Comments on: How "socialism" helps me give my child presence http://www.mamasworldwide.com/2008/10/12/how-socialism-helps-me-give-my-child-presence/ Bringing together parents from around the world Tue, 19 Jul 2011 04:59:37 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v= By: Yankee Talks to an Expat: Christina G, An American Expat in Deutschland, part I | Yankee in a New World http://www.mamasworldwide.com/2008/10/12/how-socialism-helps-me-give-my-child-presence/comment-page-1/#comment-304 Yankee Talks to an Expat: Christina G, An American Expat in Deutschland, part I | Yankee in a New World Mon, 08 Dec 2008 07:44:46 +0000 http://www.mamasworldwide.com/?p=120#comment-304 [...] at home mom.  I wrote a post on my parenting blog about the benefits of being a SAHM in Germany, How “Socialism” Helps Me Give My Child Presence. 6. I know you’ve lived in Germany a while now, having lived in both major city life, and a [...] […] at home mom.  I wrote a post on my parenting blog about the benefits of being a SAHM in Germany, How “Socialism” Helps Me Give My Child Presence. 6. I know you’ve lived in Germany a while now, having lived in both major city life, and a […]

]]> By: Christina G http://www.mamasworldwide.com/2008/10/12/how-socialism-helps-me-give-my-child-presence/comment-page-1/#comment-135 Christina G Sun, 26 Oct 2008 17:42:07 +0000 http://www.mamasworldwide.com/?p=120#comment-135 That's true, Monica. In our village, there is only one daycare facility and they only offer 11 hours a week over two days. In Regensburg, the next largest city, it is possible but difficult. I know a mom who works 35 hours a week, and had a hard time finding a spot for her child in daycare. Besides that, the only other options are getting a Tagesmutter, who takes care of up to six kids out of her home, or getting an au pair. But like you said, it's nice to at least have a choice. I can't imagine having to go back to work when my little guy was 8 weeks old. That’s true, Monica. In our village, there is only one daycare facility and they only offer 11 hours a week over two days. In Regensburg, the next largest city, it is possible but difficult. I know a mom who works 35 hours a week, and had a hard time finding a spot for her child in daycare. Besides that, the only other options are getting a Tagesmutter, who takes care of up to six kids out of her home, or getting an au pair. But like you said, it’s nice to at least have a choice. I can’t imagine having to go back to work when my little guy was 8 weeks old.

]]> By: More on attachment parenting — Mamas Worldwide http://www.mamasworldwide.com/2008/10/12/how-socialism-helps-me-give-my-child-presence/comment-page-1/#comment-126 More on attachment parenting — Mamas Worldwide Fri, 24 Oct 2008 15:18:10 +0000 http://www.mamasworldwide.com/?p=120#comment-126 [...] There were 15 great entries on the subject of Giving Your Children Presence, including my post on How “Socialism” Helps Me Give My Child Presence.  They’re having a contest over at API Speaks, and I think there’s still time [...] […] There were 15 great entries on the subject of Giving Your Children Presence, including my post on How “Socialism” Helps Me Give My Child Presence.  They’re having a contest over at API Speaks, and I think there’s still time […]

]]> By: Monica http://www.mamasworldwide.com/2008/10/12/how-socialism-helps-me-give-my-child-presence/comment-page-1/#comment-104 Monica Mon, 20 Oct 2008 19:12:56 +0000 http://www.mamasworldwide.com/?p=120#comment-104 As an American also living in Germany I can only confirm what has been written here. We do have to pay higher taxes but have the peace of mind that a safety net is always there to catch our fall. On the other hand, there is a definate lack of good quality day care for under 3's for the mom's who want to got back to work. It is expected here that all moms take the 3 years off regardless of their careers. Still, having said that, it is GREAT to have the choice! I have been able to find a balance by working 10 hours a week and slowly increasing my hours until my girls enter kindergarten at 3. In the US, it is usually all or nothing as soon as 8 weeks after giving birth. As stated above, the system works! As an American also living in Germany I can only confirm what has been written here. We do have to pay higher taxes but have the peace of mind that a safety net is always there to catch our fall. On the other hand, there is a definate lack of good quality day care for under 3’s for the mom’s who want to got back to work. It is expected here that all moms take the 3 years off regardless of their careers. Still, having said that, it is GREAT to have the choice! I have been able to find a balance by working 10 hours a week and slowly increasing my hours until my girls enter kindergarten at 3. In the US, it is usually all or nothing as soon as 8 weeks after giving birth. As stated above, the system works!

]]> By: Welcome to API Speaks - The Blog of Attachment Parenting International http://www.mamasworldwide.com/2008/10/12/how-socialism-helps-me-give-my-child-presence/comment-page-1/#comment-101 Welcome to API Speaks - The Blog of Attachment Parenting International Mon, 20 Oct 2008 03:04:31 +0000 http://www.mamasworldwide.com/?p=120#comment-101 [...] about how the generous parental leave in Germany is allowing her to give her child presence in How “socialism” helps me give my child presence posted at Mamas [...] […] about how the generous parental leave in Germany is allowing her to give her child presence in How “socialism” helps me give my child presence posted at Mamas […]

]]> By: Blythe http://www.mamasworldwide.com/2008/10/12/how-socialism-helps-me-give-my-child-presence/comment-page-1/#comment-89 Blythe Thu, 16 Oct 2008 18:24:26 +0000 http://www.mamasworldwide.com/?p=120#comment-89 I had no complaints about the quality of medical care I received in Germany. (Bedside manner is a different story but no health care system can change that!) My husband took 2 weeks when our son was born, a month of leave when he was 4 months old, and another month when he was 7 months old. It was fantastic. It's hard to imagine not having that kind of time together if we decide to have another child in the US. I had no complaints about the quality of medical care I received in Germany. (Bedside manner is a different story but no health care system can change that!)

My husband took 2 weeks when our son was born, a month of leave when he was 4 months old, and another month when he was 7 months old. It was fantastic. It’s hard to imagine not having that kind of time together if we decide to have another child in the US.

]]> By: Christina G http://www.mamasworldwide.com/2008/10/12/how-socialism-helps-me-give-my-child-presence/comment-page-1/#comment-86 Christina G Wed, 15 Oct 2008 19:44:23 +0000 http://www.mamasworldwide.com/?p=120#comment-86 @Mariecel: Don't mind at all! @Jennifer: Oh yeah, the dads can take off here too. When Oliver was born, Rainer ONLY took off two weeks because he had to teach, but for 2 more weeks he only went in for half-days. I know a dad who took off 2 months, while the mom is taking off a year, and another dad who took off 4 weeks. @Mariecel: Don’t mind at all!

@Jennifer: Oh yeah, the dads can take off here too. When Oliver was born, Rainer ONLY took off two weeks because he had to teach, but for 2 more weeks he only went in for half-days. I know a dad who took off 2 months, while the mom is taking off a year, and another dad who took off 4 weeks.

]]> By: Jennifer http://www.mamasworldwide.com/2008/10/12/how-socialism-helps-me-give-my-child-presence/comment-page-1/#comment-85 Jennifer Wed, 15 Oct 2008 18:49:51 +0000 http://www.mamasworldwide.com/?p=120#comment-85 Some friends of mine in MN just had a baby. Mom doesn't work and Dad could only take a few days off as his company doesn't give paternity leave. I read your article and feel so sad and mad about the healthcare in the US. I hope our next president is allowed to make some serious reforms. Some friends of mine in MN just had a baby. Mom doesn’t work and Dad could only take a few days off as his company doesn’t give paternity leave. I read your article and feel so sad and mad about the healthcare in the US. I hope our next president is allowed to make some serious reforms.

]]> By: Mariecel http://www.mamasworldwide.com/2008/10/12/how-socialism-helps-me-give-my-child-presence/comment-page-1/#comment-83 Mariecel Tue, 14 Oct 2008 10:21:38 +0000 http://www.mamasworldwide.com/?p=120#comment-83 I hate to sound like an echo, but this is indeed very well written. I just had to reference this post on my blog - I hope you don't mind! I hate to sound like an echo, but this is indeed very well written. I just had to reference this post on my blog — I hope you don’t mind!

]]> By: Christina G http://www.mamasworldwide.com/2008/10/12/how-socialism-helps-me-give-my-child-presence/comment-page-1/#comment-77 Christina G Sun, 12 Oct 2008 18:13:35 +0000 http://www.mamasworldwide.com/?p=120#comment-77 Very well written yourself, Alice! I've got a bad back and my health insurance even sent me to rehab for 3 weeks, for free. The health care system is wonderful here. All the horror stories the anti-public insurance crowd in the US spout about long waits and poor care are just wrong. We get treated immediately and the treatment is top notch. Very well written yourself, Alice! I’ve got a bad back and my health insurance even sent me to rehab for 3 weeks, for free. The health care system is wonderful here. All the horror stories the anti-public insurance crowd in the US spout about long waits and poor care are just wrong. We get treated immediately and the treatment is top notch.

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