Can we afford this? Income / Investment / Equity

Fortunately, I can arrange about half of my working hours at home as I please. In the last 3 years, my wife (2 children with 2 years difference) has each received half parental allowance per month (and still receives about half parental allowance for approximately 1 more year), but she has now also started a mini-job. However, she only works when I am not working (sometimes on weekends), and as a skilled worker, it is only a few hours per month up to the mini-job limit.

Maternity leave provides full salary, parental allowance only a portion (I believe around 60 percent of the average of the last few months with a cap of about 1980€). I don't find the tax advantages that great; in any case, at least with my wife's salary, there is a considerable gap, not calculated exactly, but certainly in the range of 1000 euros (parental allowance is also halved due to the 2-year extension).

Arbitrary scheduling still means that you have to work. If you don't want to work at all during the day while the children are awake because you want to be present as a caregiver, then you have to work from ... I don't know, 8 pm to midnight?

Unfortunately, that's how work is; depending on the situation, everything has to be done by the end of the week/month/deadline. That way, I have the chance not only to have time late but also sometimes earlier. I am very happy to have been able to experience and be part of so much with my children so far, instead of only being there for the first time xyz at kindergarten, etc. Small children are simply so beautifully innocent and truthful in their ideas.

from unterwegs

Well, if you think so...
I believe that if you spend several hours every day with your children, you won't miss any developmental milestones. And if life doesn't just consist of 8 hours of kids, 8 hours of work, and 8 hours of eating/sleeping/hygiene, you approach the whole thing a bit more relaxed.
But if you can keep that up, then keep going...

In the last 3 years, my wife (2 children with 2 years gap) has each received half parental allowance per month (and still receives half parental allowance for about 1 more year), but has now also started a mini job (parental allowance is also halved due to the 2-year extension)

Can you briefly explain to me how this works! Full parental allowance is only given for at least 1 year of employment. As far as I understand, you stretched it over 2 years, so she is no longer entitled for the second child? And why is she allowed to have a mini job? The income is counted and reduced. Thanks

Wow interesting here!
1. Parental allowance can be quite painful depending on the mother's salary level. For me, it makes a difference of over 1000 euros. We definitely noticed that a lot.
2. Tax progression can occur with married couples. This means (according to our tax advisor) that the state takes the taxes lost from the spouse. So be careful with the statement that you only have tax advantages. Of course, the child allowance is nice.
3. Our son went to daycare at 9 months (from 7:30 to 16:30). Now at 20 months, he plays nicely with others (explains things, talks to children, consciously copies things, ...) and is very compassionate (comforting the smaller newcomers and bribing them with toys). Many children in his group, who only started at 2 years old, do not show this social behavior. But yes, it depends a lot on the parents who have cared for the child so far. Unfortunately, many hide away at home. The usually numerous offers to get their child among peers are then rarely used.

Regarding the thread: Sounds quite good, but do not underestimate parental leave financially. Depending on how much you are showered with gifts, the initial equipment can be very expensive despite used items. Kindergartens are also outrageously expensive depending on the region. We already pay 650 € per month for our daycare (even though it is really absolutely top) (U2, 45 hours of care, daycare mother level). You get child benefit, but it is rather a drop in the ocean. If things go badly, mom can’t breastfeed and the child only tolerates Aptamil powder. The package costs around 14 € and lasts 2 to 5 days.
This is not a killer criterion, but should be considered in the reserves.