Taking Time

We pay a decent amount in taxes here in Germany. Before Amy and I changed our tax bracket, I was getting up to 43% taken out in taxes and insurance. That's a lot. It doesn't bother me, though. I've already told you about the awesome health insurance we've got, so now it's on to some government programs. First, our taxes pay for the police. They take it seriously and you'll almost never see a cop walking on their own. They always have a partner. It's safer and I'm okay with that. Our taxes pay for the roads. If you're driving at a constant 100+ miles per hour on the highway, you want quality roads. I've driven 100+ on the highway and I am okay with them spending what they need to in order to keep them well maintained. 

Somethings we've benefited from directly have been the maternity and parental leave programs (yes, two different things) and the Kindergeld (literally translates to children money). 

Family Goodwin hitting the boardwalk at the Jersey Shore.

Germany provides moms with 14 weeks of maternity leave at 100% pay. The mom-to-be starts her leave six weeks before the due date and it continues until eight weeks after the birth. After this, both parents have what's called Elternzeit (parental leave) and Elterngeld (parent money). Here's how it can work: the parents can take a combined 14 months off at 65% of their normal pay or they can take a total of two years at 33% pay and have the option of taking a third year off (unpaid). Nice, huh?

Amy was able to take the last few weeks off before the due date to take care of herself and little baby Norah Grace.

Gets better.

After the child is born a monthly stipend (Kindergeld) is paid to the parents to help support for the child. 

This all meant that Amy didn't have to work up to the day she gave birth and was able to stay at home with Norah Grace and get that all-important bonding time in. I took two months off to spend between hanging out with my wife and daughter and all of us visiting family in the states. We got our money's worth out of those paid taxes.