Family Life in North Rhine-Westphalia. Colorful and diverse.

Applications from A to Z

Discover Our Services for Families

Get the right support quickly

Frequently searched pages:
Parental allowance
Plan parental allowance
Sleeping
Parental leave
Tax classes
Amount of parental allowance
Student job from 13
Developmental milestones between the ages of 3 and 6

Being an Involved Father Pays Off

Illustration: 82 Prozent der Jugendlichen bewerten die Beziehung zum Vater als "sehr gut", wenn dieser in der Kindergartenzeit das Familienleben priorisiert hat.

82 percent of 12- to 17-year-olds rate their relationship with their father as “very good” if he prioritized family life over work during their preschool years.

The Number of the Month: Families in North Rhine-Westphalia take on responsibility and do a lot every day. Each month, we present a number here that offers a glimpse into the daily lives of families.

You can find all the figures in the archive.

Quick Survey: Parents Speak Their Minds

What, in your family, particularly strengthens the bond between father and child?

Suitable for this

Father-child bond

How a good father-child relationship develops

discover more

Parental leave

Entitlement, duration and registration for unpaid leave from work

discover more

News for families in NRW

Published:

The new Familienbericht.NRW has been published!

Family life in North Rhine-Westphalia is more colorful and diverse than ever before. With the new Familienbericht.NRW, the state government is now presenting an assessment based on the realities of family life, identifying challenges and highlighting opportunities.

Learn More
Published:

Family Time NRW: Applications for the fall break are now being accepted

The state continues to support vacations for families from North Rhine-Westphalia at family vacation centers during the fall break. Find out right away if and how you can receive a subsidy! Families with children not yet of school age who wish to participate outside of school breaks can apply at any time.

Learn More
Published:

Our new newsletter is here!

Our July issue is all about safety: Learn how to protect your family during hot weather, what to keep in mind when playing in the yard and at parks, and how to properly store and prepare food. Also included: tips for buying a bike helmet, a new craft idea, and much more. Haven’t subscribed to the newsletter yet? Sign up now!

To the Newsletter Archive
Published:

Free Webinar from bke Parenting Counseling

The bke Parenting Counseling Service is offering an informative and interactive webinar for parents in September. This time’s topic: “Mom, What’s Wrong with You? – Talking to Children About Mental Health Issues.”

More information about the webinar
Published:

Supervision in and around the water—the best protection for your child

Children should never be left unattended while swimming. Even a brief moment of inattention can be dangerous. Even at supervised swimming pools or in the kiddie pool at home, parents are still responsible for supervising their children. The DLRG provides tips and advice on how to behave at lakes, in swimming pools, and at home.

Read more
Published:

Temperatures above 30 degrees: This can quickly become dangerous

For babies, toddlers, and pregnant women, the current temperatures can be a real strain. Now is the time to protect your family from extreme temperatures. It’s especially important: Never, under any circumstances, leave children in a parked car! We’ve put together some tips to help prevent health risks.

Learn more
Published:

Working Together to Combat Loneliness: New Action Alliance Launched in North Rhine-Westphalia

Loneliness can affect anyone, including children, adolescents, and their parents. With the action alliance “You+Us=One. North Rhine-Westphalia Against Loneliness,” the state is sending a message of greater solidarity during the nationwide action week from June 22 to 28, 2026. It thrives on participation, exchange, and shared ideas.

Find out how you can be a part of it.
Alle News anzeigen

Family life in focus

My child

Schwangerschaft und Geburt

Exciting months: The most important things until the birth

Pregnancy

The first year of baby: 12 exciting months

0 to 1 years

Toddler: walking, talking, discovering the world

1 to 3 years

Kindergarten child: Conquering the next milestones

3 to 6 years

Schoolchild: Education and upbringing come to the fore

6 to 10 years

Puberty: Getting through challenging times well

10 to 16 years

School leavers: On the road to adulthood

16 to 18 years

Finally 18: What changes when you come of age

18+ years

My topics

Active fatherhood

Impulses, offers and experience reports for fathers

ABC of emergency numbers

Important hotlines and emergency numbers at a glance

Adoption & foster families

Procedures, requirements and ways around adoption and foster families

Single parents

Support and relief for single mothers and fathers

Loneliness

Information, support and contact points for affected families

Family Report.NRW

Learn more about the family report and the "Familiendialog.NRW" dialogue series.

Family associations NRW

One common goal: strengthening families

Grandparents

How to create a supportive family environment for young and old

Family International

Information and important tips for the first steps

Creative time

Fun with the whole family: let's play together!

Living with disability

Counseling, support and contact points for affected families

.

Multi-child families

Helpful offers as well as support options

.

Patchwork Families

Newly thrown together: How can this work?

Legal changes

Latest news on family law from the law and the judiciary

Rainbow Families

Colored Cohabitation: Parenting in queer family models

Separation

Parenthood: How should it continue?

Compatibility

Information and tips on reconciling family and the world of work

.

Quickly found: On-site advice

Vater mit Kind blicken in die Ferne

The Family Guide

Are you looking for support or advice near you? With our Family Guide, you can quickly find the right resources in North Rhine-Westphalia—from prenatal counseling to family organizations and youth welfare offices. Just enter your ZIP code and discover what’s available!

About the Family Guide

Everything in view: Important checklists for families

Checklist: Baby first equipment

In the first few weeks with your baby, everything will be new and exciting. So that you can concentrate fully on your child during this time, it's reassuring to have your first equipment to hand. The following list contains recommendations for the first equipment.

discover more
Download checklist

Checklist: Packing the hospital bag for the birth

The birth is a unique event. It's best to think carefully beforehand about what you want to take with you to the hospital when it starts.

discover more
Download checklist

Checklist: Financial and formal aspects of the birth

There are a few things to think about and take care of before and after the birth. The following list will give you an overview of the most important formalities that you need to take care of before and after the birth.

discover more
Download checklist
All Checklists