What is it like to work for a parenting magazine without children?

In our series «We ask ourselves ...», we at Fritz+Fränzi ask each other questions from the big family universe. Bianca Fritz, Head of Online Editing, answers the question posed by Production Manager Florian Blumer:

What is it actually like to work for a parenting magazine when you are (still) childless?

Florian Blum, Head of Production

Dear Florian

In the summer, I will have been an editor at Fritz+Fränzi for six years. I would say that by then I will not only have successfully completed my bachelor's degree, but also my master's degree in theoretical parenting .

I know what parenthood does to hormones, how a child changes a parent's social life, career and sense of happiness. I have spoken with great curiosity to countless mothers and fathers - those who are fully immersed in their role and those who regret their decision to have a child. I know how couples in Switzerland struggle for equality and compatibility because they live in a society that hardly supports families and considers paternity leave to be anti-business. (And THAT makes me furious.)

I know what mental illnesses can afflict a child, how parents suffer when their child becomes a victim of bullying, but also that children have a wonderfully unbiased and funny way of seeing the world and that they encourage their parents to be more mindful. I was able to learn all this without even having changed a nappy!

Did someone say childless? Bianca Fritz, Head of Online Editing with her dog Sukhi. Picture: Susanne Bogoslaw

The view from the outside: sometimes helpful, sometimes a hindrance

Sometimes it's an advantage to have an outside perspective - for example, when I visit a funeral director who specialises in children's and youth funerals to do some research. I can probably stand the sight of children's coffins better than a mum. On the other hand, my colleagues with children can sometimes put the brakes on me when I suggest topics that are not relevant to them.

And I'm happy every day that I can support parents with something they lack themselves: time. I have time to research things for them in depth and then make them easy to digest. I think about how our answers can reach parents online without them having to search for a long time. Working for a parenting magazine feels very meaningful. My social duty in family matters? Fulfilled, I would say. But who has children for society!

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The big research and a small unknown

So yes, of course, when I was 32 and started at Fritz+Fränzi, I thought: «Oh great, this will certainly help you decide whether you want to be a mum! » Because I knew one thing right from the start: I didn't want to be a mum who said: «If I'd known that before ... » . So when I make a decision in favour of or against having a child, I do so fully aware of what's in store for me - or what I'm missing out on.

Dear Florian, dear readers - I can see your objection coming. It always comes at this point: «You can't predict how you will feel about your own child. No amount of research or talking will help.» Yes, this last great unknown does exist.

Well - I've done as much research as I could: I've been a dog mum for four years. Admittedly, Sukhi and I rarely discuss our family values and we don't practise dictation. But about unconditional love, great fears of loss, the overflowing heart when the big man takes care of this small, fragile creature ... Nobody has to tell me anything about all that.

The next question goes to Jacqueline Zygmont, Sales Manager:

Dear Jacqueline. Your son (20) is slowly fledging. How does that feel for you? How are you managing to let go?

Bianca Fritz, Head of Online Editing

The answer will follow in a fortnight!

Previously published in the section «We ask ourselves»:

Chefredaktor Nik Niethammer antwortet auf die Frage: Lieber Nik, glauben deine Kinder eigentlich noch an Samichlaus und Christkind?
Redaktorin Florina Schwander antwortet auf die Frage: Liebe Florina, bekommen deine Zwillinge die gleichen Geschenke zu Weihnachten?
Leitende Autorin Claudia Landolt antwortet auf die Frage: Wie lebt es sich als Frau mit fünf Männern plus Hund?
Stellvertrende Chefredaktorin Evelin Hartmann antwortet auf die Frage: Wie macht ihr das mit der Zweisprachigkeit Hochdeutsch - Schweizerdeutsch?
Patrik Luther, stellvertretender Verlagsleiter antwortet auf die Frage: Wie ist das, wenn die Kinder einen grossen Altersunterschied haben?
Florian Blumer. Leiter Produktion antwortet auf die Frage: Wie gelingt es euch, Arbeit, Familie und Haushalt gleichberechtigt zu verteilen?