Family Guide Northwestern Switzerland

1st edition 2015

Fachstelle Familie und Gleichstellung, Aargau Fachbereich Familien, Baselland Abteilung Jugend- und Familienförderung Basel-Stadt Fachstelle Familie und Generationen, Solothurn Dear Families,

Northwestern Switzerland is a wonderful region to live in, to work in or to visit. We have much to offer you and your family. We hope you will find this guide to be a treasure trove of useful tips, providing you with an address you need or pointing you towards the right website at the right time.

The guide contains information on public and private services for families in the cantons of Aargau, Basel-Landschaft, Basel-Stadt and Solothurn. It also contains some information on services available for all of Switzerland. All available services by the government, churches, associations and support groups are presented in a clear and organized fashion at the end of each chapter together with some recommended readings. Furthermore, the manual offers practical advice and fresh ideas for everyday family life.

The Familiy Guide Northwestern Switzerland is by no means comprehensive. We will, however, make a continuing effort to update the content and add new information. We have described each service based on the presentation given by the institution that offers it. Of course, we took care to check all the information we included very carefully. The guide is updated on a regular basis. Institutions and organisations, which were not known to us by the copy deadline of December 2015 and who would like their services to be included in the guide, are warmly invited to get in touch with us. Should you have any comments or suggestions, please send us these by email: [email protected]. Thank you!

A long list of experts collaborated with us to create each chapter. We would like to thank them for sharing their experience and expertise with us.

Sincerely,

Fachstelle Familie und Gleichstellung, Aargau Fachbereich Familien, Baselland Abteilung Jugend- und Familienförderung Basel-Stadt Fachstelle Familie & Generationen, Solothurn Table of contents

To access a chapter directly please click on the chapter in the table of contents

1. Family diversity

2. Pregnancy and birth

3. Infants and Toddlers

4. Kindergarten and primary school

5. Adolescence

6. Parenting questions

7. Family and work

8. Professional childcare

9. Finances

10. Migration - Integration

11. Holidays and recreation

12. Health and diet

13. Getting older

14. Separation and divorce

15. Mobbing and violence

16. Death Family Guide Northwestern Switzerland

Family Diversity

. Traditional nuclear family There is often a certain nostalgia in . Unmarried couples discussions about the family: «Families . Bicultural families used to be a lot closer and bigger, people . Foster families stayed together, families held together...» . Adoptive families We can’t say whether this is really true. But . Single parent families we do know that family structures and the . Same-sex partnerships way people live have changed . Stepfamilies/Patchwork families considerably.

We are always influenced by images of the ideal family. Today, there are two dominant images: In the traditional nuclear family, the husband is the breadwinner, the housewife and mother is responsible for raising the children and house keeping . There are several other «new» types of family: the nuclear family where both parents work, adoptive families, bicultural families, single- parent families, same-sex partnerships, unmarried parents, large families, foster families, or stepfamilies/patchwork families.

But no matter what type of family we consider, basically they are all striving for stable and harmonious Page 1 of 11 relationships with each other. However, roles are changing. Family Guide Northwestern Switzerland

The gender-specific division of labour, laws governing the partnership of which has given men more wealth and unmarried couples, so there is no legal power, is slowly being replaced by certainty about what happens if the shared responsibilities. couple separates or one partner dies. It may be helpful to draw up a common-law Traditional nuclear family agreement that defines rights and The father is the breadwinner, working full obligations of both partners in the case of time. The mother takes care of one or two separation or death. Important issues to or maybe more children and does the think about are rent/mortgage, children, housework. This is the old ideal of the child-support, pension funds or a will. You family dating back to the period of can find more information on such industrialisation in the 19th century. Other agreements on the websites listed at the cultures don’t share this ideal. Even in our end of this chapter. western culture, it was common to share Bicultural families the work involved in keeping a family. For example, in agricultural societies, all Half of the couples getting married in members of the family contributed to Switzerland today come from two different growing crops and taking care of animals. countries. Binational relationships and A man can only be the family’s sole culturally diverse families are quite breadwinner if his job pays well enough to common. sustain the whole family. In most cultures, When two people of different nationalities this has never been the norm. Even in get married, they must integrate two Switzerland today, it is hard to live different cultures and two sets of values according to the old ideal. Many mothers into their everyday life. This can be quite have no choice but to get a job. Besides, tricky. many women choose to stay in their job The «Beratungsstelle für binationale Paare after giving birth, because they want to und Familien» (Information Centre for pursue their own career, too. binational couples and families) offers advice on: • legal issues (i.e. international Every family should have a choice of how marriage laws and rights of the child, they want to organise their lives. There is Swiss immigration law) no right or wrong way of life, but it must be • social security in Switzerland renegotiated again and again over time, as • schools, education and working in the children grow older. Switzerland • social, cultural and religious issues Unmarried couples in Switzerland and abroad, before and after marriage. Young couples often live together without getting married. However, there are several You will find a lot of information online. major legal disadvantages to this However, a personal consultation is arrangement – except for the fact that in advisable. Switzerland, married couples pay more taxes than unmarried ones. There are no Page 2 of 11 Family Guide Northwestern Switzerland

Foster families prepared to care for the child as you would for your own. Your biological children must Foster families take in children who, for accept a new brother or sister. An adoption whatever reason, cannot live with their will change the life of everyone involved – biological parents. Fostering a child is a do not take it lightly. long-term commitment that will change the lives of everyone involved. In her book for prospective adoptive parents, Barbara Steck says that adoption It is important that foster parents be is a «lifelong process»: «Adoptive parents prepared to cooperate closely with Social and adopted children will be faced with Services and the child’s parents. Even if different challenges along the path they the child becomes part of the new family, walk together. Many adoptive parents go the child will always have a special role, through very difficult phases with their being a member of two families. The child children. Some situations can be quite has to find his or her place in new stressful for everyone involved. surroundings, find security in new relationships and maintain a close bond An adoption is a complex situation for all with the biological parents. Foster children members of the adoptive family. Adopted need a lot of support and understanding children must accept the fact that although from the new parents. They need time to they are not growing up with their biological come to terms with the new situation. Even parents, they get just as much love. after many years in the foster family, the Everybody must find their own way of children may want to discuss the situation dealing with the situation. Adoption is an again and again. Both children and foster extraordinary and challenging project, for it parents must be patient and willing to changes a family completely, and also discuss difficult questions openly. changes the family’s history.» Families interested in fostering a child need There is a legal distinction between the to meet certain personal and legal adoption of an under-age child, the requirements. Please contact the adoption of a stepchild or international competent authority for your canton for adoptions. You will find all relevant details more information. You will find the address on the website of the competent authority, at the end of this chapter. such as the legal requirements for adoption, all necessary forms and Foster parents of children under the age of international agreements. 15 need a licence issued by the canton, irrespective of whether or not the family is Single Parent Family remunerated for fostering a child. No licence is needed to become a provider of Single parents need to shoulder the day-care. responsiblity for their children on their own. In the past decades, the number of single Adoptive Family parents has grown considerably, most of them women. There are around 160'000 If you are thinking about adopting a child, single-parent families in Switzerland. Many consider it very carefully. You must be

Page 3 of 11 Family Guide Northwestern Switzerland single parents have gone through a tough Same-sex partnerships divorce or have had to come to terms with Married or not, a couple is obliged to their partner’s death. It takes time to settle support each other and to share their life into the new situation. What is more, single together. They are responsible for each parents are juggling the roles of other in good times and bad times. breadwinner, parent and housekeeper – which can be very hard to manage. Some mothers or fathers find out they are gay quite late in life, even if they have been The biggest issue for most single parents is in heterosexual relationships for years. This work-life balance. Single parents are at is always a shock for their partner. Quite greater risk for poverty than other families. often, marriages break up if one partner Even so, most of them manage – because decides to come out. they are energetic and resourceful when it comes to organising help from neighbours, Sometimes, a homosexual parent starts a friends and relatives. new relationship and moves in with his or her new partner. The new partner will Single parents should be careful to spend become a new caregiver to the children, so enough time with their children and also he or she should be involved in decisions find time for themselves. «eifam», the regarding everyday issues (such as association for single-parent families in the school, day-care, medical care). Basel region, organises regular Sunday Obviously, some homosexual men and brunches and other events. At these lesbian women may wish to have informal get-togethers, single parents can children, even if they’ve never been in a meet friends and talk about their worries, heterosexual relationship. However, in while the children can run about and play. Switzerland, the federal law on the You can find the dates online. Similar registration of partnerships for same-sex associations for single parent families can couples prevents them from adopting a be found in the other cantons of child or using any other method of Northwestern Switzerland. reproductive medicine. Also, it is not possible to adopt the partner’s children. When parents separate or get divorced, it is common for one parent to get custody, while the other gets visiting rights. These Stepfamilies visits can provide some space and free The members of a step or patchwork family time for the main carer. But they can also may not have the same name or share be stressful, especially if the parents are blood relations, but they are a family. still arguing or even fighting in court. A Stepfamilies are becoming more popular counsellor or mediator can help you and common, although they can be quite negotiate visiting times. In extremely complex. It takes time for all members to difficult situations, or if the other parent is find their place in the extended family and unable to care for the child, parents can create a bond with everyone. Even if there make use of accompanied visiting days are different types of stepfamilies, they all (Begleitete Besuchstage). have one thing in common: It is the

Page 4 of 11 Family Guide Northwestern Switzerland adults’ decision whether or not a family lives together or separates. The children have no choice but to go along and get used to the new stepparent, brothers and sisters. This may mean taking on a new position among more children, fewer privileges and new responsibilities. The new partner also has to learn to assume a new role, even if he or she is still in conflict with the ex-partner.

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Family Diversity: addresses and links Please note: Most of the described services and links are in German. If a service is explicitly offered in English this is marked by a * Switzerland Aargau Basel-Landschaft Basel-Stadt Solothurn Traditional nuclear family

Unmarried couples www.konkubinat.ch Bicultural families Association of Counselling Aargau has no specialized Counselling Agency for Counselling Agency for Frabina Counselling Agency Agencies for Binational and counselling agency for binational and intercultural binational and intercultural for binational couples and Intercultural Couples and binational couples and couples and families in Basel: couples and families in Basel: families in Solothurn and Families, Switzerland: families. You can find general Steinengraben 69, 4051 Basel Steinengraben 69, 4051 Basel Olten * www.binational.ch * information on the following http://www.binational-bs.ch/ * http://www.binational-bs.ch/ * website http://www.frabina.ch/welcome Counselling is offered in Counselling is offered in Association of binational http://www.binational.ch/ * German, English, French, German, English, French, couples and families Spanish and Portuguese. Spanish and Portuguese. http://www.ig-binational.ch/ Foster families Foster family placing, Foster family placing and Foster family placing and Counselling and training for Pflegekinder Aktion Schweiz evaluation of prospective information on the topic: information on the topic: foster parents by Stiftung foster families and information Arkadis http://www.pflegekinder.ch/ on the topic: Familea Familea http://www.pflegefamilien- www.familea.ch www.familea.ch so.ch/ Departement Bildung, Kultur und Sport, Abteilung Cantonal information about The „Zentrale Behörde Cantonal information about Sonderschulung, Heime und fostering : Adoption und Pflegefamilien“ is fostering: Werkstätte: https://www.baselland.ch/Pfleg responsible for delivering the https://www.so.ch/verwaltung/d https://www.ag.ch/de/bks/sond efamilien.317403.0.html cantonal fostering license. epartement-des-innern/amt- erschulen_behindertenbetreuu Prospective foster parents fuer-soziale-sicherheit/familie- ng/familienplatzierung/familien The „Kinder- und should call them on 061 267 Seite 6 von 11 Family Guide Northwestern Switzerland

platzierung.jsp Erwachsenenschutzbehörde 68 12 for an evaluation. generationen/pflegefamilien/ The competent authority for KESB“ is the competent foster families is the authority in Baselland to apply „Gemeinderat“ at your place for a fostering license. of residence. http://www.kesb-bl.ch/

Switzerland Aargau Basel-Landschaft Basel-Stadt Solothurn Adoptive families Schweizerische Fachstelle für The competent authority for The competent authority for The competent authority for The competent authority for Adoption: adoptions in the Canton of adoptions in the canton Basel- adoptions in the canton Basel- the adoption of a child is the www.adoption.ch Aargau is the „Departement Landschaft is the Stadt are the “Zentrale „Fachstelle für Familie und Volkswirtschaft und Inneres“. „Sicherheitsdirektion“. Behörden Adoption und Generationen“ in the Schweizerischer Adoptiveltern- Pflegefamilien” of the department for social security. Verein: You can find detailed You can find detailed department for education. You can find detailed http://www.saev.ch information about the information about the information about the prerequisites of an adoption, prerequisites of an adoption, Please contact them directly prerequisites of an adoption The Swiss Authorities online, the application and the application and for further information: and the process on their Information on adoption *: international treaties on the international treaties on the website: https://www.ch.ch/en/how- website: website: http://www.jfs.bs.ch/fuer- https://www.so.ch/verwaltung/d adopt/ familien/hilfen/adoption.html epartement-des-innern/amt- https://www.ag.ch/de/dvi/perso https://www.baselland.ch/Adop fuer-soziale-sicherheit/familie- enliches_zivilstandswesen/ado tionen.273476.0.html generationen/adoption/ ption/adoption.jsp?sectionId=1 70797 The „Amt für Gemeinden, Abteilung Zivilstandesamt und Bürgerrecht“ is competent for adoption of a stepchild or an adult person. https://www.so.ch/verwaltung/v olkswirtschaftsdepartement/am t-fuer- gemeinden/zivilstandsamt/

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Switzerland Aargau Basel-Landschaft Basel-Stadt Solothurn Single-parent families Schweizerischer Verband der Accompanied visiting days for Accompanied visiting days for Accompanied visiting days for The Association “Kompass” Alleinerziehenden Mütter und seperated or divorced separated or divorced separated or divocred parents offers accompanied visiting Väter (SVAMV) parents in the Canton of parents in the Canton of in the Canton of Basel-Stadt : days for parents and their www.einelternfamilie.ch Aargau Baselland http://www.begleitetebesuchst child/ children. (Begleitete Besuchstage): (Begleitete Besuchstage) : age- Please contact them directly www.bbt-ag.ch http://www.bbt-bl.ch baselstadt.ch/ for more information: IG Alleinerziehende Baden Eifam- http://www.kompass-so.ch/ www.alleinerziehende- Alleinerziehende Region Basel Eifam- baden.ch www.eifam.ch Alleinerziehende Region Basel Verein Alleinerziehende www.eifam.ch Aargau http://www.alleinerziehende- aargau.ch/

Switzerland Same-sex partnership . Information on rights and duties in a registered partnership “ https://www.ch.ch/en/registered-partnership/

. Pink Cross- Schweizer Dachverband der Schwulen http://www.pinkcross.ch

. Lesbenorganisation Schweiz LOS

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http://www.los.ch/de/ . Familyproject- Für Lesben und Schwule mit Kinderwunsch: http://www.familyproject.ch/

. Dachverband Regenbogenfamilien: http://www.regenbogenfamilien.ch/

Switzerland Aargau Basel-Landschaft Basel-Stadt Solothurn Stepfamilies/patchwork families Websites for patchwork Marriage and Relationship Marriage and Relationship Family- Couple- and Parenting Beratungsstelle Scala offers counselling in the Canton of counselling by the counselling is offered by fabe counselling for couples and families: http:// Aargau is offered by Catholic church: ( Familien-, Paar- und families. familie.ch/ Eheberatung Aargau: http://www.paarberatung- Erziehungsberatung) www.patchwork- http://www.eheberatung- kathbl.ch/ http://www.beratungsstelle- http://www.patchworkfamilien.c aargau.ch/ http://www.fabe.ch/ scala.ch/ h/ Marriage and relationship counselling by the Protestant The „Fachstelle für church (Reformierte Kirche) Beziehungsfragen“ also offers http://www.paarberatung- family and couples counselling refbl.ch/index.php http://www.velso.ch/

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Book recommendations

Our book recommendations are generally for books that are available only in German. Where possible we’ve listed the English translation or an equivalent.

On the topic of family diversity „Familienbande“ Von Christina Caprez, Limmat Verlag 2012

Das Buch von Christina Caprez zeigt in 15 Porträts von Schweizer Familien die Vielfalt der heutigen Familienkonstellationen auf. Die Porträts werden durch drei Experteninterviews ergänzt. Weitere Informationen über das Buch finden Sie auf folgender Webseite: http://www.limmatverlag.ch/programm/sachbuch/frauen/titel/89-familienbande.html

On the topic of living together as an umarried couple „Paare ohne Trauschein- Was sie beim Zusammenleben regeln müssen“ von Karin von Flüe, Beobachter Edition, 2015.

On the topic of adoption „Adoption – ein lebenslanger Prozess“ von Barbara Steck, Karger Verlag , 2007.

„Survival-Tipps für Adoptiveltern-2.Auflage“ von Christel Rech-Simon und Fritz B. Simon, Carl-Auer-Verlag, 2014.

On the topic of bicultural/binational families Binational? Genial!: Der Ratgeber für Binationale Paare mit Kindern von Christian Urech, Isabelle Schiess und Valentin Stucki, Atlantis Verlag, 2005

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On the topic of single-parent families „Allein erziehen - so schaff ichs!: Kinder, Rechtliches, Existenz sichern“ von Ruth Eigenmann, Beobachter Buchverlag, 2005.

On the topic of same-sex partnerships „Regenbogenfamilien- Ein Handbuch“ von Stephanie Gerlach, Querverlag, 2010.

„Und was sagen die Kinder dazu?: Gespräche mit Töchtern und Söhnen lesbischer und schwuler Eltern“ von Uli Streib-Brzic und Stephanie Gerlach, Querverlag, 2005.

On the topic of stepfamilies/patchwork families „Aus Stiefeltern werden Bonus-Eltern: Chancen und Herausforderungen für Patchwork-Familien“ von Jesper Juul, Kösel Verlag, 2011.

„Wie Patchworkfamilien funktionieren- Das müssen Eltern und ihre neuen Partner über ihre Rechte und Pflichten wissen“ von Cornelia Döbeli, Beobachter Edition, 2013.

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Pregnancy and Birth

. I want to get pregnant! Some children «just happen», others are . Social Freezing carefully planned. Some couples . Finally pregnant desperately long for a baby but can’t get . Unwanted pregnancy? pregnant, others are afraid to take on the . Cantonal counselling centres responsibility for a child. There are . Prenatal care unwanted teenage pregnancies, and there . Antenatal classes is unwanted childlessness. These factors . Where to give birth? influence how parents feel about . Premature birth pregnancy and children. Today, many . Expecting twins or multiple couples try to plan a pregnancy carefully. births But it isn’t always easy. It can take a while . Baby blues and postpartum to get pregnant, even for a young and depression healthy couple. . Helpline "Familystart beider Basel" Pregnancy is a precious time in a couple’s . Breastfeeding counselling life. There is a whole new life to prepare . Addresses and links for, and a new family member to welcome. . Book recommendations Nowadays, most young people have never experienced the arrival of a child. A hundred years ago, young women learnt about pregnancy and childbirth from their mothers, aunts and older sisters. Today, we need special public health nurses, evening classes and midwives to give advice. While it is important to recognise Page 1 of 12 Family Guide Northwestern Switzerland the challenges, young people shouldn’t frozen and stored. The term “social feel too anxious about becoming parents. freezing” is used when this is performed without any medical indication. With the When the baby is born, what young help of modern cryopreservation methods parents need most is good advice and it is nowadays possible to thaw the eggs support from family and professional for fertilization at any given time carers. But no matter what everybody tells This gives women, who cannot or do not you: learn to trust your own instincts, too! want to fulfill their wish of a child at the present time, the chance to have a child at I want to get pregnant a later date. Oocyte cryopreservation was A woman can get pregnant approximately at first aimed only at young women who between the ages of 15 and 45. However, had cancer and had to have her chances vary within this reproductive chemotherapy, whereas it is now also phase. Biologically speaking, a woman used in other situations. has her «most fertile» years between 25 and 30. The law in Switzerland regarding “social Getting pregnant might take a while; even freezing” is ambiguous. It is generally for a healthy and young couple. It is interpreted as allowing egg freezing recommended to seek medical advice, if without medical indication, e.g. for career there is no pregnancy within a year. reasons. The storage of the frozen eggs is only allowed for a period of five years There is no denying the fact that it is however. harder to get pregnant after the age of 40. Chromosomal deficiencies are more While egg freezing may be a good or even frequent in mature eggs, increasing the necessary option in certain cases, the egg risk of miscarriage or birth defects. If you retrieval process for oocyte want to get pregnant at a more mature cryopreservation is not without its dangers. age, talk to your gynaecologist. It should be noted furthermore, that there are also higher health dangers associated Difficulties in conceiving are not that with a mature-age pregnancy. While there uncommon. About one in six couples have not been many studies on the risks remain childless due to a fertility disorder of pregnancies in women who are over 55 in one of the partners. Check your fertility years of age, health care professionals do with your doctor or in a special clinic. It believe the health risks to be serious. can help to have the support of a psychologist or a counsellor in this difficult Finally pregnant situation. Obviously, a healthy and stress- Are you pregnant? Congratulations! You free lifestyle will also have a positive effect are in for a wonderful adventure. Your on your fertility. body and soul are about to change, and life with your partner will never be the We also recommend the sections “foster same again. A pregnancy raises many family” and “adoptive family” in the questions. Your gynaecologist or midwife chapter “diversity of families” for further has the answers to all the medical issues reading. concerning you. If you are already thinking about where to give birth, attend the Social Freezing information events organised by hospitals, Human oocyte cryopreservation (egg where you can even visit the delivery freezing) is a process in which a woman’s rooms. The internet offers a ton of unfertilized eggs (oocytes) are extracted, websites dedicated to parents-to be. You

Page 2 of 12 Family Guide Northwestern Switzerland can find a selection of websites at the end Which costs are covered by your health of this chapter. insurance? The mandatory basic health insurance will Unwanted pregnancy? fully cover the routine checks during Are you unsure about continuing or pregnancy and the cost of giving birth. terminating the pregnancy? Such a There is no co-pay («Selbstbehalt») for decision is never taken lightly. In these services. Your insurance will also Switzerland, abortion is legal up to week pay a contribution to an antenatal class. It 12 after your last period. If you are is up to you to choose the place where you uncertain, there are several medical want to give birth: at a hospital, a birthing helplines and other psychological home or at home. After giving birth, your counselling services to help you come to a insurance will cover postnatal care and decision. Young women under 16 must contribute to breastfeeding counselling. If see a counsellor or talk to someone at the you stay at the hospital after the birth, the «Kinder- und Jugendpsychiatrischer baby’s stay is also covered by your Dienst» (Child and Youth Psychiatry insurance. You will find all the mandatory Service). services in the Federal Health-Care Benefits Ordinance. The Federal Office of Cantonal counselling centers Public Health or your personal health Apart from many medical questions, you insurance will provide further information. may also have questions concerning your relationship, sexuality, money, Antenatal classes employment law or maternity benefits. The birth of a child is a unique and unforgettable experience for every mother Contact your cantonal counselling centre and father. Many couples want to be well for confidential and free advice on these prepared and start thinking about it quite issues. You’ll find the addresses at the early. In antenatal classes, pregnant end of this chapter. women get ready for the big moment physically and psychologically. These Prenatal care classes are also a good way to meet other Most babies are born healthy. Still, it is prospective parents. wise to have the baby’s weight and position as well as the mother’s blood Where to give birth? pressure checked regularly during the In Switzerland, about 98% of all babies are pregnancy. Ultrasound scans are also part born in hospitals, which provide the of the regular check-ups. Apart from these necessary medical equipment in case of routine checks, there are a number of an emergency. The remaining 2% are other tests that are part of the prenatal born at midwives’ homes, birthing homes diagnostics. Some of these tests may be or at home. Talk to your gynaecologist or useful, but please be aware that there are your midwife and find out which place suits very few ways to influence the child’s you best. You should start to think about development before it is born. Parents where to give birth around the middle of should consider very carefully which tests the second trimester. Many hospitals could be helpful for them, and what could organise free information events, where be done for the unborn child if a defect is you can visit the delivery room and meet diagnosed. Prenatal diagnostics can the staff. You don’t need to sign up for cause a couple to consider terminating a these information events, just check the pregnancy which they had fully supported dates with each hospital directly. up to this point.

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Should you prefer a hospital or clinic A special magazine called «Multipack» outside your canton of residence, make offers useful and scientific articles for sure you check with your health parents of twins and multiple births. In insurance to see whether or not the cost many cantons, there are clubs for parents is covered. of twins or multiple births. It is best to register your child for the mandatory basic and supplementary Baby Blues and postnatal depression health insurance before the baby is born. During pregnancy, the hormones in a woman’s body, such as progesterone and Home Births oestrogen, run wild. After giving birth, and Home births are quite rare in Switzerland. after the placenta has been removed, the According to the Swiss midwives hormones drop back to normal within a association only about 1 percent of all few days. These rapid hormonal changes births in Switzerland occur at home. are the main culprits causing “baby blues” Various studies have shown that a after delivery. During the first few days planned home birth can be as safe as a after giving birth, crying fits are quite hospital birth as long you are healthy and frequent – but nothing to worry about. have had no complications during your pregnancy. In the case of a homebirth, 50-70% of all mothers get the «baby you give birth to your child at home, with a blues» during the first three to five days midwife attending. after giving birth. They are touchy and often sad. However, there are also cases Postnatal care: premature birth of severe postnatal depression and Parents of prematurely born babies can psychosis, which are caused by a number join the parents’ group of the Kinderklinik of factors. Postnatal depression affects Bruderholz (UKBB), even if their baby was about 10% of all mothers, usually during not born there. There are group meetings the first few weeks or months after giving once a month, where various issues are birth. Psychotherapy usually helps. discussed. There is always a paediatric Postnatal psychosis is very rare, only nurse present at the meetings. found in one or two out of every 1000 The parent’s association “Känguruh” for births. premature children and their parents is If you suddenly feel like crying, don’t hold also open to anyone who is interested. back. Sometimes it helps to talk to other mothers in the same situation. Find a self- Parents of twins and multiple births help group or talk to your doctor or your midwife. Twins are often said to be «as like as two peas in a pod ». However, identical twins HELPLINE «FAMILYSTART» are only about half as frequent as non- identical or dizygotic twins. Identical twins The midwife-network “ Family Start beider share the genetic material, whereas non- Basel” offers a 12-hour hotline and identical twins are no more similar than professional house-visits 365 days a year siblings of different ages. They can both to families with newborns , to ensure that be girls, or boys, or a boy and a girl. you continue to receive help and care Life with twins or multiple births not only when you are back home after the birth. means double happiness, it also means a Every day of the year, from 8 am to 8 pm, lot more work and requires even better experienced midwives are available to planning. Don’t hesitate to ask your family answer your questions about the health and friends for support. and care of mother and child. In some cases, the midwives may visit you in your

Page 4 of 12 Family Guide Northwestern Switzerland home. They can also refer you to parent counselling services as well as medical providers. This service is free of charge for women who delivered their babies at the Universitätsspital or the Bethesda Spital in Basel. If you had your baby at another hospital, there is a one-time fee of 50 Chf. This service can also be used by women who reside in cantons other than Basel- Landschaft or Basel-Stadt.

FamilyStart HELPLINE: 0848 622 622

(Daily from 8am to 8pm)

Breast feeding counselling Midwives and nurses show young mothers how to breastfeed their babies right after giving birth. Your health insurance will also cover three sessions with the midwife or specialised nursing staff. You can find extra support and advice with «La Leche League».

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Pregnancy and birth: addresses and links

Please note: Most of the described services and links are in German. If a service is explicitly offered in English as well this is marked by a * Switzerland Aargau Basel-Landschaft Basel-Stadt Solothurn I want to get pregnant www.swissmom.ch Kinderwunschzentrum Baden Kinderwunschzentrum Region Kinderwunschzentrum Region Frauenklinik Bürgerspital >Kinderwunsch http://kinderwunschbaden.ch Basel* Basel* Solothurn www.kinderwunsch.ch http://www.kinderwunsch- http://www.kinderwunsch- Abklärungen bei unerfülltem www.familienplanung.de > basel.ch/ basel.ch/ Kinderwunsch Kinderwunsch www.bzga.de > Themen > Sexualaufklärung und Familienplanung Understanding a miscarriage www.babycenter.ch/pregnancy Elternbabyzentrum Basel /trauerundverlust/fehlgeburtver offers counselling after a stehen/ miscarriage http://www.familienleben.ch/leb Rütlistrasse 51, 4051 Basel en/konflikte/fehlgeburt- Tel. 076 562 03 35 verarbeiten-1584 Begleitung nach einer Fehlgeburt Social Freezing www.kinderwunschzentrum.ch Finally pregnant www.swissmom.ch www.wireltern.ch http://www.familienleben.ch/ http://www.liliput.ch/ https://www.ch.ch/de/geburt http://www.babyguide.ch

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Switzerland Aargau Basel-Landschaft Basel-Stadt Solothurn Unwanted pregnancy? Schwanger - wir helfen Counselling regarding Information about Counselling Counselling service for Guide of the Health Hilfs- und Beratungsstelle pregnancy conflict: services in the Canton of pregnancy conflict and Department Solothurn in cases Basel-Landschaft: guidance throughout the of unwanted pregnancies: Scheuermattweg 4 Beratungsstelle für leaflet in 11 languages* abortion process *: Leitfaden ungewollt schwanger 3007 Bern Familienplanung, Informationsblatt zum Postfach 1076, 3000 Bern 23 Schwangerschaft & Sexualität straflosen Universitätsspital Counselling regarding Tel. Büro: 031 961 64 74 www.fapla-ag.ch Schwangerschaftsabbruch Frauenklinik pregnancy conflict: http://schwanger-wir-helfen.ch/ Spitalstrasse 21, 4056 Basel Aarau: Laurenzentorgasse 7, Counselling for women under Link to the counselling offer Beratungsstelle für Tel: 062 822 55 22 the age of 18 with an Schwangerschaft, Familien- [email protected] unwanted pregnancy: Counselling for women under planung und Sexualität the age of 18 with an http://www.velso.ch/ Brugg: Stapferstrasse 2, Kinder- und unwanted pregnancy: Tel: 056 441 37 77 Jugendpsychiatrischer Dienst [email protected] Liestal: 061 927 75 70 Kinder- und Bruderholz: 061 425 56 56 Jugendpsychiatrische Klinik Schaffhauserrheinweg 55 4058 Basel Link to the counselling offer Cantonal counselling centers for pregnancy and birth Beratungsstelle für The Canton of Basel- Offizielle Schwangerschafts- Beratungsstelle für Familienplanung, Landschaft offers two beratungsstelle Basel-Stadt Schwangerschaft, Familien- Schwangerschaft & Sexualität counselling centres for free planung und Sexualität www.fapla-ag.ch and confidential counselling Universitätsspital Frauenklinik http://www.velso.ch/ regarding pregnancy and Spitalstrasse 21 Aarau: Laurenzentorgasse 7, relationships. Tel. 061 265 93 93/94 Solothurn: Rossmarktplatz 2 Tel. 062 822 55 22 Beratungsstellen für [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Schwangerschafts- und Link to the pregnancy Olten: Hammerallee 19 Brugg: Stapferstrasse 2, Beziehungsfragen counselling centre [email protected]

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Tel. 056 441 37 77 Liestal Tel. 061 921 60 13 Grenchen: Solothurnstrasse [email protected] Binningen, Tel. 061 413 24 00 32 www.bsb-bl.ch [email protected] Pregnancy counselling at the Pregnancy counselling at the Breitenbach: Fehrenstrasse 12 hospitals: hospitals: [email protected] Aarau Tel. 062 838 50 67 Liestal Tel. 061 925 25 25 Baden Tel. 056 486 35 91 Bruderholz Tel. 061 436 21 92 Prenatal care www.praenatal-diagnostik.ch www.swissmom.ch www.babycenter.ch Which costs are covered by your health insurance? www.bag.admin.ch> Themen>Krankenversicherung * Antenatal classes Antenatal classes and Antenatal classes Antenatal classes Antenatal classes Antenatal classes pregnancy gymnastics: (Geburtsvorbereitungskurse) (Geburtsvorbereitungskurse) (Geburtsvorbereitungskurse) (Geburtsvorbereitungskurse) at the hospital: at the Kantonsspital Baselland at the Frauenklinik, at the hospital: http://birthcare.bgb- Geburtsvorbereitungskurse Universitätsspital Basel in schweiz.ch/site/index.cfm Geburtsvorbereitungskurse Kantonsspital Baselland German and English* Geburtsvorbereitungskurse Kantonsspital Aarau (Schwangerschaft und Geburt Bürgerspital Solothurn Kontakt Kurssekretariat  Kurse und Infoabende Geburtsvorbereitungskurse Tel. 062 838 50 17 Kursangebot pro Standort) der Frauenklinik BS Geburtsvorbereitungskurse E-Mail: frauenklinik- Infant care classes by the Red Kantonsspital Olten [email protected] Cross: Geburtsvorbereitungskurse www.srk-baselland.ch > Kurse Obach Klinik, Solothurn Geburtsvorbereitungskurs Baden > Familie und Kind

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Switzerland Aargau Basel-Landschaft Basel-Stadt Solothurn Where to give birth? Birthing centre Cantonal hospitals (Public Cantonal hospitals (Public Cantonal hospitals (Public Cantonal hospitals (Public hospitals) hospitals) hospitals) hospitals) You can find a list of all birthing centres in Switzerland, Kantonsspital Aarau Kantonsspital Liestal mit Universitätsspital Basel, Tel. Bürgerspital Solothurn, Tel. listed by canton, on the Frauenklinik, Tel. 062 838 50 Beleghebammen-System, Tel. 061 265 90 49, Frauenklinik : 032 627 44 71, Frauenklinik following website: 67, KSA - Frauenklinik Aarau 061 925 25 25, www.ksli.ch > Universitätsspital Basel Solothurn www.geburtshaus.ch Kantonsspital Baden, Tel. 056 Frauen 486 35 91, Kantonsspital Bruderholz, Tel. Private hospitals Kantonsspital Olten, Tel. 062 Homebirths Geburtshilfe Kantonsspital 061 436 36 36, Kantonsspital 311 43 89, Frauenklinik Olten Baden Bruderholz > Frauenklinik > Bethesda Spital, Tel. 061 315 A midwife can be found Zentrum für Mutter & Kind 22 22, Geburtsklinik Bethesda through the homepage of the Private hospitals Kantonsspital Laufen, Tel. 061 Spital Birthing centres Swiss association of Asana Spital, 5316 Leuggern, 765 32 32, www.ksla.ch > Note: Midwiferies are open to midwives*: Tel. 056 269 40 00, Angebot > Geburtshilfe any health insurance category There is currently no birthing http://www.hebamme.ch/de/elt/ Geburtshilfe Spital Leuggern and across cantonal borders. centre in the Canton of heb/freiehebammen.cfm?md= Private hospitals Solothurn. erw Asana Spital, 5737 Menziken, ITA-Wegman-Klinik, 4144 Tel. 062 765 31 31, Arlesheim, Tel. 061 705 71 11, Birthing centres Homebirths www.spitalmenziken.ch www.geburtshaus-iwk.ch Ergolz-Klinik, 4410 Liestal, Tel. Geburtshaus Basel, A midwife can be found Klinik Villa im Park, 4852 061 906 92 92, www.ergolz- Schweizergasse 8, 4054 through the homepage of the Rothrist, Tel. 062 785 66 66 klinik.ch > Unser Angebot > Basel, Tel. 061 462 47 11, Swiss association of Geburtshilfe Villa im Park Gynäkologie www.geburtsstaette.ch midwives*: http://www.hebamme.ch/de/elt/ Gesundheitszentrum Fricktal: Birthing centres Homebirths heb/freiehebammen.cfm?md= Rheinfelden, Laufenburg & erw Frick Geburtshaus Ambra, A list of midwives in the region Frauenklinik Unterdorfstrasse 25, 4443 of Basel is available by calling Gesundheitszentrum Fricktal Wittlinsburg, Tel. 062 299 29 061 702 07 60 or online

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Kreisspital für das Freiamt, 29, www.baslerhebamme.ch > 5630 Muri, Tel. 056 675 14 21 www.gebaeren.ch Hebammensuche www.spital-muri.ch--> Geburtshaus Tagmond, Geburtshilfe Hauptstrasse 26, 4133 Pratteln, Tel. 061 823 10 10, Hirslanden Klinik Aarau, 5001 www.tagmond.ch Aarau, Tel. 062 836 70 00 Geburt in der Hirslanden Klinik Geburtshaus Rundum GmbH, Aarau Wahlenstrasse 70, 4242 Laufen, Tel. 061 761 83 63, Birthing centres www.geburtshausrundum.ch Geburtshus Storchenäscht Hendschikerstrasse 12, 5504 Geburtshaus der Ita Wegman Othmarsingen, Tel. 062 885 80 Klinik, Pfeffingerweg 1, 4144 80, Arlesheim, Tel. 061 705 72 46 , http://www.storchenaescht.ch geburtshaus-iwk.ch

Homebirths Homebirths A list of midwives in the region A midwife can be found of Basel is available by calling through the homepage of the 061 702 07 60 or online Swiss association of www.baslerhebamme.ch > midwives*: Hebammensuche http://www.hebamme.ch/de/elt/ heb/freiehebammen.cfm?md= The midwives of the birthing erw centre Tagmond are also available for homebirths: www.tagmond.ch > Angebote > Hausgeburt

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Switzerland Aargau Basel-Landschaft Basel-Stadt Solothurn Premature birth Elternverein Känguruh: Both cantonal hospitals (public Neonatal family guidance Neonatal family guidance Free neonatal- project by the www.fruehgeborene.ch hospitals) in Aarau and Baden through the Universitäts- through the Universitäts- Arkadis foundation for parents have a neonatal intensive care Kinderspital beider Basel. Kinderspital beider Basel. living in the Canton of unit. There are no special Neonatologische Neonatologische Solothurn. groups for parents of Familienbegleitung Familienbegleitung premature babies in the neonatal-project of the Arkadis Canton of Aargau. foundation Parents of twins and multiples www.twinmedia.ch Twinparents-Club Twinparents-Club Aargau/Solothurn Aargau/Solothurn Swiss assocation for parents http://www.zwillingseltern.ch/ http://www.zwillingseltern.ch/ of multiples http://www.mehrlingsverein.ch/

Postnatal depression www.postnatale-depression.ch Gesprächsgruppe Postnatale / The department of postpartale Depression gynecological social medicine and psychosomatics of the Familienzentrum Karussell Unispital Basel offers advice to Haselstrasse 6 women with postnatal 5400 Baden depressions during their consultation hours. Infoflyer zur Gesprächsgruppe Beratung bei psychischen Postnatale Depressionen Problemen nach der Geburt

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Switzerland Aargau Basel-Landschaft Basel-Stadt Solothurn Helpline „Family Start beider Basel” FamilyStart HELPLINE: 0848 622 622 (daily from 8am to 8pm) * Breastfeeding counselling La Leche League * The women’s clinic at the The Kantonsspital Baselland Assistance by a breastfeeding The Bürgerspital Solothurn is a www.stillberatung.ch Kantonsspital Aarau (KSA) provides a leaflet with consultant at the breastfeeding-friendly clinic. Stiftung Stillen* and the Kantonsspital Baden information on the 10 steps to Universitätsspital Basel www.stillfoerderung.ch have breastfeeding successful breastfeeding : Stillberatung am Unispital During your stay you will be consultants who will assist you Die 10-Schritte zum Basel visited by a lactation A breastfeeding consultant can Stillberatungen im KSA erfolgreichen Stillen PDF consultant. be found on the website of the Stillberatungen im The Universitätsspital Basel Stillberatungen im Bürgerspital Swiss association of lactation Kantonsspital Baden Assistance by a breastfeeding also offers the possibility to Solothurn consultants : consultant at the Kantonsspital donate any extra milk to a http://www.stillen.ch/de/ The KSA website also has an Baselland milk-bank. informative leaflet on the Stillberatung am Kantonsspital benefits of breastfeeding: Baselland Infoflyer Stillen

Book recommendations

Our book recommendations are generally for books that are only available in German. Where possible we’ve listed the English translation or an equivalent instead.

On the topic of twins „Das doppelte Mäxchen- Ein Kindersachbuch zum Thema Zwillinge“ von Regina Masaracchia und Insa Wiegand, Edition Riedenburg, 2009.

On the topic of Breastfeeding: “The womanly art of breastfeeding”, La Leche League International, 2010.

Page 12 of 12 Family Guide Northwestern Switzerland

Infants and Toddlers

. Infant health-care centres A very interesting time is awaiting you, now . Baby massage that your little bundle of joy has finally . Baby swimming arrived. We have gathered important . Family centres . Mother/Father-Babygroups addresses and links to support you during . Playgroups this time. . Pro Juventute’s «Letters to Parents» Infant health-care centres . Secondhand children clothes and Infant health-care centres offer on-site accessories advice for parents with children up to the age of five years. Specialised public health nurses can answer all questions regarding the physical, emotional and psychological development of the child and encourage mothers and fathers to trust their instincts as a parent. In Switzerland, there is an infant health-care centre open to all families in every municipality. The centres usually run a telephone service and operate at regular opening hours. Some nurses visit families at home or organise special classes.

Page 1 of 6 Family Guide Northwestern Switzerland

Baby massage Playgroups

Baby massage helps mothers bond with To prepare for the process of letting go, their babies, supports the baby’s wellbeing why not enroll your child in a playgroup? and strengthens its immune system, This is an ideal environment for children to especially in the first six months. Baby explore new things and meet children of massage classes are organised by the Red their own age. In playgroups children aged Cross and by freelance midwives. 2 ½ and older (up to kindergarten) can come together, play games and develop Baby swimming their personalities and social skills. Besides Baby swimming is a recognized method of playing, playgroups also offer the parent-child exercise for children between possibilities for children to do handicrafts, 3 and 24 months. Baby swimming sing, paint and listen to stories. The stimulates the baby’s motor skills and activities are adapted to the children’s social behaviour. stage of development and their needs.

Family centres Playgroups are constant groups of 6 to 10 children who are taken care of by Depending on the age of the children, experienced and trained persons. families need different kinds of information Playgroups have fixed opening hours. or support. The «Familien- und They usually take place for two to three Begegnungszentren FAZ» in Baselland hours on mornings. Often children attend (family centres) offer a whole range of playgroups once or twice a week. support. Parents and children can get together and discuss family issues. The IG Spielgruppen Schweiz offers Professional support of all kinds is elementary and advanced as well as available at the family centre. It is a place specialisation courses for playgroup where everybody helps each other. supervisors. The Schweizerischer Spielgruppen-Leiterinnen-Verband’s In Basel-Stadt the “Quartiertreffpunkte“ website gives information and useful (District meeting points) offer a similar contacts for your region. Contact your local service to family centres in Aargau and council (Gemeinde) for more information Baselland. The family association of on early intervention programmes. Solothurn also offers its members a similar Many municipalities provide early service. You can find their addresses at the language training in kindergarten or even end of this chapter. in playgroup – for immigrants in particular, but by no means not only for them. Mother/ Father- Babygroups Children participate in weekly classes Mothers and fathers with babies up to where they develop their linguistic abilities about one year meet regularly to share in a playful way. The purpose is to help their experiences. Some meetings are non-German-speaking children make guided by qualified staff, others are friends with German speakers and pave organised by the parents themselves. the way for a smooth transition into Page 2 of 6 primary school. Family Guide Northwestern Switzerland

Pro Juventute’s “Letters to Parents” Secondhand children's clothes and accessories Even in the age of the Internet and email, printed newsletters remain an important Small children grow so fast! It makes sense means of communication. to shop in secondhand stores and at special children’s yard sales. There are Pro Juventute’s «Letters to Parents» always nice clothes at good value. There provide information on childcare, nutrition are also useful online shops. and development. They help you see the world through a child’s eyes and develop your own parenting style. The letters are delivered in accordance with the age of

your child, so that you always get the right information at the right time. The letters cover everything you need to know from a child’s first year of life to age 6.

You may receive the «Letters to Parents» as a gift from your municipality, your Pro Juventute district or some other organisation. Ask your local council (Gemeinde) if and for how long you will receive the letters. You can also order them from Pro Juventute directly.

Pro Juventute also provides a 35-page brochure called «Our Child» with practical advice for the care, nutrition and development of infants. The brochure is available in German, French, Italian and seven other languages (Albanian, Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian, English, Portuguese, Spanish, Tamil and Turkish) and can be ordered from Pro Juventute or downloaded from their website.

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Infants and toddlers: addresses and links Please note: Most of the described services and links are in German. If a service is explicitly offered in English this is marked by a * Switzerland Aargau Basel-Landschaft Basel-Stadt Solothurn Infant Health-Care centres http://www.muetterberatung.ch http://www.muetterberatung- www.muetterberatung-bl-bs.ch www.muetterberatung-bl-bs.ch http://www.muetterberatung- /index_auswahl.htm* aargau.ch/ so.ch/ Baby massage Database for baby massage Baby massage at the The Red Cross Baselland In Basel some midwives also The Bürgerspital Solothurn classes according to the Kantonsspital Baden: offers baby massage classes: offer baby massage Basel- offers baby massage classes: http://www.kantonsspitalbaden Newar- tradition: www.srk-baselland.ch > Kurse Stadt : .ch/Fachbereiche/Geburtshilfe- https://www.so- http://www.newarbabymassag > Familie und Kind www.baslerhebamme.ch > Praenataldiagnostik/Babymass h.ch/buergerspital- e.ch/ age/ solothurn/institute/frauenklinik/ Some midwives also offer geburtshilfe/betreuung-nach- Swiss association for baby Baby massage around baby massage: Ueber die Hebamme > der-geburt/fuer-die- massage : Gränichen: www.baslerhebamme.ch > ergänzende Angebote gesundheit-ihres-kindes.html http://iaim.ch/babymassage/ http://www.babymassage- Ueber die Hebamme > aargau.ch/ ergänzende Angebote

Baby swimming Swimming classes for babies Schwimmschule Kleine Schwimmverein beider Basel Schwimmverein beider Basel Schwimmschule Aqua Vision: and toddlers ( from 10 weeks Schwimmer offers swim www.schwimmschulebasel.ch www.schwimmschulebasel.ch http://www.aqua-vision.ch to 4 years of age) in different classes in Aarau and > Schwimmschule > Schwimmschule locations around Switzerland: Menziken Aquafitness Subingen: H O Wasser erleben AG H O Wasser erleben AG http://www.firstflow.ch/de/ http://www.kleine- 2 2 http://www.aquafitness- schwimmer.ch/ www.wassererleben.ch > www.wassererleben.ch > subingen.ch/ Baby-und-Kinderschwimmen Baby-und-Kinderschwimmen Schwimmschule Aqua Vision: http://www.aqua-vision.ch

Seite 4 von 6 Family Guide Northwestern Switzerland

Switzerland Aargau Basel-Landschaft Basel-Stadt Solothurn Family centres www.kinderbetreuung- www.ebbl.ch > www.quartiertreffpunktebasel.c Familienverein Solothurn aargau.ch> Treffpunkte Familienzentren h/ http://www.familienverein- so.ch/ Eltern/Kind> Familienzentren

Mother-/Father Baby Groups An overview of the most Information about Mother- Information about Mother- Some of the Krabbeltreff by the family popular baby classes in /Father baby groups /Father baby groups „Quartiertreffpunkte“ also offer association Solothurn for kids Switzerland on mother-/father baby groups: (Krabbelgruppen) can be (Krabbelgruppen) and other up to 3 years of age : familienleben.ch: found on the information parent groups can be found http://www.familienverein- http://www.quartiertreffpunkteb http://www.familienleben.ch/ba platform for childcare in the on the information platform asel.ch so.ch/krabbelgruppe.html by/entwicklung/babykurse-von- Canton of Aargau: for parent education in Krabbelgruppe Rüttenen: babyschwimmen-bis- http://www.kinderbetreuung- Baselland: http:// http://www.ruettenen.ch/?men krabbelgruppe-1465 aargau.ch/index.html  baselland.ch/angebotewww.elternbildung- -in- u=schulen&sub=krabbelgrupp Krabbeltreffs ihrer-gemeinde/ e Playgroups IG Spielgruppen Schweiz Verein Spielgruppen Aargau: Fach- und Kontaktstelle für Fach- und Kontaktstelle für IG Spielgruppen Kanton GmbH, Tel. 044 822 02 21 http://www.spielgruppen- Spielgruppen Basel und Spielgruppen Basel und Solothurn: www.spielgruppen.ch aargau.ch/ Region: Region: http://www.spielgruppen.ch/p4 www.fks-bsplusregion.ch www.fks-bsplusregion.ch 73.html?kanton=SO Schweizerischer Spielgruppen- Kinderbetreuung Aargau: Leiterinnen-Verband, Tel. 044 http://www.kinderbetreuung- 970 19 64 aargau.ch/index.html  www.sslv.ch Spielgruppe suchen Pro Juventute’s „Letter to Parents“ Pro Juventute’s «Letters to Parents» provide information on childcare, nutrition and development. The letters to parents are also available in English * http://www.projuventute.ch/Elternbriefe.18.0.html The guide „ Our Child- 1-6th Year of life“ is also available in English * : https://shop.projuventute.ch/de/2~255~1/Kinder-Erwachsene/Unser-Kind

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Switzerland Aargau Basel-Landschaft Basel-Stadt Solothurn Secondhand children's clothes and accessories www.ricardo.ch > kaufen > Kinderkleiderbörsen im Kanton Secondhand-Läden und Kinderkleiderbörsen beider Kinderkleiderbörse im Kanton Kind-und-Baby/ Aargau: Börsen für Basel: Solothurn: http://www.kindex.ch/kt-aargau http://www.kindex.ch/beide- http://www.kindex.ch/kt- www.liliput.ch > Kleinanzeigen Kinderkleider und basel solothurn http://www.tutti.ch/ Kinderartikel:

www.baselland.ch > Bau Umwelt > Amt für Umweltschutz und Energie> Publikationen

Kinderkleiderbörsen beider Basel: http://www.kindex.ch/beide- basel

Book recommendations

Our book recommendations are generally for books that are available onlyin German. Where possible we’ve listed the English translation or an equivalent instead.

On the topic of infants and toddlers „Babyjahre“ by Remo H. Largo, Piper Verlag, 2010 is very widely read in Switzerland and contains information on development and parenting of children up to 4 years of age.

Seite 6 von 6 Family Guide Northwestern Switzerland Kindergarten and Primary School

. HarmoS At last, today is the day you have been . Kindergarten waiting for: your child’s first day in . When does compulsory schooling kindergarten. You have probably been start? . Adaptation classes (Einführungs- / mentally preparing for this day for a while Einschulungsklassen) and are looking forward to it. Some kids . The school system in Northwestern can barely wait: they finally get to be just Switzerland like their big brother or sister and go to . Conflicts between family and kindergarten! school In all cantons of Northwestern Switzerland compulsory schooling begins with kindergarten. The two-year kindergarten now belongs to the primary level and is considered the first stage of schooling.

HarmoS HarmoS is an intercantonal agreement on the harmonization of the compulsory school period. With HarmoS, two years of kindergarten become mandatory.

Page 1 of 8 Family Guide Northwestern Switzerland

The minimum age to start Kindergarten (4 heard before. Let your «grown-up» years of age), and the date (31st of July) kindergarten kid teach you! by which the children must have reached that age, are being harmonized in the To prepare for the process of letting go, Cantons that have signed the agreement. why not enroll your child in a playgroup? These rules must be put in place by the This is an ideal environment for children to beginning of the school year 2015/2016. explore new things and meet children of You can find out whether your canton has their own age. In playgroups, up to ten signed HarmoS, and how far it has gone children aged three and older come with the harmonization, on the website of together, play games and develop their the Swiss Conference of Cantonal personalities and social skills, such as: Ministers of Education (EDK). • building a relationship with a new caregiver (letting go) Solothurn, Basel-Land and Basel-Stadt have signed the HarmoS agreement. • experiencing group activities Aargau has not signed the agreement so far (as of September 2015), but has • learning to fend for oneself nevertheless introduced the two-year mandatory kindergarten. • developing self-confidence

• developing intellectual and motor Kindergarten skills For all the happy excitement, starting kindergarten also triggers feelings of loss, • discovering new material and fear and insecurity – not only for the child, games but for parents, too. Many a mum and dad Many municipalities provide early find it difficult to be separated from their language training in kindergarten or even child, entrusting their little boy or girl to the in playgroup – for immigrants in care of strangers. There may be tears, particular, but by no means not only for though they usually dry quickly as soon as them. Children participate in weekly you walk out of view. Try out what feels classes where they develop their best for you. Create your own ritual. Some linguistic abilities in a playful way. The parents like to play with their child for a purpose is to help non-German-speaking while before leaving, others give their baby children make friends with German a peck on the cheek. Whatever you do, speakers and pave the way for a smooth never leave your child without saying transition into primary school. good-bye. Contact your local council (Gemeinde) for Once your child has settled into more information on early intervention kindergarten, he or she has taken a big programs step towards independence. This «growth» will soon become apparent. Your child will proudly demonstrate new skills, sing songs and tell stories you have never

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The children receive targeted support in Mandatory Promotion of German one small groups. Most children benefit from year before Kindergarten in Basel-Stadt this «gentle» transition into school and The Canton of Basel-Stadt supports the move from the two-year adaptation class acquisition of German by children in order into primary two. to ensure a smooth transition into primary school. Children who barely speak Basel-Stadt and Solothurn do not have German have to attend a playgroup or such adaptation classes. Children with other German-speaking institutions one different strengths and talents complete year before entering Kindergarten. There kindergarten, primary school and high children are taught German in a playful school (Sek I) together. Pupils with a way at least two half days per week. disability, learning disability or who are highly gifted receive the needed support in When does compulsory schooling school. The same applies for children who start? speak only very little German or none at Compulsory schooling begins in all all. If this is not possible, the children can cantons of Northwestern Switzerland once be supported through special programs children start with kindergarten. The two- within the school or in a special school. year kindergarten now belongs to the primary level and is considered the first The school system in Northwestern stage of schooling. Children who have Switzerland turned 4 years old by the deadline start Because of HarmoS all four cantons of Kindergarten after the summer holidays. Northwestern Switzerland will have the The deadlines currently vary from one same school system by the school year canton to another. Eventually all cantons 2015/2016. in Northwestern Switzerland will have the 31st of July as deadline. The compulsory school period is divided as follows: After two years of Kindergarten your child will transition to primary school. • 8 years primary school ( including two years of mandatory Adaptation classes kindergarten) (Einführungs- / • 3 years high school (secondary Einschulungsklassen) level I) Some children are unable to keep up in regular classes, despite the best efforts of After compulsory school most adolescents their teacher. They may lack persistence, will start secondary level II, while some concentration or self-confidence and not may decide to start working without getting feel comfortable in a regular class. further education. Secondary level II is Children with such development needs subdivided into general education and have the opportunity to attend an vocational training courses. adaptation class in the Cantons of Aargau and Baselland, in which the content of the The general training courses include the first school year is taught over two years. Matura schools and specialized middle Page 3 of 8 Family Guide Northwestern Switzerland schools. They do not lead to professional qualification. They prepare for training courses at the tertiary level (university, colleges).

In vocational training young people learn a trade. During vocational training the adolescents mostly learn on the job, with complementary teaching in schools once or twice a week. There are also some vocational training courses where the student attends school full-time.

Conflicts between family and school When a child enters kindergarten or primary school, conflicts between the child, school and family can occur. Where lasting conflicts between school and parents exist, it is the child caught in- between that suffers the most. Poor school performance and behavioural problems may result.

As a parent, make every effort to avoid such conflicts. If you or your child is nhavg i trouble with a certain teacher, speak to that person directly. If you are not satisfied with the result of the talk or you don’t know how best to approach the teacher, the school board or school social workers are there to help you. They can also act as mediators. Both the school board and social workers approach conflict talks from a neutral position. A child must never receive unfair treatment from a teacher. The school is committed to making sure this does not happen, which is why a teacher must inform his or her superior of a conflict talk. Furthermore, it is just as important that parents do not form a front against the school or a certain teacher, but try to find collaborative solutions.

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Kindergarten and Primary school: addresses and links Please note: Most of the described services and links are in German. If a service is explicitly offered in English this is marked by a * Switzerland Aargau Basel-Landschaft Basel-Stadt Solothurn Harmos Information about HarmoS General information on the Harmonisation in the Canton of School harmonisation in Basel- General information on the from the Swiss Conference of school system: Baselland: Stadt: school system: Cantonal Ministers of https://www.schulen- https://www.baselland.ch/Bildu http://www.volksschulen.bs.ch/ https://www.so.ch/verwaltung/d Education (EDK). aargau.ch/kanton/organisation ngsharmonisierung.315187.0.h bildungspolitik/schulharmonisie epartement-fuer-bildung-und- http://www.edk.ch/dyn/11659.p hp _struktur/Pages/default.aspx tml rung.html kultur/volksschulamt/

Kindergarten Information by the Swiss Kindergarten in Aargau: Information about the Kindergarten in Basel-Stadt: Kindergarten in Solothurn: authorities online on https://www.ag.ch/de/bks/kinde compulsory 2-year http://www.volksschulen.bs.ch/ http://www.so.ch/verwaltung/d rgarten_volksschule/schulstruk epartement-fuer-bildung-und- Kindergarten and pre-school *: kindergarten: schulsystem/kindergarten- tur_organisation/schulstufen/ki kultur/volksschulamt/schulsyst https://www.ch.ch/en/kindergar https://www.baselland.ch/2- primarschule/kindergarten.html ndergarten/kindergarten.jsp em/schulstufen/primarstufe- Mandatory German learning 1 ten-preschool/ Jahre- mit-kindergarten Kindergarten.315175.0.html year before KG http://www.volksschulen.bs.ch/ schulsystem/vor-dem- kindergarten.html#page_sectio n3_section2

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When does compulsory schooling start? Information by the Swiss Kindergarten & compulsory Information about the Kindergarten in Basel-Stadt: Kindergarten in Solothurn: authorities online on schooling in Aargau: compulsory 2-year http://www.volksschulen.bs.ch/ http://www.so.ch/verwaltung/d https://www.ag.ch/de/bks/kinde epartement-fuer-bildung-und- Kindergarten and pre-school *: kindergarten: schulsystem/kindergarten- rgarten_volksschule/schulstruk kultur/volksschulamt/schulsyst https://www.ch.ch/en/kindergar https://www.baselland.ch/2- primarschule/kindergarten.html tur_organisation/schulstufen/ki em/schulstufen/primarstufe- ten-preschool/ ndergarten/kindergarten.jsp Jahre- mit-kindergarten Kindergarten.315175.0.html

Switzerland Aargau Basel-Landschaft Basel-Stadt Solothurn Adaptation classes (Einführungs-/Einschulungsklassen) Adaptation classes in the Information by the Department Integrative school: Special support in the Canton Canton of Aargau : for public schools on http://www.volksschulen.bs.ch/ of Solothurn: https://www.ag.ch/de/bks/kinde adaptation classes / schulsystem/integrative- https://www.so.ch/verwaltung/d rgarten_volksschule/sonderpa Einführungsklassen: schule.html epartement-fuer-bildung-und- edagogik_foerderangebote/be http://www.avs.bl.ch/ kultur/volksschulamt/foerdern/s sondere_foerderung/einschulu index.php?id=204 pezielle-foerderung/ ngsklasse/einschulungsklasse. jsp The school system in Northwestern Switzerland The Swiss education system *: The school system in the The school system in the The school system in the The school system in the http://www.edk.ch/dyn/16342.p Canton of Aargau: Canton of Baselland: Canton of Basel-Stadt: Canton of Solothurn: hp https://www.so.ch/verwaltung/d https://www.ag.ch/de/bks/kinde https://www.baselland.ch/Bildu http://www.volksschulen.bs.ch/ epartement-fuer-bildung-und- rgarten_volksschule/schulstruk ngsharmonisierung.315187.0.h schulsystem/kurz-erklaert.html kultur/volksschulamt/schulsyst tur_organisation/schulstufen/sc tml em/ hulstufen.jsp Infographic: http://www.edudoc.ch/static/we b/bildungssystem/BL.pdf

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Konflikte zwischen Familie und Schule The parenting association Information by the public Information by the School Information by the public Information in difficult situations Schule und Elternhaus School Aargau about a Psychology Service Baselland school Basel-Stadt about a and points of contact for Schweiz (S&E) represents for questions about specific framework for good framework for good parents: concerns of parents regarding cooperation between parents support, solutions regarding cooperation between parents https://www.so.ch/verwaltung/d school on the national level for and the school: https:// bullying and much more: and the school: epartement-fuer-bildung-und- the German-speaking part of www.ag.ch/de/bks/kinde https://www.baselland.ch/faq- http://www.volksschulen.bs.ch/ Switzerland: rgarten_volksschule/schule_elt htm.311716.0.html eltern-schule.html kultur/volksschulamt/beratung/ http://www.schule- ern/schule_eltern.jsp elternhaus.ch/ch/aktuell.html

Book Recommendations

Our book recommendations are generally for books that are available only in German. Where possible we’ve listed the English translation or an equivalent.

On the Topic of kindergarten There are many great books to help your child prepare for starting kindergarten. Here’s a short selection:

„Mein Kindergarten ( Wieso? Weshalb? Warum? Junior) von Doris Rübel, Ravensburger Buchverlag, 2008.

„Mein erster Tag im Kindergarten“ von Frauke Nahrgang und Marlis Scharff-Kniemeyer, Ravensburger Buchverlag, 2013.

„Endlich im Kindergarten“ von Nina Dullek, Coppenrath Verlag, 2011.

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On the topic of conflicts between family and school „Hilfe im Schulalltag“ von Walter Moser, Beobachter Verlag, 2011.

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Adolescence

. Puberty is unavoidable- and Puberty is unavoidable- and necessary necessary Still a child, but already half grown-up – . Addiction: newsletters for parents naughty, impertinent and completely . Information for Teenagers . Career choice exhausting: that’s how we perceive . National future day teenagers entering puberty. What exactly . Cantonal career fairs goes on in this stage of life? Educator Jörg . Scholarschips Undeutsch has a website with a helpful introduction and lots of resources for parents. He writes:

«Puberty is a necessary step in a child’s development. It is a phase of individualisation, more important than ever in a time when each individual is expected to find his or her own way, mission, and place in the world. Puberty doesn’t express itself to the same extent in all teenagers. Don’t be unsettled by what appears to be particularly boisterous or difficult behaviour – in most cases, it is quite ‹normal›, though it may be hard to cope with. Generally, we need be less

Page 1 of 7 Family Guide Northwestern Switzerland concerned about teenagers who are noisy for teenagers and parents by telephone or and cheeky than about those who are not. via the Internet (anonymously if you wish). Teenagers themselves don’t even understand what is happening inside of Information for teenagers them. It is confusing, unsettling – and The website tschau.ch offers a wealth of fascinating at the same time.» information for teens as well as online counselling. The topics range from Internationally renowned psychologist education and jobs to relationships, Allan Guggenbühl once called puberty a recreation and multimedia. It is aimed at joyride into the nether world of one’s own teens throughout Switzerland. unconscious. Fantasies, aggression and passion flare up in ways that are not JULEX, a handbook for teenagers in the considered socially acceptable. Teenagers cantons Basel-Landschaft and Basel- meet the good and the evil in themselves Stadt, contains articles and contact and are fascinated by both. The ethical addresses on themes such as recreation, rules that favour one and reject the other school, vocational training, jobs, rights, are not (yet) their own rules. They are still duties, health, love, addiction, religion, developing their own ethics. The money, housing, military service as well objectionable is at least interesting – and as many useful links to websites. empowering. Power is what teenagers need to find their own way and assert The website feel-ok aims to help themselves. As teenagers struggle to find teenagers to feel well and offers a lot of their own identity, everything else information on this topic. becomes irrelevant. Teens view the world and everyone in it in a thoroughly Children and teens can call the phone subjective way. number 147 free of charge if they have a problem and need somebody to talk to Addiction: newsletters for parents confidentially. This service is available Sucht Schweiz ( Addiction Switzerland) around the clock, 365 days a year. Not publishes newsletters for parents of only can you get counselling by phone, teenagers between 12 and 16 years of sms, email or chat but the website age. They touch on parenting issues that www.147.ch also offers a lot of involve the consumption of alcohol, information. tobacco and other drugs. Based on everyday situations, the newsletters All cantons in Northwestern Switzerland discuss how you can take preventive also have specialized counselling offers action by talking to your children about for adolescents. You can find their psychoactive and other addictive addresses at the end of this chapter. substances. The first newsletter can be downloaded from the institute’s website, or Career choice specific issues can be ordered. They also While there is no harm in thinking about provides brochures, guidebooks and your children’s future careers at an early leaflets on addiction and offer counselling stage, bear in mind that children change Page 2 of 7 Family Guide Northwestern Switzerland and develop as they reach puberty and Chamber of Commerce Baselland jointly beyond. Whether or not your child organise a career fair in Pratteln. In the displays musical or technical talent, or years in-between, Basel-Stadt hosts its thrives in a social, commercial or career and education fair in the exhibition mechanical profession – you will find halls of Messe Basel. The cantons of out in due course. It would be wrong to Aargau and Solothurn also organise force a child in a certain direction from alternating career fairs. Posters and an early age on. That would mean invitations are sent to schools to inform denying your child the chance to try out them of these popular information and the full range of its talents and networking events. interests. The career and education fairs give an Choosing a career is again the start of a overview of the full range of professional new stage in your child’s life. It is a topic and educational opportunities. Their that is likely to preoccupy the whole family. purpose is to highlight possible You might want to start with a visit to the development and career tracks, allow career-counselling centre BIZ teenagers to interact with corporations and («Berufsinformationszentrum»). Often a enhance the appeal of vocational training. small piece of information or a short Issues regarding their career and their conversation is all it takes to move on in future are extremely important to the decision-making process and make in- teenagers. The personal contacts and depth counselling at a later stage much conversations that take place at the career more productive. fairs are particularly valuable, where teenagers get to meet professionals, but National Future day (Nationaler also young people in training. The fairs are Zukunftstag) also an opportunity to get some hands-on The National Future Day (formerly known experience with applications, processes as National Daughter’s Day) is a and equipment. motivational campaign for girls and boys. Scholarships The purpose is to encourage young A sound educational foundation results in people to reflect on working life and good prospects in the job market. possible life paths. For many boys, the Similarly, continuing education helps to thought of having a life-long career keep one's prospects intact and serves as comes naturally – not always for girls. a driver of personal development. The only That’s why girls and boys benefit from problem is: education costs money. Not different support measures when it comes everyone can fall back on a wealthy to life planning. Teachers are invited to family, personal savings or a part-time job. conduct workshops with boys that deal When searching for other sources of with equal opportunities and financing, you will soon discover the contemporary life paths for men. scholarship system, a complex web of 26 Berufsmesse public and dozens of private organisations which offer a helping hand to people Every other year, the Canton of pursuing professional or personal Basel-Landschaft and the development. A request for a scholarship

Page 3 of 7 Family Guide Northwestern Switzerland or educational grant involves an extensive evaluation procedure that demands considerable effort on the part of the applicant and is only successful if some very specific criteria are met. First condition: educational grants are approved only when the financial means of the applicant, the applicant’s parents or other legal guardians are insufficient.

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Adolescence: addresses and links Please note: Most of the described services and links are in German. If a service is explicitly offered in English this is marked by a * Switzerland Aargau Basel-Landschaft Basel-Stadt Solothurn Puberty is unavoidable- and necessary www.pubertaetverstehen.ch Pro Juventute additional letter „Teenager“ https://shop.projuventute.ch/de /A~PUBL-6056- U/0~0~1/Extrabrief- Teenager?hi=250.00&hl=2

Addiction: Letters for parents www.suchtschweiz.ch > Addiction prevention Aargau: Addiction Baselland: Outreach programs for Counselling for teenagers with Infomaterialen> Zielgruppe> http://suchtpraevention- https://www.baselland.ch/sucht teenagers in regards to addiction: aargau.ch/ Eltern praevention- addiction http://www.suchthilfe-ost.ch/ htm.311182.0.html http://www.sucht.bs.ch/adress beratungsstelle-fuer- en/jugendliche.html jugendfragen/ Information for teenagers http://www.tschau.ch JEFB, Jugend-, Ehe- und JULEX, a handbook for JULEX, a handbook for Look-up contains helpful Familienberatung im Kanton teenagers in the cantons of teenagers in the cantons of information, advice and Aargau: www.feelok.ch Basel-Landschaft and Basel- Basel-Landschaft and Basel- addresses for adolescents http://www.jefb.ch/de/home Stadt http://julex.tschau.ch Stadt http://julex.tschau.ch from the Canton of www.147.ch Youth Psychological Services Solothurn. http://www.look- Aargau Jugendberatung/ Teen up.ch/de/index.php For teenagers , young adults counselling centre: and their caregivers with http://www.jugendberatung- Teen counselilng centre

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professional , academic and juarbasel.ch/ Perspektive: personal problems http://www.perspektive- http://www.beratungsdienste- so.ch/de/Jugendberatung/Bera aargau.ch/hilfe-bei-krisen-und- tungsstellejugend.php?navanc schwierigkeiten/jugendpsychol ogischer-dienst.html hor=3110003

Switzerland Aargau Basel-Landschaft Basel-Stadt Solothurn Career choice www.berufsberatung.ch ask! Counselling services for Career- and Studies Career counselling Basel- Career counselling Solothurn: education and work Aargau: Counselling Baselland Stadt: http://www.so.ch/verwaltung http://www.lehrstellenboerse.c www.beratungsdienste- www.afbb.bl.ch> www.berufsberatung.bs.ch /departement-fuer-bildung- h aargau.ch/berufseinstieg/wied Berufsberatung BiZ und-kultur/amt-fuer- Apprenticeships: ereinstieg.html berufsbildung-mittel-und- www.weareready.ch http://www.lenabb.ch Apprenticeships beider Basel: hochschulen/berufs-studien- http://www.lenabb.ch Counselling for choosing an Apprenticeships Aargau: und-laufbahnberatung/biz/ apprenticehsip/ a career: www.ag.ch/lena http://www.mb.bs.ch/berufliche -grundbildung/beratung.html National Future Day ( Nationaler Zukunftstag) www.nationalerzukunftstag.ch http://www.nationalerzukunft https://www.baselland.ch/Ge http://www.gleichstellung.bs. http://www.nationalerzukunft stag.ch/de/angebote/angebot ndertag.318900.0.html ch/handlungsfelder/schule- stag.ch/de/angebote/angebot /zeige/kanton/aargau/ berufswahl/nationaler- /zeige/kanton/solothurn/ zukunftstag.html

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Career Fair Career Fair Aargau: Career Fair Baselland: Career fair Basel Career information fair http://www.ab15.ch/ http://www.berufsschau.org/ http://www.basler- Solothurn: berufsmesse.ch/ http://www.bim- aareland.ch/content/home.php Scholarships www.stipendiensuche.ch Scholarships Aargau: Scholarships Baselland: Department for scholarships: Scholarships Solothurn: https://www.ag.ch/de/bks/hoch https://www.baselland.ch/ausbi http://www.hochschulen.bs.ch/ https://www.so.ch/verwaltung/d http://www.studienstiftung.ch schulen/stipendien_1/stipendie ldungsbeitraege.306063.0.html ueber-uns/organisation/amt- epartement-fuer-bildung-und- n.jsp ausbildungsbeitraege.html kultur/departementssekretariat/ http://stipendien.educa.ch stipendien/

Book recommendations

Our book recommendations are generally for books that are only available in German. Where possible we’ve listed the English translation or an equivalent instead.

On the topic of puberty

„Achtung Teenager! Jugendliche verstehen, fördern und fordern“ Von Sarah Zanoni, Beobachter Verlag, 2010.

„Pubertät- Loslassen und Haltgeben“ Von Jan-Uwe Rogge, rororo Verlag, 2010.

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Parenting Questions

. What is „good parenting“? What is „good parenting“? . Parental education: fresh ideas for A loving and respectful attitude towards a parents child is the foundation of being a good . Parent counselling: practical advice parent. The campaign «Raising strong for everyday situations children» launched by «Elternbildung CH» . Becoming parents-staying a couple follows these eight principles: . Being a dad . Dealing with new media: . Raising children means … sharing . Television love. . Computer . Raising children means ... having . Clear rules for surfing and chatting time. . Raising children means ... showing online your feelings. . Raising children means ... accepting that it’s okay to argue. . Raising children means ... listening. . Raising children means ... giving each other space. . Raising children means ... setting limits. . Raising children means ... being a source of encouragement.

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Parental education: fresh ideas for If you need advice dealing with a difficult parents family situation or are feeling overwhelmed by the task of looking after your children Parental education concerns us all. It is a you can contact a youth- and family form of adult education that deals with counselling centre or the social and political issues, with child “Sozialpädagogische Familienbegleitung education and family life. Pedagogical family guidance) of your Parental education programs support canton. You can find their addresses and the work of mums and dads. Courses, those of other helpful institutions at the lectures and get-togethers offer fresh end of this chapter. ideas and opportunities to reflect on the trials and tribulations of raising children. Becoming parents - staying a couple

Several organisations offer parental A child is born – and suddenly everything education: from women’s, parents’ and changes: family associations to churches. The child is always at the centre of «Elternbildung Baselland» (ebbl) is an attention. umbrella organisation that su pports and I miss my partner’s support. coordinates parental education in the We are constantly tired and irritable. Canton of Basel-Landschaft. Visit their We no longer have time for expressing website to find a list of parental affection. education programs for the whole canton. The birth of a child turns a couple into In addition, «Elternbildung CH» has a parents – a new role which, especially in database that allows you to search for the first few months, is a full-time parental education programmes occupation. You are now a mum or dad for throughout Switzerland. life. Hopefully, your relationship will last just as long. Not every relationship does. Parent counselling: practical advice for Things have changed: while parents used everyday situations to stay together for economic reasons, the Parent counselling is offered in every main criteria considered today are love municipality of the Canton of Basel- and a healthy relationship. Landschaft. This is the place to go if you When it’s all about changing nappies and have questions about the physical, bottle feeding, or driving the kids to school, emotional or intellectual development of music lessons and sports practice – how your child. The centres provide guidance are you supposed to find time for your on topics such as breastfeeding, nutrition, partner? care and education and help you come to terms with your new role as a parent. Everything revolves around the kids – Counselling is generally free of charge. including the conversations with your Some municipalities will charge a partner. Whether it’s teething pain, registration fee. household chores, or choosing a kindergarten: there is much to talk about

Page 2 of 8 Family Guide Northwestern Switzerland and many a problem to solve. Often, kid Dealing with new media talk dominates even the few quiet hours in the evenings. One’s own feelings and Television experiences receive little or no attention. Children, teenagers and adults can learn a In this difficult stage of a relationship, lot from TV. It is a source not only of some couples start to fear that their love diversion, entertainment and adventure, will pay the price. Taking time for each but also of information and knowledge. other is essential. A relationship needs to When should I let my children watch TV? be nurtured. It may sound trivial, but it How much TV should they watch? These really is important. are legitimate questions that most parents ask themselves at some point. Small Every couple tries to create space in their children do not belong in front of the TV, own way. How difficult or easy this is even if there are plenty of programmes depends a lot on external circumstances, targeting a very young audience. Don’t such as work and the availability of third- misuse the TV as a babysitter! party childcare (be it by relatives or a babysitter). Parents need to make their own rules, but here are some basic principles that can Childfree time needn’t always be spent as provide guidance: a couple. It is just as important for each partner to meet their own friends, pursue . 3 to 5 year olds: not more than half their favourite hobbies, exercise etc. There an hour a day is often very little time for these things, especially if you have several children. . 6 to 9 year olds: an hour a day at Unlike couples with no children, parents the most have to plan. There is no way around an . 10 to 13 year olds: not more than in-depth discussion about chores, 90 minutes in front of the TV. childcare, housekeeping and work. Spending some time without the kids can It is up to parents to decide how long their be wonderful, even if it does take some children get to watch TV. As they grow getting used to! older, kids will want to participate in the selection of programmes, or even choose Being a dad all on their own. Older children may want to watch programmes that their parents What it means to be a father has changed don’t approve of. Read up on the contents dramatically over the years. Many fathers of the programme in advance, and maybe now want to be physically and emotionally even watch it together with your children. present for their children, instead of only being the «breadwinner». This redefining Of course, you always have the option of of roles requires a change in mindsets as letting the kids grow up with no TV at all. well as societal change. Surveys show that both men and women would like both a career and to participate fully in family life. Page 3 of 8 Family Guide Northwestern Switzerland

Computer separate user accounts and a time plan. That way, you will have clear rules and A teenager is sitting in front of a big, grey time schedules for using the Internet. computer, eyes fixed on the screen, shooting away at airplanes. Such are the If you have no experience with these images that draw parents’ attention to the things, ask your child to show you how to problem of computer addiction. Affected «chat» and have a go at it yourself! If your children or teenagers no longer hang out child accepts you as one of their contacts, with their friends. They show no interest in you’ll be able to see when your child is sports and outdoor activities. Instead, they online! spend most of their free time on the computer. It also makes sense to use the (mostly) preinstalled Kid mode (parental control) on Some parents can’t wait to get their kids tablets, smartphones, laptops and started on the computer. They believe that computers. If the system does not offer educational software, tailor-made for this service, it makes sense to download a babies and small children, is the best way simple parental-control software. to prepare their offspring for a society based on performance and competition. Talk to your children about which online Experts disagree about the best time to activities are fun and safe, and which introduce computers into a child’s life. things may be dangerous. Talk to them in Parental concern that a child will become general about available content on the addicted as soon as it encounters this new Web, because the time will come when technology is understandable, but they encounter harmful content (violence, unfounded. Despite the temptations of racism, pornography, etc.), so they should computers and new media, most children be made aware of these things. Why not lead active lives and interact with friends in establish a list together with your child of the real world and not just virtually. The websites that are safe to visit? parents’ main job is to set a good example of responsible and appropriate media use.

Clear rules for surfing and chatting online Apart from harmful websites, unsecured chat rooms and social media accounts ( such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat) pose the greatest threat to young people on the Web. It is almost impossible for parents to monitor content and behaviours in chat rooms, so wait as long as possible before allowing your child to have a computer in his or her own bedroom or to have a smartphone. It’s better to have a family computer with Page 4 of 8 Family Guide Northwestern Switzerland

Parenting questions: addresses and links

Please note: Most of the described services and links are in German. If a service is explicitly offered in English this is marked by a * Switzerland Aargau Basel-Landschaft Basel-Stadt Solothurn „What is good parenting“? www.elternbildung.ch

Parental education: fresh ideas for parents www.elternbildung.ch www.elternbildung-aargau.ch http://www.elternbildung- http://www.jfs.bs.ch/fuer- http://www.elternbildung- baselland.ch/ familien/ so.ch/home/index.php http://www.gordon-training.ch elternbildung.html www.sveo.ch www.instep-online.ch Parent counselling: practical advice for everyday situations Pro Familia http://www.muetterberatung- www.muetterberatung-bl-bs.ch www.muetterberatung-bl-bs.ch http://www.muetterberatung- www.profamilia.ch aargau.ch/ so.ch/ Sozialpädagogische Sozialpädagogische Sozialpädagogische Fachverband Familienbegleitung Baselland Familienbegleitung Basel: http://www.elpos-agso.ch/ Familienbegleitung Sozialpädagogische Zürich/Aargau: http://www.spf-baselland.ch http://www.help-for-families.ch/ Familienbegleitung Schweiz: http://www.spfplus.ch/ http://www.velso.ch/?id=soloth http://www.spf-fachverband.ch Familien-, Erziehungs- und Familien-, Erziehungs- und urn.html Family counselling outreach Jugendberatungsstellen beider Jugendberatungsstellen beider program: Basel: Basel: http://www.arkadis.ch/de/famili www.hota.ch http://www.fejb.ch/ http://www.fejb.ch/ enberatung-_content---1-- 1055.html

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Elternnotruf ( Hotline for The family, couple and Familien-, Paar- und parenting emergencies): educaton counselling Erziehungsberatung Basel- http://www.beratungsstelle- www.elternnotruf.ch centre of Basel-Stadt has Stadt: scala.ch/ an agreement with some http://www.fabe.ch/ municipalities in Baselland: Sozialpädagogische http://www.fabe.ch/ Elternhilfe beider Basel: Familienbegleitung Solothurn: http://www.elternhilfe.ch http://www.kompass- Elternhilfe beider Basel: so.ch/seiten/02familienbegleitu http://www.elternhilfe.ch ng.html Becoming parents-staying a couple Online parenting training for parents, who want to learn how to deal with stress more effectively (free service) www.elterntraining.ch Being a dad Dachverband der Schweizer Vater-Kind Frühstück (father- Selbsthilfegruppe für schwule Selbsthilfegruppe für schwule Männer- und child breakfast) im Väter aus Basel/Baselland: Väter aus Basel/Baselland: Familienzentrum Karussell in http://www.selbsthilfeschweiz.c http://www.selbsthilfeschweiz.c Väterorganisationen: Baden: h/shch/de/selbsthilfe- h/shch/de/selbsthilfe- www.maenner.ch http://www.karussell- gesucht/themenliste.detail.618f gesucht/themenliste.detail.618f Verein für verantwortungsvoll baden.ch/vaeter-kinder- 0d5b-4ec6-49f0-9b85- 0d5b-4ec6-49f0-9b85- erziehende Väter und fruehstueck/ f31cfa2de804.html f31cfa2de804.html Mütter (VEV): www.vev.ch Männer-/Väterhaus für gewaltbetroffene Männer: www.vaeter http://www.zwueschehalt.ch/

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Switzerland Dealing with new media : television and computer/ clear rules for chatting and surfing the web . Jugend und Medien: National program to foster children’s competency with new media: http://www.jugendundmedien.ch

. Zistig.ch aims to educate children about responsible media use: www.zistig.ch

. Schweizerische Kriminalprävention: Information about potential dangers for children while surfing the web http://skppsc.ch/

. Informaton by Pro Juventute about media competency for childen and teens http://www.projuventute.ch/Medienkompetenz.2092.0.html

Book recommendations Our book recommendations are generally for books that are available only in German. Where possible we’ve listed the English translation or an equivalent.

On the topic of parenting questions Broschüre «Acht Sachen … die Erziehung stark machen», zu bestellen beim Schweizerischen Bund für Elternbildung, Tel. 044 253 60 60, [email protected]

"Autorität ohne Gewalt. Elterliche Präsenz als systemisches Konzept" Von Haim Omer und Arist von Schlippe, Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht, 2014. Autorität durch Beziehung. „Die Praxis des gewaltlosen Widerstands in der Erziehung“ Von Haim Omer und Arist von Schlippe, Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht, 2015.

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„Familienkonferenz: Die Lösung von Konflikten zwischen Eltern und Kind“ Von Thomas Gordon, Heyne Verlag, 2012.

„Kleine Helden in Not: Jungen auf der Suche nach Männlichkeit“ Von Dieter Schnack und Rainer Neutzling, Rororo Verlag, 2011.

„Kompetente Erzieher haben kompetente Kinder“ Hansheini Fontanive www.sveo.ch> Publikationen> Brochüre, 2008.

On the topic of being parents- staying a couple "Eltern werden – Partner bleiben. Ein Überlebenshandbuch für Paare mit Nachwuchs" Von Eva Tillmetz, Peter Themessl und Johann Mayr, Mabuse Verlag, 2012.

On the topic of being a dad "Vater werden ist nicht schwer? Zur neuen Rolle des Vaters rund um die Geburt" Von Eberhard Schäfer und Michael Abou-Dakn, Psychosozial-Verlag, 2008

"Wie Väter ticken. 111 Fakten, die aus Söhnen & Töchtern Väter- Versteher machen" Von Maximilian Brost, Schwarzkopf & Schwarzkopf, 2009.

On the topic of dealing with new media „Medien-Kids“ bewusst umgehen mit allen Medien – von Anfang an Von Eveline Hipeli, Beobachter Verlag, 2014.

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Family and work

. Health protection during pregnancy Society has changed in the past decades. . Maternity leave: health Men and women both want to raise a protection and daily allowance family, as always, but both wish to move . Protection against dismissal on in their careers, too. Work and family . The principle of non- life have almost become two completely discrimination . Parents’ rights different spheres. . Paid paternity leave . Unpaid paternity leave Many families depend on two incomes in . Reconciling work and family life order to get by. It is vital, therefore, that . Part-time work and working time the state create a framework in which models parents can reconcile work and family life. . Kindergarten and school This includes, among other factors, a good . Domestic and family work network of professional childcare facilities . Returning to work and parents’ rights in the workplace.

Last, but not least, domestic tasks should be shared equally between men and women. Part-time job? Who does the cooking and cleaning? Who looks after the children? And who takes the kids to the crèche? Every couple must find its own

Page 1 of 10 Family Guide Northwestern Switzerland answers to these questions. This is not submit a medical certificate. The always easy, because society expects employer is obliged to pay her sick different things of men and women. Every leave. The period for the continued mother and every father has his or her payment of the agreed wages depends own ideas of what it means to be a parent. on the pregnant woman’s years of Equal rights for men and women are a service with her employer, and her constitutional right in Switzerland. Now we contract. must find ways for families to live up to this principle every day. Maternity leave: health protection and daily allowance Health protection during pregnancy After giving birth, new mothers are granted – Employers are obliged to create a safe particular protection in the workplace: environment for pregnant women. . It is illegal to employ women during Pregnant women working in a standing the first eight weeks after the birth – position are entitled to a resting period of their child (even if they wish to of twelve hours every day from the work!). . fourth month of pregnancy onwards. New mothers are entitled to a minimum maternity leave of 14 – Pregnant women are entitled to a ten- weeks. minute break every two hours, in . During maternity leave, a mother is addition to the regular breaks. entitled to 80% of her wages in the – From the sixth month of pregnancy form of a daily allowance of CHF onwards, they cannot be expected to 196 max. work more than four hours per day in a . The following women are entitled to standing position. receive the legal daily allowance: – If the job includes dangerous or hard employed or self-employed work, the risk of these tasks must be women, women gainfully employed assessed by an expert. in a family enterprise, unemployed – A pregnant women working nights women receiving benefits, and between 8 pm and 6 am can demand women on sick leave receiving an equal job with daytime hours up to social or insurance benefits. the seventh month of pregnancy. – Night work is illegal in the last eight Breastfeeding is healthy for the child and weeks before the expected date of strengthens the bond between mother and birth. baby. Therefore, working mothers are – If the employer is unable to offer her granted special protection during the an equal substitute for her job, a baby’s first year, so that they can pregnant woman can refuse to do the breastfeed their child at work: job. She is entitled to 80% of her Measures for the protection of the wages. breastfeeding mother must be in place. – If a pregnant woman is unable to work Young mothers are entitled to take time because of the pregnancy, she must out for breastfeeding. If they leave the

Page 2 of 10 Family Guide Northwestern Switzerland building, half the time used for Paid paternity leave breastfeeding counts as worktime. When a child is born, the father is allowed Protection against dismissal at least one day of paternity leave. Many employers, among them the public The Swiss Code of Obligations states that administration, grant more than the pregnant women with a permanent minimum leave. contract cannot be dismissed during the • Collective agreements with more than pregnancy and 16 weeks following the the minimum paternity leave: birth of the child. Employees can give notice during the pregnancy, complying www.travailsuisse.ch > Suche > with the period of notice stated in their Vaterschaftsurlaub contract. If both parties agree, a contract can be cancelled. Both parties define the Unpaid paternity leave terms of the cancellation. It is up to employers whether or not they want to grant unpaid paternity leave. The principle of non-discrimination Fathers who work for the Canton of Baselland for example are granted up to Discrimination based on sex or physical 12 weeks of unpaid leave during the first disability in the workplace is illegal. This year after their child is born. If they want principle applies to contracts, employment to take unpaid leave, they have to submit and the cancellation of contracts. Equal a written application at least two months pay is particularly important: women and prior to the first day off work. They can men should get the same remuneration for also choose to take several shorter equal work. periods of leave throughout the year.

Parent’s rights Reconciling work and family life

Mothers and fathers of children under the The birth of a child changes everything. age of 15 are defined as employees with Time management, for example, becomes family responsibilities. Under current law, harder – and more important. Several employers must allow up to three days of studies show that the birth of a child is care leave for parents whose child is sick also the onset of a new and more at home. The legal situation of parents in traditional way of life for many couples: As the workplace is governed by the Swiss soon as the young mother is at home on Employment Law and the Code of maternity leave, she takes over all of the Obligations. household chores as well as childcare. Quite often, the couple agrees on a The traditional family with the father as traditional family model: After her leave, breadwinner and the mother at home is no the woman opts for a part-time job, and longer common. In many families, both takes on the role as housewife and main father and mother have a job − a chance carer. The man works full time and to really share the responsibilities within becomes the main breadwinner. Once the the family equally. second child is born, the roles are Page 3 of 10 Family Guide Northwestern Switzerland reaffirmed. In such a situation, there is no Federal Office of Statistics). Unfortunately, equal distribution of money, childcare, many employers and teams do not gainful employment and domestic work. It encourage fathers to work part-time. It still is very hard to find the right balance seems to be a female prerogative. between work and family life, between time spent with the children and time However, the demand for part-time jobs is devoted to career. What would families growing steadily, and employers have need to reconcile more easily work and started to introduce flexible working time family life? There are three decisive models. Job-sharing, for example, means factors: that two people share equal responsibility for a job. Job-splitting means that the . Flexible working time models and tasks and responsibilities for the same job part-time work are split between two people. . Core time at school . Equal distribution of domestic work The traditional bourgeois family (full-time and childcare housewife and sole breadwinner) is becoming less common. It is wise for The online platform «Beruf und Familie: women to consider their future carefully Massnahmen der Kantone und when they are pregnant. It is not easy to Gemeinden» collects all the information on return to work after staying at home for laws and measures taken by cantons and years. municipalities to improve work-life balance If you want to work part-time after your for parents. child is born, consider the following factors (important for men and women): www.berufundfamilie.admin.ch

Please read the chapters «Family . Consider how much you want to Diversity» and «Childcare» of this guide work, and consider that 70-90% for further information. jobsare easier to organise for youremployer than smaller part-time jobs. Also, management positions Part-time work and working time are rarely offered below 70%. If models you aim for a smaller workload, job-sharing may be an option. Do In Switzerland, many parents work part- you have a colleague in a similar time in order to better reconcile work and situation? Be open and talk about family life. Many women have never had a your ideas. full-time job. In 2005, 58% of all gainfully . Talk to your employer as soon as employed women worked part-time, as possible. Tell them what you want opposed to just 11% of the men. However, and explain the solution you have the percentage of men in part-time jobs is worked out. Make it clear that part- rising: In 1997, 95% of all gainfully time jobs are profitable for employed men with children under the age employers: Employees working of 7 worked full-time. In 2007, this rate part-time are more effective and decreased to 91% (according to the Page 4 of 10 Family Guide Northwestern Switzerland

efficient, happier in their jobs, more about domestic work and childcare. If both loyal and more willing to stay on. parents work, domestic chores must be . Talk about how you intend to distributed fairly between both of them. organise your part-time job: Will Women still carry the main load of you be working regular days, or are domestic work. A recent study carried out your hours flexible? Both systems by the Federal Office of Statistics shows, have their pros and cons, which however, that men with young children you need to consider carefully. (the youngest is under 7) are willing to . Part-time work affects your social take on more domestic work. Their security and pension funds. Get domestic workload has steadily grown in the relevant information! the past ten years.

There are several flexible working time If you want to find out whether domestic models, independent of whether you work work and childcare are distributed fairly in full-time or part-time. Some are more your family, check the questionnaire on family-friendly than others. Changing www.fairplay-at-home.ch. The website shift-work is usually difficult for families. also offers tips and advice for fair play at Flextime models, annual working hours home. etc. provide the necessary flexibility for Returning to work parents in emergencies. However, flexibility becomes a problem when it is Mothers or fathers who have spent several one-sided and only demanded of the years at home with their children face employee. A family needs a certain degree specific problems once they want to return of regularity and predictable hours. The to work. They have no connections and children must be picked up from day-care may have lost track of new technologies, at a certain time, school hours are regular, new products or markets. Quite often, they etc. Talk to your employer about flexible also lack confidence and don’t value their working time models, and all the own strengths. You will find counselling consequences they entail. centres offering support listed below.

Kindergarten and school

School hours are just as important for families as flexible working time models. Core time, school lunch and afternoon childcare make it easier for parents to reconcile work and family life. Find more information in the chapter «Professional Childcare».

Domestic and family work

If you strive to reconcile work and family life, you must also talk to your partner

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Family and work: addresses and links

Please note: Most of the described services and links are in German. If a service is explicitly offered in English this is marked by a * Switzerland Aargau Basel-Landschaft Basel-Stadt Solothurn Health protection during pregnancy www.seco.admin.ch > Dokumentation > Publikationen und Formulare > Broschüren > Arbeit > Mutterschaft-Schutz der Arbeitnehmerinnen * www.infomutterschaft.ch Maternity leave: health protection and daily allowance Sozialversicherungsanstalt Sozialversicherungsanstalt Ausgleichskasse (social Ausgleichskasse (social (social security office) Aargau: (social security office) Basel- security office) des Kantons security office) des Kantons http://www.sva- Landschaft: Basel-Stadt: Solothurn: ag.ch/dienstleistungen/mutters www.sva-bl.ch> Leistungen > www.ausgleichskasse- https://www.akso.ch/lebenssitu chaftsentschaedigung/ Mutterschaftsentschädigung bs.ch/sozialversicherungen/ms ationen/partnerschaft-und- e.php?folder=6&parent=6 familie/mutterschaftsentschaed igung.html Protection against dismissal Department Volkswirtschaft Amt für Industrie, Gewerbe Das Amt für Wirtschaft und Frauenzentrale Solothurn und Inneres: und Arbeit (KIGA): Arbeit (AWA) advices on work offers financial and legal https://www.ag.ch/de/dvi/wirtsc www.bl.ch > Volkswirtschaft, law: advice haft_arbeit/stellensuchende_ar Gesundheits > KIGA > http://www.awa.bs.ch/arbeitne http://www.frauenzentrale-

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beitslose/rechtsberatung/infor Dienstleistungen für hmende/arbeitsrecht/rechtsber so.ch/?page_id=14 mationen_zu_kuendigungen/in Arbeitgebende und atung.html formationen_zu_kuendigungen Arbeitnehmende > Merkblätter _1.jsp?tabId=2§ionId=155 > 786 Schwangerschaft/Geburt The principle of non-discrimination www.humanrights.ch > Themendossiers > Diskriminierungsverbot > Rechtslage in der Schweiz Parent’s rights Information by SECO on parent’s rights (e.g regarding missing work because a child is sick) http://www.seco.admin.ch/the men/00385/00420/04667/0467 9/?lang=de Paid/Unpaid paternity leave www.travailsuisse.ch > Suche > Vaterschaftsurlaub https://www.ch.ch/en/paterni ty-leave/ *

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Switzerland Aargau Basel-Landschaft Basel-Stadt Solothurn Reconciling work and family life Fachstelle UND Kontaktstelle Frau und Arbeit: Abteilung Gleichstellung von Frauenzentrale Solothurn: www.und-online.ch www.professionelle.ch Frauen und Männer http://www.frauenzentrale- www.gleichstellung.bs.ch so.ch/wordpress/ Informationsplattform „Vereinbarkeit Beruf und Familie“ des Bundes http://www.berufundfamilie.ad min.ch

Part-time work and working time models Information by the federal office for gender equality between women and men (Eidgenössisches Büro für Gleichstellung EBG) on part- time work and social security http://www.ebg.admin.ch/them en/00008/00486/00488/00490/ index.html

Information for men who would like to work part-time http://www.teilzeitkarriere.ch/te ilzeitmann.html

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Switzerland Aargau Basel-Landschaft Basel-Stadt Solothurn Kindergarten and school School lunch in the Canton of School lunch in the Canton of School lunch in Basel Information about school lunch Aargau Baselland http://www.volksschulen.bs.c offers can be found on the http://www.kinderbetreuung- www.bl.ch>Bildung, Kultur, h/schulen/tagesstrukturen/mi homepages of the schools or aargau.ch/index.html Sport> Kind, Jugend, ttagstische.html the municipality. Sometimes Behinderte> Kind und Jugend> women’s or parent’s Kinderbetreuung> associations are involved. Mittagstische Domestic and family work Guide „ Fairplay at home“ of the Eidgenössisches Büro für Gleichstellung (EBG) : http://www.ebg.admin.ch/them en/00009/00088/00092/00412/ Returning to work Ask! Counselling services for The contact centre Frau und Berufsberatung Basel-Stadt: Amt für Berufsbildung, Mittel- education and work Aargau: Arbeit (woman and work) helps www.berufsberatung.bs.ch und Hochschulen www.beratungsdienste- to plan returning to work: Berufs-, Studien- und aargau.ch/berufseinstieg/wied www.professionelle.ch Laufbahnberatung ereinstieg.html https://www.so.ch/verwaltun Amt für Berufsbildung und g/departement-fuer-bildung- Berufsberatung BL: und-kultur/amt-fuer- www.afbb.bl.ch berufsbildung-mittel-und- hochschulen/berufs-studien- und-laufbahnberatung/

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Book recommendations

Our book recommendations are generally for books that are only available in German. Where possible we’ve listed the English translation or an equivalent instead.

On the topic of reconciling work and family life „ Und es geht doch! Wenn Väter mitziehen“ Von Barbara Lukesch, Wörterseh Verlag, 2015.

On the topic of part-time work „ Der Teilzeitmann- Flexibel zwischen Beruf und Familie“ von Jürg Wiler und Claudio Zemp, Zytglogge Verlag, 2015.

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Professional childcare

. Reconciling work and family life Day-care, playgroup or crèche: . Is professional childcare good or Professional childcare has a positive effect bad for children? on the child’s development and helps . Day-care centres . Day-care families parents reconcile work and family life. . Nannies Professional childcare does not replace . Au-Pairs the family; rather, it broadens the family . Grandparents network. . All-day schools . School lunches at primary Children need other children for a healthy schools development. Several studies have shown . School lunches at secondary schools that professional childcare is helpful. The . Healthy meals away from home children grow up to become confident and . Playgroups independent. . Helpful neighbours . Finding professional childcare Professional childcare helps especially online young families maintain financial independence. Even if one parent works only part-time, their income contributes significantly to the family’s financial security.

There are several forms of professional childcare to choose from. You have to find Page 1 of 9 Family Guide Northwestern Switzerland the model that suits you best, depending A study on the performance of migrant on the age of the children and the amount children at school («Schulerfolg von of professional childcare you need. But Migrationskindern» by Andrea Lanfranchi remember that your situation will change (2002/2009)) shows that children from over time: the children grow older and migrant families who spent time in become more independent, and you may professional childcare do better in primary change jobs. school, speak better German and find friends more easily than those who were Reconciling work and family life raised at home. Seen in this light, Reconciling work and family life is always professional childcare improves a challenge. Finding the best solution opportunities for migrant children. takes time and patience. It is not only However, whether the children continue to about what is fair, but also about do well throughout their school years appreciating each partner’s contribution to depends largely on the family’s support. the family. Day-care centres «UND Office» has been publishing Day-care centres and crèches need a pioneering work on the subject for more license from the relevant authority. than 20 years. They coach parents who Children spend their time in a cosy and are looking for a creative solution. Sign up comfortable «home away from home» online for an initial consultation. together with qualified day-care workers and pedagogues. They play with other Please also read the chapter on „family children of different ages, spend lots of and work“ for more information. time running around outside and eat their meals together. Most crèches take in Is professional childcare good or bad babies from the age of three months. for children? School children come to the crèche after school, have lunch, do their homework Most children are used to spending time and play with the other children. Day- away from home with professional carers. care centres are generally open five days It will not alienate them from their parents. a week. Usually, children must spend at In fact, there are no significant differences least one day per week in a crèche. between children who were raised at home and children who stayed in a Professional childcare is not free of crèche. Some studies, however, claim that charge, though some municipalities professional childcare positively influences subsidize crèches. The rates depend on the children’s cognitive development. They the parents’ income and on the number of learn to assert themselves within their siblings staying at the crèche. It must be peer group and grow up to be confident noted, however, that only half the crèches and independent. in Baselland are subsidized. The system of calculation for rates varies from town to town.

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Day-care families Nannies

Day-care families are a flexible A nanny is an in-house childminder, who and very personal form of may or may not live with the family. The professional childcare. state does not subsidise private nannies, but some employers will contribute to the So called «Tagesmütter» (day-care cost of a nanny. If you are looking for a mothers) are qualified childminders who nanny, contact one of the professional care for children of all ages in their own agencies. Be prepared to pay a homes. It is a very flexible form of commission fee of about a nanny’s childcare, as there are no fixed opening monthly salary. If you employ a nanny, you hours, and everything can be arranged are responsible for her contract, insurance directly between the childminder and the and social security. It is important that parents. Day-care families are a your nanny be employed with a regular wonderful experience for children, almost contract. like a second family. Make sure your nanny is qualified, ideally as a «Fachfrau Betreuung», or licensed Day-care families offer: day-care worker. . Fixed hours of childcare (hours, half days, or whole days) Au-Pair . Childcare seven days a week Young women or men from abroad come . Lunches to live in a family for a year, working as a childminder and learning the local Parents get to choose their day-care language. Au-pairs are considerably family and have the opportunity to enter cheaper than a nanny. But you must be into a very personal relationship with their aware that they are not qualified and very childminder. The hours are flexible, so young, so that you will almost be like a parents get good value for their money. If surrogate family for them. you can’t find a registered day-care family in your town, don’t hesitate to ask your Grandparents neighbour or a friend from the playground. Grandparents are indispensable as The federation of «Tagesfamilienvereine childminders, especially in Switzerland, Nordwestschweiz VTN» acts as an where there is a lack of professional umbrella organisation for all day-care childcare. They are very flexible, reliable families. The federation offers training and available in emergencies. Even if they courses for new day-care parents. You don’t spend time with their grandchildren can find all the important addresses regularly, they are a great support for the online: whole family.

Verband Tagesfamilienvereine Nordwestschweiz VTN, Farnsburgerstr. 8, 4132 Muttenz, Tel. 061 463 18 00 www.vtn.ch

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All-day schools lunches (based on the law on state financial assistance for supplementary In Switzerland, all-day schools are a childcare). matter of choice for parents. The public schools usually close for lunch, so most Healthy meals away from home all-day schools in Switzerland are private. School lunches must be healthy and All-day schools offer professional childcare balanced. Many children and adolescents over lunch and outside the lessons. are overweight because they eat too much Childcare is voluntary, flexible and can be junk food and don't get enough exercise. booked as needed. All-day schools are closed during the holidays. In the Canton of Baselland for example, the «Gesundheitsförderung Qualified childminders or teachers share a Baselland» (office for the promotion of healthy lunch with the children in a public health) and the Domestic Science comfortable and friendly atmosphere. College Ebenrain started «schnitz und They organise games and outings, and drunder», a training programme for cooks help the children with their homework. in crèches and school kitchens. These There is a close cooperation with parents institutions act as role models for families and teachers. and prepare healthy and balanced meals with vegetables in season. The experts of School lunches at primary school the Domestic Science College Ebenrain provide support in planning and improving Primary school kids have lunch at school, meal plans without extra costs. There is together with other children and under the also a useful printed guide. care of qualified childminders. After lunch, the kids can relax, play or run around Playgroups outside. Parents’ rates depend on their income. School lunches are usually Playing is indispensable to a child’s prepared by private organisations such as development. Playgroups for children from youth centres or churches. the age of three provide a familiar and protected space where they can play School lunches at secondary school together, sing, craft, draw or listen to stories. The children are free to play Secondary schools only organise school whatever they wish, and whatever suits lunches if requested by the parents. If you their needs. Playgroups are not want to start a school lunch at a secondary preschools. school, contact Esther Kilchmann at the «Fachstelle für Sonderschulung, Jugend- Playgroups consist of about six to ten und Behindertenhilfe» (Office of Special children in the care of a qualified Education, Adolescents and Children with childminder. Opening hours are always the Disabilities). same, once or twice a week for two to three hours, usually in the morning. The Federal Social Insurance Office sponsors private initiatives for school

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The «IG Spielgruppen Schweiz» organises training courses for childminders. You can find the relevant information on their website.

Helpful neighbours

There is always the possibility to get help from friends and neighbours – and help them in return. Friendly neighbours make life a lot easier for the whole family.

Finding professional childcare online

The office for children and families (Fachstelle Kinder & Familien) has launched an internet-platform for parents and childcare providers in Northwestern Switzerland and the cantons of Bern and Obwalden: http://www.kinderbetreuung- schweiz.ch/de-ch

The website provides an extensive overview of all childcare offers such as day-care, playgroups and school lunches. The information is constantly updated, to make sure that it is always accurate. Furthermore you can find explanations about the different forms of childcare, which might make it easier for you to choose what kind of childcare could suit your family.

Information on foster families can be found in the chapter on „family diversity“.

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Professional Childcare: addresses and links

Please note: Most of the described services and links are in German. If a service is explicitly offered in English this is marked by a * Schweiz Aargau Basel-Landschaft Basel-Stadt Solothurn Reconciling work and family life

Parent coaching by the Fachstelle UND: www.und-online.ch> Privatpersonen> Elterncoaching Is professional childcare good or bad for children?

Day-care centres You can find information about Search engine for childcare in Licensed day-cares in The „Vermittlungsstelle Please consult the website childcare providers in all four the Canton of Aargau: Baselland: Tagesheime“ has to be below to find out about cantons of northwestern http://www.kinderbetreuung- https://www.baselland.ch/filead contacted in order to get a childcare providers in Switzerland on the website min/baselland/files/docs/ekd/kj place in one of the subsidized Solothurn: below: aargau.ch/index.html b/kind_jugend/kita_bl.pdf day-cares: http://www.kinderbetreuung- www.kinderbetreuung- http://www.baslerfamilien.info/i schweiz.ch/de-ch schweiz.ch Fachstelle Kinder und Familien ndex.php/institutionen/vermittlu offers advice on childcare : ngsstelle-tagesheime http://www.kinderundfamilien.c h/

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Schweiz Aargau Basel-Landschaft Basel-Stadt Solothurn Day-care families Verband Tagesfamilien Verband Tagesfamilien Verband Tagesfamilien Verband Tagesfamilien Verband Tagesfamilien Nordwestschweiz: Nordwestschweiz: Nordwestschweiz: Nordwestschweiz: Nordwestschweiz: http://www.vtn.ch http://www.vtn.ch http://www.vtn.ch http://www.vtn.ch http://www.vtn.ch

Tagesfamilien Basel-Stadt: Verein Tagesfamilien http://www.tagesfamilien.org/ Solothurn: http://www.tagesfamilien- so.ch/ Nannies http://www.nannyvermittlung.c h

Au-Pairs Pro Filia Au-Pair Vermittlung: http://www.profilia.ch

Grandparents

Article on swissmom.ch: www.swissmom.ch> Familie> Zusammenleben> Kinderbetreuung> Die Krippe Grosi¨

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Schweiz Aargau Basel-Landschaft Basel-Stadt Solothurn All-day schools

„Bildung + Betreuung“- Tagesschule Baden: Tagesschule Bottmingen: Tagesstrukturen der Freiwillige Tagesschulen der Schweizerischer Verband für http://www.schule- http://www.bottmingen.ch/schu Volksschulen des Kantons Stadt Solothurn: schulische Tagesbetreuung: baden.ch/Kindergarten- le/tagesschule/Konzept.php Basel-Stadt: http://www.stadtschulen- http://www.bildung- Primar/Tagesschule http://www.volksschulen.bs.ch/ solothurn.ch/de/tagesschulen/t betreuung.ch/ schulen/tagesstrukturen.html agesschulenmain/

School lunches at primary schools/ at secondary schools Finacial aid for school lunch Dachverband Mittagstische Mittagstische im Kanton Mittagstische im Kanton Basel- Please inform yourself at your projects*: Aargau: Baselland: Stadt: local school or municipality to http://www.bsv.admin.ch/praxis http://dtma.ch/ https://www.baselland.ch/Mitta http://www.volksschulen.bs.ch/ find out whether or not /kinderbetreuung/01153/index. gstische.317391.0.html schulen/tagesstrukturen/mittag school lunches are offered. html?lang=de stische.html

Healthy lunches away from home Advice on healthy meals for Gsund und zwäg im Aargau Programm Schnitz und Aktion „Znünibox“ (in Programm Znünibox: the whole family can be found drunder kindergarten) http://www.znunibox.ch/ on the website of the https://www.ag.ch/de/dgs/gesu www.schnitzunddrunder.bl.ch Rüebli, Zimt & Co (in primary „Gesundheitsförderung ndheit/gesundheitsfoerderungp school) Schweiz“ raevention/gsund_und_zwaeg/ http://gesundheitsfoerderung.c gsund_und_zwaeg_im_aargau http://www.gesundheit.bs.ch/sc h/bevoelkerung/empfehlungen/ .jsp hulgesundheit/angebote/ernae ernaehrung-und- hrung.html bewegung.html

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Schweiz Aargau Basel-Landschaft Basel-Stadt Solothurn Playgroups IG Spielgruppen Schweiz Fach- und Kontaktstelle für Fach- und Kontaktstelle für Fach- und Kontaktstelle für Fach- und Kontaktstelle für http://www.spielgruppen.ch/ Spielgruppen Basel und Spielgruppen Basel und Spielgruppen Basel und Spielgruppen Basel und Region: Region: Region: Region: Schweizerischer Spielgruppen- www.fks-bsplusregion.ch www.fks-bsplusregion.ch www.fks-bsplusregion.ch www.fks-bsplusregion.ch Leiterinnen-Verband http://www.sslv.ch/

Helpful neighbours http://www.nachbarnetz.ch/ http://www.benevol- http://www.nachbarnetbasel.ch aargau.ch/nachbarnetz/nachba / rnetze-im-kanton/

Finding professional childcare online http://www.kinderbetreuung- http://www.kinderbetreuung- Licensed day-care The „Vermittlungsstelle www.kinderbetreuung- schweiz.ch/de-ch aargau.ch/index.html centres in Baselland: Tagesheime“ has to be schweiz.ch contacted to get a place in a https://www.baselland.ch/filead subsidized day-care centre. min/baselland/files/docs/ekd/kj http://www.baslerfamilien.info/i b/kind_jugend/kita_bl.pdf ndex.php/institutionen/vermittlu ngsstelle-tagesheime

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Finances

. A budget provides clarity Raising a family is a bit like managing a . Debt: get help immediately small business, with the goal of such a . Government support venture being to support the personal . Boosting your salary: child allowances development of each family member . Reduction of health insurance through material assistance, emotional premiums security and love. To achieve this goal, a . Taxes: cantonal and federal family needs to establish clear guidelines deductions for children such as well-defined areas of . Supplementary benefits to AHV responsibility and a budget to manage and IV family finances. When starting a family, it . Social welfare: helping people to help themselves helps to gain an overview of the family’s financial situation.

Similar to small businesses, families rely on middle and long-term planning to grow and prosper: they build resources – to be used for the children’s education and for retirement. They raise the next generation that will pay taxes, finance the pension system and support the economy. Strengthening a family’s independence is an investment in the future.

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The income and assets of a family vary Of course, tools are only as good as the widely in different stages of life. Young user. The most important point is to families with several children as well as balance income and expenses. It’s up to single parent families often need to be you to implement the changes that make especially rigorous in their planning. It is this possible! important for parents to know how to draw up a household budget and where to turn Debt: get help immediately for financial advice and help. Debt can occur due to extreme situations such as unemployment, separation or illness. Often, however, people get tripped A budget provides clarity up by so-called debt traps, like using credit cards to buy goods and services they can’t A budget helps you to balance income and afford, entering into expensive leasing expenses. It is a useful tool not only in contracts or taking out small loans. extreme financial situations. Drawing up a budget together with your spouse provides Teenagers are especially prone to clarity for both partners. At times when imprudent spending through credit cards. money is tight, using a household budget By involving your child in budget planning, to control expenses is especially you encourage the responsible handling of important. money and invite your child to play an There is no «right or wrong» system. active role in family management. Some families hold several bank accounts or keep a budget book. Others use Debt can also occur as a result of labelled envelopes or wallets. The main deferring tax payments. Waiting for a year- thing is to apply your chosen system end bonus to pay taxes is risky. It is better consistently. Drawing up a budget involves to consider taxes as monthly expenses on first making a detailed list of income and a par with rent and health insurance, make expenses. The templates provided by them an integral part of your budget and Budgetberatung Schweiz can facilitate this pay them immediately. task for you. Contact a debt counsellor before you lose Budgetberatung Schweiz offers a range of control of unpaid bills. Good advice need services, from articles and book lists to not be expensive. Professional debt sample budgets and financial planning counsellors simply help their clients to help templates. themselves.

Why not try a household budget book? Residents of the Canton of Basel- These books explain how to draw up a Landschaft and the municipalities of budget and contain worksheets to list Bättwil, Dornach, Hofstetten-Flüh, expenses every month. Large retail stores Rodersdorf and Witterswil can obtain a like Migros and Coop sell them at their free telephone consultation from the customer service counters. «Fachstelle für Schuldenfragen BL» (Centre for Debt Management BL). Depending on the situation of the Page 2 of 9 Family Guide Northwestern Switzerland individual seeking help, the centre also to qualify. Each child receives the full offers in-depth counselling in its offices. monthly allowance (exception: in the The centre runs courses in debt avoidance month that employment starts or ends, the for teenagers at high schools and allowance is prorated based on the vocational schools as well as in number of days worked in that month). companies that train apprentices. Should neither parent be employed, the Government support family may still be entitled to child allowances. Contact your cantonal By raising children, parents fulfil a social compensation office (Ausgleichskasse) for responsibility and bear a greater financial further information. burden than people without children. The state rewards this effort with financial In most cases, family allowances are paid benefits for families. The most important by the employer. If you work for an benefits are child and education employer who is not liable for allowances. The state provides further contributions, the allowances are paid support for parents in the form of tax directly by the family allowances concessions and – depending on the compensation fund parents’ level of income – reduction of (Familienausgleichskasse). Non- health insurance premiums. These employed parents receive allowances benefits are determined by the cantons. from the AHV office of the canton of residence. Boosting your salary: child allowances The following persons are eligible for child and education allowances: Child allowances supplement your income • Employers with a place of business and lighten the financial burden of raising in the canton Basel-Landschaft who are a family. Child allowances start the month liable for AHV contributions according to the child is born. Submit your application federal law. to your employer together with the birth • The self-employed, with a place of certificate or family record book. The business in the canton Basel-Landschaft allowance is paid in addition to your net and who are liable for AHV contributions. wage and listed separately on your pay • Employees as defined by social slip. Child and education allowances in no security and AHV legislation who are case justify the reduction of salary employed in the Canton of Basel- payments. One allowance per child is the Landschaft. rule, so the allowance is not doubled if • Persons working for employers not both parents are employed. liable for AHV contributions who are residents of the canton Basel-Landschaft Stepchildren, adoptive children and foster • children are also eligible for child and Non-employed persons (as defined by AHV legislation) who receive neither an education allowances. AHV-pension nor supplementary benefits Child allowances depend on the parents’ and whose taxable income does not income. Parents must earn a minimum of exceed 150% of the maximum AHV- CHF 570 per month or CHF 6’840 per year pension. Page 3 of 9 Family Guide Northwestern Switzerland

Reduction of health insurance makes no difference whether a property is premiums held jointly or separately. In Switzerland, health insurance is By means of compensation, only half the mandatory to ensure access to basic income that determines the tax rate is health care. These websites offer used to compute cantonal taxes (income comparisons of mandatory health splitting). Income splitting does not apply insurance premiums: to direct federal taxes (direkte • www.praemien.admin.ch Bundessteuer). However, a favourable tax • www.comparis.ch rate is used to calculate federal taxes. If both partners are gainfully employed, an The government pays part of the additional deduction is granted (double- mandatory health insurance cost for income household). families with modest financial means. Such premium reductions are determined You can deduct a fixed amount per child at the cantonal level. Whether or not you from your cantonal income tax. As for qualify for premium reductions depends direct federal income tax (direkte on your income and the number of Bundessteuer), a fixed amount per child is children in your family. They are deducted from your taxable income before calculated based on your tax return, so it calculation of tax payable. In order to is important that you hand in your tax qualify for child deductions, you must meet return on time. the requirements on the effective date If you qualify for premium reductions, you (generally December 31st of the tax year). will automatically receive an application The deductions are to be made by the form telling you the amount of the person who has parental authority for the premium reduction. New arrivals can pick child and in whose household the child up a request form at their place of lives (common household). Once a child residence (Gemeinde). comes of age (at the age of 18) but is still in school or vocational training and not Taxes: cantonal and federal deductions able to cover living costs, deductions for children continue to apply. If both parents are working and/or invalid, the costs of third- There are two types of family taxation: party childcare for children under 15 years joint and separate assessment. of age can be deducted from the taxable income used for cantonal income tax Joint assessment (max. CHF 5’500 per year per child). Couples in unseparated marriage and The income and property of a child is same-sex couples in a registered taxable. Before a child is 18, the person partnership are jointly assessed. Income, with parental authority is taxable for the deductions and assets are calculated to child’s earnings and property. After the determine a couple’s total economic age of 18, a child files his or her own tax capacity, independent of the matrimonial return. property regime (Güterstand). Thus, it

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Seperate assessment receiving alimonies. As child deductions are limited to one per child, only one Separate assessment applies to parent can apply the deduction. cohabiting couples, separated or divorced couples and single-parent families. Separate assessment takes effect in the Supplementary benefits to AHV and IV year of separation or divorce for the full tax When AHV or IV pensions do not cover period. The couple’s status at the end of the costs of living, supplementary benefits the tax year determines which system is can be claimed under certain conditions. applied. Taxation of alimony payments is The person’s legal place of residence as follows: The person making alimony must be in Switzerland, the person must payments can deduct these from taxable actually be living here and be the recipient income. The person receiving the of an AHV/IV pension, an IV helplessness payments adds them to taxable income. allowance or an IV daily allowance for at This rule does not apply in the case of a least 6 months. lump-sum settlement. The supplements are calculated according to the recipient’s needs by comparing Alimonies can only be deducted up to a approved expenses and income (including child’s 18th birthday. Payments made after assets and any income from part-time this point may no longer be deducted. work). However, if the child is still in school or training and requires financial support, a parent can make so-called support Social welfare: helping people to payments. After a child’s 18th birthday, help themselves support payments are considered part of The Social Services of towns and the child’s taxable income rather than the municipalities are responsible for advising custodian’s. By law, support payments are people in need, offering help themselves tax-free for the person making them, as or providing information on where help can long as they are in fact contributions to the be found. They value each human being support and education of the child. and individual situation and strive to help people achieve integration into social If you have custody of your children and networks and the workplace. In situations are responsible for raising them, you can of extreme financial need, the social continue to apply income splitting and workers apply for welfare benefits, which child deductions after your children have are paid according to cantonal regulations. come of age, as long as they are still in school or training. If you are working or Every application is dealt with carefully invalid, the costs for third-party childcare and confidentially. It is always best to for children under the age of 15 can be tackle problems at an early stage. Don’t deducted from the taxable income for hesitate to make use of the assistance cantonal income tax (max. CHF 5’500 per offered by Social Services. child). If the parents have joint custody, the favourable tax rate and child deductions can be applied by the parent

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In accordance with the principle of helping people to help themselves, the Social Services offer:

. counselling in personal, legal and financial matters

. information about support offered by other social institutions

. referrals to other social institutions

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Finances: Adresses and links

Please note: Most of the described services and links are in German. If a service is explicitly offered in English this is marked by a * Switzerland Aargau Basel-Landschaft Basel-Stadt Solothurn A budget provides clarity

Budgetberatung Schweiz Budgetberatung Aargau: Budgetberatung Baselland: Budget- und Schuldenberatung Aargau- www.budgetberatung.ch http://www.budgetberatung- http://www.frauenverein- Schuldenberatung Basel- Solothurn http://www.schulden-ag-so.ch/ ag.ch/ muttenz.ch/budgetberatung/ Stadt: http://www.schulden.ch/dynasit e.cfm?dsmid=76281 Debt: get help immediately! www.profamilia.ch > Hilfe > Schuldenberatung Aargau- Fachstelle für Budget- und Schuldenberatung Aargau- Familienfinanzen > Solothurn Schuldenberatung BL (und Schuldenberatung der Solothurn http://www.schulden-ag-so.ch/ http://www.schulden-ag-so.ch/ Budgetplanung Bezirk Dorneck) Familien- Paar und www.schuldenberatung-bl.ch Erziehungsberatung (Fabe) Schuldenberatung Schweiz http://www.fabe.ch/beratungsa http://www.schulden.ch/ ngebot/finanzen- verschuldung.html I am in debt- what effects does Some municipalities in this have? * Baselland have an agreement https://www.ch.ch/en/debts- with the Fabe. what-effects/ Familea counselling for women (incl. budget Debt enforcement, debts and counselling): http:// bankruptcy www.familea.ch/de/ https://www.ch.ch/en/debt- Frauenberatung enforcement-bankruptcy Page 7 of 9 Family Guide Northwestern Switzerland

Switzerland Aargau Basel-Landschaft Basel-Stadt Solothurn Government support

Boosting your salary: child allowances The „Bundesamt für Guide about family Guide about family Family allowances in Basel- Family allowances in Solothurn Sozialversicherungen“ informs allowances: allowances: Stadt: http://www.akso.ch/dienstleistu about family allowances: http://www.sva- https://www.sva- http://www.ausgleichskasse- ngen/leistungen/ergaenzungsl http://www.bsv.admin.ch/them ag.ch/dienstleistungen/familien bl.ch/de/familienzulagen/ bs.ch/sozialversicherungen/fak eistungen-fuer-familien- en/zulagen/00059/index.html?l ausgleichskasse/familienzulag .php?folder=6&mainId=666&p famel.html ang=de en/ arent=664

Reduction of health insurance premiums

Comparison of health Ausgleichskasse Aargau Sozialversicherungsanstalt Amt für Sozialbeiträge (ASB): Ausgleichskasse des Kanton insurance premiums: (SVA) Basel-Landschaft http://www.asb.bs.ch Solothurn: www.praemien.admin.ch http://www.sva- www.sva-bl.ch > Leistungen > https://www.akso.ch/dienstleist www.comparis.ch ag.ch/dienstleistungen/individu Prämienverbilligung in der ungen/leistungen/individuelle- elle-praemienverbilligung/ Krankenversicherung praemienverbilligung-ipv.html

Taxes: cantonal and federal deductions for children Department Finanzen und Finanz- und Kirchendirektion Finanzdepartement Basel- Steueramt Solothurn: Ressourcen: Baselland: Stadt: https://www.so.ch/verwaltung/fi https://www.ag.ch/de/dfr/steuer www.bl.ch> Finanzen, http://www.steuerverwaltung.b nanzdepartement/steueramt/ n/natuerliche_personen/steuert Kirchen> Steuern s.ch/ hemen_natuerliche_personen/ stpfl1/stpfl2_familie_1/stpfl2_fa milie1.jsp

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Switzerland Aargau Basel-Landschaft Basel-Stadt Solothurn Supplementary benefits to AHV and IV The „Bundesamt für Ausgleichskasse Aargau Sozialversicherungsanstalt Amt für Sozialbeiträge (ASB): Ausgleichskasse des Kanton Sozialversicherungen“ informs (SVA) Basel-Landschaft http://www.asb.bs.ch/alter- Solothurn: about supplementary benefits: http://www.sva- www.sva-bl.ch > Leistungen > behinde https://www.akso.ch/dienstleist http://www.bsv.admin.ch/them ag.ch/dienstleistungen/ergaen Ergänzungsleistungen zur rung/ergaenzungsleistungen.ht ungen/leistungen/ergaenzungs en/ergaenzung/aktuell/ zungsleistungen/ AHV und IV ml leistungen.html Social welfare: helping people to help themselves Guidelines on social welfare by Kantonaler Sozialdienst: Please consult with the social Help for residents of Basel- Amt für soziale Sicherheit: the SKOS: https://www.ag.ch/de/dgs/uebe services of your municipality or Stadt who need social welfare: https://www.so.ch/verwaltung/d www.skos.ch > Deutsch > r_uns_dgs/organisation_dgs/k with the cantonal office for http://www.sozialhilfe.bs.ch epartement-des-innern/amt- SKOS-Richtlinien > Richtlinien sd/kantonalersozialdienst.jsp social welfare: fuer-soziale- konsultieren www.bl.ch > Finanzen, Kirchen sicherheit/sozialhilfe/ > Sozialamt Book recommendations Our book recommendations are generally for books that are available in German only. Where possible we’ve listed the English translation or an equivalent.

On the topic of finances

„Mit Geld richtig umgehen- Budget, Sparen, Wege aus der Schuldenfalle“ Von Gabriela Baumgartner, Beobachter Verlag, 2012.

On the topic of social welfare

„Sozialhilfe -Rechte, Chancen und Grenzen“ Von Toni Wirz, Beobachter Verlag, 2012.

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Migration - Integration

• General information Many reasons lead people to leave their • Family reunification home country and immigrate to • Raising children – a matter of Switzerland or elsewhere. Some come personal choice here to work, others flee from war or seek • Early immersion protection from persecution. Switzerland’s • Diversity in the classroom • Moving up - vocational training/ present prosperity was built on cultural apprenticeships exchanges through immigration – the • Services for women and mothers Romans taught us their alphabet, the • Health promotion Huguenots laid the foundation for the • Bicultural families chemical industry in Basel with their • Forced marriage knowledge of the production and use of • Health colours, and Italian families enriched our • Female circumcision • Living in Switzerland culinary traditions.

Integration is a process of give and take. One of the keys to this mutual exchange is the local language. The core of many integration projects is to facilitate access to our language for immigrants. Learning the local language(s) lays the groundwork for an advanced level of integration – in social networks, in the workplace and at school.

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General information The main regional agencies around Basel Deadlines Family reunification must be applied for are the «Fachstelle Integration» of the within five years upon arrival. Children canton Baselland, the «Ausländerdienst older than 12 years of age must be Baselland» and the immigration help brought into the country within 12 centre of the «Gesellschaft für das Gute months. und Gemeinnützige (GGG) Basel». An overview of all these immigration-related Asylum Temporarily admitted persons – that is, services is presented on a shared website. rejected asylum seekers who are allowed Services of the «Ausländerdienst to stay in Switzerland for a limited period Baselland» include: counselling, of time – may bring their families into the integration projects, interpreting and country after a minimum of three years, translation, information for new arrivals, provided they live together in a suitable German classes, civics classes, residence and the family is not dependent assessment of one’s current personal and on welfare. professional situation, workplace integration. Teenage children Teenagers aged 15 to 18 are rarely The migrant newspaper MIX deals with granted entry permits, as it is difficult at concerns of the migrant population of the this age for young people to keep up with cantons Aargau, Basel-Landschaft, Basel- their peers in the educational system. Stadt, Bern, Solothurn and Zurich. Each Children living abroad should therefore be issue has a particular focus. The following brought into the country as early as issues focus on family-related topics: nr. possible. 02/December 2000, Children and school; nr. 07/June 2003, Juvenile violence; nr. 12/April 2006, Youth unemployment. EU/EFTA-citizens The agreement on the free movement of Migration newspaper MIX as PDF: persons allows EU/EFTA citizens who are www.aller-anfang-ist-begegnung.ch >Mix - in possession of a Swiss residence permit Migrationszeitung to bring their families into the country. This Family reunification right is independent of nationality and includes: Based on the revised immigration act, • spouse, children (or spouse’s children) Swiss citizens and persons from countries outside the EU (third-country nationals) who are younger than 21 years of age with a residence permit or permanent and dependant children residence permit may bring their foreign • dependant parents or parents of spouses and unmarried children under 18 spouse. years of age to Switzerland if they intend Third-country nationals to live together in a suitable residence. If family members are third-country Families must have sufficient finances and nationals, they may enter and stay in must not be facing or have faced Switzerland only if they have previously prosecution.

Page 2 of 12 Family Guide Northwestern Switzerland been permanent residents of a EU/EFTA influence on your child’s performance at state. If this is not the case, the regulations school: Make sure your child gets enough for third-country nationals apply. sleep, eats a healthy diet (see the chapter «Health and Diet»), and spends time Students outdoors. Children who are active and Students may bring only their spouse and exercise are also better at concentrating. dependant children into the country. Family relationships The cantonal migration office can give you Maintaining a close relationship between further information. children and parents is not always easy. Playing games, reading out loud and Raising children – a matter of personal talking with each other are activities that choice strengthen the family bond and teach your In Switzerland as in other countries, each child useful social skills at the same time. family, maybe even each parent, has their Gender roles own view on how to bring up their children. Still, people who live in a certain area tend The influence of gender roles on a child’s to share common values. These may differ development is significant. In our from the values held by people from other pluralistic society, it is okay for a boy to cry countries. Such differences can lead to now and again or for a girl to be the strong misunderstandings. one. Observe your environment and be inspired by flexible models for men and On the playground women. Children of a «typical» Swiss family often Early Immersion play with each other in a playground, under the watchful eye of their mothers (or Children generally perform better at school more rarely, their fathers). Playgrounds if they spend time at day nurseries before are an important meeting and networking reaching compulsory school age. place for parents. We encourage all Extrafamilial childcare is a popular parents with small children to use the institution that is affordable, open to all public playgrounds! and gives your child a head start in learning the new language and culture. Kindergarten and school Please consult the chapter on The participation of parents in school life „professional childcare“for useful greatly benefits a child’s integration and addresses. social development. At parent-teacher meetings and other events, you get to Diversity in the classroom know the teachers and other parents. You can help your child simply by taking an Today’s classrooms are places of diversity interest in school and kindergarten and that bring together pupils of different your child’s homework. The way you geographic, cultural and social structure family life can have a huge backgrounds. This diversity impacts Page 3 of 12 Family Guide Northwestern Switzerland teaching and often also influences a gradually take part in the lessons of their child’s scholastic development. future class. Foreign language lessons normally last one year. Individualised instruction 2. Intensive course in German as a Studies have shown that the Swiss school second language system is only partially successful in supporting the needs of children from Pupils who do not speak German can different backgrounds. On the other hand, choose to take an intensive course in many teachers have started to give pupils German as a second language instead of supplementary resources, in addition to enrolling in a foreign language class. The the required class material, that is intensive course lasts a year at the most customized to meet each individual’s and takes place side-by-side with regular needs. lessons. At the end of either the intensive course or the foreign language class, Native language and culture classes children can take further courses in German as a foreign language. Public and private organisations offer classes in native language and culture. 3. Courses in German as a foreign Besides written and spoken language language (Deutsch als Zweitsprache, instruction, the classes also teach cultural DaZ) traditions of the country of origin. Native language and culture classes are normally Pupils with an insufficient knowledge of held outside the regular curriculum. German receive remedial instruction, available for two years in kindergarten and Learning German an additional three years in primary school. Children starting kindergarten, primary or secondary school in the Canton of Moving up - vocational Baselland who speak little or no German training/ apprenticeships can benefit from a range of programmes to learn German. The school board decides Completing vocational training is whether the child is best suited to attend a extremely important for young people to foreign language class or take an intensive establish themselves socially and course in German as a second language. financially. The apprenticeship model is an No further evaluation is necessary. The extremely successful component of the following programmes are on offer: Swiss educational system. An apprenticeship lays the foundation for a 1. Foreign language classes at primary successful career. People who have school completed an apprenticeship often have Pupils who speak no German at all even better professional prospects than normally attend a foreign language class. university graduates. There are two types According to their capabilities, they of apprenticeship certificates: the two-year «Eidgenössisch anerkanntes Berufsattest (EBA)» (basic federal certificate) or the

Page 4 of 12 Family Guide Northwestern Switzerland three- to four-year «Eidgenössisches grants, contact the «Amt für Berufsbildung Fähigkeitszeugnis (EFZ)» (advanced und Berufsberatung». federal certificate). Apart from receiving vocational training in the workplace, Services for women and mothers apprentices take classes at least one day In some cantons there are special offers a week. for women and mothers to learn the language and to function better in daily The new service «Elterntreff Berufswahl» life. In the Canton of Baselland for (available in nine languages) introduces example the „Ausländerdienst Baselland“ parents to the Swiss system of vocational offers a special class called „Connectica“. training and highlights the importance of «Connectica» is a language course parental support for the education and focusing on common everyday language training of their children. and designed to help mothers settle into their new life in Switzerland. While the Teenagers who have difficulty finding an mums are in class, their children are apprenticeship can seek support through looked after by German-speaking child career counselling or find a mentor. There carers are mentoring programmes for young women especially, but also for young men. Bicultural families Several other services help young people improve their performance at school, raise Having different nationalities in one family their chances of finding an apprenticeship creates a unique chance to get to know and prepare for starting a career. and love other ways of thinking. At the same time, situations arise daily that put Adults who did not graduate from high mutual understanding to the test. The school and wish to obtain their high school counselling centre for binational couples diploma at a later point can do this by and families («Beratungsstelle für taking a one-year course called «Link zum binationale Paare und Familien») offers Beruf» provided by the «Allgemeine support in dealing with formalities, but also Gewerbeschule Basel» (AGS Basel). with the particular challenges bicultural families face. Adults who did not finish their apprenticeship can complete their training You can find further information in the part on a part-time basis while continuing to on bicultural families in the chapter on work. If someone has acquired solid “family diversity”. knowledge and practical skills in a certain profession, they can take the final Forced marriage apprenticeship examination without actually having an apprenticeship contract. Forced marriage is illegal under Swiss law. Forced marriages differ from arranged The Red Cross offers a nursing assistant marriages, where potential partners are training course. Completing the course introduced to each other through an qualifies you to work in elder or childcare. intermediary, but decide themselves To find out if you qualify for educational whether or not they want to marry.

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The threat of forced marriage is greatest Dirie increased awareness for this topic in for young women. Couples in forced the western world. marriages often assume traditional gender roles. Changing gender attitudes and Living in Switzerland achieving true integration requires When searching for a flat or signing a openness on both sides. Our society must lease, it is important to be familiar with provide young adults with real Swiss regulations. opportunities for self-fulfillment if we are to prevent them from withdrawing into An information sheet in 11 languages can traditional roles. be downloaded from the website of the Federal Office for Housing («Bundesamt Health für Wohnungswesen»). If you are unfamiliar with the Swiss health care system, it can be quite confusing. The Red Cross offers a course called «VIA Gesundheitswegweiser» that introduces you to the health care system.

The website www.migesplus.ch has compiled a wealth of information for migrants on health related issues such as children, women, love, sexuality, addiction, crisis, prevention, and health care. You can also download a brochure explaining the Swiss health care system. The brochure, which is available in 18 languages, was used as the basis for the Red Cross course mentioned above.

Female circumcision

The circumcision of girls is considered serious bodily injury. More and more countries where circumcision is practiced are starting to acknowledge this fact. Neither the Bible nor the Koran recommends circumcision. In Switzerland, circumcision of girls is a serious crime that will be prosecuted.

For a long time, female circumcision was considered a taboo. With her book «Desert Flower», the Somali writer Waris

Page 6 of 12 Family Guide Northwestern Switzerland

Migration-Integration: addresses and links

Please note: Most of the described services and links are in German. If a service is explicitly offered in English this is marked by a * Switzerland Aargau Basel-Landschaft Basel-Stadt Solothurn General Information The state secretariat for The platform hallo-aargau.ch Integrationsdatenbank Basel- Integrationsdatenbank Basel- Fachstelle Integration des migration SEM is responsible informs new residents in many Stadt und Basel-Land Stadt und Basel-Land Kanton Solothurns: for all issues concerning languages about living in the www.integration-bsbl.ch www.integration-bsbl.ch http://www.integration.so.ch/wil migration and integration at Canton of Aargau and where lkommen/ federal level *: to find help: * Fachbereich Integration Präsidialdepartement https://www.sem.admin.ch/sem www.hallo-aargau.ch www.baselland.ch > Sicherheit Integration Basel-Stadt Migrationsamt Solothurn /en/home.html > Fachstelle Integration http://www.entwicklung.bs.ch/i https://www.so.ch/verwaltung/d Anlaufstelle Integration Aargau ntegration.html epartement-des- http://www.integrationaargau.c Ausländerdienst Baselland innern/migrationsamt/ h/ www.auslaenderdienstbl.ch Migrationsamt Basel http://www.bdm.bs.ch/Ueber- DVI Migration und Integration uns/Organisation/Migrationsa https://www.ag.ch/de/dvi/migra mt.html tion_integration/migration_inte gration.jsp Family reunification Family reunification: https://www.ch.ch/en/family- reunification1/

Raising children- a matter of personal choice

Page 7 of 12 Family Guide Northwestern Switzerland

Schweiz Aargau Basel-Landschaft Basel-Stadt Solothurn Early immersion

Diversity in the classroom Volksschule Aargau: Schools in Baselland: Volksschule Basel-Stadt: Volksschule Solothurn: https://www.schulen- https://www.baselland.ch/Schu http://www.volksschulen.bs.ch/ https://www.so.ch/verwaltung/d aargau.ch/kanton/Pages/defau len.273899.0.html epartement-fuer-bildung-und- lt.aspx Information about DAZ- kultur/volksschulamt/schulsyst Guide on kindergarten and Education (German as a em/ Information about DAZ- primaryschool education in second language): Education (German as Baselland https://www.edubs.ch/dienste/ Special support for children a second language): https://www.baselland.ch/filead Dienste-VS/ffi/deutsch-als- who do not speak german: https://www.schulen- min/baselland/files/docs/ekd/br zweitsprache https://www.so.ch/verwaltung/d aargau.ch/kanton/besondere_f osch/bildungsangebot_kg- epartement-fuer-bildung-und- oerderung/daz/Pages/default.a ps.pdf kultur/volksschulamt/foerdern/s spx pezielle-foerderung/

Moving up- vocational training and apprenticeships

Berufsberatung Schweiz: Lehrstellennachweis Aargau: Lehrstellennachweis beider Lehrstellennachweis beider Lehrstellennachweis www.ag.ch/lena Basel: www.lenabb.ch. Basel: www.lenabb.ch. Solothurn: www.berufsberatung.ch http://www.berufsberatung.ch/ Berufseinstieg: Berufsberatung Basel-Land: Berufsberatung Basel-Stadt: dyn/1235.aspx http://www.beratungsdienste- https://www.baselland.ch/Beruf http://www.mb.bs.ch/beratung/ aargau.ch/berufseinstieg/stelle sberatung-BiZ.315553.0.html beratungsstellen/berufsberatun Berufsberatung Solothurn: nsuche-und-arbeitsmarkt.html g.html https://www.so.ch/verwaltung/d Mentoringprogramme: Mentoring für Jugendliche: epartement-fuer-bildung-und- https://www.baselland.ch/Ment http://www.mb.bs.ch/beratung/ kultur/amt-fuer-berufsbildung-

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Brückenangebote: oring.315523.0.html beratungsstellen/mentoring.ht mittel-und-hochschulen/berufs- http://www.beratungsdienste- ml studien-und- aargau.ch/berufswahlstudienw Brückenangebote: laufbahnberatung/berufsberatu ahl/wege-zur- https://www.baselland.ch/Brue Zentrum für Brückenangebote: ng/ lehrstelle/brueckenangebote- ckenangebote.308581.0.html http://www.sba-basel.ch/ Brückenangebote: und-zwischenloesungen.html https://www.so.ch/verwaltung/d Berufsintegration: Ausbildungsbeiträge: epartement-fuer-bildung-und- Junior Mentoring: https://www.baselland.ch/Beruf http://www.hochschulen.bs.ch/ kultur/amt-fuer-berufsbildung- https://www.ag.ch/de/bks/beruf sintegration-BL.319739.0.html ueber-uns/organisation/amt- mittel-und- sbildung_mittelschulen/berufsv ausbildungsbeitraege.html hochschulen/berufsfachschule orbereitung_zwischenloesunge Ausbildungsbeiträge: n-bbz/brueckenangebote- n/junior_mentoring/junior_ment https://www.baselland.ch/Ausb zwischenloesungen/ oring.jsp ildungsbeitraege.306063.0.htm Ausbildungsbeiträge: Ausbildungsbeiträge Aargau: l https://www.so.ch/verwaltung/d https://www.ag.ch/de/bks/hoch epartement-fuer-bildung-und- schulen/stipendien_1/stipendie kultur/departementssekretariat/ n.jsp stipendien/

Services for women and mothers MuKi-Deutsch: Sprachkurs «Connectica»: Sprachförderung und Subventionierte Deutschkurse: https://www.ag.ch/de/bks/kinde www.auslaenderdienstbl.ch > Integration für Migranten und http://www.integration.so.ch/sp rgarten_volksschule/unterricht Angebote > Deutschkurse > Migrantinnen: rache/deutschkurse/ _schulbetrieb/schule_interkultu Connectica 1/2/3 http://www.mb.bs.ch/weiterbild relles/fruehe_foerderung/frueh ung/sprachfoerderung- e_foerderung.jsp integration.html#page_section 3_section2

Page 9 of 12 Family Guide Northwestern Switzerland

Switzerland Aargau Basel-Landschaft Basel-Stadt Solothurn Bicultural families

Association of Counselling Aargau has no specialized Counselling Agency for Counselling Agency for Frabina Counselling Agency Agencies for Binational and counselling agency for binational and intercultural binational and intercultural for binational couples and Intercultural Couples and binational couples and couples and families in Basel: couples and families in Basel: families in Solothurn and Families, Switzerland: families. You can find general Steinengraben 69, 4051 Basel Steinengraben 69, 4051 Basel Olten * www.binational.ch * information on the following http://www.binational-bs.ch/ * http://www.binational-bs.ch/ * website http://www.frabina.ch/welcome Counselling is offered in Counselling is offered in Association of binational http://www.binational.ch/ * German, English, French, German, English, French, couples and families Spanish and Portuguese. Spanish and Portuguese. http://www.ig-binational.ch/ Forced marriage www.zwangsheirat.ch > Information by Integration Leaflet on forced marriage by Project against forced Beratungsstelle Opferhilfe verwandte Themen > Familie Aargau on forced marriage: the „Ausländerdienst marriage by the GGG Aargau/Solothurn: und Gesellschaft http://www.integrationaargau.c Baselland“ Ausländerberatung including a http://www.opferhilfe-ag- h/projekte/zwangsheirat/ www.auslaenderdienst.ch>Do documentary which can be so.ch/index.php?ds=294 wnload>Zwangsheirat ordered for free: Guide by the Canton of http://www.auslaenderberatun Aargau on forced marriage: g-basel.ch/zwangsheirat.html http://www.gegen- zwangsheirat.ch/images/Infobl aetter/140618_Broschuere_A5 _2014_low_einzel.pdf

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Schweiz Aargau Basel-Landschaft Basel-Stadt Solothurn Health www.migesplus.ch Gesünder Basel has special Informationen and classes of programs for migrants: the Red Cross of Solothurn www.gsuenderbasel.ch > on health and migration: Gesundheit für MigrantInnen http://www.srk- solothurn.ch/index.php?id=9 Female circumcision

Information by Caritas Switzerland on female circumcision ( FGM) http://www.caritas.ch/de/was- wir-tun/engagement- schweiz/integration-und- chancengleichheit/maedchenb eschneidung/ Living in Switzerland Bundesamt für Wohnungswesen, guide in 11 languages * www.bwo.admin.ch > Dokumentation > Publikationen > Infoblatt Wohnen > Infoblatt

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Book recommendations Our book recommendations are generally for books that are available only in German. Where possible we’ve listed the English translation or an equivalent.

On the topic of female circumcision „Desert Flower“, by Waris Dirie, William Morrow Paperbacks, 2011.

Page 12 of 12 Family Guide Northwestern Switzerland

Holidays and Recreation

. Family holidays Nothing gives more pleasure than children . Hiking with children laughing and enjoying themselves. Happy . Playing together children make happy parents. When . TV, computer, games – opportunities and risks planning a family holiday, both adults and . What to do in your spare time children must get their share of fun and . Trips and outings around Basel comfort. There is nothing worse than . Art, museums, Augusta Raurica nagging children and stressed-out parents. . Every family should have one: We have collected a few suggestions for Familienpass activities and outings ideal for families. . Close to nature: Robinson Some of them need careful planning, Playgrounds . Music schools others don’t need any at all. Enjoy! . Music and dance for children . Children’s theatres . Children’s birthdays . Libraries . Toys and games libraries . Sports and excercise . Holiday and recreation for children and adolescents: special offers

Page 1 of 16 Family Guide Northwestern Switzerland

• If you leave your child with a child Family Holidays minder, make sure you say If you want to plan your family holiday with goodbye properly. your children, you will need to discuss the • Tell your child when you will be following questions: back. . Which country do you want to visit? • Praise your child when you go and Where will you find something for when you pick him or her up later. everyone – by the sea, in the mountains or in the city? Travelling during pregnancy . What do you and your children like • Don’t travel if there are to do? complications related to your . Do you prefer a luxury camper van pregnancy. Consult your doctor. or a simple tent? • Consult your doctor before you . Are you travelling with friends or leave for your trip. taking another child? • Avoid stress on the trip and take regular breaks. Travel sickness • If you are flying, check flight times • If you drive with children, drive at carefully. night, because their sense of • Drink a lot and use the bathroom balance is less active. regularly. • Serve a light meal before travelling. • Carry your maternity health • On the trip, your children should passport (Mutterschaftspass) with eat some zwieback, salt sticks or you at all times. biscuits. • If you are driving, take hourly • Small sips of lukewarm Coke breaks to stretch your legs. soothe the stomach. • The air in the car should be clear Protective measures and fresh. Avoid alcohol, coffee • Check the expiry dates of all and tobacco. passports and renew them if • Children should not read while necessary. driving. • Don’t let your children travel with • Chewing gum or jelly beans help valuables. the stomach. • Never leave your children unattended and only with qualified Stranger anxiety on holiday and reliable child minders. • Don’t force your child to go up to • Leave your mobile number with the strangers. child minder. • Show your child that you are there • Never leave children unattended by and won’t leave without him or her. the sea. • Always let your child know where • Take out an insurance that covers you are. accidents and illness abroad.

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• Pack an emergency kit with a • build a cairn (landmarks made of thermometer, plasters, pincers, piles of stones) disinfectant, etc. • build pine cone monsters and little • Check the recommended houses vaccinations. • play hide-and-seek • If you have an accident on holiday, • gather herbs and make «hiking go and see a doctor or a hospital tea» (there are travel insurances, e.g. • find and classify flowers Eurocamp, that provide quick and • watch animals (through binoculars), non-bureaucratic support). look for animal tracks and find out • Carry your health insurance card who they belong to with you at all times. • test your senses: smell herbs, feel rocks, walk barefoot, walk in water Hiking with children • tell fairytales and invent stories that When you go hiking with children, try and are set in the area see it through their eyes. Children love • hands-on geography: read the map walking, but they love it for different and use a compass reasons. Remember this when you plan a • cook and grill your meals over the hiking tour, be spontaneous and flexible open fire en route. Children want to take regular breaks and explore the world around Planning your trip them. Choose attractive picnic spots near Bear in mind the following advice: a stream, with a fireplace, trees and rocks • When hiking with children, you to climb on. Such short breaks interrupt need to allow at least twice as the seemingly endless walk. Even though much time as indicated on the their energy seems boundless, children signposts. need time to relax and recharge their • Don’t leave the marked trails. batteries. Tell them stories about the past, • Take regular breaks. fairytales or myths about the area, • Make sure your children drink discover nature’s treasures; it helps enough water. Sometimes they children forget the ordeal of walking. don’t realize that they are thirsty. A bath in a mountain lake or stream is • Pack plenty of snacks on top of the certain to be a highlight. Hanging bridges main picnic. are exciting, the forest or an alpine rock garden will make a wonderful playground, Hiking in the mountains requires particular and there is unusual transportation safety measures. It is vital that your available almost everywhere in children follow the rules (never leave the Switzerland. Of course, it is always good picnic area without telling you, walk ahead to ask children for their opinion if you are only as far as the next path turning off). planning a trip. You can let them run ahead in open terrain and on easy paths only. If the path gets There are a lot of fun things you can do tricky or if your child is scared, consider with children on a hiking tour: your options and stay calm. Sometimes it

Page 3 of 16 Family Guide Northwestern Switzerland is enough to take the child by the hand. • «for the sake of the game»: A child You may need to carry him or her part does not play in order to learn. But of the way. Sometimes, turning around learning is a very useful side-effect. is the right solution. When you are planning a hiking tour, look for possible Children’s games develop along the shortcuts (in case the weather turns following stages: bad). Always carry a detailed hiking • map. An emergency cell phone is Exploration: the child learns about helpful too. itself and other objects.

Playing together • Symbolic games: the child Don’t underestimate the power of an reinterprets objects and gives them afternoon spent playing together. Playing new meaning. is an important part in the child’s • Role-play: the child takes on development and strengthens the bond different roles and acts them out between parent and child. with the partner in the playing. All you need to do is create a suitable • Games with rules: the game is environment for your child, choose a game played according to the (arbitrary) or toy your child is interested in, take your rules previously defined. time and watch. The game will develop intrinsically, because playing comes It doesn’t matter whether you engage in naturally to children. baby talk with your child, whether or not you build lego towns or play card games Watch your child’s reaction to find out with your teenage sons and daughters – whether he or she enjoys playtime: playing together will create a positive • «positive emotions»: playing is fun, atmosphere and strengthen the bond but you can’t force children to play. among all members of a family. You can, however, give inspiration When you buy toys and games check the and show them how to start. recommended age. It is frustrating for • «flexibility»: once children have children to be constantly overstretched or chosen a game, they will adapt it to insufficiently challenged. Instead of suit their capabilities. It is very enjoying the game, they will lose interest important that games are age very quickly. appropriate. TV, Computer & Games • «pretend»: Children constantly See the section «Dealing with new media» change reality in their games and in the chapter „parenting questions“. bend it to suit their needs. It is their way of experiencing the world. Recreation

Games, fun, sports and excitement – can we have it all, please? It is vital for a family

Page 4 of 16 Family Guide Northwestern Switzerland to spend time together and have fun. It operated electric cars. The restaurant is a helps parents relax, takes their mind off popular spot to break a hike from the work and creates a sense of sharing and Rhine valley or from Birseck to Liestal or well-being. Time spent together is up to Gempen (sled run in winter). precious in our hectic world. So it is important to consider your options and • Ermitage and Burg Reichenstein, choose carefully. Don’t let the fun turn into Arlesheim more stress, and make sure that all family A paradise for young cave explorers! members enjoy the shared moments. Underneath the Burg Reichenstein there is Trips and Outings around Basel a picknick area with a fountain where children can pump up their own drinking There are countless excursions and water. There are several deep caves along attractive stop-offs in northwestern the trail down to Ermitage park. Switzerland. Many of them are very family orientated. Below, you will find a brief www.arlesheim.ch > Portrait > die selection of some of the most popular Ermitage destinations in the area around Basel. • Schloss Wildenstein above Bubendorf – dungeon and waterfall Waldenburg Steam Train www.waldenburgerbahn.ch On the plateau between Bubendorf and Hölstein, time seems to have stopped: Wasserfallen gondola with sled run and Suddenly you find yourself in an tobogganing scooters enchanted landscape surrounded by oak www.wasserfallenbahn.ch trees five centuries old. Wildenstein Castle is situated in the midst of this old garden. Solar summer toboggan run Guided tours of the old part of the castle are available every Sunday. You can even Hauptstrasse 1, 4438 Langenbruck, visit the armoury and the dungeon, where www.solarbob.ch a puppet in chains is waiting to be Model railyway «Ysebähnli am Rhy» released. The children will love it. There is a nice picnic area near the waterfall at the Schweizerhalle, 4133 Pratteln foot of castle hill. Summer season only www.ysebaehnli-am-rhy.ch www.baselland-tourismus.ch > Welcome > Coin-operated electric cars for kids Baselland experience > underneath the cherry tree Restaurant Excursions / Sightseeing > Bubendorf > SchönmattSchönmatt 1, 4145 Wildenstein Castle Gempen/SO, tel. 061 701 53 88

Behind the old restaurant with a beautiful Art, Museums and Augusta Raurica garden (serving child-sized meals), there Several museums in the region of is a small pen with little piglets, and a fun northwestern Switzerland have special traffic training course with small coin- programmes for children. The Roman Page 5 of 16 Family Guide Northwestern Switzerland provincial town of Augusta Raurica is «FamilienpassPlus», you must either certainly a must. Take advantage of the receive state welfare payments, guided tours and workshops for children, supplementary benefits to the invalidity some of which are organised during the insurance, or prove that you live on very school holidays. If you visit on your own, little money without receiving any benefits. let your children discover the sites for Check the website for more details. themselves and try out the traditional crafts at home. Familienpass Region Basel www.familienpass.ch In Augusta Raurica, many Roman buildings are restored and can be visited. Close to nature: Robinson playgrounds You can visit the Roman Amphitheatre and several other buildings for free. The Robinson Playgrounds are leisure facilities museum with all the artefacts recovered where the children’s initiative and creativity from the archaeological excavation sites is are part of the plan. Coached and situated in a reconstructed Roman villa. supervised by a team of social workers, The silver treasure is particularly the children build their own tree houses impressive. There is a range of and shelters, there is room for small workshops, guided tours, visits to the animals such as rabbits, guinea pigs or excavation sites, theatre and music donkeys and there are open fires and performances available. On the last climbing sites. Some Robinson weekend in August, Augusta Raurica Playgrounds offer workshops and special turnes into a real Roman town at the huge parties for older children. You can find «Römerfest». more information about the opening times and detailed program on the websites Some towns and family centres have their listed at the end of this chapter. own holiday programme for children. Ask your municipal administration (Gemeinde) Music schools or check with the nearest family centre. Even preschool kids enjoy music. Early Every family should have one: family musical education addresses all the pass children’s senses. With songs and playful rhythms, children capture the world of At just CHF 30.- per year, the music and discover different musical «Familienpass Region Basel» is a family’s instruments. Music schools offer them the ticket to many special offers, free entries right setting for musical exploration. Ask to museums, zoos, swimming pools, your nearest music school for more skating rinks and many other concessions. information. There is also a magazine to keep you updated. It lists all special events and Music and dance for children useful addresses, and there are always attractive prizes. Families with a small There are a million ways to enjoy music budget can get a «FamilienpassPlus» that with children. Many families enjoy singing, makes them eligible for special playing and listening to music or dancing concessions. To qualify for a together. We can only list a few important

Page 6 of 16 Family Guide Northwestern Switzerland music events, libraries and private music and running. Adolescents strive to test schools for children – but the list is by no boundaries and love competitions. Every means exhaustive. Most libraries have age group has different physical needs CDs and tapes for children. If you are and things they like to do. Young children looking for a dance class for your children, benefit from trying different things and ask at your nearest studio. spending time playing outside. Older children know their talents and will choose Children’s theatre a particular sport.

Children love plays and acting. If teachers, There are many ways to get your children parents or amateur theatre groups want to moving. When children are older, sport stage a play with children, they need to be and exercise are a very good way to stay prepared to invest a lot of time and fit and enjoy the company of friends. energy. The «Basler Kindertheater» is Smaller children need a safe place to run open to young actors who are interested in around and explore. Take them to the regularly performing classical fairy tales. woods nearby, to a playground, a park or Libraries even your own garden. In winter, there are indoor pools, skating rinks, miniature golf At the cantonal libraries, you can borrow courses or indoor tennis courts. Ask your books, comics, CDs, DVDs, audio books and magazines. The library is a real social local administration (Gemeinde) for a list and cultural hotspot with long opening of playgrounds, sports grounds and sports hours (even on Sundays in winter). There clubs in your town. You can also ask about is a lovely Café, and a reading lounge mother/child gymnastics. outside. If you are looking for a quiet place to work or read, there are desks in the Holidays and recreation for children reading room and a group room for and adolescents: special offers discussions. Basler-Ferienpass Games libraries From June to September, children between 4 and 16 can obtain a Basler- At games libraries, you can borrow games, Ferienpass (Basel holiday pass). With the toys and sports equipment. Games pass, they get many concessions on entry libraries are open to everybody: children, fees for swimming pools, museums etc., adults, institutions or schools. Some and can take part in many activities (such games libraries offer as many as 2000 as painting, crafting, playing music). The articles, anything from simple card games Basler-Ferienpass can also be purchased to outdoor equipment. by non-residents of Basel against a small extra fee. Sport and Excercise Children want to move constantly. Pro Juventute Holiday Pass Young babies kick their legs to express Pro Juventute also has a special Holiday joy or excitement. Older children explore Pass for children during the school the world skipping, climbing, swinging

Page 7 of 16 Family Guide Northwestern Switzerland holidays. Check for the programme in your area. • www.pro-juventute.ch > Für Kinder/Für Jugendliche > Ferienpässe

Holiday camps

Summer and winter sport camps are offered by private institutions, churches as well as the cantonal sport departments. Please consult the addresses at the end of this chapter for more information.

Other camps: • www.feriencamps.ch • www.feriengestaltung.ch

Day camps Pro Juventute, Robi-Spiel-Aktionen and GGG (all based in Basel) organise so called day camps during school holidays. Residents of the Canton of Basel- Landschaft can sign up for them. Special conditions apply. • www.robi-spiel-aktionen.ch > Tagesbetreuungsangebote > Tagesferien

Some municipalities also offer day camps. Contact your local administration (Gemeinde) for more information.

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Holidays and recreation: addresses and links

Please note: Most of the described services and links are in German. If a service is explicitly offered in English this is marked by a * Switzerland Family holidays Family holidays in a camper www.eurocamp.ch Holidays for families with a small budget www.kovive.ch Reka-holidays www.reka.ch Family holidays for single-parent families www.leuenberg.ch Recommended vaccinations in Europe www.safetravel.ch Hiking with children Itineraries and tips for family outings: www.wandersite.ch

The “Verein Wanderwege beider Basel“ offers guided hikes: www.wanderwege-beider-basel.ch

Aargauer Wanderwege: http://www.aargauer-wanderwege.ch/

Solothurner Wanderwege: http://www.solothurner-wanderwege.ch/

Castle hikes: www.vvsl.ch > Sport/Wandern/Freizeit > Burgenwanderung

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Switzerland Aargau Basel-Landschaft Basel-Stadt Solothurn Playing together Game ideas: www.praxis-jugendarbeit.de

TV, Computer and Games

Recreation

Attractions and recreation Attractions for families, put Overview of various Tourismus Basel: Tourismus Solothurn: offers in Switzerland: together by Aargau Tourismus: attractions: https://www.basel.com/de http://www.mysolothurn.com www.ausflugsziele.ch http://www.aargautourismus. www.baselland-tourismus.ch /de/index.cfm ch/de/familien- gruppen/Familien.html Activites in the „ Tafeljura”: www.tafeljura.ch

Attractions Leimental: www.leimental.ch > Ausflugsziele Trips and outings around Basel See text for further information See text for further information

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Switzerland Aargau Basel-Landschaft Basel-Stadt Solothurn Art, museeums and Augusta Raurica

VAMUS- Verband Aargauer Kantonsmuseum Basel- Museen Basel: Museen im Kanton Solothurn: Schweizerischer Museen und Sammlungen: Landschaft: Museumsverband*: http://www.museenbasel.ch/ http://www.mysolothurn.com/d http://www.vamus.ch/agmusee http://www.museums.ch/ www.museum.bl.ch e/page.cfm/Kultur_Events/Mus n/agmuseen1.cfm Archäologie Basel: een Augusta Raurica: http://www.archaeologie.bs.ch/ Archäologie Aargau: www.augustaraurica.ch www.ag.ch/archaeologie Archäologie Solothurn: Ortsmuseen: https://www.so.ch/verwaltung/b www.bl.ch > Bildung, Kultur, au-und-justizdepartement/amt- Sport > Kultur > Museen fuer-denkmalpflege-und- archaeologie/archaeologie/ Archäologie Basel-Land: http://www.archaeologie.bl.ch/

Every family should have one: Familienpass

www.familienpass.ch www.familienpass.ch www.familienpass.ch www.familienpass.ch www.x-island.ch www.ferienpass.ch (Only for residents of www.regio-ferienpass.ch ( Only for residents of Rheinfelden/Laufenburg) www.ferienpass-sissach.ch Dorneck/Thierstein)

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Switzerland Aargau Basel-Landschaft Basel-Stadt Solothurn Close to nature: Robinson playgrounds Robi Spielplatz Rheinfelden: Robinsonspielplatz Aesch, Im Robi-Spiel Aktionen: Robi Olten: http://www.schjkk.ch/robi- Löhrenacker, 4147 Aesch http://www.robi-spiel- http://www.robiolten.ch/ spielplatz.php?DOC_INST=1 www.robi-aesch.ch aktionen.ch/ Quartierspielplätze Solothurn: http:// Robinsonspielplatz Binningen, Overview of all playgrounds in www.quartierspielplaetz.c Brünnelimatten, 4102 Basel: h/ Binningen http://www.jfs.bs.ch/fuer- www.binningen.ch > Jung&Alt familien/ > Kinder und Jugendliche > angebote/spielplaetze.html Robi

Robinsonspielplatz Frenkendorf (only reachable on foot or bike) www.robiplatz.ch

Robinsonspielplatz und Robibahn Muttenz, Hardackerstrasse 6, 4132 Muttenz www.robinson-spielplatz.ch

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Switzerland Aargau Basel-Landschaft Basel-Stadt Solothurn Music schools

Vereinigung aargauischer Verband Musikschulen Musikschule der Stadt Basel: Solothurner Musikschulen: Musikschulen VAM: Baselland http://www.musikschule- http://solothurnermusikschulen http://www.vam-ag.ch/ www.vmbl.ch basel.ch/ .ch/

Children’s theatre

Theater Tuchlaube: Theater Palazzo: Basler Kindertheater: Junges Theater Solothurn: www.tuchlaube.ch www.palazzo.ch http://www.baslerkindertheater. https://www.tobs.ch/fr/jeune- ch/ public/jts-junges-theater- Kinder-und Jugendtheater solothurn/ Turgi: Basler Marionettentheater: www.kjt-turgi.ch http://bmtheater.ch/

Libraries Aargauische Kantonsbibliothek Baselland: Universitätsbibliothek Basel- Zentralbibliothek Solothurn: Kantonsbibliothek: http://www.kbl.ch/ Stadt: http://www.zbsolothurn.ch/ www.ag.ch/kantonsbibliothek http://www.ub.unibas.ch/ub- Gemeindebibliotheken: hauptbibliothek/ Gemeindebibliotheken Bibliotheken im Aargau: http://www.bibliothekenbl.ch Solothurn: www.ag.ch/bibliotheken Volksbibliotheken Basel-Stadt: https://www.so.ch/verwaltung/d http://www.stadtbibliothekbasel epartement-fuer-bildung-und- .ch/ kultur/departementssekretariat/ paedagogik/lesen/bibliotheken/

Page 13 of 16 Family Guide Northwestern Switzerland

Switzerland Aargau Basel-Landschaft Basel-Stadt Solothurn Games libraries

Overview of all game libraries (Ludotheken) in Switzerland: www.ludo.ch Sports and excercise

Jugend und Sport (J+S) of the Department Bildung, Kultur Sportamt des Kanton BL Sportamt Basel Sportfachstelle Solothurn: Bundesamt für Sport BASPO und Sport: https://www.baselland.ch/Links http://www.jfs.bs.ch/fuer- http://www.so.ch/verwaltung/d informs about sport camps on https://www.ag.ch/de/bks/sport .283274.0.html sportlerinnen-und-sportler.html epartement-fuer-bildung-und- its website _ausserschulische_jugendfoer kultur/amt-fuer-kultur-und- www.jugendundsport.ch derung/sport_jugendfoerderun sport/sportfachstelle/ g.jsp

Ice skating rink (Kunsteisbahn) Kunsteisbahn Aarau Kunsteisbahn Sissach, Kunsteisbahn Eglisee, Kunsteisbahn Zuchwil: www.keba.ch Renggenweg 12, 4450 Egliseestrasse 85, 4058 Basel, http://www.szzag.ch/home/ Kunsteisbahn Oberwynental Sissach, Tel. 061 971 45 85 Tel. 061 681 55 00 www.kunsteisbahn.ch http://kunsti- www.kunschti-eglisee.ch KuBA Freizeitcenter AG sissach.jimdo.com/ Kunsteisbahn Margarethen, Im www.kuba-rheinfelden.ch Margarethenpark, 4053 Basel, Kunsteisbahn Wettingen Tel. 061 361 95 95 http://www.taegi.ch/de/angebot www.ed- sport/sportkunsteisbahn/ bs.ch/jfs/sport/sportanlagen Kunsteisbahn Wohlen www.kebwohlen.ch

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Switzerland Aargau Basel-Landschaft Basel-Stadt Solothurn Indoor pools

List of all indoor pools in Indoor- and public pools in the Hallenbad Muttenz Hallenschwimmbad Rialto, Sportzentrum Zuchwil: Switzerland by canton: Canton of Aargau: http://www.muttenz.ch/de/touri Brisigstrasse 45, 4054 Basel, http://www.szzag.ch/sport- http://www.badi- smus/sport/?action=showobjec Tel. 061 281 91 42 familie/hallenbad/ info.ch/schwimmbaeder_hallen http://www.aargautourismus.ch t&object_id=1770 http://www.jfs.bs.ch/fuer- .html /erleben/hallen-und-freibaeder Hallenbad Gitterli, Liestal: sportlerinnen-und- http://www.gitterlibad.ch/hallen sportler/sportanlagen/hallenba bad/ eder/hallenbad-rialto.html Hallenbad Binningen: http://www.binningen.ch/xml_1 /internet/de/application/d59/d2 96/d314/f427.cfm Aquabasilea Pratteln: http://www.aquabasilea.ch/de/ Holidays and recreation for children and adolescents: special offers

Pro Juventute Ferienpässe: Sportcamps of the Sportcamps for teenagers: Basler Ferienpass (also Sport camps of the www.projuventute.ch> Departements für Bildung, https://www.baselland.ch/sport available for non-residents Sportfachstelle Solothurn: Programme> Betreute Kultur und Sport des Kanton wochen-htm.273780.0.html at a slightly higher price) https://www.so.ch/verwaltung/d Ferienprogramme> Aargau: http://www.basler- epartement-fuer-bildung-und- Ferienpässe https://www.ag.ch/de/bks/sport ferienpass.ch/fp/ kultur/amt-fuer-kultur-und- _ausserschulische_jugendfoer sport/sportfachstelle/sportlager derung/j_und_s/kursorganisati Sportcamps of the Sportamt /angebote/ Stiftung Feriengestaltung für on/kursorganisation.jsp Basel-Stadt: Kinder: http://www.jfs.bs.ch/fuer- www.feriengestaltung.ch sportlerinnen-und-

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sportler/sportangebote/kinder- jugendliche.html

Day camps of the Robi Spiel- Aktionen ( subsidized for residents of Basel, non- residents pay the full price) http://www.robi-spiel- aktionen.ch/tagesferien.php

Book recommendations Our book recommendations are generally for books that are available in German only. Where possible we’ve listed the English translation or an equivalent.

On the topic of trips and outings

„KIDS – 1698 Ausflüge für die ganze Familie 9. Auflage“, Swisscontent 2014. Erhältlich im Buchhandel oder über www.kids.ch

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Health and diet

. A healthy weight A balanced diet and running around in the . Healthy snacks fresh air are vital for the healthy . Dental care development of children. Both are . Health checks necessary from the beginning. . Vaccinations . Our child is different Sitting down at the family table and eating . Children with disabilities a meal together is important for families. It . Children in hospital . Intoxication emergencies helps children develop a sense of . Children with chronic diseases community and well-being. Playing and . Being ill at home running around outdoors is equally . Kinderspitex Nordwestschweiz important for their health. If you support . Child and adolescent psychiatric your child’s natural urge for moving and service exercising, it will learn to feel happy within its body and grow up to be confident and strong. Running around and playing also helps children do better in school.

Sometimes, adolescent rebellion against parents involves food and exercise: Teenagers assert themselves by eating too much or refusing food, by doing too much or no sport at all. At the same time, adolescents imitate their peer group or

Page 1 of 13 Family Guide Northwestern Switzerland famous idols. Health, beauty, fitness and Eating disorders power are important issues for them. Talk Please see the addresses at the end of to your child about them, and about what a this chapter. healthy lifestyle means. Healthy snacks A healthy weight Time may be short in the morning, but More and more people are overweight, make sure you pack a healthy snack for and obesity is a problem in all school. A mid-morning snack will recharge industrialised countries. Secondary your children’s batteries and help them diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular stay alert through the day. disorders and arthritis are also increasing. In the long run, obesity leads to a higher Children love a little variety: bread, cheese mortality rate and increasing health costs. and radishes, carrots, almonds and The most alarming development is the crispbread, plain, unsweetened yoghurt increase in child and adolescent obesity. with fresh berries. Don’t let them eat In Switzerland, every fifth child is muesli bars, chocolate, cakes or sweets of overweight. any kind, croissants, salty snacks, meats and soft drinks at schools. Obesity is a consequence of the changing lifestyle in industrialised countries. We eat Dental care too much and get too little exercise. If we Prevention of caries is important before a don’t act soon, obesity will continue to rise. baby is even teething. As a basic measure, make sure you never suck your At the same time, more and more baby’s comforter or clean it in your mouth. children – mostly girls – try hard to keep You will risk transmitting your bacteria to their weight down at a very young age. your child. Never let the baby use the They are in danger of developing bottle as a substitute comforter, and don’t severe eating disorders. 10% of all let him or her drink soft drinks or sweet children in Switzerland are underweight tea. or control their eating behaviour. Once your baby is teething, the Swiss Public health strategies focus on the Dentists’ Association recommends the prevention of obesity. It is important that following measures: parents be good role models for their children and lead a healthy lifestyle. • no snacks with added sugar Day-care centres, schools and business canteens are other important target • if you buy sweets, look out for the groups. «tooth friendly» label

• brush the baby’s teeth twice daily, Overweight? using a soft children’s toothbrush Ask your pediatrician or GP for help. and fluoride toothpaste

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Brushing teeth is a daily struggle in many by bacteria and can be treated with families. The rules are simple: Brush your antibiotics. By contrast, ESME is a viral teeth for three minutes after every meal, disease that can only be prevented by no sweet snacks or soft drinks in-between vaccination. Ask your paediatrician. meals. Getting your children used to this routine is a long process. In 2007, the Federal Office of Public Health recommended a vaccination Health checks against cervical cancer and other diseases caused by human papilloma virus (HPV) Paediatricians recommend 12 health for all adolescent girls between the age of checks in the first 16 years of a child’s life. 11 and 14. Ask your GP, paediatrician or They help diagnose any physical, gynaecologist for more information. intellectual or psychological deficits at an early stage. Don’t miss these regular Our child is different checks, they are always a good opportunity to talk about anything that Every child is different – an individual might worry you. You can find more human being. There is a lot of literature information on the following websites: about the different stages in a child’s development. But you should never forget • www.praxispaediatrie.ch that these are just guidelines. Your child will have its own pace and develop skills • www.swiss-paediatrics.org whenever it is ready for them. It will learn some things sooner and some things later TIP: Make sure your health insurance than other children. Don’t let these covers all recommended health checks. differences unsettle you. If you worry If you haven’t found a paediatrician yet, about your child and would like a ask your friends or your midwife. It is professional opinion, check with your important that you find a doctor you can public health nurse or your paediatrician. trust. Children with disabilities

Vaccinations You have gone through months of joyous anticipation and a tiring birth. All you Vaccinations protect children from all kinds wanted was to hold your healthy baby in of diseases. The Federal Office of Public your arms. But now you learn that your Health recommends the following baby has a disability. Only time will tell vaccinations: diphteria, hepatitis B, how your child will cope with his or her meningitis, laryngitis caused by condition. You will probably ask yourself: haemophilus influenzae, pertussis, polio, «Why has this happened to me?» In most measles, rubella, and tetanus. Talk to your cases there is no clear answer. But one paediatrician about possible side effects. thing is certain: it is not your fault! You Ticks can transmit a variety of diseases, have a very special child now. It needs predominantly borreliosis and early your love and affection as much as any summer meningoencephalitis (ESME) or child. And it will give you a lot of love in tick-borne meningitis. Borreliosis is caused Page 3 of 13 Family Guide Northwestern Switzerland return. Your child is a gift – more than you Intoxication emergency can imagine in the beginning. Tox Info Suisse operates the emergency number 145. Give them a call if Parents need time to come to terms with somebody shows symptoms of the fact that their child has been born with intoxication. Doctors as well as other a disability. In this first phase, parents are qualified medical staff offer advice around very vulnerable and often withdraw from the clock 365 days a year in cases of family and friends. But in fact, they need poising through chemicals, medication, all the support they can get. Doctors, poisonous plants, mushrooms or animals relatives and friends are indispensable. as well as drugs and much more. Parents’ groups are very helpful. Other more experienced parents in the same Chronically ill children situation have a lot of useful information Caring for a child with a chronic disease and provide social and emotional support. raises many questions and places parents Of course, you will need special care and under a lot of strain. On the website below, education for your child, but do not make you will find a number of self-help groups, hasty decisions. It is always good to get as parents’ associations and information much information as possible. You will centres focusing on children with chronic learn to judge what is best for you and diseases. your child, and where to get the professional support that suits you best. www.elternnetz.ch Children in hospital There are also foundations which offer Staying in hospital is hard for children, parents of chronically ill children support because it means they are away from their and respite. Other foundations grant parents. Luckily, hospital stays are much wishes to terminally or chronically ill shorter than they used to be, usually no children. You can find their addresses at more than one or two days. Take your the end of this chapter. time and prepare your child carefully. Being ill at home At the «Universitäts-Kinderspital beider Basel» (UKBB, Paediatric Hospital Basel- Many diseases are harmless and can be Stadt and Basel-Landschaft) children and treated at home. When in doubt, consult their parents can visit the hospital prior to your paediatrician. Sometimes it helps to an operation and talk to a social call one of several medical 24-hour pedagogue. The children get to see a hotlines run by health insurances. hospital room, try out a few things, and Paediatricians treat children and meet doctors and nurses. These visits are adolescents up to the age of 20. very helpful for children and parents alike. The Red Cross offers short-term help if They take away the children’s fear and your child is sick at home. Call them the relieve the parents. evening before, if possible.

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Kinderspitex Nordwestschweiz «Kinderspitex Nordwestschweiz» is an organisation supporting families with ill or handicapped children. Qualified nurses visit the families and provide professional care at home, supporting parents and providing some basic medical training. This approach guarantees the best possible care for the children and takes into account the situation of the whole family. «Kinderspitex Nordwestschweiz» is available around the clock, seven days a week. www.spitexkinder.ch

Child and adolescent psychiatric service The Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Services in the cantons offer support and therapy for children and adolescents. Parents can contact the service if their child suffers from learning difficulties, attention deficit disorder or sleep deficit. Of course, the service also supports families in difficult situations, for example if there are unresolved conflicts within the family.

You can find out more about the therapies offered on the websites of the cantonal child-and adolescent psychiatric service.

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Health and diet: addresses and links

Please note: Most of the described services and links are in German. If a service is explicitly offered in English this is marked by a *

Switzerland Aargau Basel-Landschaft Basel-Stadt Solothurn A healthy weight Essstörungen Schweiz ENES, Special consultation for Kinder- und Special consultation for Kinder-und Jugendpsychiatrie www.netzwerk- children with eating disorders: Jugendpsychiatrischer Dienst children with eating disorders: Solothurn: essstoerungen.ch https://www.pdag.ch/diagnos KJPD http://www.upkbs.ch/patienten/ https://www.so- e- http://www.pbl.ch/home/kinder- ambulantes-angebot/kinder- h.ch/psychiatrische- Arbeitsgemeinschaft behandlung/sprechstundegru und-jugendpsychiatrie/ und-jugend/allgemeine- dienste/institute/kinder-und- Essstörungen AES, www.aes.ch ppenangebote/spezialsprechs sprechstunde/Seiten/default.as jugendpsychiatrie.html tunden-kinderjugendliche/ Psychotherapeutische Station px Gesundheitsförderung Schweiz für weibliche Jugendliche mit Project „Gesundes www.gesundheitsfoerderung.ch Projects in the Canton of schweren Essstörungen Projects in the Canton of Körpergewicht“ (healthy (Psychotherapeutic station for weight) Platform about nutrition Aargau on healthy weight: Basel-Stadt on healthy weight: and exercise for pregnant https://www.ag.ch/de/dgs/ges female adolescents with http://www.gesundheit.bs.ch/u https://www.so.ch/verwaltung/d women, undheit/gesundheitsfoerderun severe eating disorders) eber- epartement-des- parents and their 0 to 3 year old gpraevention/ernaehrungbew uns/programme/gesundes- innern/gesundheitsamt/gesund children: Goldbrunnenstrasse 14, 4410 www.bewegter-Lebensstart.ch egung/projekteangebote/Proj Liestal, Tel. 061 927 75 50 koerpergewicht.html heitsfoerderung-praevention/ ekteAngebote.jsp Advice on diet and exercise for «aktion gesundes children, parents and teachers: : körpergewicht», www.suissebalance.ch Gesundheitsförderung BL, Rheinstrasse 22, 4410 Liestal, Tel. 061 552 62 87, www.agk.bl.ch

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Switzerland Aargau Basel-Landschaft Basel-Stadt Solothurn Healthy snacks Some ideas for healthy snacks

*: http://www.migesplus.ch/en/pu blications/diet- exercice/show/healthy- morning-and-afternoon- snacks/

Dental care

Schweizerische Schweizerische You can find a list of all You can find a list of all Schweizerische Zahnärztegesellschaft: Zahnarztgesellschaft Aargau: dentists in the region of Basel dentists in the region of Basel Zahnarztgesellschaft www.sso.ch www.sso-aargau.ch under: http://www.basler- under: http://www.basler- Solothurn: http://www.sso-solothurn.ch/ zahnaerzte.ch/ zahnaerzte.ch/

Health check-ups www.praxispaediatrie.ch www.swiss-paediatrics.ch Article on swissmom.ch about the routine check-ups: http://www.swissmom.ch/baby/ medizinisches/beim- kinderarzt/die- vorsorgeuntersuchungen/

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Switzerland Aargau Basel-Landschaft Basel-Stadt Solothurn

Vaccinations

Recommended vaccinations for children: www.bag.admin.ch > Krankheiten und Medizin > Impf-Information Swiss vaccination schedule for children: http://www.bag.admin.ch/impfi nformation/06311/index.html?l ang=de Vaccination against cervical cancer http://www.bag.admin.ch/impfi nformation/12041/index.html?l ang=de Our child is different

Average development Mütter-und Väterberaterinnen Mütter- und Väterberaterinnen Mütter- und Väterberaterinnen Mütter-und Väterberatung steps/goals for children aged Aargau Region Basel Region Basel Solothurn: 1-6 years. http://www.muetterberatung- www.muetterberatung-bl-bs.ch www.muetterberatung-bl-bs.ch http://www.muetterberatung- http://www.stiftungnetz.ch/entw aargau.ch/ so.ch/ icklung_des_kindes.html

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Switzerland Aargau Basel-Landschaft Basel-Stadt Solothurn Children with disabilities

Konferenz der Vereinigungen Zeka Zentren für Beratungsstelle für Behinderte Selbsthilfegruppen Zentrum Pro Infirmis Aargau-Solothurn: von Eltern behinderter Kinder - Körperbehinderte Aargau: BL und Eltern von Kindern mit Selbsthilfe http://www.proinfirmis.ch/de/ka KVEB www.zeka-ag.ch/angebote- einer Behinderung Feldbergstrasse 55, 4057 ntonale-angebote/aargau- http://www.behindertekinder.ch für-kinder.html Wiedenhubstrasse 57, 4410 Basel, Tel. 061 689 90 90 solothurn.html Liestal, Tel. 061 926 89 00, Eltern blinder, seh- und Entlastungsdienst Aargau- [email protected] www.zentrumselbsthilfe.ch > Entlastungsdienst Aargau- mehrfachbehinderter Kinder: Solothurn: Selbsthilfegruppen > Solothurn: http://www.visoparents.ch/ https://www.entlastungsdienst. Insieme baselland, Im Dienste Themenliste https://www.entlastungsdienst. ch/aargau/ von Menschen mit einer ch/aargau/ Procap- Für Menschen mit Behinderung Behindertenforum Region Handicap: Pro Infirmis Aargau-Solothurn: Fischmarkt 13, 4410 Liestal, Basel: Zentrum für Körper- und http://www.procap.ch/Kinder- http://www.proinfirmis.ch/de/ka Tel. 061 923 98 93 http://www.behindertenforum.c Sinnesbehinderte Kinder: mit-Behinderung.178.0.html ntonale-angebote/aargau- www.insieme-bl.ch h/ http://www.zksk-so.ch/ solothurn.html Schulbesuch behinderter Behindertenforum Region Pro Infirmis Basel: Kinder: Angebote für behinderte Basel: http://www.proinfirmis.ch/en/ka https://www.ch.ch/de/schulbes Kinder und ihre Eltern im http://www.behindertenforum.c ntonale-angebote/basel- uch-behinderter-kinder/ Raum Aarau: h/ stadt.html http://www.kindundfamilie- Verein Du bist dran- für aarau.ch/xml_5/internet/de/app Geschwister von behinderten lication/d3579/f3590.cfm oder schwer kranken Kindern http://www.dubistdran.ch/

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Switzerland Aargau Basel-Landschaft Basel-Stadt Solothurn Children in hospital

Information for parents and Klinik für Kinder und The association BELOP The association BELOP Im Kanton Solothurn gibt es children for when a child needs Jugendliche am Kantonsspital supports parents during the supports parents during the kein eigenes Kinderspital. to stay in hospital: in Aarau: operation of their child: operation of their child: www.kindundspital.ch http://www.kinderklinik.ksa.c http://www.ukbb.ch/de/elter http://www.ukbb.ch/de/elter h/ nbesucher/weitere- nbesucher/weitere- dienstleistungen/operationsbe dienstleistungen/operationsbe The KSA has a special website gleitung-belop.html gleitung-belop.html for children, with information and games to prepare them for The UKBB has a special The UKBB has a special their stay in hospital: website for children, with website for children, with information and games information and games http://www.ksakidsgame.ch/ http://www.ukbb.ch/fileadmin/u http://www.ukbb.ch/fileadmin/u kbbkids/ kbbkids/

Private day clinic for children in Liestal: http://www.kindertagesklinik.ch / Intoxication emergency

Tox Info Suisse provides free 24-hour medical advice in case of poisoning or suspected poisoning. You can reach by dialing 145.

More information can be found on their website * (available in English): http://toxinfo.ch/startseite_en

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Schweiz Aargau Basel-Landschaft Basel-Stadt Solothurn Chronically ill children

Elternnetz offers information for parents of chronically ill children www.elternnetz.ch

Kinderkrebshilfe Schweiz http://www.kinderkrebshilfe.ch/

Kinderkrebs Schweiz http://www.kinderkrebs- schweiz.ch/

The “Stiftung Kind und Familie” aids parents with chronically or terminally ill children http://www.stiftung-kifa.ch/

Stiftung Sternschnuppe (grants wishes to terminally or chronically ill children or children with a disability) http://www.sternschnuppe.ch/h ome/

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Schweiz Aargau Basel-Landschaft Basel-Stadt Solothurn Being ill at home

Childcare at home (when a Childcare at home (when a Childcare at home (when a Childcare at home (when a child is sick and parents need child is sick and parents need child is sick and parents need child is sick and parents need to go to work) to go to work) to go to work) to go to work) http://www.srk- http://www.srk- http://www.srk- http://www.srk- aargau.ch/i4Def.aspx?tabindex baselland.ch/familienentlastun basel.ch/angebote/familienentl solothurn.ch/index.php?id=11 =1&tabid=457 g astung.htm

Kinderspitex Nordwestschweiz www.spitexkinder.ch www.spitexkinder.ch www.spitexkinder.ch www.spitexkinder.ch www.spitexkinder.ch

Children- and adolescent psychiatric services Kinder-und Jugendpsychiatrie Kinder-und Kinder und Kinder-und Jugendpsychiatrie der Psychiatrischen Dienste Jugendpsychiatrischer Dienst Jugendpsychiatrische Klinik Solothurn: Aargau AG (PDAG) : Baselland: (KJPK) Basel: https://www.so- http://www.upkbs.ch/patienten/ h.ch/psychiatrische- https://www.pdag.ch/diagnose- http://www.pbl.ch/home/kinder- ambulantes-angebot/kinder- dienste/institute/kinder-und- behandlung/kinder-und- und-jugendpsychiatrie/ und-jugend/Seiten/default.aspx jugendpsychiatrie.html jugendpsychiatrie/

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Book recommendations Our book recommendations are generally for books that are available only in German. Where possible we’ve listed the English translation or an equivalent.

On the topic of healthy weight Schnitz und Drunder has put together an informative guide on healthy nutrition https://www.baselland.ch/fileadmin/baselland/files/docs/vsd/gefoe/agk/agk_grundlagen.pdf

On the topic of check-ups and stays in hospital

„Ich werde untersucht, aber wie? Kindern Untersuchungen erklären“ Von Mechthild Hoehl, Gisela Dürr, Thieme Verlag, 2006.

„Was passiert im Krankenhaus- Wieso? Weshalb? Warum? Die Sachbuchreihe Für Kindergartenkinder“ Von Andreas Erne, Ravensburger Verlag 2015.

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Getting older

• Becoming a grandparent People live longer than they used to. On • Thinking about retirement average in our society, we live to the ripe • Traditional and modern living old age of 80, with three or four arrangements for the elderly generations living side by side – • Seniors help seniors something that would have been • Pro Senectute • Meals on Wheels impossible a hundred years ago. Living • Spitex longer means assuming our roles and • Transport and other services responsibilities as parents or grandparents • University for seniors for a longer period of time.

Good health in old age is a privilege that many people in Switzerland enjoy. It allows us to lead a very active life after retirement. How much time we devote to our grandchildren is our own choice. And every family must decide for itself how to care for an older parent. There is no single solution that works for everyone.

Page 1 of 8 Family Guide Northwestern Switzerland

Becoming a grandparent organise without the usual routines at work. The birth of a grandchild often changes the relationships within the family. If the Retirement will turn your life upside down, grandparents are close to their children, whether you retire at 60, 64 or 65. chances are they will also form a close Financial security and a regular income bond to their grandchildren – and vice are important, but you must also create a versa. Every newborn child is a chance to new perspective for your life. deepen the bond between parents and grandparents. Both can relive the good Traditional and modern living times they had when they were younger. arrangements for the elderly Today, grandparents and grandchildren My home is my castle. Older people often have more years together than ever feel rooted in their village or before. Grandparents today are often fit neighbourhood, and do not want to move. and healthy, and enjoy many activities with When the children have left to start their their grandchildren. own households, many parents remain in It is very important that younger and older their old home, enjoying the extra space. people spend time together. A treasure Nevertheless, moving to a smaller and trove of shared experiences will shape the more convenient flat can sometimes make way one generation thinks about the other. life a lot easier. The relationship between the generations There are many ways of finding out how is dynamic and ever-changing. Children you want to live when you are older. Be grow up to become adults, parents, brave and consider different possibilities. grandparents and maybe even great- Gather all the information you can. Talk to grandparents. people who have taken the step and live Thinking about retirement an unconventional life. It will broaden your horizon and help you find out what’s best Retirement is the start of a new phase in for you. In any case, do not wait until life. Suddenly, there is more free time than circumstances force you to make a time spent at work. Usually, a person’s decision. It is always easier to get used to pension rests on three pillars: the AHV a new place and make new friends when state pension, occupational benefits you still have enough strength and (called Pensionskasse), and private courage to change! pension funds. Together, the three pillars should secure the previous standard of Find a convenient place near your old living. Hence it is wise to think ahead and home plan your retirement carefully. Maybe there is a more convenient (e.g. When you retire, the future seems smaller, more comfortable, more modern) uncertain at first. It is not just a question of flat in your house (e.g. on the ground how much money you will need and how floor), your neighbourhood or your village. best to invest the capital in your pension You can stay in your familiar surroundings, fund. There are the small matters of life to close to the people you know well. Page 2 of 8 Family Guide Northwestern Switzerland

Near your family enjoy each other’s company, going out together, playing games or watching Living with or near family members can movies. Of course, sharing living space give a sense of security. Talk to your demands a certain degree of tolerance family to find out if such an arrangement and patience. suits them, too. If so, you need to discuss a few things very carefully: How much Apartments and communal housing for privacy and personal space does senior citizens usually offer amenities such everyone want or need? How much care as a lift or an emergency telephone, so do you need? How much can they give? that the residents can continue their And what do you expect from such an independent life for a long time. Further arrangement? supporting services such as Spitex, meals on wheels or a cleaning service are Cooperatives and tenant communities available if needed.

There are large cooperatives that buy Seniors help seniors apartment blocks for elderly people. This kind of community allows you to lead a In some villages and towns there are very independent life while at the same special clubs called «Seniors Help time enjoying the company of other Seniors», offering services for senior residents, especially if there are shared citizens. These clubs are a self-help rooms, terraces, courtyards etc. initiative and strengthen the bonds between the elderly people in a Apartments and residences for the community. Healthy or qualified club elderly members help others in need of support by doing household and garden chores or Residences for senior citizens usually small repairs, writing letters and translating provide spacious two-room apartments for documents, taking care of administrative people living on AHV (state pension) or or insurance business, tax declarations, disability benefits. Residents can bring sewing and mending, watering plants, their own furniture. Often there is a feeding pets and checking the mailbox retirement home nearby, offering meal while the tenant is on holiday or in services and temporary medical care. hospital, running errands, taking someone Sharing a flat with other senior citizens to the doctor’s or to medical therapy sessions or just doing social calls every Some people enjoy sharing a flat with now and then. other people around the same age, with Pro Senectute access to nursing care and other forms of assistance. The residents each have their «Pro Senectute» is the Swiss competence own room (sometimes with en-suite centre on age and ageing. On their bathroom, shower and toilet), and share website, you will find all there is to know the lounge and kitchen. They plan about further education classes, services, household duties (shopping, preparing events, retirement homes or counselling meals, cleaning, laundry) together and

Page 3 of 8 Family Guide Northwestern Switzerland centres in your area. Pro Senectute is University for seniors active in every Swiss canton. There are a few universities in Emergency devices Switzerland who offer special classes for seniors. The University of Basel offers the Are you on your own? Is your health frail? so called „Senioren Uni“ in the region of Are you unsure about who to call? In that northwestern Switzerland. The “Senioren case we recommend you get an Uni” offers an insight into the manifold emergency device. Become a member of research and knowledge fields of the an emergency network, for example with University of Basel. Dozens of the Swiss Red Cross. In case of an presentations on current research projects emergency, you just push the alarm button are on the programmes. The “Senioren that you wear around your wrist like a Uni” is open to anyone who has reached watch. The device is equipped with a his or her 58th year of life as well as their hands-free telephone function so you can partner. talk to an emergency service and ask for help. Your details are registered there, so they can send help even if you are unable to speak.

Meals on wheels

Most towns run their own meals on wheels service. Usually, they operate Monday to Saturday, delivering a warm meal per day to their clients. On Sundays, a cold snack is often available. Please ask your municipal authorities (Gemeinde) for details.

Spitex

Spitex is a home care and nursing service that supports elderly and frail people living independently as long as possible. If you or a relative needs a home care service, please call your cantonal spitex.

Transport and other services The cantonal Red Cross associations offer help for senior citizens, families or people with disabilities – including transport or home care services or emergency devices.

Page 4 of 8 Family Guide Northwestern Switzerland

Getting older: addresses and links

Please note: Most of the described services and links are in German. If a service is explicitly offered in English this is marked by a * Switzerland Aargau Basel-Landschaft Basel-Stadt Solothurn Becoming a grandparent

Specialletter by Pro Juventute Grosselternkoffer der Generationenspielplatz im for grandparents Kantonsbibliothek Baselland: Schützenmattpark- www.projuventute.ch> Shop> Generationplayground Schützenmattpark Themenbriefe> Extrabrief für www.kbl.ch > Generation + > http://www.hopp- Grosseltern Grosselternkoffer la.ch/projekte/projekte-1

Network for grandmothers http://www.grossmuetter.ch/de/

Swiss magazine about living with grandchildren: http://grosseltern-magazin.ch/

Thinking about retirement SVA Aargau- Information Questions regarding early How does the retirement For questions about (early) For questions regarding provision system work? * about early retirement : retirement contact SVA retirement: (early) retirement contact the http://www.sva- Basel-Landschaft: http://www.aelterbasel.ch/finan https://www.ch.ch/en/retiremen Kantonale Ausgleichskasse: ag.ch/ratgeber/meine- https://www.sva-bl.ch/de/ zen-und-sicherheit/fragen-zur- https://www.akso.ch/ t-provision-system/ situation/vorzeitige- fruehpensionierung/ startseite.html pensionierung/

Page 5 of 8 Family Guide Northwestern Switzerland

Schweiz Aargau Basel-Landschaft Basel-Stadt Solothurn

Traditional and modern living arragments for the elderly

Information on senioren.ch The consulting services of Pro Publication by the The Forum 55+ Basel-Stadt about living arrangements: Senectute also inform about Volkswirtschafts- und offers a wealth of information living arrangements for Gesundheitsdirektion on living arrangements for http://www.senioren.ch/index.p seniors: Baselland on living seniors. hp?id=54 http://www.info-ag.ch/ arrangements in old age: Wohnform 50Plus: https://www.baselland.ch/filead http://www.aelterbasel.ch/woh http://www.wohnform50plus.ch Seniorenrat Region Baden min/baselland/files/docs/vsd/g nen-und-freizeit/ /d/index.cfm http://www.srrb.ch/ efoe/wohnen-im-alter.pdf infosenior.ch- search engine for questions regarding aging: http://www.infosenior.ch/index. cfm/Infosenior:HomeFrontend/i ndex Seniors help seniors

Senioren für Senioren Möhlin: Senioren für Senioren Liestal: NachbarNet Basel: Senioren für Senioren services http://www.sfs-moehlin.ch/ http://www.sfs-liestal.ch/ http://www.nachbarnetbasel.ch by Pro Senectute Solothurn: / http://www.so.pro- Senioren für Senioren Senioren für Senioren Pratteln- senectute.ch/dienstleistungen- Madgen: August und-angebote/hilfen-zu- http://www.senioren- http://www.sfs-pratteln- hause/senioren-fuer- magden.ch/ augst.ch/ senioren.html

Senioren für Senioren Birsfelden: http://www.birsfelden.ch/de/ver eine/vereinsliste/welcome.php

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?action=showverein&verein_id =21065

Senioren für Senioren Gelterkinden: http://www.gelterkinden.ch/file admin/baselland/files/docs/ge meinden/gelterkinden/senioren _fuer_senioren.pdf

Senioren für Senioren Reinach BL: http://www.seniorenhelfenseni oren.ch

Switzerland Aargau Basel-Landschaft Basel-Stadt Solothurn Pro Senectute Pro Senectute Schweiz Pro Senectute Aargau: Pro Senectute beider Basel: Pro Senectute beider Basel: Pro Senectute Solothurn: www.prosenectute.ch http://www.ag.pro- http://bb.pro-senectute.ch/ http://bb.pro-senectute.ch/ http://www.so.pro- senectute.ch/d/index.cfm senectute.ch/ InfoSenior- ihr Suchportal für alle Altersfragen http://www.infosenior.ch/index. cfm/Infosenior:HomeFrontend/i ndex

Page 7 of 8 Family Guide Northwestern Switzerland

Switzerland Aargau Basel-Landschaft Basel-Stadt Solothurn Emergency devices

Emergency devices of the Emergency devices of the Emergency devices of the Emergency devices of the SRK Aargau: SRK Baselland: SRK Basel: SRK Solothurn: http://www.srk- http://www.srk- http://www.srk- http://www.srk- aargau.ch/notruf baselland.ch/i4Def.aspx?tabid basel.ch/angebote/notrufsyste solothurn.ch/index.php?id=13 =435 m.html Meals on wheels

Please contact your Please contact your Please contact your Please contact your municipality office for more municipality office for more municipality office for more municipality office for more information information information information Spitex Spitex-Verband Schweiz: Spitex-Verband Aargau: Spitex-Verband Baselland: Spitex-Verband Basel: Spitex-Verein Solothurn: http://www.spitex.ch/ http://www.spitexag.ch/ www.spitexbl.ch http://www.spitexbasel.ch/ http://www.spitex-solothurn.ch/

Transport and other services http://www.pflege- SRK Aargau: SRK Baselland SRK Basel SRK Solothurn entlastung.ch/ http://www.srk- http://www.srk- http://www.srk- http://www.srk- aargau.ch/entlastungsdienste baselland.ch/entlastung-zu- basel.ch/angebote/fahrdienst.h solothurn.ch/index.php?id=95 hause tm University for seniors/ Senioren-Uni University for seniors in Senioren-Uni Basel Senioren-Uni Basel Senioren-Uni Basel Senioren-Uni Basel Switzerland: http://www.vhsbb.ch/seniorenu http://www.vhsbb.ch/seniorenu http://www.vhsbb.ch/seniorenu http://www.vhsbb.ch/seniorenu http://seniorenstudium.ch/inde ni_info.aspx ni_info.aspx ni_info.aspx ni_info.aspx x.html

Page 8 of 8 Family Guide Northwestern Switzerland

Separation and divorce

. Separation There are various kinds of families today, . Parents will always be parents and there are various reasons for couples . Family mediation to separate or get divorced. Emotional . Divorce needs may be left unfulfilled, the partners . Alimony for spouses . Child maintenance may have diverging ideas about how to . Visiting rights raise children, or about the roles of . Custody/joint custody husband and wife. Maybe there were just too many misunderstandings or things left unsaid. All these factors can eventually lead to separation.

Nobody leaves his or her partner on the spur of the moment. On the contrary, separation is usually the result of a long and painful process of deliberation. There are the children to consider, the financial consequences and the insecurities of the future. Sometimes, the couple decides to split for a few of months and consider the future carefully. This may be a good solution if there is still a chance the couple

Page 1 of 11 Family Guide Northwestern Switzerland have a future together. If not, separation Apart from all legal and financial may be inevitable. In most cases, it is the questions, one's whole life must be woman who takes the final step. reorganised. Women especially often find themselves without income and need to Separation find a new or better paying job. Suddenly, they must reconcile work and A separation has far reaching family life without a partner. (See also the consequences on a family’s future. It is chapters «Reconciling Work and Family usually the first step to divorce. A couple Life» and «Family Diversity»). must be officially separated for two years before they can file for divorce. No But above all, many people feel guilty and consent is needed after this period. lonely after the separation. Sometimes, they are full of regret. It is not always easy Apart from the emotional turmoil, there is a to see the positive sides of living alone, lot to be reorganised and negotiated: especially if there are children. A Who’s going to stay in the family home? therapist would help in case of depression How do we split the household? Who will or guilt feelings. There are also get child custody? Where do the children counselling services for families, children live? Does the other partner get visiting and adolescents, where parents or rights? How much child maintenance is children can go for support. In most possible? Will the spouse be entitled to municipalities, these services are free of alimony? charge. For adults, there are many During the official period of separation, the training courses, self-help books and couple usually retains joint custody of the groups or clubs for single parents. children. Child custody is negotiated Parents will always be parents during the divorce proceedings. Children always suffer when their parents separate. They love both mother and If the partners cannot reach an agreement, father and don’t want to lose either. In this one of them can appeal to the district court time of emotional turmoil, it is not always to initiate procedures.In this case, it is easy for parents to understand their important to get legal representation. The children’s needs. They have trouble court will decide on the terms of the distinguishing between their problems as a separation. The procedure is simple and couple and their responsibility as parents. usually does not take long. The court will Fighting in front of the children and fix the legal expenses and determine who competing for their favour is emotional is liable to cover them. If the partners are abuse. Children’s feelings must not be unable to pay for the legal procedures, manipulated or beencourage to side with they can apply for a waiver. The court will one parent. They will feel guilty and review the couple’s financial situation. If insecure, and lose the capacity to trust in the waiver is authorised, the state will their feelings. cover the legal expenses as well as the Only a few therapists and services lawyer’s fees. help children cope with their parents’ separation. The Clinic for Child and

Page 2 of 11 Family Guide Northwestern Switzerland

Adolescent Psychiatry («Kinder- und be. In the best case, divorce amounts to Jugendpsychiatrie Baselland») offers no more than a formality. group therapy for children from 8 to 12 years of age. In a total of ten sessions, the There are three ways to get a divorce: children have the chance to express their • Unilateral application for divorce feelings about their parents’ separation. after the two-year separation They acquire coping strategies and learn period. that they are not alone in their experience. • Unilateral application for divorce on For more than ten years, the Educational grounds of unreasonableness Psychology Service of Basel-Stadt (without the mandatory two-year («Schulpsychologischer Dienst Basel- separation period, only applies to Stadt») and the Child and Youth Services so-called "cases of hardship"). Basel-Stadt («Kinder- und Jugenddienst Basel-Stadt») have been offering group • Mutual application for divorce training sessions for children, also from 8- (including an agreement on the 12 years of age. legal and financial consequences).

The «Birmann-Stiftung» also offers a Both the unilateral and the mutual counselling service for children. «Pro application for divorce can be filed at the Juventute» runs a hotline for children and district court of your municipality. If the adolescents that is open around the clock. situation is not clear, it is important to seek «Kinderlobby Schweiz» offers legal advice legal advice first for children and adolescents with a free The costs of the divorce include both the initial consultation. legal costs and the lawyer’s fees. The legal fees are determined by the district Family mediation court, according to the cantonal scale of If a couple wants to separate and is willing charges. It is important to check the to find an amicable out of court agreement lawyer’s fees carefully and agree on a on childcare, maintenance, sharing fixed hourly rate. (They vary from approx. matrimonial property and other issues, a CHF 180 to 400.) If a couple can prove it is unable to cover family mediation can be helpful. Please the legal costs and the lawyer’s fees, the note that a family mediation is not a legal counsel can apply for court therapy or counselling session. Rather, it proceedings to be carried out free of creates a neutral framework in which to charge. The court will review the couple’s enter into a discussion and find an financial situation. In certain cases, the amicable solution. The results are state will cover all legal costs and recorded in a written agreement. lawyer’s fees. Divorce Alimony for spouses The more issues you have resolved Divorce does not mean economic amicably during your period of separation, independence for both partners. In certain the «simpler» your divorce procedure will circumstances, a spouse cannot be Page 3 of 11 Family Guide Northwestern Switzerland expected to take up gainful employment. social services advancing the child If, for example, the woman was the main maintenance. If the court verdict is legal, childcarer and did not have a job during the parent receiving child maintenance the marriage, if the husband or wife is old, can apply to social services to collect the frail or in training, he or she is entitled to money from the other parent. In case of receive alimony. However, this only refusal or failure to pay, social services will applies if the other partner is gainfully start enforcing the money. Enforcement employed and not poor. procedures for child maintenance are free of charge. The court determines the monthly allowance according to the documents Many single parents are always short of submitted. Both partners are obliged to money if their ex-partner fails to pay child procure the relevant documents. The maintenance. Residents of Baselland can spouses can work out their own apply for an advancement of child agreement, if they wish. maintenance. It is important that you submit your application as soon as If the partner liable to pay alimony fails to possible, as the application date will do so, the other partner can apply to social determine when the payments begin. services for enforcement. Social services Social services can only advance will issue a reminder to the person liable to maintenance for a limited amount of time. pay alimony. If this does not help, enforcement procedures will be initiated. Visiting rights The legal enforcement will run up a The parent who does not receive physical collection bill (CHF 1000 max, or 10% of custody is usually granted visiting rights, the amount due) which both spouses will so that he (or she) can maintain the have to repay, if their financial situation relationship with the children. In principle, allows it. the parents are free to organise visiting rights according to their needs. However, Child maintenance / child support the child`s well-being always has priority, Both parents are responsible to provide for and there is no overall solution that underage children. The parent who is determines what is best for the children. granted custody is legally bound to care Quite often, the children live with one for and educate the children. The other parent and visit the other every other parent is obliged to pay a monthly weekend, and spend two to four weeks of maintenance, if he or she can afford it. the holidays every other bank holiday Children who are of age are only entitled together. to child maintenance if they can’t be If the parents are unable to organise expected to provide for themselves, i.e. if visiting rights amicably, they can apply for they are still at school, in vocational educational assistance with the training or at university. guardianship authority. Fathers often find it difficult to make good It is a sad fact that many parents fail to use of their visiting rights. Usually the pay their share of child maintenance. In mother is granted child custody – and these cases, the other parent depends on some women use this prerogative as a Page 4 of 11 Family Guide Northwestern Switzerland weapon against the fathers. They cancel period, the parents retain joint custody, as visits or claim the child is ill. Sometimes in marriage. they tell the father that the child does not In November 2011, the Federal Council want to see him. It can also be the other concluded that joint custody should be way round: Some fathers don’t show up to granted as a rule after divorce or pick up the child, or aren’t prepared to separation, regardless of whether the cater to the children’s needs. But parents were married or not, and initiated remember: Parents must stay loyal to procedures for the Civil Code to be revised each other whenever the children are accordingly. However, the parent who has concerned. They must both do their best care of the child can make decisions to enable the children to stay close to both regarding everyday or urgent matters parents. alone, without consulting the other parent.

The «Interessengemeinschaft This new rule on joint custody has been in geschiedener und getrennt lebender force since the 1st of July 2014. Since then Männer» (IGM, interest group of divorced joint custody is the norm. Married parents men) supports fathers in difficult situations. have always had joint custody, now this has also become the norm for divorced or The «Verein für verantwortungsvoll unmarried parents. erziehende Väter und Mütter» (VeV, association of responsible fathers and The court will only award single custody to mothers) helps parents maintain close one parent after a divorce, if joint custody contact with their children after divorce. If would not be considered good for the the parents are unable to talk, or one welfare of the child. Otherwise parents will parent is unable to maintain visiting rights, continue to have joint custody just as they the «Verein Begleitete Besuchstage did when they were married. Baselland» (accompanied visiting days) organises regular meetings between The “Kindes-und children and their parent. The meetings Erwachsenenschutzbehörde KESB” take place in a comfortable and child- (Office for the protection of children and friendly atmosphere, and in the presence adults) is competent in regards to custody of a guardian or qualified childminder. matters of unmarried parents.

Custody/Joint Custody Parental custody comprises much more than visiting rights. Custodians must ensure the emotional, physical and financial welfare of the child. Parents have the right and duty to care for their children, educate them, manage their finances and represent them legally. Usually, the court decides who gets custody during divorce procedures. During the legal separation

Page 5 of 11 Family Guide Northwestern Switzerland

Separation and divorce: addresses and links

Please note: Most of the described services and links are in German. If a service is explicitly offered in English this is marked by a * Switzerland Aargau Basel-Landschaft Basel-Stadt Solothurn Separation

Arbeitskreis Trennung Aargau: Familien-, Erziehungs- und Familien-, Erziehungs- und Fachstelle für http://www.trennung- Jugendberatungsstellen beider Jugendberatungsstellen beider Beziehungsfragen Kanton aargau.ch/de/home.htm Basel Basel Solothurn: www.fejb.ch www.fejb.ch http://www.velso.ch/ Jugend-, Ehe- und Familienberatung Aargau Frauenplus Baselland has its Familea offers counselling for Frauenzentrale Solothurn http://www.jefb.ch/de/home women incl. legal questions: own counselling centre for Rechtsberatungen: http://www.familea.ch/de/Fraue Frauenzentrale Aargau legal questions: http://www.frauenzentrale- nberatung/ Rechtsberatung: www.frauenplus.ch so.ch/ > Was bieten wir http://www.rechtsberatung- Infra Basel- Rechtsberatung ag.ch/ für Frauen: Richterämter Solothurn: Beratungsstelle für http://www.infra-basel.ch/infra/ http://www.so.ch/gerichte/richt Ehe-und Paarberatung Partnerschaft, Ehe und Familie eraemter/zustaendigkeit/ Aargau: der Evangelisch-reformierten Zivilgericht Basel-Stadt: http://www.eheberatung- Kirche BL: http://www.zivilgericht.bs.ch/re aargau.ch/ http://www.paarberatung- chts refbl.ch/index.php gebiete/familienrecht/trennung- Bezirksgerichte des Kanton Aargau: scheidung.html https://www.ag.ch/de/gerichte/ Zivilgerichte Baselland: bezirksgerichte/bezirksgerichte https://www.baselland.ch/Zivilk .jsp reisgerichte.273843.0.html

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Schweiz Aargau Basel-Landschaft Basel-Stadt Solothurn

Parents will always be parents

Website for children affected Group therapy for children of Schulpsychologischer Dienst by divorce or separation: divorce: des Kantons Basel-Stadt http://www.pbl.ch/uploads/med Austrasse 67, 4051 Basel, Tel. www.scheidungskind.ch ia/KJP_2015_Scheidungsgrup 061 267 69 00 pe_Ausschreibung.pdf Children and teens can call the hotline free 147 of the Pro Familien- und Jugendberatung Juventute around the clock for Birmannstiftung help and counselling in difficult http://www.birmann-stiftung.ch situations www.147.ch

Family mediation

Schweizerischer Dachverband Mediation www.infomediation.ch

Schweizerischer Verein für Mediation SVM www.mediation-svm.ch

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Switzerland Aargau Basel-Landschaft Basel-Stadt Solothurn Divorce

The swiss authorities online inform comprehensively on divorce in Switzerland: https://www.ch.ch/en/divorce/

Ask your friends and family for recommendations regarding a divorce lawyer or consult the website of the Swiss association of lawyers (Schweizerischer Anwaltsverband) *: https://www.sav- fsa.ch/de/anwaltssuche.html Alimony for spouses / Spousal support

Alimony for ex-spouses: Kantonaler Sozialdienst Kantonales Sozialamt Sozialhilfe des Kantons Basel- Oberämter des Kanton http://www.ehe- https://www.ag.ch/de/dgs/uebe Baselland Stadt: Solothurn: recht.ch/unterhalt-nach-der- r_uns_dgs/organisation_dgs/k Gestadeckplatz 8, 4410 http://www.sozialhilfe.bs.ch/ https://www.so.ch/verwaltung/d scheidung/ sd/kantonalersozialdienst.jsp Liestal, Tel. 061 552 56 45 epartement-des-innern/amt- www.bl.ch fuer-soziale- > Finanzen, Kirchen > sicherheit/oberaemter/ Sozialamt

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Switzerland Aargau Basel-Landschaft Basel-Stadt Solothurn Child maitenance/ child support

Article on familienleben.ch on Bevorschussung von Kantonales Sozialamt Alimentenhilfe Basel-Stadt: Alimentenbevorschussung: how to calculate child support: Unterhaltsbeiträgen für Kinder: Baselland http://www.asb.bs.ch/familien/a https://www.so.ch/verwaltung/d http://www.familienleben.ch/kin https://www.ag.ch/de/dgs/gese Gestadeckplatz 8, 4410 limentenhilfe.html epartement-des-innern/amt- d/alleinerziehend/berechnung- llschaft/soziales/oeffentlicheso Liestal, Tel. 061 552 56 45 fuer-soziale- alimente-1956 zialhilfe/alimenteundinkassohilf https://www.baselland.ch/Sozi sicherheit/sozialversicherunge e/AlimenteundInkassohilfe.jsp alamt.273505.0.html n/ergaenzungshilfen/alimente/

Unterhaltsbeiträge für Mündige in Ausbildung https://www.baselland.ch/filead min/baselland/files/docs/fkd/fu ersorge/handb/unterhaltsbeitr_ muend-ausb.pdf

Visiting rights vev Verein für Verein begleitete Besuchstage Begleitete Besuchstage Begleitete Besuchstage Basel- In the Canton of Solothurn several verantwortungsvoll erziehende Aargau: Baselland Stadt: organisations offer Väter und Mütter http://www.bbt-ag.ch/ Tagesheim Binningen, In den http://www.begleitetebesuchs accompanied visiting www.vev.ch Schutzmatten 6, 4102 tage- days. Contact your local social service for more Binningen, Tel. 061 421 92 05 baselstadt.ch/ information: http:// www.bbt-bl.ch www.so.ch/verwaltung/ IGM Schweiz departement-des-innern/ amt-fuer-soziale- www.igm.ch sicherheit/sozialhilfe/ sozialregionen/

Page 9 of 11 Family Guide Northwestern Switzerland

Switzerland Aargau Basel-Landschaft Basel-Stadt Solothurn Custody / Joint Custody

Bundesamt für Justiz: Information of the Canton of Information by the KESB Legal information for Guide by the KESB Solothurn https://www.bj.admin.ch/bj/de/ Aargau on custody: Baselland on custody: unmarried parents living in on joint custody: home/gesellschaft/gesetzgebu https://www.ag.ch/de/dvi/perso http://www.kesb- Basel regarding custody https://www.so.ch/fileadmin/int ng/archiv/elterlichesorge.html enliches_zivilstandswesen/zivil bl.ch/kesr/formulare- Guide ernet/ddi/ddi- standsfragen/geburt/elterliche_ merkblatter/ aso/13_9_Kinder_Erwachsene Divorce and custody: sorge/elterliche_sorge_1.jsp nschutz/Merkblatt_1a_nicht_ve https://www.ch.ch/en/divorce- rhei_GeS_2014.pdf parental-authority/

Interaction with other affected parents on custody matters: http://www.vev.ch/index.php/u nsere- themenbereiche/trennung- scheidung/gemeinsamessorge recht

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Book recommendations

Our book recommendations are generally for books that are available only in German. Where possible we’ve listed the English translation or an equivalent.

On the topic of parents will always be parents «Eltern bleiben – Informationen und Tipps für Eltern in Trennung», Broschüre der Pro Juventute, Einzelexemplare gratis zu bestellen: [email protected]

„Glückliche Scheidungskinder: Trennung und wie Kinder damit fertig werden“ Von Remo H. Largo, Monika Czernin, Piper Verlag, 2003

„Glückliche Scheidungskinder: Was Kinder nach der Trennung brauchen“ Von Remo H. Largo, Monika Czernin, Piper Verlag, 2014

On the topic of divorce „Scheidung: Faire Regelungen für Kinder – gute Lösungen für Wohnen und Finanzen“ Daniel Trachsel, Beobachter-Buchverlag, 2014

Page 11 of 11 Family Guide Northwestern Switzerland

Mobbing and Violence

. Mobbing . Violence Families can be confronted by violence on o Domestic violence different levels. It is important to get help Juvenile violence o as early as possible. We have listed some o Placing children in foster care addresses of where to get help below.

Mobbing

Mobbing means that a member of a group is systematically and repeatedly intimidated, humiliated or isolated over an extended period of time. It can occur at school, in a club, at work, in the community or in the family. Originally, the term mobbing was used mainly in the context of the workplace. Recent studies have shown, however, that mobbing is a problem at schools as well, where up to 10% of pupils are affected. These boys and girls are bullied physically or emotionally by other pupils over an extended period of time. The effects of

Page 1 of 8 Family Guide Northwestern Switzerland mobbing are often serious and range from form of physical, psychological or sexual loss of self-esteem to addictions or even violence.» suicidal tendencies.

Domestic violence is no private matter, but Mobbing situations tend to be complex and can rarely be resolved on one’s own. concerns us all. You can take action, too: Rather, it requires quick intervention and cooperation on the part of teachers, • be alert, and don’t turn a blind eye parents, social workers, the school board break the silence and the school psychological service. • be clear about what is right and wrong • be informed Violence • confront offenders Domestic violence • get help • I felt trapped in a small, cruel world, and report it to the police there was nobody there to get me • advocate gender equality by setting a out.» (Anita, 14 years old) good example

The term «domestic violence» generally How can domestic violence be prevented? refers to violence between adult partners. The many causes and risk factors make it However, children are just as affected by difficult to identify simple answers and violence in the home, be it as direct solutions. Of vital importance, however, is targets or witnesses to the abuse of a an attitude of zero tolerance towards parent. Violence is a traumatizing violence in the home. Gender equality also experience that interferes with a child’s plays a significant role. Where men and healthy development. Children need to be women have equal opportunities, violence protected and feel loved and cared for. loses its influence. Persons who were victims or witnesses of The intervention centre against domestic violence in the family as a child are at risk violence («Interventionsstelle gegen of becoming abusers themselves. That is häusliche Gewalt») of the Canton of why stopping violence, protecting victims Basel-Landschaft defines domestic and making offenders accountable is so violence as follows: «A case of domestic important to prevent violence in future violence exists when a person uses or generations. threatens the use of violence in an existing or separated family relationship, If in distress, a person must not hesitate to marriage or partnership, or towards call the emergency number 117 (or 112). If involved third parties. Domestic violence a person would like to receive counselling can take the or report a case of domestic violence, the

Page 2 of 8 Family Guide Northwestern Switzerland

local police station must be contacted. • children and teenagers whose parents Every police security department is can no longer cope with bringing up required to train a specialist in domestic their children violence. Inquire about the person • children and teenagers who have been responsible for your area at your local neglected or abused or whose parents police station. are unable to cope because they were Juvenile violence victims of violence themselves as Juvenile delinquency has increased in the children past few years. Social discrimination, • children and teenagers whose parents parental negligence, problems at school or are mentally ill or addicted to drugs simple boredom can result in violent • children and teenagers in a household behaviour. The estimated number of where one or both parents are serving unreported incidents is very high, as many a prison sentence victims are afraid to press charges. Prevention plays an especially important It is sometimes hard to say whether a role when it comes to juvenile violence. child is placed in foster care for social or Targeted education, counselling and psychological reasons, of its own accord training can do a lot to alleviate the or by external constraints. Most often, causes mentioned above. there are several factors that lead to this painful measure. In order to find a suitable The brochure «Youth and Violence» place for the child, a thorough and («Jugend und Gewalt») offers information responsible evaluation is necessary. and advice to parents or guardians whose Unfortunately, in practice, the search for child is a victim of violence, as well as the best possible placement for the child is those who suspect that their child may be superseded by efforts to find a solution as using violence. The brochure is available soon as possible. In such a case, it can be in German, French and English at every helpful to aim for an interim solution (for police station in Switzerland, or can be example, providing intensive support downloaded from the Internet as a pdf-file. measures for the family) or a temporary placement (SOS Children’s Village, Placing children in foster care observation homes). A temporary solution

The decision to place children in foster may benefit the child more than a care for shorter or longer periods of time precipitated final placement. instead of letting them grow up with their parents is normally preceded by high-risk The biological parents’ attitude to the situations, such as: child’s placement in foster care is extremely significant. It is important that Page 3 of 8 Family Guide Northwestern Switzerland they eventually come to accept the proposed solution. Only when the parents (or the single mother or father) demonstrate to the child that they approve of the solution, can the child settle into the new environment and establish relationships with foster parents and siblings. In all cases, the child’s wishes should be taken into account as far as possible.

Available types of foster care: • day-care parents • day-care centre • foster family • therapeutic and remedial care groups • children’s home • adoptive family

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Mobbing and Violence: addresses and links

Please note: Most of the described services and links are in German. If a service is explicitly offered in English this is marked by a * Switzerland Aargau Basel-Landschaft Basel-Stadt Solothurn Mobbing

Mobbing at the workplace Counselling by the Information by the Police Gewaltprävention des Gewaltprävention in Schulen http://www.mobbing- „Schulpsychologischer Dienst“ Basellandschaft on mobbing Erziehungsdepartments Basel- https://www.so.ch/verwaltung/d Aargau in regards to mobbing Stadt: zentrale.ch/de/ https://www.baselland.ch/Mob epartement-des-innern/amt- issues http://gesundheit.edubs.ch/the bing.320027.0.html fuer-soziale- https://www.schulen- menbereiche/gewalt-1 Schweizerischer Verband für aargau.ch/kanton/Unterstuetzu sicherheit/praevention/gewaltp Mobbing-Prävention ng- The „schulpsychologischer Schulpsychologischer Dienst raevention/gewaltpraevention- http://svmp.ch/wp/ Beratung/spd/Pages/default.as Dienst Baselland“ helps in Basel in-schulen/ px mobbing situations https://www.edubs.ch/dienste/s Hilfe bei Mobbing https://www.baselland.ch/filead pd Schulpsychologischer Dienst http://www.mobbing-hilfe.ch/ min/baselland/files/docs/ekd/s Solothurn pd/no- https://www.so.ch/verwaltung/d What parents can do against mob_mobbingberatung.pdf epartement-fuer-bildung-und- mobbing at school: kultur/volksschulamt/beratung/ http://www.familienleben.ch/kin schulpsychologischer-dienst/ d/schule-ausbildung/mobbing- in-der-schule-tipps-fuer-eltern- 2485/2

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Switzerland Aargau Basel-Landschaft Basel-Stadt Solothurn

Domestic Violence / Juvenile Violence

Dachorganisation Fachstelle Intervention gegen Interventionsstelle gegen Fachstelle häusliche Gewalt: Fachstelle für (Gewalt-) Frauenhäuser Schweiz häusliche Gewalt häusliche Gewalt, Liestal, Tel. http://www.jsd.bs.ch/ueber- Prävention Kanton Solothurn: https://www.ag.ch/de/dvi/ueber 061 552 62 38 das-departement/bereiche- www.frauenhaus-schweiz.ch http://www.so.ch/verwaltung/d _uns_dvi/organisation_dvi/gen Kanton Basel-Landschaft - abteilungen/generalsekretariat/ epartement-des-innern/amt- eralsekretariat/haeusliche_gew Interventionsstelle gegen fachstelle-haeusliche- fuer-soziale- Stiftung Kinderschutz Schweiz, alt/haeusliche_gewalt.jsp häusliche Gewalt BL gewalt.html Tel. 031 398 10 10, sicherheit/praevention/gewaltp [email protected] Frauenhaus Aargau-Solothurn Frauenhaus beider Basel, Tel. Frauenhaus beider Basel raevention/ www.kinderschutz.ch http://www.frauenhaus-ag- 061 681 66 33 (rund um die Postfach 111, 4005 Basel, Tel. so.ch/ Uhr), info@frauenhaus- 061 681 66 33 (rund um die Frauenhaus Aargau-Solothurn basel.ch Uhr), info@frauenhaus- http://www.frauenhaus-ag- Elternotruf Schweiz: Anlaufstelle häusliche Gewalt www.frauenhaus-basel.ch basel.ch so.ch/ http://www.elternnotruf.ch/ Aargau: www.frauenhaus-basel.ch http://www.ahg-aargau.ch/ Fachstelle für Kindes- und Kindes-und Kampagne Stopp Häusliche Jugendschutz, Tel. 061 925 59 Elternhilfe beider Basel, Tel. Erwachsenenschutz (KESB) Gewalt der Schweizerischen Hilfe für Gewaltausübende 30, [email protected] 061 423 96 50 Solothurn: Kriminalprävention. http://www.ahg- https://www.baselland.ch/Kind www.elternhilfe.ch https://www.so.ch/verwaltung/d aargau.ch/informationen/hilfe_f es-und- http://skppsc.ch/10/de/3gewalt/ epartement-des-innern/amt- uer_gewaltausuebende/ Jugendschutz.273524.0.html Männerbüro Region Basel, 520_kampagne_stopp_haeusli Tel. 061 691 02 02 (anonyme fuer-soziale-sicherheit/kindes- che_gewalt.php In the Canton of Aargau the Elternhilfe beider Basel, Tel. Beratung) und-erwachsenenschutz/ KESB is part of the family 061 423 96 50 www.mbrb.ch Präventionsprogramm von court: https://www.ag.ch/de/ www.elternhilfe.ch Bund, Kantonen, Städten und gerichte/kesb/ Gemeinden zu Gewalt bei organisation_13/kesb_1/ Männerbüro Region Basel, Jugendlichen standorte_1/standorte_8.jsp Beratung von Weggewiesenen Tel. 061 691 02 02 (anonyme nach häuslicher Gewalt http://www.jugendundgewalt.c http://www.bdm.bs.ch/Ueber- h/de.html Beratung) www.mbrb.ch uns/Organisation/Amt-fuer-

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Beratungsstelle für Justizvollzug/Bewaehrungshilf gewaltausübende Personen, e/Weitere- Pratteln, Tel. 061 821 46 36 Dienste.html#page_section3_s ection1 www.beratungsstelle-

wegweisung.bl.ch Kindes- und Erwachsenenschutzbehörde KESB Baselland Basel-Stadt (KESB) http://www.kesb.bs.ch/ http://www.kesb-bl.ch/

Placing children in foster care

Pflegekinder-Aktion Schweiz, Hometreatment Aargau- Indikationssteller für Wegwarte Basel- Arkadis- Fachstelle für Bederstrasse 105a, 8002 aufsuchende Familienarbeit Fremdplatzierung von Kindern Übergangsheim für Frauen Pflegefamilien Kanton Zürich, Tel. 044 205 50 40, http://www.hota.ch/ im Kanton Baselland und Mütter mit ihren Kindern in Solothurn http://www.birmann-stiftung.ch schwierigen Lebenslagen http://www.pflegefamilien- [email protected] Fachstelle Pflegekind Kanton so.ch/ www.pflegekinder.ch Aargau Pflegefamilien Baselland http://www.wegwarte- http://www.pflegekind-ag.ch/ https://www.baselland.ch/Pfleg basel.ch/home/ Schweizer Kinder- und efamilien.317403.0.html Jugendheime Familea can place children www.heiminfo.ch with foster families or in children homes http://www.familea.ch/de/Kinde r-und- Jugendhilfe/Kinderheime.php

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Book recommendations

Our book recommendations are generally for books that are available only in German. Where possible we’ve listed the English translation or an equivalent.

On the topic of mobbing

„Das Anti-Mobbing-Buch. Gewalt an der Schule – vorbeugen, erkennen, handeln“ Mustafa Jannan, Beltz-Verlag, 2008

„Mobbing erkennen, vorbeugen und erfolgreich zur Wehr setzen“ Angelika Tiefenbacher, Compact-Verlag, 2008

Page 8 of 8 Family Guide Northwestern Switzerland

Death

. What to do if someone dies? Death always reminds us of our own o Documents to hand over mortality. It is a frightening thought. Many to the burial/registry people don’t want to think about death office until a relative or a friend dies – by which o Whose responsibility is it time there is not much time to deal with to notify the things properly. The family is paralysed burial/registry office? with grief and pain. Yet there are o Questions asked by the important decisions and actions to be burial/registry office taken. o Injunctions issued by the What to do if someone dies burial/registry office First of all, the burial/registry office of the o Things that need to be town or village where the deceased done after a death has person lived must be informed. The office been registered will take care of all other formalities for the o Time limits, opening funeral. Please note that the deceased hours and on-call can be buried no earlier than 48 hours services after the time of death. . Sudden infant death . When Children die If the deceased has stated any wishes . End-of-life care and active regarding the funeral, they must be euthanasia adhered to. Otherwise it is up to the next . Suicide of kin to settle the details of the funeral. If . Palliative care a person wishes to deposit last wishes Page 1 of 10 regarding funeral arrangements, it can be Family Guide Northwestern Switzerland

done so at the burial/registry office. • the person present at the time of death or Below, please find a brief summary of • a member of staff of the what you need to do at the burial/registry hospital/hospice/nursing home. office if a relative has died: Questions asked by the burial/registry office If the deceased has died at home • Should the body be buried or First of all, a doctor must be called, who cremated? confirms death and issuess a death certificate. After that, the body can be • Does the family wish for a funeral taken to a chapel of rest. service in a cemetery chapel or in a church, a brief liturgy on the If the deceased has died at the hospital, cemetery or a private funeral ritual at the hospice or in a nursing home and ceremony?

The nurse informs the doctor, dresses the • Should the body be buried in a body and prepares him or her for the regular grave, an urn grave, a laying out. Usually, the hospital, hospice or collective grave or a family grave? nursing home will send the death (If a person already knows that he certificate and a written death notice to the or she wants to be buried in a burial/registry office. The next of kin will collective grave, a written receive a copy of the death notice or death declaration must be deposited with certificate. the burial/registry office.)

In case of an accident, suicide or active • Who acts as representative for the euthanasia, the Police must be informed. heirs (contact details for the municipal authority)? Documents to hand over to the burial/registry office • Is a private death notice published before or after the funeral? . Death certificate issued by the hospital/hospice/nursing home • Does the family wish there to be no official death notice? . Family record book • If a person has died at home, when . Proof of residence (legal aliens can the body be placed in the must bring a passport or residence coffin and taken to the cemetery? permit)

Whose responsibility is it to notify the Injunctions issued by the burial/registry burial/registry office? office

• The spouse or • The burial/registry office is • children and their spouses or responsible for the body to be • the resident next of kin or placed in a coffin and taken to the Page 2 of 10 Family Guide Northwestern Switzerland

cemetary, for the cremation and/or place of residence of the deceased laying out in the mortuary, and for (Art. 556 Swiss Civil Code). the urn to be taken to the cemetary. Time limits, opening hours and on-call service • The office also sets the date for the Every death must be reported to the funeral and the service, burial/registry office within two days • and informs the family of the priest (according to Art. 81 Swiss Ordinance on who will hold the ceremony. Civil Status). Please check the opening hours. Usually, burial/registry offices do • The office will further notify the not have on-call service at weekends, but priest, the cemetery gardener, the there may be one on bank holidays and sexton and the organist. over Christmas. Check with the local burial/registry office. • It will publish the official death notice in the local newspaper (after Sudden infant death the funeral if requested). Cot death, or Sudden Infant Death These injunctions can vary from town to Syndrome (SIDS) can afflict perfectly town. healthy babies. In western countries, it is one of the most frequent causes of death Things that need to be done after the in infancy. It occurs while the baby is burial/registry office sleeping and without any visible causes, predominantly within the first twelve • get in touch with the a religious months, and it has nothing to do with the representative, if applicable as family’s social situation. There is no way of soon as possible predicting sudden infant death to date. • print funeral circulars and compile a However, some easy preventive list of addresses measures can be taken. YThey can be • publish death notices in found on the website of the Swiss Society newspapers of Paediatrics:

• order a funeral meal • Avoid smoking and make sure the environment is smoke free, even • inform relatives, friends, clubs and during pregnancy. Every cigarette former employers of the deceased increases the risk of sudden infant • inform his or her insurance death. companies, health insurance and • Check the temperature in the pension fund/AHV baby’s room: 17° to 19° Celsius are ideal. The baby's bed must not be • If there is a last will and testament, exposed to direct sunlight and not it must be handed over for probate placeed next to the radiator. to the District Court of the last • Let the baby sleep on its back or on its side. There may not be a

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direct connection between sleeping • The baby often throws up, chokes on the stomach and sudden infant on milk or has trouble drinking. death. It is certain, however, that • The baby is feverish or won’t sleeping on the stomach drink. significantly increases the risk of • The baby cries in a particularly sudden infant death. The baby shrill voice, and can’t be soothed should be laid down on its back; it won’t need a pillow, and there is no Some scientists claim that cot death is danger that it might choke on caused by fungi in the baby’s mattress. vomit. If the baby is laid on its side, However, this theory has been proven the lower arm should be placed in wrong. The mattress protectors front of the body to prevent the recommended by these scientists may not baby from rolling onto its stomach. be worth their price. Once the baby is awake, it can be left it on its stomach or rolling When children die about. Imagining that children get ill and die is • Dress the baby appropriately and difficult and sad at the same time. It’s thus prevent it from overheating. a topic that is not often talked about. Keep its head free so that excess

body heat can evaporate through „ It is however a fact, that every year 500 the skull. children in Switzerland die because of a • Do not place pillows, duvets, metabolic disorder or a chronic disease of

muslin cloths or soft furs in the cot. the nervous- and immune system or

They are too warm and could block because of cancer. the baby’s nose and prevent it from breathing. Months or even years can pass between • Breastfeed your baby as long as the diagnosis and the time of death. This possible. Mother’s milk protects it is an important time, which deserves the from allergies and infections, and attention of the media, the public at large, generally has a positive effect on the doctors as well as the affected children the baby’s health. and their families. Only then can ways be A doctor should be consulted in found in mutual discussions to ensure that these cases: this final time is as nice as possible for the • The baby turns blue in the face. ill children and their loved ones”. • The baby is sweating heavily in its sleep (when the clothes are Institutions that help in dealing with the soaking wet and have to be terminal illness or death of a child are changed), or is unusually pale. listed at the end of this chapter. • The baby stops breathing for over 15 seconds while sleeping. • The baby is hard to wake up.

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End of life care and active euthanasia classes and further education courses on dying and end-of-life care. There are many books about death and dying. Elisabeth Kübler-Ross is certainly a Suicide pioneer in the field. In her many long and Each death is associated with mourning. in-depth interviews, terminally ill patients When a loved one commits suicide many reveal their deepest thoughts and feelings. additional feelings such as guilt might be In the face of death, these people free awakened, which are not as prevalent themselves from guilt and fear and find when somebody dies of natural causes. It optimism, trust and love instead. These is very important to deal with these conversations have become the main feelings and to process them. reference for individuals and institutions dealing with death and dying. In her It is important to get the help. Contact books, Elisabeth Kübler-Ross lets her with a counselling centre or readers participate in her own intense exchange with others who have lost a emotional process. loved one due to suicide may help a great deal. Her ground breaking first book called Palliative Care «Interviews with the dying» defines five stages that a person goes through when There are two clinics specialising in dying: denial, rage, negotiation, palliative care in the Basel area: «Hospiz depression and acceptance. In the im Park» in Arlesheim is a public clinic for following years, Kübler-Ross proved that palliative care, where an interdisciplinary these stages are also helpful when team treats and nurses patients with coming to terms with other difficult degenerative terminal diseases. situations in life. The author offers insight «Hildegard Hospiz» in Basel is a private and advice that help readers to find their clinic specialising in palliative care and way back to a normal life and find courage rehabilitation. for the future.

In Switzerland, active euthanasia is legal. A law is currently being prepared, parts of which are still debated.

Exit and Dignitas are two private organisations that offer active euthanasia. They lobby for a person’s right to determine the way in which he wants to die. Both organisations also offer support in drawing up a patient decree, providing legal advice and, if requested, terminal care. The Red Cross organises evening

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Death: addresses and links Please note: Most of the described services and links are in German. If a service is explicitly offered in English this is marked by a * Switzerland Aargau Basel-Landschaft Basel-Stadt Solothurn What to do if someone dies?

Abteilung Register und The Zivilstandesamt Basel- The Bestattungswesen der Please inform yourself directly Personenstand des Landschaft informs about what Stadtgärtnerei Basel-Stadt at the municipality office about Department Volkswirtschaft informs about what to do when to do when someone dies what to do when someone und Inneres informs about someone dies https://www.baselland.ch/Zivils dies. what to do if someone dies http://www.stadtgaertnerei.bs.c https://www.ag.ch/de/dvi/perso tandswesen-Infos-zu- h/bestattungswesen/anmeldun enliches_zivilstandswesen/zivil Todesfaellen.273548.0.html g-todesfaelle.html Erbschaftsämter Solothurn standsfragen/todesfall/todesfall https://www.so.ch/verwaltung/fi _1.jsp Erbschaftsamt Baselland Erbschaftsamt Basel-Stadt nanzdepartement/erbschaftsae https://www.baselland.ch/Erbs http://www.erbschaftsamt.bs. mter/ In the Canton of Aargau chaften.273499.0.html ch/erbgang.html splitting up the inheritance is the responsibility of the heirs. Sudden Infant Death

Elternvereinigung SIDS Schweiz http://sids.ch/kindstod/index.ht ml Fachstelle Fehlgeburt und perinataler Kindstod http://www.fpk.ch/

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Switzerland Aargau Basel-Landschaft Basel-Stadt Solothurn When children die

Stiftung Kinderhospiz The „Universitätskinderspital The „Universitätskinderspital http://www.kinderhospiz- beider Basel“ supports beider Basel“ supports schweiz.ch/ families of chronically or families of chronically or terminally ill children since terminally ill children since Stiftung Sternschnuppe 2011 with a special care team. 2011 with a special care team http://www.sternschnuppe.ch/h http://www.ukbb.ch/de/elternbe http://www.ukbb.ch/de/elternbe ome/ sucher/weitere- sucher/weitere- dienstleistungen/care- dienstleistungen/care- Stiftung Wunderlampe team.html team.html http://www.wunderlampe.ch/

Pro Pallium- Schweizer Palliativstiftung für Kinder und junge Erwachsene http://www.pro-pallium.ch/

Pall Kids- Für Eltern und Kinder (Familienbegleitung) http://www.pallkids.ch/ Verein Regenbogen Schweiz- Leben mit dem Tod eines Kindes * http://verein-regenbogen.ch/

Elterntreffpunkt Girasol-

Page 7 of 10 Family Guide Northwestern Switzerland grieving parents can meet here after losing their child http://www.elterntreffpunkt- girasol.ch/hauptseite/startseite. html End-of-life care and active euthanasia www.exit.ch Benevol Aargau Kurs des SRK Baselland zur GGG Voluntas supports Trauer-und Sterbebegleitung www.dignitas.ch http://www.benevol- Begleitung von Sterbenden people in dealing with an Region Solothurn und Bern aargau.ch/traeger-und- http://www.srk- illness, grieving and death and http://www.bei- Article on beobachter.ch about mitglieder/uebersichtportraits/v baselland.ch/i4Def.aspx?tabid offers classes together with the leid.ch/1._Hilfe_bei_Trauer_un euthanasia in Switzerland erein-hospiz-aargau/ =731 Red Cross of Basel on how to d_Tod/Trauer_Sterbebegleitun http://www.beobachter.ch/justi give end-of life care. g_Solothurn_Bern.html z-behoerde/gesetze- Verein Hospiz Aargau http://www.ggg- recht/artikel/sterbehilfe_tod- http://www.hospiz-aargau.ch/ voluntas.ch/index.php?id=77 Trauer- und Sterbebegleitung auf-verlangen/ der Hospiz Gruppe Solothurn Palliative Care und Begleitung http://hospizgruppe-so.ch/ der reformierten Landeskirche Aargau http://www.palliative- begleitung.ch/

Switzerland Aargau Basel-Landschaft Basel-Stadt Solothurn Suicide

Verein Refugium- Verein für Suizid-Netz Aargau Hinterbliebene nach Suizid http://www.suizid-netz- http://www.verein-refugium.ch/ aargau.ch/

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Ipsilon- Initiative zur Prävention von Suizid in der Schweiz http://www.ipsilon.ch/de/home. cfm

Palliative Care

The website oft he Palliative Care Hirslanden Hospiz im Park, Stollenrain 12, Hildegard-Hospiz, St. Alban- Palliative Care Solothurn „Fachgesellschaft Palliative Klinik Aarau 4144 Arlesheim, Tel. 061 706 Ring 151, 4020 Basel, Tel. 061 http://www.palliative- Care“ lets you find palliative https://www.hirslanden.ch/glob 92 22 319 75 75 so.ch/index.html care instutions in Switzerland: al/de/startseite/kliniken_zentre www.hospizimpark.ch www.hildegard-hospiz.ch http://www.palliative.ch/index.p n/zentren_institute/aarau/tumo hp?id=91 r_zentrum/kompetenzen/palliat ive_care.html

Verein Hospiz Aargau http://www.hospiz-aargau.ch/

Book recommendations

On the topic of end of life care „Todesfall. Ein Ratgeber für Hinterbliebene“ Von Monika Fischer, Paul Haupt Verlag, 2001

Bücher von Elisabeth Kübler-Ross: − „Jedes Ende ist ein strahlender Beginn. Für alle Menschen, die Trost und Zuspruch suchen“, Silberschnur-Verlag, 1992 Page 9 of 10 Family Guide Northwestern Switzerland

− „Reif werden zum Tode. Es kommt auf die Intensität des Lebens an“, Droemer Knaur Verlag, 2004 − „Dem Leben neu vertrauen. Den Sinn des Trauerns durch fünf Stadien des Verlustes finden“, David Kessler (Mitautor), Kreuz-Verlag, 2009 − „Interviews mit Sterbenden“, Kreuz Verlag, Neuausgabe 2009

On the topic "when children die" Artikel der Universität Zürich http://www.uzh.ch/news/articles/2011/wenn-die-kindheit-mit-dem-tod-endet.html

Artikel auf Familienleben.ch http://www.familienleben.ch/leben/konflikte/wenn-kinder-sterben-1474

We would like to refer you to the extensive booklist of the „Verein Regenbogen“: http://verein-regenbogen.ch/mediathek/buecherliste/

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