Inspire, play and explore with our little international unschooling family on a tiny island, Åland, Finland

  • Favourited 940 times
  • Last activity: 28 Mar 2024

Availability

  2024 

 Min stay requested: No minimum

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Details

  • Description

    Description

    * Please read through our entire profile and only reply if your heart really says YES. ♥️ *
    * People of all skin colours, nationalities, backgrounds etc are welcome! *

    We are a little family of three: two adorable children (7 and 8 years old) and a mum, and we love being with each other, laughing, playing, swinging, climbing in the cliffs, being by and in the ocean, cooking & baking (and eating, of course ;-) ), movement, gardening, music and spending time with inspiring people. We try to LIVE SUSTAINABLY and are VEGETARIANs (we eat mostly fresh, PLANT-based/vegan foods, and when possible gluten-free). Also, I am educated as a doula and very passionate about natural, free and home birth, about postpartum care, women's health, peaceful parenting, community building, healthy lifestyle, alternative and holistic medicine, our amazing, natural immune system, human rights incl. medical freedom, mindful living and self-directed learning. I believe that the current times are a lot about un-learning (esp. for us grown ups), and about healing, unfolding, expanding and shining our unique light into this world. So that we can contribute to a new earth, where both humans and all other beings are not only surviving but actually thriving.

    We are living on a very little island, so staying with us is perfect if you love a peaceful environment without any supermarkets, traffic, noise etc.

    We have recently been travelling a lot ourselves and have been workawayers, too, so we know of the challenges and the beauty of being in somebody else's home.

    We are unschoolers/life learners, i.e. the children are learning by living and by spending their days in environments where they thrive, feel free and safe, where they get inspired and can just be. And I trust that all children naturally have the competence, motivation and desire to learn and grow. For us, it is very important that the needs and feelings of EVERYONE in the family (including you, of course) are heard and RESPECTed, and we believe that all humans are WORTH EQUALLY MUCH, no matter their age, skin colour, nationality etc. ♥️ When we open our home to complete strangers, it is important that you respect that this is our beloved home, and a safe space, especially for the children. Here, they are loved unconditionally. They are allowed to be alive, to be themselves, to be children. And they can and will be loud at times. Of course, I ask them to respect others. But if you are looking for a place with the quiet of a church or a museum, then our home is not the place to go ;-)

    Vital for me in life is JOY, even in our work. I strongly believe that we all do best for others and ourselves when we do things we like, and are in an environment where we feel comfortable. So who we are looking for is someone who greatly ENJOYs CHILDREN and who wants to inspire and support us with her/his culture, knowledge, interests, personality, energy, talents and passions. We are such a small family, so we love some extra people in the house sometimes. Hopefully, you want to be with the children quite a lot and bring in whatever makes you heart jump. That could be anything from scouting over dancing, playing an instrument, drawing, doing acrobatics, swimming, singing, ball games, telling stories, building puzzles, sewing or speaking a new language to cooking your own local dishes. Anything. Your thing(s)! ♥️ If it's ok with both the children and yourself, you might also want to spend quite some time cycling, watching butterflies and dragonflies, playing on the playground, looking for answers to big questions, learning new skills, skipping, painting/drawing, doing cartwheels, growing vegetables, making bonfires or playing hide and seek, which are some of their favourite things to do at the moment, as well as some video games (which is something I know absolutely nothing about but is big interest of them from time to time). Also, it would be great if you could help a bit with some light HOUSE WORK as well as other small things that might come up. And we are growing some fruit and vegetables, so during the warmer months of the year there is some GARDENING work as well that we'd love to share :-) If you can support us building a greenhouse and things like that, it would be fantastic. Our piano is currently at another family's house, but we might get it back soon, and then you are of course welcome to play it. It is vital for me that you are a person who TAKEs INITIATIVE; that you come up to the kids (or me) with your own suggestions to go to the forest, go cycling, read a book, find out more about a certain topic, build a robot out of toilet paper rolls or whatever comes to your mind, that you notice that pile of dishes yourself and wash it, etc.

    I have an online business that is longing for more attention, but most of all, I am trying to become better in taking time for myself to heal, be in quiet and tend to my own needs. (Mamahood has been super amazing for me, but also taking so much from me - and now I am dedicated to create thriving life for myself, so I can be the best version of myself, the best mum, partner, friend and human.) And it is amazing if the kids have someone else to turn to, share with and get inspired by. So this is one of the reasons why we would love to have workawayers staying with us again!

    IT TAKES A VILLAGE TO RAISE A CHILD. And our workawayers are a big part of our village - for inspiration, fun, guidance, play, support and learning. Our family by choice has already grown so much, through many workawayers who have become dear friends. And many times my heart melts when I receive applications from wonderful people, and each time when we have new workawayers I find it mind blowing that there can be be so many different kinds of amazing people. You guys are fantastic, and I feel blessed to be able to be part of this way of exchange. ♥️ So: thank you for reading our text, and please write if you feel that we could be a great match!

    In our experience, a stay of ca. 3 weeks works well; however, we are flexible and also have shorter or longer vacancies in between.

    We would greatly appreciate SWEDISH speaking volunteers, in order to practise our languages. However, travellers of all languages and backgrounds are very welcome to apply. Our main language at home is English.

    We usually share cooking and making the dishes with our workawayers (but you don HAVE to cook if it's not your thing!).

    Please note that you pay for your own laundry - just as we do - in the neighbour building (2€ per machine load), and that we provide only basic foods. Any snacks, higher priced items or foods that we do not usually buy need to be purchased by the travellers themselves. There is also a sauna that you can use (for 2 Euros) which can be nice in the colder months.

    ♥️ What we mostly need is people who
    * are passionate about being with kids, who come with inspiring, creative ideas as well as the ability to just stay in the background at times and who accept all kinds of feelings.
    * want to help with some lighter cleaning
    * and a bonus would be if you have a good eye for taking pictures - since I currently need some for my website. ♥️

    FAMILIES: In general, we are totally open to hosting families and know both from hosting and from travelling that this provides amazing opportunities. At the same time, it can also be challenging with more people (including more little people) and their needs and the energy of everyone together. So if you decide to come as a family, we extra much value open, clear and respectful communication so that we can find good solutions for all of us. And if it really does not work for any of you or us, that you are willing to look for another host and move on. This being said, all three of us have made the most amazing friends when being hosted by families or hosting families, and we are totally open to more of these life-changing friendships!

    NB: We are receiving lots of requests from workawayers. Please make sure that you have read through our profile, and please take a few minutes to tell us a little bit about yourself, especially if you share hardly any information on your own profile page, and let us know why you would like to live with us. ♥️ We are looking very much forward to hearing from you!

  • Types of help and learning opportunities

    Types of help and learning opportunities

    Art Projects
    Language practice
    Teaching
    Gardening
    DIY and building projects
    Farmstay help
    Babysitting and creative play
    Creating/ Cooking family meals
    Help around the house
    General Maintenance
    Help with Computers/ Internet
  • Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

    Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

    I believe that just living with other people, and especially being around children, is always a great chance to learn and grow. You can also maybe learn a language with us - depending on what languages you do(n't) speak - as well as discovering new thoughts about unschooling/life learning, deschooling, health, birth, holistic lifestyle, maybe a new culture or a recipe, and about living on our beautiful island. And, of course, play, laugh and live with us!

  • Projects involving children

    Projects involving children

    This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.

  • Help

    Help

    Spending time with the children is the main part we would want you to do (of course unless you for some reason should not "click" with each other). It is therefore very important that you truly enjoy being around children. ♥️ The kids are usually very excited, respectful, fun and inviting; they just love when people are open and join into their play. Giggle, build, climb, swing, ask questions, play tag, bake, jump, dance, paint, whatever. And they are children full of energy and excitement and love and life. For me, it is vital that they feel accepted and respected just the way they are, even more so in the workaway setting, since you will be part of our home which is their safe haven. ♥️

    Apart from being with the children, I would appreciate helping a bit around house and garden. And sharing your experiences, passions, knowledge and interests with all of us!

    We usually share the task of (always vegetarian, mostly plant-based) cooking and doing the dishes with our workawayers.

    A bonus would be if you spoke Swedish or German, so we can practise our languages. Or maybe you can teach us a bit of a new language!

    Oh, and I greatly appreciate self-starters and people who take initiative themselves sometimes. That you come up to the kids to suggest games or activities. That you sit down next to them (if it is ok with them) to show an interest in what they are doing. That you vacuum clean the floor when the kids just brought plenty of soil into the hallway and you notice that I am exhausted. And stuff like that.

    * At this moment, someone with a talent for photography would be amazing since I need a few pictures for a new website. But this is not a must at all. *

  • Languages

    Languages spoken
    German: Fluent
    English: Fluent
    Swedish: Fluent
    Danish: Beginner

    This host offers a language exchange
    This host has indicated that they are interested in sharing their own language or learning a new language.
    You can contact them directly for more information.

  • Accommodation

    Accommodation

    You will have your own room in our apartment.

    Our home is parfume free, and we appreciate if you could avoid the use of any parfumes (including in deodorants and laundry soap), too. Essential oils etc are so welcome here!

    We would be happy to share meals, at the same time as we sometimes might have different routines or times. In general, I expect you to just help yourself and to take initiative. We would greatly appreciate if you also would eat vegan or at least vegetarian in our house.

    Please remember that this is our home - not a hotel - and also your home for a while ♥️ so please contribute and clean after yourself and put things back into place, and please be mindful with our (and our planet's) resources such as water, electricity, food and the like.

  • What else ...

    What else ...

    Discovering silence, meeting wonderful people, experiencing the community of a very small village and very small island, being very close to nature and a magical view of the midnight light in summer, and the moon and a sky filled with stars many nights in the darker months of the year, and sometimes even Northern lights. ♥️

  • A little more information

    A little more information

    • Internet access

    • Limited internet access

      Limited internet access

    • We have pets

    • We are smokers

    • Can host families

  • Can host digital nomads

    Can host digital nomads

    We do have WiFi but try to turn it off as much as possible to reduce the impact of radiation. There is also a library a minute away that you can enter any time and that has WiFi. Also you can purchase your own prepaid card in town to have your own mobile data.

  • Space for parking camper vans

    Space for parking camper vans

    We could at least look into this option, if you are interested in this, and see if and how this would be possible.

  • Can possibly accept pets

    Can possibly accept pets

    I can't promise anything, but a (kids friendly) dog for example might be possible. Tell me more about your pet and I will let you know what I think!

  • How many Workawayers can stay?

    How many Workawayers can stay?

    Two

  • ...

    Hours expected

    Maximum 4-5 hours a day, 5 days a week

Host ref number: 683652696699

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Accuracy of profile: (5.0)

Cultural exchange: (4.8)

Communication: (5.0)























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