Dear diary, today is the first day of our vacation at the Baltic Sea! I am a single mother of three children. The youngest is still traveling with me. I work full-time, am involved in feminist projects on a voluntary and professional basis and could really do with a little break by the sea. I haven't invested any time in planning yet. Just over a week ago, a friend told me about a vacation apartment that was available at short notice. I am so relieved that I can actually book it. My new partner wants to come along with his daughter. I am happy. The day of departure gets off to its usual hectic start. First I have to get the car, which I share with one of the children's fathers. Then it's time to pack and tidy up with a teenage child. In the morning, we have another appointment at the citizens' registration office. The child needs a new passport. I'm well prepared: biometric photos, the child's father's power of attorney, his old passport and the necessary punctuality. After this appointment, I feel relieved. The journey can begin, incidentally as a couple. The relationship with my partner turns out to be more complicated than I thought. We arrive at our vacation destination at around 1 p.m., our apartment is only available from 4 p.m. onwards. We are hungry and realize that all the snack bars and restaurants are either closed or won't open until Easter or May (?). We end up enjoying sandwiches, cheese cubes, sausages and drinks from the supermarket on the steps of a run-down building. It is heavenly. When we finally get into the apartment, I'm surprised at how sophisticated it looks for the two of us - but unfortunately there are no towels or bed linen. While I look for coffee, the child searches the entire house for bed linen and towels. Situation report: no towels, no bed linen, a lot more bedding than expected and COFFEE with filter bags. I sit with a cup of coffee and an orange while I think about how I can get the missing towels and bed linen cheaply. The eldest child calls and wants to talk about her day at university. One lecturer was particularly soporific. I get the youthful advice to simply use T-shirts or sweaters as towels. I am amused. Somehow it never ends, but it always gets better. I can't wait to see what the next few days will bring. See you soon, a mother
Facts about the situation of single parents (Family Report 2025)
-1.7 million families in Germany are single parents - mostly mothers.
-2.5 million children are growing up in these households.
-The risk of poverty is three times as high as for couple families.
Many work full-time and are still dependent on social benefits.
-Lack of childcare, insecure jobs, lack of political participation are part of everyday life.
Our demands: For a just care society
There are increasing calls in conservative or right-wing circles for "paying housewives" - for example from so-called "tradwives". But what initially sounds like recognition is actually aimed at re-traditionalization: women at the stove, men in power. We firmly reject this.