14.09.2026
Sabrina Ludwig
1910
Giveaway: 5 copies of the book "We Are Family" by Alexandra Klobouk
There are many guidebooks for young and expectant parents. But this one is different. Thanks to the wonderful illustrations and stories, it’s really fun to explore the complex—and not always easy—transition from a couple to a family. pme parenting counselor Lena Pilz finds the many practical tips in the workbook format particularly valuable. We’re giving away 5 copies on our Instagram or Facebook page “pme Familienservice.”
Review: Lena Pilz, Program Director, Parents & Children, pme Familienservice
"We Are Family"—I highly recommend it!
When a new family member is on the way, everything changes. In *We Are Family*, Alexandra Klobouk guides expectant and existing families on a clear, heartfelt journey: How do we divide up responsibilities so that no one gets left behind? How do we make room for our own needs—even when life suddenly gets more hectic? And how can we handle financial matters in a pragmatic and fair way?
Alexandra Klobouk draws on her own experiences and weaves together insightful perspectives from colleagues in research and practice on topics such as mental load and modern fatherhood. Particularly valuable: practical tips in workbook format —and guidance during the first, most intense years of a child’s life.
In short: A book that encourages readers to rethink roles and build a strong family together. We highly recommend it!
3 Questions for Author and Artist Alexandra Klobouk
What was particularly important to you in writing your book, and what sets it apart from other parenting guides?
When I started working on this book, I could hardly believe that a book like this didn’t already exist. As you rightly point out, there are plenty of great guidebooks on relationships, finances, mental load, and so on, but no handbook for new parents that explains all the relevant areas that can become challenging and offers solutions.
And most of the time, people seek help only after they’ve already developed a problem—whether it’s related to mental load, their relationship, or how financial responsibilities are divided within the family. By then, it’s usually much harder to resolve the issues than it would be if they’d addressed them proactively.
That’s why my book is also a gift for expectant parents—so they can make decisions for themselves before “it’s too late.” There’s a common belief that you can’t prepare for parenthood because it’s going to turn out completely differently than you imagine anyway. But first-time mothers can hardly imagine what childbirth will be like beforehand either. Still, most of them take a childbirth preparation class.
That’s why I created the “Parenting Preparation Course” for equal parenting. Through my unique style of storytelling—using images and anecdotes from parental life—I’m able to address even uncomfortable or highly complex topics in a way that makes people want to explore them further. The book includes many practical exercises—ranging from financial planning to sleep to mental load.
Which of these has been most helpful to you personally as a young mother?
To be honest: When I became a mother myself, I knew very little about most of the topics I discuss in the book. Our years with a baby and toddler were really exhausting at times, and at first I started researching everything that might make things easier out of sheer necessity. I couldn’t stick to just one topic because the different areas influence each other and are all interconnected.
For me, the original motivation for writing this book was to make things easier for other new parents by giving them a head start as they embark on this adventure .
That's why, shortly after the book is published, I'll also be offering a course where parents can learn all of this in a practical way.
What surprised you the most after giving birth—what would you have liked to know beforehand?
I wish I'd known beforehand just how challenging and exhausting the first few years are for most parents.
In our culture, we congratulate expectant parents and share in their joy. That’s wonderful! But hardly anyone prepares them for just how challenging this major transformation usually is—the one a couple goes through when they become a family. Parents of young children say to one another, “When was the last time we had time just as a couple? Or when was the last time I slept for more than four hours? That must have been before the baby was born.”
Why don't we do a better job of preparing expectant parents? I think that's unfair, and I believe that exaggerated and outdated gender roles are preventing us from having more realistic and helpful conversations with one another.
There is still the idealized image of the good mother, whose fulfillment and natural calling is to care for her children and who, as if by magic, knows exactly what to do as soon as the baby arrives. Many young mothers hold this expectation of themselves and are bound to fail, because they have never been mothers before. Or the supposed idyll of the nuclear family, which many couples often try to maintain—at least outwardly—even though, with both parents working, poor childcare options, and living far from their families of origin, this is a huge burden for most. Nevertheless, they try to give the impression that they have everything under control.
If we honestly acknowledge which social norms tend to weigh us down rather than support us, and if we recognize ourselves as a community based on solidarity (everyone in our society needs children), then I believe young parents can cope much better. After all, having children can bring so much joy!
Win one of 5 copies of "We Are Family"
We're giving away 5 copies of "We Are Family" by Alexandra Klobouk on our Instagram and Facebook channels, "pme Familienservice"!
The contest begins with the publication of this post on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. (CET).
Rules for the “We Are Family” Contest
pme Familienservice is giving away a total of 5 copies of the book “We Are Family” by Alexandra Klobouk on its Instagram and Facebook channels, “pme Familienservice.”
Organizer
The organizer of the sweepstakes is pme Familienservice GmbH, Flottwellstraße 4–5, 10785 Berlin.
Participation Period
The contest begins on September 16, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. with the publication of the contest post and ends on September 23, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. German time.
Eligibility
Eligible to participate are adults who reside in Germany. Each person may participate only on their own behalf; participation on behalf of others is not permitted.
Employees of pme Familienservice are excluded from participation.
Here's how you can participate
Anyone who, during the entry period:
- commented on the question under the giveaway post: “Why do you, in particular, need this wonderful book?”
- likes the contest post and
- follows the respective pme Familienservice channel on Instagram or Facebook.
Multiple entries, even across multiple platforms, do not increase your chances of winning.
Determination of Winners and Notification
The winners will be selected by random drawing from among all eligible participants after the contest ends.
Winners will be notified via private message on Instagram or Facebook no later than one day after the drawing. If a winner does not respond within 5 business days of the prize notification being sent, we reserve the right to redraw the prize.
Cash payouts or transfers of the prize are not permitted.
Exclusion from Participation
pme Familienservice reserves the right to exclude participants from the contest in the event of violations of these terms and conditions. This applies in particular to false information, attempts at manipulation, automated entries, or comments that violate applicable law or the rights of third parties, or that glorify violence, are offensive, harassing, discriminatory, or derogatory.
If the disqualified person is already a winner selected in the drawing, the prize may be retroactively revoked and redrawn.
Changes to or Termination of the Contest
pme Familienservice reserves the right to modify, suspend, or terminate the contest, in whole or in part, at any time if, for technical or legal reasons, its proper conduct cannot be guaranteed.
Data protection
To conduct the contest, we process the data that is visible or required as part of participation, specifically the profile name, the comment, and—if a prize is won—the contact information needed to notify the winner and ship the prize.
The data will be used exclusively for the purpose of conducting the sweepstakes, notifying the winner, and shipping the prize, and will be deleted afterward, unless there are any legal requirements to retain it.
For more information on how pme Familienservice handles personal data, please see the privacy policy: https://www.familienservice.de/datenschutz
Note Regarding Instagram and Facebook
This contest is not affiliated with Instagram, Facebook, or Meta, and is in no way sponsored, endorsed, or organized by Instagram, Facebook, or Meta. The organizer and recipient of the information provided is exclusively pme Familienservice GmbH.
By participating in the contest, participants accept these terms and conditions.
