2013 ist schon da! A new Kaffeeklatsch thread for the New Year - living in Germany and Austria

[LinzerTorte]

All welcome - whether you're living in Germany or Austria, have questions about life in those countries or just want to chat.

Previous thread here.

Linzer no fresh snow here this morning thank goodness but it's extremely cold. Hope the flights go as planned.

Lentil hope your snow stays around abit longer!

Antique we co-slept for a long time and used the cot for afternoon/daytime naps. We put a single bed in our room (it was a big room) when ds was 2 and he sometimes chose to sleep in it with all the cuddly toys next to us. We put a board down the side to stop him falling out! Have you taken the bars out of the cot yet (if it's that sort of cot)?

Nutella how is your ds today? Are you stocked up in the next size of clothing already? It goes so quickly at this stage with growing and learning new skills enjoy it all.

Dd took a lolly out of the sweet jar this morning for break time at school and I instinctively said be careful you don't fall with that in your mouth and was given the old look.

ploom yes, that's exactly how it feels about the brace plan. Our orthodontist doesn't like the parents going in for check ups so I send mine by themselves but last time I told them to atleast ask what's happening NEXT.

So now we know that dd is getting top and bottom removable braces that she will extend herself with a little key and ds is getting his fixed train track - the elastic thing is totally new to us and we also don't know if he's getting top and bottom or just top!

Good idea to get rid of the snow before the car drives over it. The garage owner next to ours just sprinkles some grit and salt on his bit and it all seems to melt. Not sure if it's very umweltfreundlich though.

really interesting report especially chapter 3 about health care across the EU. Obviously Germany is at or near the top for number of doctors consultations & number of interventions carried out.

That report is really interesting, Ploom. I found it particularly interesting that the cervical cancer mortality rate is lower in the UK than in Germany and Austria - do you remember that discussion we had a while back about whether more regular smear tests actually make a difference? Breast cancer mortality is lower, though; I wonder whether starting mammograms at 35 rather than 50 makes a difference - or maybe Austrian woman are protected by their diet of meat and cake? What a difference in hospital beds per 1,000 population between Germany, Austria and the UK. (This is obviously what I'm paying all that health insurance for.) Also in the average stay after a normal delivery - 4 days in Austria! That would been a maximum C-section stay when I had DD1 (in the USA).

admylin We had one of those cots with removable bars but I never really saw the point of them (for our DC, anyway); by the time they were getting up and out of bed by themselves, they were ready for a normal bed. OTOH it does prolong the life of the cot if you don't have a bed ready for them to go into.

Linzer that's why I bought that kind of cot to prolong the life and also the mini single bed it converted into was practical as it took up abit less space than a normal single bed.
That report is very interesting to compare the UK results to our health care systems here. For me one of the best things is the short waiting time to see specialists over here although some places are starting to give 2 to 3 month wait for appointments like the orthodoontist, child psychiatrist and dermatologist. But I'm not sure if that's specific to Hannover. The orthodontist in Berlin was alot quicker to give first appointments and from what I've heard I think it's standard to wait along time on the NHS.

linzer - I had that thought too!! Also was interested at the huge number of people in Germany that are screened for colorectal cancer compared to all the other countries - cheas's dh has been busy .

admylin - there is often a waiting time round here too for some specialists altho thankfully not for any that we've needed. I've heard you can wait up to 6 months to see a child psychologist.

I took ds1 to the Hausarzt yesterday about his excessive tallness. He's now 154cm at aged 8.5 - the doctor agreed this was well above the normal range so he's going to speak to the radiologist to see if they can do the x-ray measuring of the hand bone at his age or whether we need to wait a couple of years. He said they would intervene if they predicted ds1's adult height to be over 205cm. I felt reassured yesterday - I know he's going to be tall (as are my other 2 dc) but dont want him to be freaky tall where he struggles to get clothes to fit him etc.

Thank you! It's the little things like that which make me feel a bit clueless!
We still have the bars on the cot - we weren't really sure when to take them out. DS is only 18 months though so I think we could wait a few months. The cot converts into a bed so means we won't be in a rush to go and buy a new bed.
Ploom Just think how fit all this snow shovelling must be making you
On my phone again and it takes me so long to type that I've completely forgotten what I've just read

I'll try and read that link when ds is asleep - it sounds really interesting.
Lots of snow here too, Linzer. So much so that I got stranded at the supermarket yesterday and spent an hour and a half pushing and pulling the pushchair uphill through 6 inches of snow to get home. I couldn''t see the shopping in the basket under the pushchair when we got home as it was so full of snow! It's lovely and sunny today but I don't think I'm evem going to bother trying to get anywhere so will take advantage and get some (much needed) cleaning done.

Antique Pushchairs and snow really don't mix, do they? I remember trying to visit a friend with DD2 in the pushchair and having to turn back because we just couldn't get through the snow. I also think they need to invent a pushchair that will fly over the several feet of snow piled up at the side of the road!

Ploom I'm sure the colorectal screening rate must be pretty high here too as it's done routinely (I have it done once a year as part of my health MOT). I was surprised to see that Germany was so far ahead of Austria, until I realised that Austria isn't included in the list at all for some reason.

admylin We often have to wait a month or two to get a dentist's appointment here, although that's for routine check-ups and I'm sure you can get seen sooner if you have a problem. Most places I can get an appointment the following week, although the child psychologist took longer - plus they'd only let you make an appointment for the following week.

DH texted me earlier to say he'd landed in Hamburg without any problems, so hopefully his flight back tomorrow evening will go just as smoothly. We're forecast snow tomorrow and Friday, but the forecast seems to be changing every five minutes at the moment.

I'll try and read that report when I have a moment, thanks for posting, Ploom.
We have been summoned to take DS to the doctor for some sort of general check up. Had to scrabble around to find a GP, I hadn't registered him since we arrived, oops. Anyone know what we should expect this checkup to entail? I guess it's good, if it's thorough, blood tests and stuff. Or is it just to check he's growing ok, and developing, speech and dexterity-wise?

He's 2.5 btw, and apparently this check up is overdue. Thanks for any info!

lentil - it'll just be developmental plus a hearing & sight check. Our paed also asks for a urine sample but I'm sure thats not so easy on a 2.5 year old. I find the checks here much more thorough - they listen to their heart & lungs & check them all over but nothing invasive. Do they speak some English at the GP?

Ah thanks, Ploom! I was imagining all sorts! I could take a sample of urine, though I don't think they asked for it. DH booked it, will check when he gets home. I believe the doctor speaks English, ja!

It will be the U7 Lentils, its due between 21 and 24 months old - DS2 just had his. The next isn't due til 36 months so must be the U7.

Its one of the longer ones - as well as height, weight and head circumference there should be sight, language and hearing tests and some cognitive and physical development checks (just shape sorting and tower building type stuff, and jumping, and they'll want to watch how he walks in just a nappy to be sure his hips and legs are OK etc.) We've always had the language stuff in German so I wonder if your Haus Artz will be able to do the same checks in English...

Ooops bedtime... feels too soon when I've been out at work!

Thanks, Tumbles, useful to know what to expect. I hope they do it in English, or make allowances!

Lentil usually you have a little yellow booklet called KinderUntersuchungsheft I think. We had one for both dc and they fill it in after each visit. It goes up to the U9 at age 5 in ours. Maybe you have something similar from the UK with height and weight charts inside?

ploom good that the Hausarzt is going to help with ds and his tallness. A friend here had the opposite and her dd needed some sort of hormone therapy as she was going to be very small. It was quite a fight to get the treatment accepted by the Krankenkasse though.

Linzer how is the dyslexia treatment going? Did your dd start her lessons? Ours are finished in a couple of weeks and dd has really improved so we won't be going for another session (it's usually granted in 20 or 40 hour blocks). Did you find any books that your dd likes reading? Dd has just read all the available Warrior Cats books and loved them. Might be something for your dd1?

Dd was at the open day all afternoon at school yesterday. She helped the physics teacher to show some experiments in the lab and didn't get back until after 6pm then realised she had loads of work to do. She's gone to school in a bad mood as she has to present some work in German (not 100% prepared), show her video in music (she doesn't like teh finishe dresult) and write a maths test (only half prepared) and sit through history (her least favourite subject). Oh well, we all have bad days I suppose! Atleast ds is happy as usual and we're going out to dinner tonight so no cooking for me either!

Lentil / admylin We had a health booklet for DD2 and DS - we weren't allowed to have one for DD1 as she wasn't born in Austria, but I took a little booklet along that I'd filled in myself, with her height, weight and head circumference from birth plus vaccinations. The paed quite liked having something to fill in, I think! (although I'm sure it wouldn't have been a problem if we hadn't had anything) and also sometimes looked back over previous information.

admylin Yes, DD1 started a couple of months ago. It seems to be going well so far, but it's hard to say how much difference it's making. The Krankenkasse will pay for another assessment after a year, so it will be interesting to compare the results then; hopefully she'll only need a year's worth of therapy, as it all adds up!

Am finding it quite hard to concentrate on work this morning, so off to make myself a coffee now! I only have an hour before I have to go and teach DD2's class, but it will probably be a smaller class than usual as so many are off sick - 11 off at the start of the week and 9 were still off yesterday, according to DD2.

Oh yes Ploom it is good that your doctor is listening and responding to your concerns about your DS's height! DH's best friend is about 2 meter 5cm or a little over - he makes DH look shot (DH is 6 ft 4) but he doesn't seem to have any problems except with shoes - he has some off the scale shoe size... I agree any taller would start to be as problematic as being exceptionally short though. He and his wide have recently had their first baby, and as she is a girl they are hoping she won't be as tall (his sister is close to my DH's height).

Oooh DS2 just woke from his nap and he is being so cute, he sat up and instantly started talked and talking about space rockets right away, that must have been what he was dreaming about!

Thanks for info, everyone. They asked us to take the booklet we got in the UK, guess it's much the same as the yellow one. Just did head circumference, height and weight, checked he could see, and identify a few things, which he refused to do! :) His expression was 'I am not a performing monkey!'

Lentils I say "I'm not a performing monkey" too
Good it all went well though. I really am happy with the albeit expensive medical care available here.

Linzer I was at how big your tree is! I was definitely imagining it a lot smaller since your DH & FIL ar tackling it

I gave already forgotten who else I was going to reply to...
outnumbered I hope you have/had a safe journey home. And happy birthday to DS1

DS was a little whingey after his jabs then slept 7 hours straight that night! It was good for my cold, but I was awake the last 20-30 minutes because my boobs are definitely not ready to go 7 hours without some relief! the next day DS slept and slept but he has been fine otherwise. Which is a relief. I hope the next jabs go so smoothly.
My younger brother and girlfriend are arriving shortly, I can't wait to see them!
My cold is better but I still have a productive cough & plenty of phlegm DP has threatened taking me to the DR but I can't see the point because I'm sure there isn't much, if anything that I can take.

Lentil at your DS not being a performing monkey. The DC often refused to speak to strangers at that age - DS still does sometimes, but at other times can be surprisingly chatty (he made friends with one of the tree cutters and has got his friendship book ready for him to fill in tomorrow!).

Nutella DH and FIL are only helping with carrying foliage down to the trailer, piling up the wood in the neighbours' garden, etc. - we've hired a proper firm to do the actual cutting down! Hope your cough is better soon; they always seem to find something to prescribe for coughs here but when we persuaded my mum to go to the doctor's after she'd had a racking cough for weeks and weeks, they told her there's nothing you can do.

DS's friend is coming over to play this afternoon and his mum asked this morning if his two little sisters can come too. It's fine by me (they're very good, although I forget what hard work preschoolers can be and am anticipating several spilled drinks), but DD2 wasn't happy as she wants to invite a friend over. Ah well, perhaps I can persuade DD1 to play with them...

lentil good to hear you have a healthy little one with typical toddler behaviour! .

admylin how was dd yesterday afternoon? Sounds like a stressful day. Is ds always/mostly in a good mood? (hidden agenda here: fishing for information that it might be possible to have a teenager who is not stroppy! dd1 is being a bit challenging at the moment, lots of drama, tantrums, screaching, and wetting the bed which makes me worry) hope you enjoyed your meal out.

linzer like nutella, I did wonder about your dh and fil doing the whole tree. Glad to hear they are getting some professional help with it! Hope the dc and visitors have fun today. You seem to be offered all sorts of check up which I am not. I shall pm you about those, if I may, as I am puzzled about the differences.

nutella hope the cold clears completely soon. Hope you have a good time with your brother and his gf. And that they are also into cuddles so you can have long showers and your hands free!

mrtumbles how is your dd's wart? I had to drag myself out of bed (been poorly) to take dd to the Hautarzt who then told me off for not scratching the skin off enough (she's not the real dr but one in training, and is already developing some unpleasant ways of treating patients). I just can't do it. Poor dd was very brave in the room, with the icing thing, and then burst into tears as soon as we got out. Also, do you have the name of that medicated plaster? I might just get it. I can't scrape off skin till she bleeds. And I will not be told off by someone half my age .

ploom what would the dr do if your son is growing too much or too fast? He is tall, that is how tall my 10.5 year old is. Must get round to reading that report. By the way, have there been any developments on that job possibility?

Antique sorry to hear about your pushchair and snow struggles. how is the wrist? In finland I learn it was easier to pull than push. And that 4 wheels are easier than 3. I had 3: how many do you have? And that it was best to pull shopping and child home on sledge rather than struggle with the buggy. And more fun too.

And off I go back to bed. Been in bed since last saturday with a dreaful cold, sore body and exhaustion. Thanks to Radio 4 I feel I have gained a degree in british cultural studies, though my knowledge is a bit patchy as I keep nodding off.

waves to all, and hope you have a good weekend!

platanos Sorry to hear you're still not well - Radio 4 kept me going when I was ill too. Re the health check-ups, everyone over the age of 18 is entitled to a free annual medical (Gesunden-Vorsorgeuntersuchung). I go to see a lovely Wahlärztin (as the Krankenkasse is paying!), who's very thorough; I think Kassenärzte can sometimes be a little less thorough, but DH goes at work and has had more or less the same tests as me. Won't bore the thread with any more details, but am happy to answer any more questions by PM.

platanos hope you feel better soon and can get lots of rest over the weekend. Is your dh around to help out?
Yes, my ds is always in a good mood, I think 'cool dude' would describe him at the moment but his coolness enrages dd even more than if he was stroppy or moody so you can't win! I've started to notice that dd has mood swings in acordance with her monthly hormonal changes so I try to be as understanding as I can without pandering to her too much.

Linzer hope the tree removal is a success and how cite of yur ds making friend swith the Handwerker all the time, didn't he get on with the plumber too? Hope he gets time to fill his friendship bok in! Did you get a photo too?

Off to dd's dyslexia class now - 2 more to go then she's done for good. School holidays started today, over two weeks and nothing planned.

Excuse the mistakes, have to dash and pressed post too soon!