Information for Students
The compatibility of studying and parenthood raises many questions. Questions about financing your studies and organising your studies with a child already arise during pregnancy. However, many parents are also concerned about the organisation and financing of childcare even before their child is born.
Here you will find information on these and many other questions relating to the compatibility of studying and parenthood.
Since 2008, student mothers and fathers at the university have received a parents' pack for the birth of their child. It contains a university-specific gift (a dummy band, a warm toddler zip hoodie and a cosy cuddly blanket) and brochures on various topics relevant to compatibility.
With the parental packs, which are painted by children from the PUKi short-term childcare centre, the university wants to signal that it recognises and wants to support its students in their new role as parents.
Student parents can collect their parcel from the Family Service Office by prior arrangement.
On the pages listed below you will find helpful information about pregnancy and birth.
Pregnant - what now? Counselling centres in Paderborn
In Paderborn, you can obtain free advice on all aspects of pregnancy/birth/abortion from the institutions listed.
Here you can find information about the counselling centres and the contact details of the counselling centres in Paderborn.
Pregnancy and birth
The following link will take you to a wide range of information on the topics of pregnancy and birth.
Since 1 January 2018, the Maternity Protection Act has also applied to female students. The law protects the health of the student and her child during pregnancy, after childbirth and during breastfeeding. It aims to counteract discrimination due to pregnancy, childbirth or breastfeeding (§9 para. 1 sentence 4 MuSchG).
Further information, e.g. on the notification of pregnancy, risk assessment, protection periods and implications for the organisation of studies can be found on the following pages.
Here you will find information on organising your studies with child(ren).
You can find information on financing your studies with child(ren) here.
You can find information on housing benefit, help with finding accommodation or details on the housing entitlement certificate here.
Noelle Maicher-Hoff from the Family Service Office will help you plan your stay abroad with child(ren).
You can find more information in advance here.
Mothers or fathers who are bringing up their child/children alone have to overcome particular challenges if they want to reconcile studying/working and bringing up children. It is therefore essential to be well informed about the various support options available.
On the following pages you will find counselling, information and support services for single parents.
For student/working mothers and fathers, what many people take for granted often does not apply: having time for themselves, being able to take breaks to recharge their batteries or simply being able to properly cure a persistent illness. They have to fulfil the various demands of parenting, housework, gainful employment and studying. This multiple burden and the associated stress can quickly lead to serious health problems. Symptoms such as back pain, sleep disorders or a feeling of being overwhelmed are clear signs.
In such a situation, a mother-child cure or a father-child cure can help to regain strength and recover together with the child/children. For mothers and fathers with health and emotional problems or other particular stresses, the doctor can prescribe a mother-child cure or a father-child cure in addition to an individual cure ("mother's cure or father's cure"). These cures usually last three weeks. The health insurance company is responsible for authorising the cure. Further information can be obtained from the counselling centres of the welfare associations.
Such a cure can be a great help, especially after strenuous periods of study or in particularly stressful situations, such as a separation.
Contact
Family Service Office
Barbara Pickhardt
Room: E2.101
Phone: 05251/60-3725
Email: barbara.pickhardt(at)upb(dot)de
Deutsches Müttergenesungswerk
Elly-Heuss-Knapp-Stiftung
Bergstra?e 63
10115 Berlin
Phone: 030/ 3300290
Online contact form
Homepage
Caritasverband für das Erzbistum Paderborn e.V.
Kur- und Erholungshilfen Department
Verena Ising-Volmer
Am Stadelhof 15
33098 Paderborn
Tel.: 05251/209-239
Homepage
It is important to the university management that lecturers deal sensitively with the special life situation of students with children and bear in mind the particular challenges of reconciling studying and parenthood.
In special situations (e.g. illness of the childminder, restrictions on childcare at the daycare centre, the child is still being breastfed), it may be necessary for a parent to take a child to a course because otherwise participation would not be possible. However, it is not a matter of course that children may be brought along. Depending on the child's age, temperament and current state of mind, it is possible that they may disrupt the course.
Many teachers are open to bringing children to events. However, participation should always be discussed in advance - as early as possible - with the teachers. It should also be checked whether the use of the university's childcare services, such as the PUKi short-term and emergency childcare centre, could solve the childcare problem.
