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Time together despite the distance

Support for separating families

Visiting the child: closeness despite physical distance

Every year, many children experience the separation of their parents. Often one parent then lives far away from the child, in a different city or even a different federal state. For separated fathers and mothers who want to maintain contact and continue to actively take on parenting responsibilities, the initiative "Die Familienhandwerker" ("The Family Craftsmen") arranges overnight accommodation and temporary playrooms. Find out how the model works here.

After a separation, many things are different, but one thing remains: The love for the children. If you want to maintain closeness and a bond despite long distances, you have to make regular trips. But weekend visits can quickly become expensive in the long run. You may also be asking yourself: How can I manage this financially and where is a suitable meeting place for me and my child or children? "Die Familienhandwerker" offer uncomplicated support for separating families so that parental love remains effective even over distance. The initiative arranges temporary playrooms and free overnight stays with volunteer hosts throughout Germany.

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The offer at a glance

  • Free overnight stay
    You can use the placement platform to find private hosts at your child's place of residence with whom you can stay overnight free of charge. Hosts usually offer two free overnight stays per month. This is easier on your wallet and allows you to see your child regularly despite the distance.
  • Temporary playroom
    It is also not necessary to be away with your child for long periods of time: The "temporary children's rooms" offer a good alternative. You can use rooms available at the weekend in kindergartens, family centers, parent initiatives or private hosts so that you can play and spend time together in a child-friendly environment.
  • Educational advice for parents
    The family experts support separated parents with practical tips, letters to parents and parents' evenings as well as educational advice and professional coaching.

Membership is a prerequisite

The Family Craftsmen service is funded by grants and donations. Where possible, you participate with a low monthly parental contribution. You can choose between two service packages:

  • The "Door opener" package for 15 euros per month
  • The "Family craftsmen" package for 25 euros per month

You can find out more about the detailed content of the service packages on the website "This is what membership entails"

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Where can I find help and advice?

The family craftsmen are an initiative of Flechtwerk 2+1 gemeinnützige GmbH, which offers nationwide support for separating families. The initiative is funded by the Federal Ministry for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth, among others.

All information for parents can be found on the Internet portal Die Familienhandwerker.

The family craftsmen can be reached by phone from

Monday to Thursday from 11 am to 4 pm and

Friday from 10 am to 12 noon

by calling 089 92927-101 or on mobile at 0151 19026387.

You are also welcome to send an email to community@die-familienhandwerker.de.

The family craftsmen also publish tips for mothers and fathers who are separating on their Instagram channel "die.familienhandwerker".

Further informationLinks to read more

Exchanging ideas with other fathers in a similar situation helps. Fathers' initiatives or groups offer advice and support - for example the men's advice network.

Advice and answers to questions on this topic can be found on the Association of Binational Families and Partnerships portal.

BrochuresDownload

The family craftsmen have published a flyer with all the important information about the offer for separating families.