How do you reconcile work and family life?

In our series «We ask ourselves ...», we at Fritz+Fränzi ask each other questions from the big family universe. Production Manager Florian Blumer answers the question posed by Deputy Publishing Director Patrik Luther:

«Dear Florian, you and your wife both work. What challenges do you face when it comes to balancing family and career? And how do you do this in practice?»

Patrik Luther, Deputy Publishing Director

Dear Patrik
Theoretically, it's simple. My partner and I knew long before we met: We both wanted to do something professional, raise children and run a household, together and in equal shares with our future partner - a 50:50 model in other words. I was very surprised when I read one day that only five to six per cent of families in Switzerland live this model.

Almost three years ago, the birth of our daughter turned theory into practice, and this is where things get a little more complicated. I work 80 per cent and so does my wife. Although we are not fans of a lot of planning, we have an office and cleaning schedule at home. It's well hidden on the inside of the kitchen cupboard door and leads a suitably modest life.

But without it, we would be lost and drown in dirt and chaos - we are in a permanent battle against these monsters of everyday life. No wonder: assuming 100 per cent of our working time, each of us has just 20 per cent left over for childcare and household chores .

That's simply not enough - for the household: sometimes the washed laundry sits around the flat for days, waiting to be folded and taken care of. Even the Playmobil pirates with their rich, small-scale treasure or the Bäbi with its equally lavish equipment often don't find their way back to Mika's nursery for days on end.

Wednesday is Dad's Day. And whenever possible, Florian Blumer and his daughter do something special. Picture: private

Childcare, on the other hand, runs according to plan: Mondays are mum's day, Tuesdays daycare, Wednesdays dad's day, Thursdays daycare, Fridays grandparents.

My favourite day is Wednesday. Mika and I are often out and about on this day, visiting friends, family in other parts of the country or just the two of us, cycling to the children's zoo, taking the train and sledge up the Uetliberg or even just going shopping. If I do have to work on Wednesdays, the grandparents step in. And of course there are always other things to do on this one «work-free» day during the week: shopping, tidying up, doing the laundry, paying bills and so on.

Of course, one day a week with Mika is not much. But with less than 70 or 80 per cent, it's no longer possible for me professionally, and the same goes for my wife. And that one day is all the more valuable - I wouldn't give it up for any money in the world.

I don't know what Mika's favourite day is. I think she likes all days. In any case, she loves going to nursery. And we are delighted that she is looked after two days a week by absolute childcare professionals who are familiar with her developmental stage and age-appropriate games. And she can spend a whole day playing, discussing and arguing with other children.

So everything is great? Yes and no.

No, because we have far too little time for ourselves and as a couple - like all parents of young children.
Yes, because we have friends in the neighbourhood who always babysit for us (and we for them).
No, because the sophisticated system naturally only works smoothly as long as nothing unforeseen happens.
Yes, because we're pretty good at improvising. And because my wife is still quite flexible at the moment as a PhD student and can step in if necessary or take Mika to nursery later.
No, because we don't yet know what it will be like when that changes soon.
Yes - you should never say it out loud, which is why I'm writing it quietly here - because Mika is hardly ever ill.
No, because we live in a country where parliament rejects two weeks' paternity leave as «anti-business», where earning money comes before family happiness and where the state and business do a lot to make the 50:50 model impossible.
Yes, because we are privileged and can still live this system because we have jobs that allow us to work part-time.
Yes, because so far, at least with one child, the bottom line is that it works out for us.

No, because despite being 50:50 with Mika, I'm still clearly number two when mum is around.

Yes, because I'm number one when Mika and I are out and about together - and when she says «Daddy, I love you», all the «No, because ...»'s melt like snow in the spring sunshine and dissolve into thin air and love.

The next question goes to Bianca Fritz, Head of Online Editing:

«What's it actually like to work for a parenting magazine when you're (still) childless?»

Florian Blumer, Head of Production

The answer has been published:

What's it actually like to work for a parenting magazine when you're (still) childless? The answer from Bianca Fritz.

Previously published in the section "We ask ourselves ":

Editor-in-chief Nik Niethammer answers the question: Dear Nik, do your children still believe in Father Christmas and the Christ Child?

Editor Florina Schwander answers the question: Dear Florina, do your twins get the same presents for Christmas?
Lead author Claudia Landolt answers the question: How does it feel to be a woman with five men and a dog?
Deputy Editor-in-Chief Evelin Hartmann answers the question: How do you manage the bilingualism of High German and Swiss German?
Patrik Luther, Deputy Publishing Director, answers the question: What is it like when the children have a big age difference?