a love for the outdoors and practical skills like baking. The affordability of the program, coupled with a monthly stipend for each child, adds to the family’s overall financial well-being.
Monica also praises Norway’s holistic approach to healthcare, particularly during pregnancy and childbirth. While she experienced an emergency C-section with her daughter, the care was exceptional, including a visit from a pelvic floor specialist the very next day. With her son, she successfully pursued a VBAC (vaginal birth after cesarean) under the guidance of a supportive medical team.
The Value of Higher Taxes
Even the higher taxes in Norway don’t faze Monica. Recounting a recent experience where her daughter received exceptional care during a week-long ICU stay, including dedicated nurses, a massage therapist, and even bicycling clowns in the children’s hospital, she sees the direct impact of her tax contributions on the quality of life and care her family receives. For Monica, Ziad, and their children, the move to Norway has been a journey to a richer, more fulfilling family life.