A small child plays with building blocks at a small table and his mother sits smiling next to him
Offer
17.04.2026 Ifenna Ekezie 16680

Parenting Counseling: Support for Families and HR

Balancing work and family life is a challenge that many parents face every day. As a company and a pioneer in Employee Assistance Programs ( EAP) dedicated to supporting employees, we have made it our mission to ease the burden on families and provide solutions to their challenges. 

 

pme Parenting Counseling offers personalized support to families and businesses

From planning a family and pregnancy to parental leave, part-time work arrangements, and parental benefits, all the way to flexible childcare options and support for HR departments handling complex inquiries: We make it easier to balance work and family life and provide families and HR managers with expert guidance.

In this article, you'll learn:

Our Parent Counseling Service as a Partner for HR – Targeted Support for Complex Inquiries

Our parental counseling service serves not only as a reliable resource for employees of our partner organizations, but also specifically for HR teams.

You will benefit from our impartial, prompt, and expert advice, particularly when dealing with complex, legally sensitive, or recurring issues— such as parental leave, maternity leave, part-time work arrangements, or how companies handle family-related leave.

Typical situations in which we specifically help relieve the HR department: 

  • How can employees adjust their parental leave (extend or shorten it)? What deadlines and formal procedures must be followed? 
  • How can parental leave be divided up flexibly—and what role does bridge part-time work play? 
  • What are the rules for part-time work during parental leave? 
  • How is vacation entitlement calculated during maternity leave and parental leave? By when must unused vacation days be taken? 

"HR departments, in particular, stand to benefit greatly by providing parents with impartial, expert guidance during challenging life stages. This not only streamlines internal processes but also strengthens employee trust and satisfaction." – Lena Pilz, Head of the Parents & Children Division 

The pme Parenting Advice Hotline 

Here’s how to reach our expert advisors: 

Mon. – Fri. | 9 a.m.–5 p.m.  

Hotline: 0800-801007006 

Not yet a customer of pme Familienservice? Contact us! 

Benefits of Parenting Counseling for HR and Companies 

We offer expert advice and clear, concise answers regarding maternity leave, parental leave, parental benefits, and organizing childcare. 

Your benefits at a glance:

  • Practical support: Quick and legally sound answers to complex issues and special cases 
  • Error Prevention: Reducing Misinformation and Avoiding Formality Errors in HR Processes 
  • Strengthening employee retention: Comprehensive and impartial information for both sides—employers and employees

This is how we ensure that employees and companies receive the best possible support. 

The challenges facing parents today 

These days, parents are often faced with a wide range of demands: balancing a successful career, caring for and raising their children, and keeping the family together—all without losing sight of themselves. 

In doing so, they often face a multitude of decisions and challenges that require time, energy, and frequently specialized expertise : How and where can I arrange childcare for my child? Which school should they attend? Does my child need special support? Where can I get information? 

Our counseling services are specifically designed to provide expert support to parents and families at every stage of life —from pregnancy through the teenage years. 

Our "Parent & Child" product area 

Through our "Parents & Children" product line, we bring together our comprehensive range of counseling services and support for families and create synergies among our EAP products. 

With our broader, holistic approach, we ensure that families and HR professionals receive comprehensive support—regardless of the stage of life they are in or the specific challenges they face. 

An overview of our "Parents & Children" programs

Through our “Parents & Children” program, we offer comprehensive parenting guidance and support on the following topics:

  • Fertility & Pregnancy: Whether you need advice on pregnancy-related questions or support with family planning, we’re here to guide parents every step of the way. 
  • Maternity Leave, Parental Leave & Parental Benefits: We provide information on legal regulations and assist with planning parental leave and applying for parental benefits and financial assistance. Tip: Use our form service for a quick and secure application—especially for parental benefits and child benefits.
  • Search for childcare centers daycare providers: We can help you find the right facility—nationwide, quickly, and tailored to your needs. 
  • Nannies, Babysitters & Au Pairs: For childcare needs outside of childcare center school, private childcare may be the right solution. We connect you with qualified and vetted caregivers. 
  • School & After-School Care: From choosing the right school to planning your vacation—we provide comprehensive advice on all school-related topics and offer vacation programs nationwide.  
  • Teens & Education: As children grow older, new challenges arise. We provide support with career guidance, questions about education, and the transition to new stages of life 
  • Backup & Emergency Care: Spontaneous help in emergencies – we offer professional childcare around the clock at our backup centers across the country.
  • Family Law & Finances: Guidance during separation, divorce, or adoption, as well as referrals for legal advice and assistance with financial matters. 

Request "Parents & Children" programs

Special support for special situations

In some cases, families need special support. We therefore also provide advice on specific topics such as ADHD or learning difficulties, or on challenging family issues such as conflicts, separations or the death of a beloved family member.

We also provide guidance on issues related to the development of children and adolescents, such as puberty, academic stress, and resilience, as well as media consumption and addiction.

This Vimeo content can only be loaded if you accept the privacy policy of Vimeo, LLC.

To the data protection settings "

Support for expats and foreign employees and their families

Families who are new to Germany or have been living here for some time often face additional challenges. Through our specialized "Go Germany" counseling service, we help international families settle into life in Germany: 

  • Help with finding childcare 
  • Navigating the German Education System 
  • Assistance with important legal arrangements (powers of attorney, living wills) 
  • Assistance with social security and health insurance 
  • Support in navigating daily life 

In addition to supporting international employees, Go Germany also provides targeted assistance to HR departments and managers during the onboarding and integration process. 

Are you interested in our "Go Germany" offer? Please contactus or reach out to your account manager.

FAQ on Parenting Counseling for Families & HR 

Who can use the pme Parenting Counseling service? 

Parenting counseling is available to both employees of partner organizations and HR teams responsible for personnel management. 

What topics does the parent counseling service cover? 

From maternity leave, parental leave, and parental leave benefits to child care, part-time work arrangements, conflict resolution, and individual support for complex issues—whether organizational or educational 

How quickly can I get help with urgent questions? 

Our parenting advice hotline is available Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and provides quick, reliable information—even for particularly urgent matters. Hotline number: 0800-801007006 

What are the benefits of parental counseling for companies and HR departments? 

HR receives legally sound answers, avoids misinformation, and streamlines processes. This strengthens both the organization and employee retention. 

zero Business psychologist Vera Starker: "Hate is destructive - confidence is the exact opposite"

to see is the author Vera Starker
Psyche
14.03.2025 Isabel Hempel 15562

Business psychologist Vera Starker on confidence

Vera Starker is certain that confidence can help us shape our lives and society in a positive way, especially in uncertain times. In this interview, the Spiegel bestselling author talks about how confidence can act as a formative force in our society. She shares personal experiences and gives impulses on how we can remain optimistic in times of crisis and actively bring about positive change.

For me, "being courageous" means acting despite fears

"Courage to be confident" is a very powerful title. What inspired you personally to write a book that deals intensively with this topic?

Vera Starker: I am a confident person by nature. But last year, I realized that all the negative news was increasingly sapping my energy. This led me to take a closer look at the topic of confidence on a scientific level. 

For me, "being courageous" means acting despite fears. And confidence is the key to finding this courage. At a time when we are confronted with many uncertainties, we need the confidence to embrace positive change and take action.

In your book, you emphasize the transformative power of confidence. How do you see the role of confidence as a shaping force in our society?

Confidence has the potential to keep us capable of acting, even in the midst of crises. It enables us not to remain powerless, but to actively seek solutions to solve complex problems. 

Especially in the future, in a world full of challenges, the power of confidence will be crucial in order to continuously adapt and enable positive change. Without confidence, all we can do is hesitate - with confidence, we can create.

In your opinion, what is the first step that each of us can take to actively bring about positive change?

It is important to recognize where we can actually make an impact. Confidence arises above all when we have the feeling that we can make a difference. We should focus on the areas where we can make a direct difference instead of being overwhelmed by things that are beyond our reach. 

The next step is to set realistic goals that match our skills. If we set ourselves goals that are too high and cannot be achieved, we lose our sense of effectiveness. The power of confidence lies in remaining capable of action and bringing about positive change in the areas over which we have influence.

Hate is destructive - confidence is the exact opposite

In one chapter of your book, you deal intensively with the topic of hate. How can we as a society learn to overcome hate and what role does confidence play in bringing about positive change?

Vera Starker: Hate is destructive - confidence is the exact opposite. We have to decide whether we react to hate or rely on confidence. Confidence means clearly recognizing challenges and then looking for opportunities to act - even if they seem small at first. 

It is crucial to surround yourself with people who also have a constructive attitude and strive for positive change. Cohesion creates a force that enables us to move in a positive direction as a society.

Was there a personal moment in your life when "courage to be confident" played a decisive role for you? If so, could you tell us more about it?

Vera Starker: Yes, in my youth I had some very challenging human experiences that presented me with a difficult decision: Should these events define my life or could I overcome them? 

I decided to overcome them, which made me realize that there is always a way - no matter how small it may seem. However, sometimes it takes great courage not to give up and to keep going. 

This moment taught me that confidence doesn't mean closing your eyes to problems, but finding the courage to carry on despite everything.

Lectures, workshops, podcasts that promote our resilience

The "Lost in Space?" initiative invites us with openness and curiosity to explore new paths that give us support and direction in these intense times. Because finding solutions requires strength - and is only possible together. 

With inspiring talks, interactive workshops, podcasts and blog articles, we create space to find inner clarity and strength and remain resilient. Join us on an exciting journey to new perspectives and opportunities!

This Vimeo content can only be loaded if you accept the privacy policy of Vimeo, LLC.

To the data protection settings "