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Starting school is a big step—for children and their parents. Often, the excitement about this new chapter in life is mixed with worry about whether the child will fit in with the new class. In this interview, Peter Carlsen, a specialist in child and adolescent psychiatry and psychotherapy, explains how parents can help their children make friends.

An interview about symptoms, warning signs, and resources for parents.

Support After a Cancer Diagnosis: Tips for Affected Families

Do you have a question about benefits, counseling services, or another family-related topic? Our new AI chatbot is available 24/7 to help you quickly find the information you need. Learn how the chatbot works and how your data is protected.

Summer vacation is coming to an end, and school is starting again for nearly 2.5 million students in North Rhine-Westphalia. It will be especially exciting for about 170,000 first-graders, who are experiencing their first day of school these days. Education Minister Dorothee Feller sends them her best wishes as they start school.

There are many great ideas for building a strong sense of community—sometimes all that’s missing is the financial support to bring them to life. The new “Bingo! Volunteer Foundation NRW” provides grants of up to 5,000 euros to support volunteer projects run by nonprofit organizations. Applications can be submitted starting September 1, 2026.

Puberty is an exciting time that can sometimes feel like a challenge for both your child and you as a parent. As a lot is changing in your child, many parents focus entirely on their well-being and development. The main thing is that the children are doing well! At the same time, it is just as important to look after your own health. After all, you can only provide your child with the best possible support if you are feeling well.Just as you make it possible for your child, you should also ensure a healthy diet and regular exercise and avoid stress as much as possible. You may be thinking: "Easier said than done!" That's why we've put together some helpful information for you here to help you not forget about yourself and your health.The following articles show you how to integrate health and exercise into family time together, how to use the famous "me-time" to recharge your batteries and how not to lose heart even in crisis situations, such as illness or conflict.

State and federal development banks provide support for home ownership through low-interest loans