Family life in NRW. Colorful and diverse.

Familienministerin Verena Schäffer
Icon: Eine Sprechblase, die Anführungsstriche beinhaltet.

Strong families, strong children

Mothers and fathers accompany the start in life

Illustration: 201.000 Eltern in NRW haben im 4. Quartal 2025 Elterngeld in Elternzeit bezogen.

Around 201,000 parents in North Rhine-Westphalia took time off work to care for their child in the 4th quarter of 2025 and received parental allowance, including around 33,000 fathers.

The number of the month: Families in NRW take on responsibility and achieve a lot every day. Every month, we present a figure here that provides an insight into everyday family life.

All figures can be found in the archive.

Flash survey: Parents give their opinion

What was particularly important to you when dividing up your parental leave?

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News for families in NRW

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Non-violent education: Frequently asked questions and answers

Growing up without violence is one of the most important children's rights - the Day of Non-Violent Education on April 30 draws attention to this. But where does violence begin? How does it manifest itself? And what consequences does it have for children? UNICEF answers the most important questions.

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Free webinar from the bke parent counseling service

The bke parent counseling service is offering an informative and interactive webinar for parents in March. The topic this time: "Resilience - What makes us strong in life?"

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European Youth Week 2026 from April 24 to May 1

Every two years, the European Youth Week brings together young people and institutions to shape, promote and celebrate the future of Europe. The 2026 motto is "Solidarity and Fairness": the focus will be on current issues such as intergenerational justice and the climate crisis, well-being, housing, employment and inclusion.

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Our new newsletter is here!

Tips for a strong sibling relationship, information on paternity acknowledgement, a new craft idea for spring and much more: the current April issue of our newsletter is all about topics that affect families in NRW. Not yet subscribed? Subscribe now and never miss an issue!

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European Youth Information Day

April 17 is dedicated to youth information throughout Europe. The day of action draws attention to the importance of reliable and understandable information for young people. The European Youth Portal offers verified content on topics such as political participation, rights, EU initiatives and opportunities to study and work abroad.

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Siblings' Day: A valuable bond for life

April 10 is the Day of Brothers and Sisters! The day of action focuses on the special relationship between brothers and sisters: Siblings share a common origin story, shape each other in many ways and often accompany each other throughout their lives. Find out what this bond means and how parents can strengthen it in our article.

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European Union gives away free Interrail tickets to 18-year-olds

Discover Europe, meet new people and gain unforgettable experiences: DiscoverEU gives 18-year-olds the chance to win a free Interrail ticket. Applications can be submitted until April 22, 2026. Those who are selected can travel across Europe for up to seven days in the summer and benefit from numerous discounts.

Family life in focus

My child

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Quickly found: On-site advice

Vater mit Kind blicken in die Ferne

The family guide

Are you looking for support or advice in your area? With our family guide, you can quickly find suitable contact points in North Rhine-Westphalia - from pregnancy counseling to family associations to youth welfare offices. Simply enter your zip code and discover what's on offer!

To 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.

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.

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.

All checklists