How much repayment is advisable for how much net income?

In reality, there's mainly a big gap in external childcare.

I keep forgetting to think about the West too ... Here with us, after-school care costs less than daycare. And of course, the children get lunch at school. No question about it.

School supplies-->no idea, how much does something like that cost? Back then, such things were provided here

How old are you? In the GDR it was like that ... Today you pay for anything, only "copying fees" are already a relic of the '90s.

There are all kinds of people. But generally, the unresisting “enable everything” attitude seems to have increased. Over-scheduled kids who are supposed to do as much as possible, except learning to occupy themselves in their free time. That costs fuel for the chauffeuring and fees, membership dues, teacher hours, etc. But you don’t have to play along with that game.

I agree with . My eldest is now in first grade and his needs are currently very "simple": sleeping, eating, school, learning, playing.

Everything beyond that has to be earned, either through school performance or through "obedience" (I couldn’t think of a better word right now – sounds stricter than it actually is).

I really know many parents who, without a special reason, go to a super-duper fun pool every two weeks and spend 100€ there. Or drive 200km (round trip) several times a year to an amusement park and just spend 200€ there. Just the thought of driving 200km somewhere to pay for fun. Crazy...

Also pressuring the kids to play instruments, plus gymnastics and extra English tutoring. Spending tons of money on all these things and then wondering in 4th grade why the kids are overwhelmed by the transition. They don’t understand the world anymore because so much was invested and rewarded in the child.

Sure, you want your kids to have it better than you, but everything has its financial limits, whether it’s the salary itself or your own attitude about how high expenses should be.

Everyone should do as they please...

Having money is one thing. What I wonder more is what it benefits the child to learn Mandarin in a private kindergarten. This training only focuses on hard skills. Languages, instruments, riding, sports. It takes away time for the foundation, the soft skills. Even abilities like frustration tolerance (you don’t always get everything, not everything succeeds) are completely suppressed by the helicopters. Independence, of course, as well.

Having money is one thing. I rather wonder what benefit it brings to the child if they learn Mandarin in a private kindergarten. This kind of training focuses exclusively on hard skills. Languages, instruments, riding, sports. That takes away time from the foundation, the soft skills. Even abilities like frustration tolerance (you don’t always get everything, not everything works out) are completely suppressed by the helicopter parents. Independence, of course, as well.

The topic of independence is also a thing. The "special" private kindergarten or the Montessori school are usually not right around the corner either. So the children are either dropped off or picked up every day. My eldest was recently allowed to walk home alone from the bus stop (school bus). My wife trained him for several weeks with this. He was as proud as punch, and from my point of view, exactly such things fundamentally influence self-confidence.

Here it is currently being pretended that a 3-year-old child eats just as much as a 12- or 15-year-old. Also, bigger clothes are more expensive than smaller ones, even if they are not designer pieces.

And anyone who claims that learning an instrument is not good for frustration tolerance has probably never played one.

Here it is being pretended that a 3-year-old child eats just as much as a 12- or 15-year-old. Besides, larger clothes are more expensive than smaller ones, even if they are not designer pieces.

And whoever claims that learning an instrument is not good for frustration tolerance probably has never played one

Food is certainly another point that will cost even more.
But for clothes, the change interval is higher for 3-year-olds, right?

No, we are talking about "after elementary school," as you said.
And it’s partly not about how virtuous you once had it, but what your princess would like to have again and/or needs.
You don't get a tennis lesson or another exclusive sport for a flat club fee... and you want to do everything for your child to support their talents, right?!
And if it’s only the new tutu, the new running or indoor shoes.
If there is a fair in town, 20€ are just enough for 4 x carousel rides...

Tennis or other "exclusive sports" or also musical instruments can certainly make it as expensive as you want, but that is a luxury you must be able and willing to afford.
That, to me, does not fall under costs that will definitely arise and from which you remain "poor" because of having children.
They are not "talents" being nurtured either, but fun. And fun does cost, but must always be in proportion. If that applies to me, it also applies to the children – otherwise a different car would be parked outside.