FAMILY PARTNERSHIP
"First of all, I have a great husband. From the very beginning, we shared everything related to household chores and raising the children. My husband stayed home just as long as I did. I was at home while I was breastfeeding. After that, my husband stayed home for eight months. Daycare spots for younger children were almost nonexistent in Germany at that time, so we had to take turns staying home. Household chores are now basically more my husband's responsibility and we've both reduced our working hours somewhat, especially with three children. So, a good partnership simply helps. [My husband] loves to cook and is very, very good at it."
EXERCISE & REST
"I didn't manage to do any exercise for a long time. It was actually difficult for me, and I noticed it (...) When E-bikes came along, I bought an E-bike and now I cycle to school every now and then, about twice a week. It's 16 km to school, so I get a little exercise into my daily routine."
"A nap is a must. A nap is really important to me, even just for half an hour."
MUSIC
"I've always played music—it’s been my main hobby—and I never gave it up, I always kept it going. On the one hand, it's a strain with rehearsals on the weekends—then I think, 'God, but I still have my final exams to grade!' But on the other hand, it's so inspiring and it gives me so much back. It gets me completely out of the rat race."
"I [play in an orchestra and] sing in two choirs (...) and sometimes—I have to be honest—sometimes there are three weekends in a row where something is going on and then I realize it's too much for me. And then when the family [demanded a lot], when the children were a little younger and you still had to arrange for someone to be at home to look after the children—my husband also plays music—when there was a rehearsal or a cabaret performance or whatever it is, then it was really exhausting."