Women, part II: Signe in Copenhagen

This week's woman is Signe Pyt who I know as @signepyt on Instagram. What I really love about Signes posts is her eye for those special moments in an ordinary everyday life. Her pictures are very genuine and personal, perfectly imperfect. She captures those sweet moments with her two beautiful daughters so very well.

Signe lives in Frederiksberg in Copenhagen with her daughter Olga, almost 5, and her daughter Tove, 1.

Signe studies Modern Culture at Copenhagen University and is, at the moment, finishing her master's thesis. She works at 'Se Til Siden' with city development strategies

Thank you Signe, for being a part of this

Can you please tell us a bit about yourself and your family? Who are you?

We are Olga, Tove and myself. I'm originally from Jutland but live in Copenhagen. I still use those typical Jutlandish terms, and I still tell which celebrities I've seen on the streets of Copenhagen, and I'm still very much in doubt on how to teach me children to pronounce certain words (såsom hammer, sort og Maria). But I love Copenhagen and I feel at home here in a very special way - which still surprises me every time I return to Copenhagen after a few days or weeks away from the city

What does a typical day look like for you? And how do you juggle life with small children, studying and work?

We start the day off with Tove waking up and the two of us sneak out of the bedroom so Tove won't wake Olga who has crawled into my bed during the night. I make coffee and we sit on the floor in the living room where Tove plays and I wake up. Once Olga is up the morning becomes more busy. We eat oatmeal and get dressed (always such an exciting time of the day with a 5 year old) we get on the bus to get to the kindergarten and the nursery.

I find a table at a café and from here I do some hours of work or I go home to get some laundry done or other things like that while I work or write and eat my lunch. Once a week I work from the office but other than that I can work from home or make appointments somewhere in the city. I love the flexibility and I make sure to make some coffee dates with friends during the daytime to make sure I get to have some time with other adults. Other than that it's just me and my little children.

When the three of us get home in the afternoon Olga plays with the other children in our court yard or at our neighbours. Sometimes I will join Olga and our neighbours with Tove. It's such a nice way to spend the afternoons. Other days we might go to the library or stay home and cuddle up. Especially if the girls have just been at their dad's I really feel the need to keep them close to me.

How would you describe your home?

I just painted and moved a bit around in our apartment for the first time in four years. It almost feels like a new apartment - which I love!

What do you love about living in Copenhagen?

I love living in a small big city. I love the capital vibe with old buildings with history, gardens and museums, and all you could ever wish for cultural-wise. And I love that we are so many people here in big contrast to where I grew up. I like dissapearing into the crowds.

Copenhagen is especially great for raising children. We have such great playgrounds, museums, restaurants and cultural events.

What to see and do in Copenhagen for a family visiting the city?

I'm all for going on a canal tour around Copenhagen. Studying ethnology has certainly made an impact on me. I think it's such a great way to experience the city.

And Superkilen park at Nørrebro is very cool.

If you want to go outside of the I would recommend Arken, which is my favorite museums. They have such nice activities for children on the weekend and the beach and a great playground just outside.

Where is your favorite holiday spot with children?

Anholt - such an underestimated and wonderful place in Denmark where I've spend most of my summers as a young woman with my best friends. Now I love enjoying the Island with my children.

What is your favorite thing to do with your children?

I love everyday life but I also love visiting my mother and all of her animals in the north of Samsø. I love seeing my city kids collecting eggs, feed the bunnies, collect vegetables and berries in the garden and eat them right away

What is most important to you when it comes to raising your children?

They should never ever doubt in my love for them. Or my trust in them. I want them to feel like they can tell me about their thoughts and feelings, or if they have done something wrong, and know that I won't tell them off. But instead have a conversation about what is going on. I believe that if I show them trust and respect they will go out in the world with trust and respect - and show me the same.

I recently listened to the podcast 'Never Before with Janet Mock' in which she interviews Tina Knowles who speaks about raising children, and how children at some point might disagree with the ways we raise them. But they will often look back at how we raised them and make use of what we as parents taught them. I clearly see this in relation to my own mother and how she raised me. That's why I won't get disappointed if one day my children feel the urge to call me an idiot, because I know for as long as they don't have doubts about my love and my trust in them then it's okay to be the idiot at times.

How did motherhood change you?

I became a mother when I was 25 and I was the first of my friends to enter motherhood - it changed me in certain ways while my friends stayed exactly the same. When I'm thinking about the last couple of years I don't believe I've changed that much. I just found some sort of peace. And a great fear for loss.

What’s your best advice on parenthood?

I don't want to give any advice - the reason is that I don't think I have ever gotten a piece of advice which haven't - in some way - made me feel bad. Wel... Maybe to use almond-oil instead all sorts of different products. It will help you clean your babies. Haha, such a practical advice