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Checklists & tips
When expecting a baby, parents-to-be experience a rollercoaster of emotions. Anticipation, happiness, fears and uncertainty alternate. As soon as the initial excitement has subsided, a lot of questions usually arise:
What is part of the first kit? What needs to be in a hospital bag? And what things should you think about in good time before the new phase of your life begins?
Good preparation from pregnancy to birth makes the transition to parenthood much easier. There are a few decisions to make and organizational matters to take care of before you hold your little one in your arms.
Good to know: On the Familienportal.NRW you will not only find advice and a wide range of support services, but also practical checklists for pregnant women and parents-to-be. Clear lists with important to-do's help you to keep track of everything that needs to be done during pregnancy.
Among other things, we tell you which financial and formal matters you need to take care of in good time. Our tips for parents-to-be will help you to organize the birth and your new family life in the best possible way. This way, you can look forward to the upcoming event in a more relaxed way and enjoy your first family time with your child to the full.
If you are raising your child alone, you can apply for a guardianship for your child at the youth welfare office. The guardian will help you to legally clarify paternity and/or to enforce your child's maintenance claims.
Does your family receive benefits under SGB II, SGB XII, AsylbLG, housing benefit or child supplement? Then you can receive financial support for participation in school, daycare, child daycare and leisure activities as well as equipment, meals and transportation.
You need another marriage certificate? You can obtain your marriage certificate from the registry office in whose area the marriage took place. The registry office issues it from the marriage register.
If you take a break from your job or work part-time after the birth, you will receive parental allowance. This financial benefit allows you to take time for your child and family. Here you will find important information you need to know about parental allowance.
A miscarriage or stillbirth is a severe blow for the parents concerned. You can report the birth at the competent registry office and get a certificate of this.
The midwife is a valuable companion during pregnancy and the postpartum period. (Expectant) mothers who have statutory health insurance are entitled to the support of a midwife before and after birth. The costs are covered by the health insurance.
Child benefit is paid to all families, regardless of their income. It is paid from birth until at least the child's 18th birthday. Under certain conditions, child benefit is available until the 25th birthday.
If the desire to have a child remains unfulfilled, this can have many causes. In many cases, treatment is possible. However, this can be associated with significant costs.
In some families, money is tight. If the parents' income is not enough to provide well for the entire family, there is a monthly supplement from the state in addition to child benefit. In which cases you get the child supplement and how you can apply for it, you can find out here.
You need another civil partnership certificate? You can only obtain your civil partnership certificate from the registry office in whose area the civil partnership was established.
When the birth of triplets or more multiples is announced, parents soon face special challenges. In addition: Especially at the beginning, the expenses increase by leaps and bounds, because the purchases for the baby equipment multiply. This is where the payment of multiple birth benefits aims to provide special support for large families.
During the maternity protection periods, (expectant) mothers are under special legal protection. Before and after the birth, they are not allowed to work for a certain period of time. The Maternity Protection Act ensures that mothers do not suffer any financial disadvantage during this time. Employees receive up to 100 percent of their previous net income, consisting of maternity pay and an employer allowance.
Whether it's about choosing a school, taking part in a vacation camp or medical treatment, many decisions have to be made while a child is growing up. Even parents who are not married to each other can share this responsibility for your child. Here you can find out what joint custody means and how to arrange it.
Care, education, job, household: single parents bear most of the responsibility alone. Financial worries are added when no or not regular maintenance is paid for the child by the other parent. In this situation, single parents can apply for advance maintenance payments.
If the parents are not married to each other, the natural father of a child is not automatically also the legally recognized father. Recognition with all rights and obligations only takes place through the public certification of a declaration by the father. The mother must agree to the declaration.
