Germans sometimes refer to maternity / paternity leave as a “baby break” (Babypause), implying that what you are doing during this time is more relaxing than work. I think anyone who has ever been on parental leave will agree that this is in no way the case! I am not saying time off work to look after your baby isn’t amazingly wonderful, and I am eternally grateful that the German system gives parents at least 12 months of paid maternity / paternity leave as well as a further 24 months of unpaid leave with a job guarantee to return to your former employer at the end of it – what luxury!
But nonetheless, spending 24/7 with a baby or toddler can be intense, to say the least.
This is why, as well as running mum & baby classes, a playgroup for mums / dads and toddlers, and a monthly international breakfast all in English, to help expat families and international families living in Germany (more specifically Oberursel / the Taunus / Frankfurt) to meet other international parents and receive the information and support they need to confidently and happily navigate parenthood in Germany,
I also run an English conversation group for parents on maternity / paternity leave. This group is for non-native speakers of English to be able to spend one hour a week doing something for themselves. Whether they need English for work and want to stay in practice ready for their return to work, or need English for their next vacation, simply enjoy speaking it, or want to improve their English conversation skills, everyone is welcome.
Moms and dads can bring their baby / toddler a (or bump!) along (but don’t have to), the room at the Familientreff in Oberursel is safe and child-friendly. There is coffee, tea and water (and sometimes biscuits!), and we spend a relaxing hour talking about whatever the group wants to talk about – current affairs, business topics, or family life. English speakers of all abilities are welcome. And as a native English speaker who grew up in Britain, I guide the conversation, gently correct significant mistakes, provide vocabulary that is missing, and ensure that the mums and dads enjoy an empowering hour doing something for themselves. Because a happy baby needs a happy caregiver, and that means we need to look after our own needs as well as those of our offspring.
The English conversation class runs every Monday morning from 11.30 – 12.30 at the Familientreff in Oberursel. Everyone is welcome to come along for a free taster session (email info@nestsandwings.de to sign up) and then you can purchase a 5-week or 10-week pass (valid for 7 or 13 weeks to give you some flexibility). All the information is available here.