My three most important tips for all parents

When our daughter was five years old, the following dialogue developed between Father Christmas and her:

Father Christmas: «I've heard that you're already learning letters and numbers in kindergarten?»

Daughter: «Yes ...»

Father Christmas: «So?»

Daughter: (silent).

Father Christmas: «Which do you prefer, letters or numbers?»

Daughter: «Actually playing.»

Her answer contains everything I can say about children and parents and life itself.

Say what you feel

Firstly, that it is more fun to play than to work. So look for the heavy in the light, the light in the dark, the friend among strangers, the absurd in the normal.

This does not mean that you should avoid difficulties. It just means that you should love life (as much as you can). Make the joke, ask the question, thank your girlfriend, enjoy the moment.

This life is the only one we have. And our time here on earth is not infinite, even if we thought it was for a long time.

Don't just take photos of your children. Also write down what they say.

Secondly, the world belongs to those who tell the truth. So say what you think, say what you feel, what you miss, what you like. «Whoever tells the truth doesn't have to remember anything,» said Mark Twain.

And there is something else in this sentence that is very important to me and that I would really like to recommend to every mum and dad: don't just take photos of your children. Also write down what the children say.

Not everything, of course, and not necessarily the particularly clever and brilliant, but rather the absurd. The offbeat. The honest. When you read it later, it will reliably put a smile on your face. Just like this dialogue that took place years ago between our daughter and my wife:

Daughter: «Mum, why are people always so sad at the wedding?»

Mother: «Er ... You mean at the funeral?»

Daughter: «Oh, is that something else?»