Is buying a house affordable? How "good" are the conditions?

What does your wife do when she becomes pregnant? Parental allowance will then possibly not be available? Does she go back to work quickly? I have known some women who always spoke big about wanting to return to work quickly, but then suddenly wanted to stay longer with the sweet treasure after the birth or the child was so complicated that external care was not possible.

Nice that something like this apparently always seems to be the problem of the mothers...

What does your wife do if she gets pregnant? Parental allowance might possibly not be an option then? Does she go back to work quickly? I've met quite a few women who always talked big about wanting to return to work quickly, but then suddenly after the birth wanted to spend more time with the little treasure or the child was so complicated that external care wasn't possible.

Self-employed people also receive parental allowance. I agree with you, though, that some ladies were surprised by how much they actually got attached to the little one or simply realized that 3 months might be too early or too short. But these were all women who were employed and thus only needed a short note to turn 3 months into 12 (the employer just has to swallow it). That might look quite different for a managing partner...

Nice that apparently this is always the problem of the mothers...

Given the described income situations, it would probably be wise to reverse the default case, yes. At least from a rational point of view; for the little ones there are other factors involved as well (see above).

But children are simply born by women. That’s how it is. Neither law, society, nor medicine changes that. The belly is there, the restrictions, the need for care. Before and after the birth. It can only be partially switched off or transferred to others.

As a civil servant, it is easier for you to take one year of parental leave and then work part-time. I did the same. When you return after one year and show yourself, the professional disadvantages are also limited.

Nice that this apparently always seems to be the problem of the mothers...

Yes, that's just how it is. I don't like to write "unfortunately", because usually it's a conscious decision and it is also a great time (for most). The woman breastfeeds, and in the first few months that can only be shifted to the man for 1 to 2 meals. Depending on the child, the mother then has 2 to 5 hours of peace. Whether she then has the energy to work or prefers to take a nap remains to be seen. Alternatively, of course, one can give formula milk. But to force my child that for the job and take away my breastfeeding experience??? Conclusion: the woman does the main work in the first few months. Accordingly, she also has the greatest professional disadvantages. Dear men and fathers, you can alleviate this somewhat by your share of parental leave. Parental allowance: there are cases where no parental allowance is paid. A friend is self-employed as a seamstress. She does not receive any parental allowance.

Parental allowance: there are cases in which no parental allowance is paid. A friend is self-employed as a seamstress. She does not receive parental allowance.

Of course, there are exclusions. For example, as a self-employed person, you have to credibly prove that you work a maximum of 10 hours per week during parental leave, for example by naming employees who continue the tasks. Income may also not be earned during this time or will be offset, just like for part-time employees. I actually wanted to express that parental allowance as a state benefit is not dependent on membership in a social insurance scheme. For example, a self-employed person who is not legally insured will not receive maternity benefits (but rather what is stated in their private health insurance certificate – presumably nothing). I was self-employed with my first child, and honestly, it was a great time because being self-employed also offers possibilities for shaping your work. €1800 parental allowance, max. 10 hours of work *cough* (great for further training, which you otherwise only postpone if you are involved in a project). Financial inflows can be arranged around parental leave.