Friends from back home often ask me about the differences between our country and Norway.

One issue that really seems to interest people is that of parenthood (and of course health care and vacation days).

Questions about paternity leave, child benefit and “Do you really get 12 months off after you have a baby?” are the big ones.

Which is why I found this clip from the Oprah show in 2007 so interesting. The theme of the show was to interview mothers from around the world. This was the contribution from Norway, and it answers some of those questions while profiling one woman’s family in particular.

The woman interviewed is slightly grating on the nerves, but the points she makes seem to illustrate the culture of mothering in Norway. The mothers I know tend to say it is one of the perks of being here!