Our topics in June: Children's dreams and parental burnout

The new issue of the parents' magazine Fritz+Fränzi will be published on Friday, 15 June. Watch the cover film with editor-in-chief Nik Niethammer to find out about the topics in this issue and read the editorial to find out what's new with Joel and his companion dog.
Why do we dream and what does it mean? And why are so many parents burnt out today? Editor-in-chief Nik Niethammer talks about the topics of the upcoming issue in the cover film.

Dear readers
«Mummy needs a drink. Diary of an exhausted mum» is the title of the best-selling book in England in 2017. In Germany, the number of mothers suffering from exhaustion increased by 40 per cent between 2005 and 2015. «Many parents have the disgust syndrome,» says Peter Sumpf from the Swiss parents' helpline, «they feel empty and burnt out. It's easy to say: this is not how we intended things to be with the children.» When parenting becomes torture and which paths lead out of the burnout trap.
Do you remember Joel, the seven-year-old boy from Frutigen BE, who wants a dog so badly? Not just any dog - Joel needs an assistance dog. Joel is autistic. With your generous support, the Elternsein Foundation has raised 30,000 euros in a short space of time to fund an assistance dog.
The time had come in mid-April: a dog trainer from Germany travelled to the Bernese Oberland with four dogs. They were to be brought together with Joel to find out what type of dog would suit him. Our author Sarah King describes what happened next: «Everyone favoured the Labrador Fanta. But the playful black dog scares Joel a little. Finally, it's the smallest dog's turn: Merlin, a grey poodle with alert eyes. At a signal from the dog trainer, Merlin gets up and sits on the back of the sofa next to Joel's head. At first: no reaction. Merlin elegantly stretches out on the backrest and waits. «Hello,» says Joel at some point and offers him a seat. Merlin thanks him with a wink. An autistic boy, who sometimes rages and screams, suddenly sits quietly next to a poodle and strokes him incessantly through his curly fur. It took Merlin 22 minutes to find a place on the sofa and in Joel's heart. A magician, after all.»
Unfortunately, his luck is not perfect. After a health check, Merlin was diagnosed with diabetes. Merlin cannot become an assistance dog because it is not clear how long he could be one. Joel needs a healthy companion who can withstand his temperament for a few years.
his temperament for a few years. The search continues, we will stay tuned.

«Pippi Longstocking says this lovely sentence: «We've never tried that before, so it's sure to work!» It contains the courage we need, the confidence and trust in our own abilities - and joy.»

Julia Jäckel, Publishing Director of Gruner + Jahr

My three reading tips: Our dossier «How children dream». The report on a school where children spend one morning a week in nature. And an interview with free learner André Stern, who calls for a new attitude towards our children. There's a lot to read in this issue. And on our website at any time.

I wish you many new insights and hope that you enjoy being a parent despite all your endeavours. And that you can enjoy your time with your children. Our next issue will be published on 16 August. Have a good summer. And stay lively!
Yours sincerely - Nik Niethammer