Tips for a relaxed family life

Strong bonds – the relationship between siblings

Thick as thieves or like cats and dogs – relationships between siblings are complex and vary greatly from family to family. Some siblings are very close and remain closely connected for life. Others become fierce rivals for their parents' attention, and sometimes the relationship between siblings is marked mainly by indifference. Psychologists believe that the relationship with siblings shapes a child just as strongly as the relationship with their parents. It is also undeniable that it plays a decisive role in a harmonious family life.

Conflict and jealousy between siblings are relatively normal

Children inevitably spend almost as much time with their siblings as they do with their parents. That shapes and strengthens their bond — but it also contains a lot of potential for conflict. It is typical of sibling relationships that positive and negative feelings are expressed and acted out to roughly the same extent. Jealousy and even physical scuffles are completely normal in kindergarten and primary-school years, experts in sibling research confirm. More than that: these conflicts support children in forming their personalities and help them establish their place within the family.

Which factors are decisive for the sibling relationship?

How harmonious the sibling relationship is and how stable it remains beyond childhood depends on many different factors. Besides parental behaviour, a child's age, the age gap and the children's gender also play an important role. Brothers often see each other as competitors, while the relationship between two sisters is usually the most harmonious. In general, siblings with a small age gap tend to form a closer bond — but they also argue more frequently.

Household and children – handled with ease?

Balancing work and family life is one of the big issues of our time — but even managing the household and the children can be quite a challenge. Besides the daily chores around the house, you have to coordinate the children's appointments, organise lifts, arrange playdates and prepare birthdays. In between, you do the shopping, comfort, cuddle and tidy up again and again. All these tasks are part of family life, but they take energy and a good deal of organisational talent.

Everyday tips for running a household with children

Assign your child small household tasks:

Helping out around the house not only lightens the load for parents, it also promotes your child's independence and boosts their self-confidence — after all, they contribute to family life in this way. Young children can, for example, help set the table or empty the dishwasher; older ones can take out the rubbish, vacuum or collect the family's dirty laundry.

Make a weekly cleaning and tidying list:

Family life consists of a multitude of little chores that are quick to do but take up a lot of time in total. Create a weekly plan specifying who is responsible for which tasks: Who feeds the pets? Who sweeps the kitchen? Who lays and clears the table? Parents should, if possible, also take turns with tasks such as shopping and cleaning the bathroom.

Use a family calendar:

Hang a family planner in a central spot in the home where each family member can enter their appointments and plans for each day of the week. This makes organisation easier and also helps children develop a sense of weekdays and months.

Banishing perfectionism:

A well-known saying goes: “Good mothers have dirty floors, streaky windows and happy children.” Everything does not always have to look perfect — take a little more time for one another instead.

Schedule a free afternoon:

At least one afternoon a week should be free of appointments and household chores. Use this time for shared activities, playing or simply relaxing — it will give you energy for the days ahead.

Potential for conflict

Managing money in the family

Discussions about family finances are the second most common source of arguments in the family after parenting issues. This is not least because we don't like talking about money — even between partners, money apparently remains a taboo: unnecessary spending, perceived stinginess or worries about money are kept quiet until it's too late. Many adults feel it is petty to monitor their spending and to talk about financial matters — yet good household budgeting can contribute greatly to harmony in the family.

The most common questions about handling money in the family

Money disputes can be much more easily avoided if the family's financial principles and responsibilities are clearly defined. By the time the first child arrives and possible income losses due to parental leave occur, families should address the following questions:

Do we have a joint account, separate accounts, or a joint account plus individual accounts?
Do partners have access to the income as needed, or is a fixed amount set aside each month as 'household money'?
Is there a household budget? If so, who is responsible for it?
Who signs contracts and deals with the bills?

Problems or dissatisfaction with the financial situation should be raised as directly as possible and, where appropriate, an alternative sought so that disputes do not arise in the first place.

Things I like – decorating tips and children's fashion

When children begin to perceive themselves as independent personalities, the desire to distinguish themselves from their surroundings and to express their personality grows. This often first shows up in endless discussions about clothing choices: some children want to wear their favourite jumper every day, others insist on wearing only one particular colour.

Many children also have strong ideas about their own bedroom. But how do you reconcile parents' ideas of functionality and style with a child's preferences?

Designing the child's room – best done together

Over the course of childhood, the child's room will be redesigned several times — the baby and toddler room with soft colours and cute motifs becomes a typical children's room with a cosy corner, toy shelves and a child's desk, and is eventually replaced by a nearly adult teenager's room. Here are a few tips on how to design the child's room together.

Let them have a say
Your child should feel comfortable in their room — even if you prefer something different. Let your child express their wishes and think together about how to implement them sensibly.
Offer alternatives
Does your child insist on pink walls at all costs while you prefer more muted tones? Look at colour charts at the DIY store: perhaps you'll find another colour you both like — or agree that only one wall will be painted pink.
Individual details
Carefully chosen accessories give the child's room personality — these can be lovely photos or pictures, colourful cushions, a hammock or a wall sticker — whatever suits your child best.

What shall I wear? Children's fashion

Almost every family knows the debates about getting dressed. Is it too cold for the short skirt or too warm for the wellies, is it OK to wear the same trousers three days in a row — and what do I say when my child falls in love with that garish red jumper made of 100% polyester?

Our fashion awareness is strongly shaped by our environment — and the same applies to children. While favourite cartoon characters may still be the must-have in kindergarten, at school certain brands suddenly become important. We have gathered a lot of information about children's fashion and offer tips on how to help your child develop a healthy awareness of clothing and style.

Celebrating together

Christmas and other holidays with children

Atmospheric:
Of all childhood memories, the holidays may be among the most beautiful: when candles are burning in the dark, when songs are sung and presents are opened — in short, when the whole family is together to celebrate and enjoy themselves.
Christmas through children's eyes:
Family celebrations like Christmas or Easter become truly magical with children because they experience and absorb the atmosphere of such holidays much more intensely: the shared crafting in the run-up to Christmas, festive songs and poems, the excitement over the Advent calendar and finally Christmas Eve, when perhaps the first homemade presents are proudly handed over.
Time for Christmas spirit:
For parents, the run-up to Christmas often brings even more stress than usual. They have to decorate and buy presents, bake and craft for Christmas parties and bazaars, and so on and so forth. Nevertheless: take time now and then to enjoy the pre-Christmas season together with your child — during tea time on Advent Sundays, when reading by candlelight, or when visiting the Christmas market.

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