Interview transcript

Interviewer

Yeah, and has already also been taking notes because we all have to look at these notes back again. So for the first interview, we're just going to be talking English? I think that's nice.

 

Specific user

Yes.

 

Interviewer

And it's important to know that if we ask you questions and you're not comfortable with, just tell us. Then we don't go deeper into that

 

Specific user

OK.

 

Interviewer

And also all the information you do give us, we don't share it to anyone else except for his group. We do have to eventually share with our tutors and stuff, but we will not be sharing your information publicly.

 

Specific user

Hmm.

 

Interviewer

We will be anonymizing it before we put it in on a website or something.

 

Specific user

OK. Yeah, no problem.

 

Interviewer

Well, yeah, if you can sign the consent form after this meeting, that's totally fine, I think.

 

Specific user

Yeah, mm hmm.

 

Interviewer

Then shall we do a little introduction? Could you briefly introduce yourself?

 

Specific user

Yes. My name is “Specific user” and I'm French. And yeah, I did my studies in the UK, and then I came to the Netherlands after my PhD. I'm an assistant professor and I do research in 3D printing. And yeah, last year, actually in 2023, I had a baby. So now they are one and a half year old. And I believe that is the main thing that you will have to design for.

 

Interviewer

Yeah.

 

Specific user

Yeah. So yeah.

 

Interviewer

How long have you been here in the Netherlands now?

 

Specific user

Almost exactly three years.

 

Interviewer

I don't know, good timing.  Yeah, can you also like, maybe introduce us to your family situation, because you have a one and a half year old… ? Do you u have any other children? A partner?

 

Specific user

Yeah. So I have a husband and yeah, he works in the UK, actually. So he's away to work every 2 weeks. In other words, working from home and then one week in the UK. Yeah, no other children. And yeah, the rest of my family live in France or things like that. Yeah, I think for family, yeah. And then my son goes to daycare three days a week, and I have one. One day a week and yeah. And then one day I work from home with him.

 

Interviewer

OK.

 

Specific user

Hmm.

 

Interviewer

Yeah. Then maybe it's also nice to get a little bit to know about your child.

 

Specific user

Mm hmm.

 

Interviewer

Who is he?  He is one and a half years old now, then I expect him to already kind of have a personality. Or is he still too young for that?

 

Specific user

Yeah, so indeed, I have one and a half year old boy. Yeah. He's quite active. And a bit cheeky. He likes to eat a lot. And, he understands very well, I think he understands French, Dutch and Portuguese because his dad is Brazilian. And he likes to dance also. I've already said that. Yeah, he likes to dance. And, yeah, he is cheeky.

And cute, of course, you know.

 

Interviewer

Do you take the time to actually teach him all the three languages yourself, or is he just learning because he is hearing you talk?  What language do you normally speak at home, and how does he learn 3 languages?

 

Specific user

Yeah. So I, yeah, I speak French. And then his dad speaks Portuguese, and we speak English to each other with his dad. And then at daycare, they speak Dutch. So we're not actively, giving him any classes, but then he just hears it? Yeah.

 

Interviewer

That's fair, do you find it very important for him to know all these languages?

 

Specific user

I think so, yes. I mean, knowing languages is always good to have and, also it's good also to talk with their respective families and things like this. So. Yeah, it's very important.

 

Interviewer

I'm actually quite curious, in which languages you will be raising for the next like 18 years while he's living with you?

 

Specific user

Yeah. For me, for sure French. I think a bit later, I will also like to make him learn to write and read French. Personally, Portuguese, I don't know if they're going to learn in that much depth, and I think English will come to him naturally, at school or online, so I won't make too much effort to teach him English.  So yeah, so I think, yeah, it is good to know multiple languages.

 

Interviewer

And a one and a half year-old, what can I expect they are capable of? What can I expect from a child of that age? How far is a one and a half year old developed? Can they walk and talk?

 

Specific user

Yeah, so he can walk, he is almost running, I think. For talking, he's starting only to say the odd word here and there. Think that's maybe a slightly later than usual, but this is also because there are multiple languages involved.

 

Interviewer

Yeah.

 

Specific user

But he is saying some stuff we're trying to repeat, or you can see he's trying to say stuff, but that it's not working out, yeah.

 

Interviewer

That's cute. 

So yes, we do have a few questions for how it is to be a mom of a young child. Of course this interview is for us to figure out what your life kind of looks like and to see what could benefit your life. So maybe you already have problems, or things that you experience not going smoothly. And I hope we can stumble up a these point by going through some questions sooner or later. 

First question, is very broad. How do you experience being a mother?

 

Specific user

Difficult at first, like the first year was a bit difficult, because your life changes a lot. Like you have to take care of somebody else 24/7, and they are kind of their own person. Kind of takes a step like good and into it. Although of course, sometimes it's still tiring because yeah, you have to work, and then you have to take care of your child and things like that. But it's also nice to see him evolve and develop and do new things.

 

Interviewer

And how does change your way of living that you had?

 

Specific user

Yeah, maybe some stuff, I can think I can still do most things that I usually did, but some stuff now I cannot do as much as I used to do sports quite a lot during the week, but now I haven't taken it back up again. And also things like for example going to the cinema or things like this, then that's not really possible. I mean when? Especially when his dad is not around. But otherwise, I usually I can still go have coffees or eat with my friends out, and then I just take him with me. So that's also fine.

 

Interviewer

So for you, the social aspects are still fine?

 

Specific user

Yes.

 

Interviewer

Do any of your friends have children as well. Or are you the only one?

 

Specific user

Most of my friends don't have children, but recently I met a few moms like just around so just randomly in the coffee or something in the café. Yeah, so yeah.

 

Interviewer

Do you think you miss out, that from your friends don't have children and that they cannot relate and that you cannot learn from them?

 

Specific user

I think that's OK. Actually, they're very nice, and they really like kids actually, so they're always very nice with. I forgot to say, his name even, his name is “Personal Name”. So yeah, no, they're very nice with him, and he likes being around with them. I think so. Yeah, it's all good, actually.

 

Interviewer

That's really cute.  And they still have some of their own energy still to give to your child.

 

Specific user

Yes, yes.  Indeed.

 

Interviewer

OK.  So I think the most interesting part of the whole being a motor and seeing how, what kind of maybe product or something could help is by looking at your ideal life.

 

Specific user

Mm hmm.

 

Interviewer

But first, I want to look at like what your daily life was like before becoming a mother.  So that we have a reference of what you use to be doing.

 

Specific user

Hmm.

 

Interviewer

Uh, so you already mentioned sport. Are there maybe any other things.

 

Specific user

Yes, yes.  So before then.  Yeah.  We did sports, maybe five times a week or something. And I also played in wins orchestra, just one day a week in.  Otherwise, I would plan many activities with my friends.  Just random things like going to visit the city, Netherlands or trying to do some laser tag or whatever.  Just random things that seem nice, but still pretty frequently, like at least once a week.  And nowadays, I don't plan too much, but yeah.

 

Interviewer

Do you have struggles planning activities like this, or is it mostly just that you have less freedom to go wherever you want now?

 

Specific user

I think the freedom to go places is still OK.  It's just sometimes I just feel too tired to organize something.  But actually that's another thing.  That's a bit difficult because I go to visit my family in France or I go to the UK quite often and well before I could just work or sleep in the train, but now it's pretty hectic to travel.  With yeah, with young kids.

 

Interviewer

What makes it hectic?

 

Specific user

Well, now he doesn't sleep in the trains.  And he wants to move and do things. But also when we have to wait and stay in the train. Then there is the simple stuff that sometimes I need to change the diaper, but then there's no carriage with the diaper changing thing.  And also actually just also getting there. Usually I travel alone actually with him with a stroller or sometimes without a stroller, and there are quite a few people who do not help to get on and off sometimes, but now it's OK.

 

Interviewer

No.

 

Specific user

I just like grab somebody and force them to help me.  But yeah.

 

Interviewer

To carry the stroller into the train?

 

Specific user

Oh yes, for example, yeah.

 

Interviewer

How do you travel most of time which kind of transport?

 

Specific user

A train. I try to travel mainly by train 'cause I think it's still the most  comfortable one, especially with the baby, yeah.

 

Interviewer

What do you think your kid thinks about travelling?  How does he experience it?

 

Specific user

I think before, he's travelled a lot already.  I think he kind of likes it, especially actually what helps a lot is if there are some friendly neighbors or some kids in the train too, then they kind of play together, or he waves at people and he yeah, things like that.  But otherwise he does get a bit more now at this age that doesn't sleep, and he wants to do things.  Then he gets a bit bored, so I have to bring multiple things with me to vary things to do.  I'm like, OK, crayons. And then a toy and then a book or then something else.  Yeah, to try and get keep him occupied.

 

Interviewer

What are the things indeed that you bring them to entertain him?

 

Specific user

Yes, some crayons with to colour or a little book, or sometimes a little toy.  But a toy that doesn't make too much noise or something not to disturb too much the rest of the passengers.  I think that's it.  And actually, sometimes the train conductors they give stickers or little things also, so that's nice.

 

Interviewer

Nah, that's cute.  So are there other problems you have with travelling or is mostly just getting him not to be bored in the train.

 

Specific user

That's one thing.  Also, nowadays, I try not to take the stroller with me, but then he's a bit heavy now, almost 12 kilos.  And if I also have a little suitcase, it's 12 kilos in one hand and then the suitcase. And then if I have to work to and from the station, it's a bit, yeah, it can be very physical sometimes.  So yes, so maybe something that is interesting to look into.

 

Interviewer

How do you walk?  How do you walk then with your kid?

 

Specific user

Or just with him in my arm like this and one arm, and then one arm for the suitcase.  A small suitcase, but still I have to drag it.

 

Interviewer

Yeah, I have no clue actually how to efficiently move with a one and half year old, but is it possible to walk with him like hand in hand?

 

Specific user

So he can indeed walk.  But then he only walks where he wants to.  And also pretty slow.  So also. Yeah. So sometimes, and yeah, the main problem is that he walks only where he wants.  And that's not towards the train usually, so yeah.

 

Interviewer

Is it?  Is it difficult for you to carry him in into the train?  And on the platform itself.

 

Specific user

That's OK.  No, usually 'cause it's just walking from my house to the train station, it's a 15-minute walk and just at the end it's a bit heavy in the arms, yeah.  But otherwise, on the train and off the train, that's OK.  And in the end, usually somebody does come and help if I need something, but usually I'm still somehow self-sufficient just with the stroller. Without the stroller, then I'm OK, on the train.

 

Interviewer

And then when you're when you're in, it is possible to just go for a full 3 hours without any problems.  If when you're in train, you just continue without problems?

 

Specific user

Oh yeah, yes.

 

Interviewer

OK, then I want to go back a little bit.

 

Specific user

Yes.

 

Interviewer

To your life.

 

Specific user

Yes.

 

Interviewer

You already said you used to do more sports.  What kind of sports did you used to do? If you went sporting again, how?

 

Specific user

Mm hmm.

 

Interviewer

What would it look like?

 

Specific user

Yep, so I used to do rowing twice a week.  And then some.  The odd sports with my friends like badminton or volleyball or.  Like a boot camp type stuff.  Just whatever comes up that week.  And sometimes some of the classes from the Sports Center.  Yeah, and that's all for the sports.  Yeah. If I were to do some sports again.  I think I would like to do some rowing again because.  It's nice and yeah, I've done it for a long time also.  But otherwise I'm also. I would like to kind of go back to the same format of trying different sports also.  Like this or playing a bit more volleyball or things like that.

 

Interviewer

And if you were to go rowing today? How would you do that?

 

Specific user

There is a club.  Other than the student one, so I was part of that club, actually.  It's OK.  But then yeah, I think training takes a bit of time like at least two hours, sometimes three.  If like by the time to set up and everything.  So they're just a little bit long. So I think I would just need somebody to watch him and I think I will take him with me because it's not so baby friendly.  Also, that club.  And there's not much to do. I guess for him there.

 

Interviewer

Yeah.

 

Specific user

Because it would be nice if somebody could watch him, I guess while I train.  But then, yeah, maybe it's a lot of time.

 

Interviewer

Yes, my is very trained.  You could do go into the water. It's not just the aerometer and stuff.

 

Specific user

Yes, no. Yes, mainly water.  Actually I don't use the, I avoid the aerometer.  Yes, there are many the water.

 

Interviewer

I was wondering like was it at what age would you think it would be possible for you to take him on the boat?  Is that a weird question?

 

Specific user

Good question, but I also don't know because it's my first child, and I'm not that versed in kids.  So I don't know, but indeed it would be nice.  Like actually my dad used to do some rowing too, and I remember like some of the drop my sister and I at the Rain Club, and we just do some coloring books while he trained.  So it is possible I guess, but I don't know what age we were, so yeah.

 

Interviewer

Yeah.  Do you have any other hobbies?

 

Specific user

Yes. Yeah, like.  Like cooking and things like this.  And I had kind, especially the first year with my child,  I didn't find too much time to cook or very simple things.  But nowadays, that is, eating needs to eat like us.  Then I since this January, actually I find that I want to, I feel that I like cooking again, so that's nice.  And.  Yeah, otherwise.  Yeah, I'm just reading a book or watching some  movies.  But yeah, then I just need to find the time to do it because I don't want him to look at screens for now also.  So I don't. There's no more movies.  I mean, unless he's already sleeping.  But then usually I don't sleep too late, I feel.

 

Interviewer

How do you do that?  You say you don't want to watch screens.  How do you keep in line with that?

 

Specific user

Yeah. So, yes, so I don't watch movies when he's around.  I try not to be on my computer also when he's around, and I would like to try not to be too much on my phone also, but that's a bit harder.  So he does see the phone.  I guess not.  I never give him the phone to do something.  He just he sees me on the screen.  But otherwise, no, I don't make him watch stuff.  Yeah. On any type of screen.

 

Interviewer

Do you have difficulty with that?

 

Specific user

I think that's OK now.  I mean the phone that I need to do a bit better, but I think it's OK then because he doesn't know what is there, then he doesn't miss it.

 

Interviewer

That's fair.  I do. I do like admire that. It's nice.  Yeah. I want to ask you, what do you think you enjoy most about being a mother?

 

Specific user

Having seen the evolution that one day he cannot do something and the next day he can, it's very nice that he understands something that I tell him or that he does a new dance move. I don't know.  Or things like this.

 

Interviewer

And do you think you have any problems with enjoying these moments? Or does the appreciation come from its own?

 

Specific user

I think it's OK. Some days when I'm very tired or things like this. Then I'm like, why? But. Otherwise, most of the days it's OK.  But also actually during the week these days it's starting to be very routine, I pick him up, make him eat, make him shower and then he's goes to  sleep.  And then at the end of the day, it's starting to be much more  in rhythm also.  So I don't have time too much to think about it.

 

Interviewer

So you got a routine?

 

Specific user

I think it's nice, but also to be fair, we do go away quite frequently to France  or UK.  So I think at least once a month we are going somewhere.  So the routine stays only for a few weeks, actually. And then we have to go again,

 

Interviewer

Yep.

 

Specific user

yeah.

 

Interviewer

Actually, how do you like to organize it?  How do you divide?  It does your did you have a husband or does your husband also like to take on some task for himself?  Or are you the primary caretaker?

 

Specific user

I think he does good, then the weeks, he is not there, then I do everything.

But now and then actually when he comes back, a lot of the time, somehow he's sick.  And then I still do everything.  But he does help more, and he plays and on the weekends.  Then he takes him for an hour or two, and then I just sleep or something.

 

Interviewer

I want to come back to one thing really quickly because you said that one of the things you do still enjoy your life right now is cooking. What does your perfect cooking experience look like?  On a normal day.

 

Specific user

Can you repeat the question?  Actually, actually my kid was crying.

 

Interviewer

You said that one of the things you still enjoy doing is cooking.  And I wanted to question what your perfect cooking experience would look like?  In your life right now.

 

Specific user

For cooking, you said.

 

Interviewer

Yeah. How would it fit? What would be?  What would you be your routine of cooking? If it all went perfectly.

 

Specific user

Actually, now it's quite nice because then I'm trying to make sure he doesn't eat the same dish all the time, so I'm trying to be a bit creative and use different types of vegetables or  carbs or stuff like that.  So actually it's pretty nice.  Now it may be nicer than before because also I need to just think of some new things.  So that's what I like, I think.  Mm, hmm.  Yep.

 

Interviewer

Is there anything you're missing when you're cooking right now, or are there any things that are still in the way of you being able to cook the way you want to.

 

Specific user

Maybe, it mostly a problem with time. Cause when I come back from work and I have to do it pretty quick.  And then I have to go get him from daycare.  So you have a bit of time, but not much to be honest.  Actually, it's also nice that he likes cooking. So I try to make him help me.  I just kind of chop stuff big and if he puts them in the pan or something like that, so that's kind of nice.

 

Interviewer

That also keeps him busy at the same time, kind of entertaining.

 

Specific user

Yes indeed.  So it's pretty nice now.  Cooking is good.  But then, yeah, he also he does also what he wants sometimes.

So I have to remove him from the kitchen.

 

Specific user

Oh.  Usually I guess because our house has an open floor plan, so there's a kitchen and living room all together.  So he would be in the living room if he's not in the kitchen. Yeah, yeah.

 

Interviewer

OK.  In a bit, I want to do a kind of small exercise of walking through a daily routine to see what it looks like so we can get an understanding of your life.  

That might just be nice.  To walk through the entire day and then like, say, some time slots have to be exactly precise, but it can be quite rough.

 

Specific user

Yep.

 

Interviewer

And then say what you do, I will maybe ask some questions about it.

 

Specific user

Yeah, no problem.

 

Interviewer

So normal day.

 

Specific user

So normally my kid wakes up around six or seven.  And then he has breakfast and I have breakfast, and we get ready. And then.

I take him to daycare.  And then from daycare I go directly to work.  So usually then I get to work around maybe 8:30 or something like this.  And between 8:00 and 8:30, because I just let him sleep until when he wants.  And so sometimes he wakes up later or earlier.  So it's a bit varied.  Then I'm at work until.  Four or five, or if I have more work then until like 5:30 or 6 even sometimes, and then I pick him up, then I go back home.  Maybe as I start cooking quickly to try to make the dinner between 5:30 and 6:00.  Usually I'll try to have dinner made and then at 6:30 I pick him up from daycare.  And then I bring him back home. It's very close so.  6:40 we're home.  And then we eat dinner.  Then it takes maybe one hour, and then he plays a little bit around the house, and then he takes a little bath. And then I try to make him sleep by 8:30 and yeah.  Then and then I maybe clean the house after that a little bit or just relax  a little bit. But also sometimes I just go to sleep.  Kind of very quick after that.  See, I think that's like a normal day.

 

Interviewer

And the daycare, where is it compared to your house? And your job?

 

Specific user

It's then it's about 15 minutes cycle from my job, but it's because that's very close to my house, and then it's roughly 15 minutes from my house also.

 

Interviewer

And you're planning to keep him at the daycare for the upcoming time, so.

 

Specific user

I think so, yes. He likes it and it's nice.

 

Interviewer

For the dinner, then when do you do the groceries normally?

 

Specific user

Yeah. Then one day of the week, I try to leave work a bit early, I try to leave at four or something, and then I go grocery shopping then.  If I'm missing some stuff, I try to go very quickly here and then or another weekend. I can also go whenever I want.

 

Interviewer

So generally that's not a problem for you to go past the grocery store?

 

Specific user

It's OK.  I just need to leave work on time.

 

Interviewer

Yeah.  What do you in general, do you think are bigger struggles right  now with your own routine and caring for child?

 

Specific user

Hmm.  Hurdles.  Not sure.  Because I don't know.

 

Interviewer

It's a difficult question.

 

Specific user

Maybe to occupy him or something.  Nicely.  Yeah.  But for me?  Sorry.  I don't know, actually, because I feel like everything's kind of.  Maybe making sure I set this set time aside to do some things for myself sometimes like the sports or things like that.  Because then I usually just tend to do that for work.  Or actually I need to do this or that, and I somehow procrastinate it a little bit, and then I don't go.  So yeah, making sure I sit and restrict with my  time, I guess.

 

Interviewer

Yes, I will see if I have any more questions.  Do any of my colleagues have anything to add right now?  Any topics that I have missed?  

 

Observer 1

I had.  I have had a question, maybe it's for all of us. I was under the impression that you would already have a problem that we could solve.  And I'm not hearing really any complaints or something that you wish for, that we could design.  And I was kind of expecting that.  I don't know.  Maybe my impression of this project was wrong but.  Do you have anything that we can help with that sense?

 

Specific user

I think if I understood also I think it's part of the project to kind of think of something from the interview.  But yeah, otherwise the small things like maybe stuff to help when travelling would be nice for example.  Or to entertain him. Indeed, in the transport or things like that.  So yeah, maybe things are in this area would be nice to design.

 

Observer 2

And like for cooking, you said you would like to have him eat different kind of vegetables and stuff, but how do you think of a new recipe like each time?

 

Specific user

Oh, I just do a bit random to be honest.  Yeah, there's all this and this OK with this and that's all.  It's not always a success.  

 

Observer 2

Does he eat everything because kids most of the time, don't really like vegetables?

 

Specific user

Oh, actually somehow he's a bit strange in  that sense.  That vegetables are OK.  But he has trouble with fruits.  So yeah.  But no, that's OK.  Actually, just sometimes some textures are still a  bit strange, but I think it's just getting there.

 

Interviewer

Very funny.

 

Interviewer

OK, then I do quickly want to go back to one topic that we already discussed before. You were also saying, you want to make more time for your own hobbies to make sure that you also do the things that you enjoy.  So, what would be your goals on the higher social or that or like exercise?  Or yeah, hobby.  What would be your goals for like next coming year?  Coming two years on that front.

 

Specific user

Oh yeah, for the social aspect, I think it's OK and I still do quite OK.  And I see people regularly.  So that's OK. Then for the sports it would be nice if maybe I could do it.  A few times a week would be nice, I guess.  And then, yeah.

 

Interviewer

That just three times a week and then sometimes rowing and sometimes just different sport.

 

Specific user

Yes, yes.

 

Interviewer

And then just these three times a week and then two-hour sessions or something, is that realistic for you.

 

Specific user

I think so, that would be good.  Or maybe it can be a bit more times a week, but then a smaller session, so.  Yeah. Yes.

 

*Kid of Specific user makes noise in the background*

 

Interviewer

Is it?  Is it your kid?

 

Specific user

It is.

 

Interviewer

I heard some noise.  Actually, I'm quite curious.  Maybe we can see him?

 

Specific user

Yes, yes.

 

Interviewer

They are really calm, yeah.

 

Specific user

I am at my sister's place, she's been occupying him during the meeting.  I suppose he was crying and making some noise, but I guess the sound proofing works.

 

Interviewer

So. Right now, you're also at your sister's place. That's outside the Netherlands.

 

Specific user

Yes, I am in France.  Yeah.  So yeah, that's why I travelled, also recently.  

 

Interviewer

Are there any other things you want you would like to pick up in your daily life that you're not doing right now? Because you don't have time for it, or you're not making it a point of focus yet?

 

Specific user

Maybe reading a little bit more would be nice.  But then the problem is that I fall asleep if I read, so yeah.  But reading and sports would be good once.

 

Interviewer

What do you think makes you the most tired?

 

Specific user

Makes me tired?

 

I think every time when I catch up on sleep I'm all good, but then maybe he becomes sick and has a bad night. And he can then take a nap, but I can not sleep during the day.  So maybe that's the main thing. Because it's not so intense, I sleep pretty well most days.  But then just that throughout the day then you have to, yeah, occupy him or yeah.  Things like that.  So I think it just that sometimes when he becomes sick or something, then it just ruins my good sleep, and then I take a long time to catch up.

 

Interviewer

Now, do you ever take naps, or is it only sleeping at night?

 

Specific user

Him or me?

 

Interviewer

That's a question for you.  I do expect him to be able to nap still.

 

Specific user

Yes, yes, yes indeed.  No, I tried to nap, but sometimes I cannot.  I don't know why.  Yeah, I always had trouble taking naps when he was young, but it was OK because I was extra extra tired.  But nowadays, when I try, sometimes I don't even fall asleep.  So that's a bit of an issue as well.  So no, not really.

 

Interviewer

Do you have problems catching enough sleep most of the time, or is it rarely that you are actually sleep-deprived.

 

Specific user

No, I think usually it's still OK.  Because, I don't go too late to sleep, but if one day indeed go late because I went with my friends somewhere, then I take some time to recover.  Because , I can, if I decide to stay up until just midnight.  Even it's not that late, but it's still a bit late.  Then he will wake up still at six and then, yeah.  None.

 

Interviewer

When you travel, for how long are you gone? Because, I heard you said you pack all your stuff, but how much is all my stuff? 

 

Specific user

I think maybe once a month or once every two months, we go somewhere.

You need, to France for the UK.  And then the trip is maybe, from door to door, six or seven hours.  Not all at once, because then I try to, for example, go to Amsterdam and have a little break, and then we take the train to France.  So yeah, so try to break it up a little bit.

 

Interviewer

And do you have most of your stuff in France in the UK as well, so you don't have to take everything with you or?

 

Specific user

I don't have to take too many baby things, which is nice, and they have a bed, and they have a little stuff, but I still need to take.  Some of his clothes and my clothes.  I don't take much. Most of the suitcases for him.  Even just enough diapers to last, at least the first few days.  Because if we arrive late, then we have to go shopping later.  We can also wash some stuff so.  Yeah, I don't take too much. Too much volume of stuff. Still a little suitcase is really a good size, like a cabin sized suitcase, yeah.  And the backpack has to have all things handy during the trip.  That's what we do.

 

Interviewer

Thank you. OK.  I have one more question.

 

Specific user

Yeah.

 

Interviewer

If you quickly describe your perfect day.  Which then also is combining going to sport, How would it look like?  What are all the things that you have to include in a perfect day for you?

 

Specific user

Yeah, I think, a bit of time to be outside to do some sports.  Just time to do nothing also.

 

Interviewer

Time for what? Sorry.

 

Specific user

To do nothing also.  Sometimes.  Then just not rushing or not seeing some friends also is nice for coffee or something like that.  Yeah. So it's not so different from what I could have, I guess, but yeah.  Yeah, just like sit, thinking of nothing.  That's a nice one to add to the rest that I already mentioned. Yeah, yeah.

 

Interviewer

OK.  I think I have one last topic that I want to talk about,

 

Specific user

Yep.

 

Interviewer

which is the development of your child himself.

 

Specific user

Mm hmm.

 

Interviewer

How is it going?  What do you try to do to help him develop?

 

Specific user

Yeah, I think we tried to go like to the little playgrounds and things.  So he can run around and try to climb on some things.  He has also lots of little toys that he likes to play with,  although he prefers to take a spoon and pans. But, then for the languages, I try to teach myself, I read some books in French to make sure my French is good.  Because I don't speak French very often otherwise.  So yeah, improve my own French so that I can speak  proper French to him.  And also always speak French and not only other things to him myself.  Then yeah, I'll take him also, for example to a little baby swimming thing.  So that it is nice to do an activity. And then for later it will be nice, so he will be not afraid of the water.  Then I think I just try to make him try different stuff.  In general, even not just food, just also different things and see different things.  Reading a little book every day.

 

Interviewer

Are there any things that you would like to teach him that you're not teaching him right now?

 

Specific user

No.  I don't know because some stuff I feel like just comes with time.  I guess later on I think for the languages we'd like to be a bit more on the right writing or something.  Oh, and also for developing. We sometimes try to do some coloring like just on some crayon or something.

 

Interviewer

Yes, indeed I do indeed like to expect that you can if you raise in French, then he will probably be fine with  speaking it.  But if you don't teach him to write, then that can be indeed some problem, don't you think?

 

Specific user

Yes, indeed, yes. So. So I think it'll be for later,  but I think, yeah, I would like to see what I can do to try to help him learn to read and write.

 

Interviewer

Are you already teaching him?  Of course, I don't know, reading and so a bit too soon.  I think you do have books in the languages that you want.

 

Specific user

Yes, yes.  Yes.  Yes, yes, we have some books in different languages, although I only use the French ones, or I translate to French.  Yeah, I think he likes books so far. He, especially the interactive one that makes sound or that you can pull some flaps or something. So yeah.

 

Interviewer

Do you think it will be a problem to have him read the French books when he's also learning Dutch in at the daycare?

 

Specific user

Maybe, but yeah, I'm not too sure how I will do it because I think it would be nice to have somehow.  Yeah, you need do need to learn it.  So you need to get some little lesson or something.  From me or from somebody else, but yeah.  I think it would be difficult, but yeah, I will try.

 

Interviewer

It is still a few years ahead, until he gets to read.  OK.  I think I asked all my topics.  Is there anything you want to discuss?  Thank you for your all the information. I want to ask you to look at the visual notes one time.  Right now.  OK. If you took a look at them, what areas interest you the most?

 

Specific user

No, no, I think.  Everything is interesting, and the notes are very nice, by the way.

 

Specific user

Yeah, I think maybe the travel or maybe something with the sports or cooking would be nice, I think.  Potentially.  Yeah, I think otherwise.  I'm very open and happy with everything so.

 

Interviewer

That's that's nice to hear. 

 

Specific user

Yeah.

 

Interviewer

Is there anything we haven't asked that you think you can share we missed?

 

Specific user

And I think he didn't miss anything. I just.  I cannot think of anything. If I do think of something, I can also e-mail you or and if you think of anything you want to ask extra, you can e-mail me, or we can have another meeting and that's fine.

 

Interviewer

Now we will be looking at all these nodes and the transcripts and discuss what we think might be interesting.

 

Specific user

Mm hmm.

 

Interviewer

And indeed we'll just get back at you.  For right now, we also have a vacation coming up, and we have some deadlines also, but we will e-mail you and say what we would like to hear from you.  And maybe there are also some follow-up questions, probably about some of the topics we discussed today. But I did think it was a very nice meeting, and thank you for taking the extra half an hour that we have right now. That was really nice.  For next meeting, I think we'll just keep in contact via e-mail.  And.

 

Specific user

Thank you very much for the meeting as well.  It was a very nice, and you were well organised, so it's good.

 

Interviewer

Oh good.  Well, OK.

 

Specific user

Let me know for next meeting, yeah.

 

Interviewer

Yeah, I don't think we have anything discussed.  And then, have a nice afternoon!

 

Specific user

Yes, you too. Thank you very much.

 

Interviewer

Thank you very much.

 

Specific user

Thank you.  Bye bye.