The German government's attempts to boost the country's waning birthrate are yielding fruit. Last year, it introduced so-called Elterngeld or parent money. This childcare benefit program offers mothers and fathers up to 1,800 euros per month (approx. $2,700 - tax-free!) for up to 14 months if one or both of them stay home to take care of their baby.

With a birthrate of just 1.3 children per woman, Europe's biggest economy was facing a real population problem. But according to preliminary figures for last year, birthrates are up for the first time in a decade and could reach 1.4 children per woman for 2007.

The program is particularly interesting for professional women. Many feel they face the choice: children OR career; or they would have been financially strapped if their salaries were lacking in the family household budget. Elterngeld appears to have played a positive role in couples deciding to have a child or further children.

By the way: Germany's family minister Ursula von der Leyen (here to the left) has seven children of her own.