Icelandic family looking for a kind and flexible Workawayer in Nordborg, Denmark

Details

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  Description

  We are an Icelandic family living on the beautiful island of Als in southern Denmark. Our family consists of Ragnar (49), Alla (44), our energetic 9-year-old daughter Jóhanna, and our sweet 2-year-old dog Rotti. We moved from Iceland to Denmark about two years ago and are slowly building a quieter and more balanced life here.
  
  Life has changed a lot for us since our last Workaway profile update back in 2018. Both of us are currently recovering from long periods of emotional burnout and mental exhaustion, and because of that, we are both away from work at the moment. Our energy levels can vary quite a lot from day to day, so calmness, understanding, and flexibility are very important in our home.
  
  We are warm, thoughtful and fairly quiet people. We love travelling, experiencing new cultures, and spending time in nature. At the same time, we are also very home-oriented people who enjoy cozy evenings, watching a movie or series together, and keeping life simple and peaceful.
  
  Our daughter Jóhanna is full of energy and curiosity. She loves being silly, playing outside, going to playgrounds, paddleboarding, doing creative activities, and exploring the world around her. Like many children today, she is also very drawn to screens and phones, and we are trying to create a healthier balance with more real-life activities, play, and connection.
  
  Rotti, our dog, is a mixed breed with a very loving and sensitive personality. At home with us, he is affectionate, playful, and incredibly cuddly. However, he struggles a lot with anxiety and reactive behaviour around strangers and other dogs, which has become one of the biggest challenges in our daily life.
  
  Because of this, we would especially love to welcome someone who has experience with dogs, dog training, or anxious/reactive dogs. We are trying our best to help him, but we know he also needs calmer structure, training, confidence-building, and guidance from people who understand this kind of behaviour.
  
  For the right person, this could become a very meaningful project and something that would truly make a huge difference in our lives. Even small progress with him would mean a lot to us.
  
  As a family, we are all somewhat shy and deal with anxiety in different ways. Because of this, we are looking for a Workawayer who is kind, emotionally mature, non-judgmental, and able to respect both quiet days and more active days.
  
  What we need most is someone who would enjoy spending meaningful time with Jóhanna — playing, going outside, being creative, and helping reduce screen time naturally through fun and connection. It would also mean a lot to us to occasionally have the possibility to go out together as a couple while someone stays with her.
  
  At the same time, we are also very open to someone who feels drawn to helping us work with Rotti’s behaviour and training. So we are open both to:
  • Someone mainly interested in family life and spending time with Jóhanna
  • Someone with experience or interest in helping reactive/anxious dogs
  • Or maybe someone who enjoys both
  
  Some days we may have more energy and do activities together, while other days things may be quieter and simpler — maybe just walking Rotti or spending a calm evening at home. Because of this, flexibility is very important for us.
  
  We are looking for someone who is:
  
  * Independent and responsible
  * Non-smoker
  * Calm and emotionally understanding
  * Comfortable around anxiety and mental health challenges
  * Flexible and easygoing
  * Comfortable around dogs
  * Interested in simple family life rather than constant activity
  
  Experience with dogs or dog training is a huge plus, but not a requirement if you are patient, kind, and willing to learn together with us.
  
  In return, we offer a peaceful home, honesty, warmth, cultural exchange, and the chance to experience everyday life on a Danish island with an Icelandic family that truly values kindness and human connection.

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  Types of help and learning opportunities

  Animal Care

  Babysitting and creative play

  Help around the house

  House & pet sitting
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  Interests

  

  Sustainability

  

  Pets

  

  Culture

  

  Van life

  

  Self development

  

  Music

  

  Movies & TV

  

  DIY & crafts

  

  Art & design

  

  Photography

  

  Cooking & food

  

  Drawing & painting

  

  Astronomy

  

  Beach

  

  Outdoor activities

  

  Nature
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  Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

  As a Workawayer with us, you will experience everyday life with an Icelandic family living on the peaceful Danish island of Als. We enjoy sharing stories, culture, travel experiences, simple family life, nature, and honest conversations about life.
  
  You will experience both Icelandic and Danish culture, quiet island life, cozy evenings, family routines, and hopefully lots of laughter along the way. We believe the best cultural exchange happens naturally through everyday life — cooking together, walks, small adventures, conversations, and simply spending time together as humans.
  
  We hope to create a calm, warm and welcoming environment where a Workawayer feels more like a temporary family member than just a helper.

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  Au Pair Help

  This host is looking for Au pair help.

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  Projects involving children

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

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  Help

  We are mainly looking for a kind, flexible, independent and emotionally mature person who enjoys spending time with children and understands that some days in our home are quieter than others.
  
  The most important help for us is giving our daughter companionship, play, creativity, and outdoor activities while helping us create more balance and calm in everyday life.
  
  We also highly appreciate someone who feels comfortable around dogs, and experience with anxious or reactive dogs is a big plus, as our dog Rotti can be quite challenging around strangers and other dogs.
  
  Small practical things like walking Rotti or helping lightly around the home are also appreciated.

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  Languages spoken

  English: Fluent
  Icelandic: Fluent
  Danish: Intermediate

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  Accommodation

  Private room in our home.

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  What else ...

  We live in a quiet and beautiful area on the island of Als in southern Denmark, surrounded by forests, beaches, fields, and small cozy towns. The area is perfect for someone who enjoys nature, peaceful surroundings, walks by the sea, cycling, paddleboarding, photography, or simply slowing down a little from busy everyday life.
  
  In your free time, there are opportunities to explore southern Denmark, visit nearby towns like Sønderborg, enjoy local cafés and harbours, swim in the sea during summer, or discover small hidden places around the island. Germany is also relatively close if you enjoy small trips and exploring different cultures.
  
  Public transport is available, although life here is definitely easier for someone who enjoys a quieter and more local way of living rather than fast-paced city life. When our energy allows, we are happy to show Workawayers around, share local places we enjoy, or include them in simple family activities and small adventures.
  
  Our home is probably best suited for someone who values calmness, meaningful human connection, cozy evenings, nature, and simple everyday life more than parties and constant activity.

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  A little more information

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    Internet access

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    Limited internet access

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    We have pets

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    We are smokers

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    Can host families

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  How many Workawayers can stay?

  One

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  My animals / pets

  

  Rotti (2 years)

  Rotti is a sweet and sensitive mixed-breed dog who loves nature, walks, and playing outside. Once he feels safe around someone, he becomes very affectionate and happiest when curled up next to a human for cuddles and naps. He can be nervous around strangers and other dogs at first, so he needs calm energy, patience, and gentle handling.

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