Family cafes might be the answer to family problems. Quartz’s Annabelle Timsit reports from Helsinki on the Kotikolo establishment, which brings parents together over coffee and pastries. It offers them a chance to forge new friendships, and ward off mental health issues.
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New parents often report feeling lonely, especially those who stay at home for long periods of leave. Loneliness isn't just a momentary annoyance; it's a deep-rooted issue that's associated with lots of physical and mental health problems down the line. And poor mental health affects the bond between
New parents often report feeling lonely, especially those who stay at home for long periods of leave. Loneliness isn't just a momentary annoyance; it's a deep-rooted issue that's associated with lots of physical and mental health problems down the line. And poor mental health affects the bond between parent and baby, potentially harming both.
This didn't use to be as much of a problem, back when people lived with their families and extended communities and child-rearing was thought of as a collective endeavor rather than a solo project. Like one expert told me, "the old ‘it takes a village to raise a child,’ that’s not just a political slogan, that’s what all the science tells you; that to raise a human child...[you need] a network of people who are putting a lot of work and investment." But in many rich countries like Finland, this proverbial village has essentially disappeared; grandparents live far away in the countryside while parents raise their child at home in the cities. So, we need to find ways to recreate the village and better support new parents as they go through this important transition.
Finland's family cafés, where new parents can gather two to three times a week to make friends, play with their children as a group, and learn about parenting from experienced volunteers, seem like a good place to start.
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As a dad raising two kids and took paternity leave when we got our first baby I can imagine this feeling. At the time a baby came to my house there was no one around us who I could talk about parenting and share my daily experiences. Now, after kids started going to school this isn't a case but I wish
As a dad raising two kids and took paternity leave when we got our first baby I can imagine this feeling. At the time a baby came to my house there was no one around us who I could talk about parenting and share my daily experiences. Now, after kids started going to school this isn't a case but I wish I could be part of my 'dad community' earlier.