Books for Parents Far from Home

Susannah K suggests books that parents (or soon-to-be parents) might find useful. Links to Amazon.de are included, so you can order the books directly.

English/German Pregnancy Terms and Definitions

Kirsten G and Jennifer M's list of pregnancy-related terms in English and German.

Having a Baby in Hamburg

Susan L provides a wealth of information about how to navigate the German medical system and paperwork necessities, as well as practical tips such as where to find maternity and children's clothes, and how to find child-friendly playgroups.

Herbal Teas

Jennifer M discusses herbal teas which can safely be used by pregnant and lactating women as well as children.

The Many Uses of Quark

Quark is useful in other ways than nutritionally; Jennifer M explains how and shares recipes for Quick Quark Rolls and Chocolate Quark.

Midwifery

Jennifer M describes why the services of a midwife are invaluable.

Mothering in Hamburg

Jennifer M talks about her experience of giving birth to her first child in Hamburg, and gives the results of her survey of AWC moms and their experiences here.

Bilingual Schools in Hamburg

Jennifer M describes the various bilingual schools in Hamburg, and the reasons you might want to consider them over German-language state schools.

Child Passport Laws

Susan L reports on recent U.S. laws regarding applying for and renewing passports for underage children.

Children and the Commercialization of American Culture

Jennifer M discusses how to raise creative, independent-minded children in this age of commercialization.

Children and Art

Jennifer M shares ideas about introducing children to art.

Children and Computers

Jennifer M explores the best ways to expose children to computers.

Children and the Opera

Jennifer M discusses her children's love of the opera The Magic Flute and gives suggestions for using the opera as a theme for birthday parties, Mardi Gras, and Halloween.

Cooperative Parenting

Jennifer M discusses ideas on how to reverse authoritarian parenting and turn it into cooperative parenting.

Is Your Child Highly Gifted?

Jennifer M describes signs that indicate that your child might be highly gifted, how to encourage these gifts as parents, and where to find support in Hamburg and on the Internet.

Kindermusik: Something to Sing About

Kate H-S explains the benefits of introducing children to music at an early age and describes a new Kindermusik program in Hamburg.

KiTa-Gutschein System

Jennifer M explains the system for getting your child into a daycare facility in Hamburg.

Less Television, Please

Jennifer M encourages reading to your child instead of letting them passively watch hours of television.

Long Distance Grannies

Kirstan B describes how you can keep the connections with grandparents, even when you're raising your kids a continent away.

Manners, Please!

Jennifer M reflects on different manners in different countries.

One Massage for the Baby

Becky T reports on baby message and how you can learn to do it in Hamburg.

AWCH Raising Your Child Bilingually

Jennifer M describes her experiences raising bilingual children.

Registering Your Child's Name in Germany

Jennifer M clarifies the rules regarding registering the name of a child bearing a German passport.

School Days, School Days ...

Sandra S describes the differences between the German, British and American school systems.

Sleeping Through the Night

Andrea H discusses opinions on techniques for getting babies to sleep through the night.

Teens and the Democratic Process

Jennifer M suggests activities for getting your teens interested in the democratic process to encourage them to want to vote at age 18.

Toys and Technology

Jennifer M suggests toys that are easy to make with your child, and the benefits of weaning our kids from store-bought-fever.

Back to School More Safely

Jennifer M gives simple tips to help avoid environmental contaminants in your back-to-school Schulranzen.

Children's Health Checkups

Jennifer M describes the Vorsorgeuntersuchungen or the German Healthy Child Check-Up Program, the nine free healthy child check-ups which extend from birth to age five and, additionally, to an adolescent exam at age 13.

Circumcision

Jennifer M discusses the myths about circumcision.

Diapers

Jennifer M discusses the health and environmental problems caused by the huge quantities of disposable diapers filling up landfills.

Environmental Contamination -- How to Avoid It

Jennifer M tells how to find out if your home water pipes are contaminated with lead, and points out the invisible dangers of carbon monoxide at street level, just at the height of small children.

Exercise and Movement Can Make You Smart

Excerpts of a Die Zeit article translated by Jennifer M that discuss the dangers in allowing children to lead too sedentary lives.

Flouridation

Jennifer M discusses the dangers of flouridation for young children.

Homeopathic Medicine

Jennifer M discusses the uses of homeopathic medicine for children and pregnant or lactating mothers.

If It Moves Like a Dolphin: Swimming for All Ages

Sue Legahn gives information about the Delphin swimming school.

Immunizations

Jennifer M describes the officially recommended immunizations of the German Immunization Commission (Empfehlungen der Ständigen Impfkommission--STIKO) and when to administer them to your child.

Immunization Additives

Jennifer M describes additives in immunization formulas, such as antibiotics, formaldehyde, and mercury. She suggests you discuss these additives with your child's pediatrician.

Organic Clothing and Nutrition for Children

Jennifer M discusses the advantages of providing organic clothing and nutrition for your child.

Smallpox Vaccines

Jennifer M asks the question, "Does your child need the smallpox vaccine?".

Teething

Jennifer M suggests ways to relieve the teething pains that trouble babies.

Whole Foods for the Whole Family

Jennifer M discribes ways to introduce more whole foods into your family's diet, and decrease the junk foods.

Dining out in Deutschland (with Kids!)

Kirstan B shares some of her tips on dining out in German restaurants with children.

Miniatur Wunderland

Tracy M describes how she turned a gray winter day into fun for her family by visiting Hamburg's huge model train wonderland in the Speicherstadt.

New Children's Library in Hamburg

Vicki FM talks about the new Kinderbibliotek (Children’s Library) on Grindelberg 62.

Opera for Kids

Jennifer M describes Das Theater für Kinder's production of Die Kleine Zauberflöte.

Traveling with Children

Jennifer M discusses vaccines, travel by air, protection from the sun, and jet-lag.

Yoga for Traveling

Jennifer M describes poses from a book about practicing yoga with children.

AWCH Chess Anyone?

Shelly S describes children's involvement with the game of chess.

Lanterns, St. Martin and Wotan

Jennifer M narrates the background behind the lantern parades in November, and provides a traditional song and a cookie recipe.

The Advent Wreath

Jennifer M tells the origins of the traditional Christmastime Advent wreath.

The Legend of St. Barbara

Jennifer M tells the legend behind cutting a cherry branch on December 4.

Getting a Dog in Germany

Susannah K discusses the decisions that go into choosing just the right dog for your family.

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