End of fixed interest period 2027 - increase repayment or other options?

Shortage of skilled workers, looking for a new job or side job, reducing vacation, reducing consumption

Let me put it this way: your last two suggestions are clear - that is then mandatory.
I would have immediately agreed to the other two until before the birth of our child. However, I find that we have become significantly less flexible regarding working hours and commuting with a child.

Practical example: Yesterday at noon, the daycare called that the little one has diarrhea and must be picked up immediately. No problem, my wife works locally. I have to drive an hour in this weather.

When picking her up, we were informed that she can only come back after 48 consecutive hours without diarrhea. Bam: One of us has to stay home today and cannot work.

We have such situations one to three times a month depending on the month. I can imagine it being interesting how a new employer would handle that.

Child sick note. At least currently still very generously usable. In the probationary period, of course, it's a bummer.

Children's sick leave certificate. At least currently still very generously usable. Of course, bad during the probation period

... and very expensive. We both had to use it a lot in the first half of 2021 (both over 20 days) because our little one was not allowed to go to kindergarten for 5 months (!!) (no system-relevant jobs). It cost us several thousand euros in lost earnings over that time, and it is also factored into the tax return.

Child sick note. At least currently still very generously usable. During the probationary period, of course, annoying

Annoying during the probationary period and expensive afterwards =)

... and very expensive. We both had to use it a lot in the first half of 2021 (both over 20 days) because our junior was not allowed to go to kindergarten for 5 months (!!) (no system-relevant jobs). It cost us several thousand euros in lost earnings over that time, and it also factors into the tax return afterwards.

Stupid during the probation period and expensive afterwards =)

So what is the solution then? Taking vacation (= foregoing recovery, unwise in the medium/long term), unpaid leave, or skipping work? I think the money you get for child sickness leave is not so bad after all.

What is the solution then? Taking vacation (=giving up recovery, medium/long-term unwise), unpaid leave, or playing hooky? I think the money you get for child sick leave is not that bad after all.

We did a lot in shift work... The husband from 6 in the morning until 12 o'clock, then switch and I went to work until it was finished - sometimes even on Saturdays. The rest of the working time was then written as negative hours, which I was luckily able to make up again. The other part was offset against vacation. And everyone then had one or two days a week on child sick leave - more wasn't possible, because otherwise we couldn't see the desks anymore due to the pile. It was a really nasty time :( We still felt it in our bones for a long time...