A German baby boom

Between my wife and my soon-to-be-born daughter, we now have an entire load of laundry consisting of various shades of pink.

Continuing in the vein of baby chat -- frankly beyond that, Chinese food and studying German, there isn't much else on my mind these days -- I'm amazed at the sheer numbers of babies one sees on the streets here in Berlin. This is certainly due in part to the fact that the weather has been generally dry and warm, prompting numerous mothers to take their little sprites out of the apartment and down to the lake, playground, or ice cream stand. But beyond that, there are several reasons you may or may not be aware of that have promoted a minor baby boom here in Germany. Did I mention our diapering table is on backorder?

Reason number one: As of Jan. 1 this year, the federal government now offers a generous compensation package for new mothers who want to take an "Elternjahr," -- a work pause of up to 12 months at approximately 2/3 of normal salary. It's a very good deal, and for well-paid women (although men are also eligible) it's an attractive arrangement. We're certainly happy to take advantage of it.

Reason number two: The German economy, plagued by unemployment and uncertainty ever since reunification, seems to be showing some signs of pep. Said unemployment rate, while lower but still absurdly high in many parts of the former east, is now reported at the relatively low rate of 9.1% nationwide, as opposed to 12.2% about a year and a half ago.

Reason number three: I once saw a German soccer fan sporting a scarf with the inscription (translated somewhat more politely) "soccer, sex, and alcohol." While most people -- at least those in the bar hopping crowd -- would probably tell you that the last two have something to do with each other, personally, I was never quite sure what, if any, connection existed between the first two. But being in Germany now, approximately a year after the world's greatest celebration of soccer came to this country, it sure does seem like there are a lot of two and three month old tots being whisked about in carriages.