Dam Parenting

Becoming a mother is a total biological and psychological transformation, yet society often expects us to "bounce back" as if nothing happened. In this archive favorite, Eva continues the conversation on matrescence with Amsterdam-based doula Ilena Standring, focusing on the deeply personal topic of body image. We move past the superficial to have a warm, honest, and direct conversation about why so many women feel like strangers in their own skin after pregnancy.
We explore how patriarchal beauty standards and diet culture complicate the postpartum experience, and why shifting your focus from body perfection to body functionality can be life-changing. Please note: this episode touches on sensitive topics, including trauma and sexual abuse. This is a journey toward learning to inhabit yourself again—not as the person you were before, but as the woman you are now. Your body adapted, healed, and sustained life; it’s time to offer it the compassion it deserves.

Matrescence isn't a one-time event; it’s an ongoing evolution. In this special archive episode of Dam Parenting, we revisit a powerful conversation with Amsterdam-based doula Ilena Standring that is just as relevant today as it was two years ago. While many of us have now heard the term "matrescence," we often still struggle with the quiet, daily reality of feeling like we’ve lost ourselves in the process of raising children.
We take a warm, honest, and direct look at the emotional and psychological rewiring that happens when we become mothers. Ilena shares her profound insights on holding space for this transition, helping you recognize that the "identity fog" you might be feeling isn't a failure—it's a transformation. Whether you are a new parent or years into the journey, this episode is a reminder to bring these silent shifts back into the light. It’s time to stop just surviving your new identity and start honoring the woman you are becoming.

Why is it that 67% of mothers have never heard the word "matrescence," yet almost all of them are living through it? In this powerful and essential conversation, Eva sits down with clinical psychologist Dr. Naomi Gibson to unpack the developmental process of becoming a mother. Much like adolescence, matrescence involves a massive rewiring of the brain, hormonal shifts, and a complete reorganization of your identity.
We take a warm, honest, and direct look at why so many mothers—especially those raising families abroad—feel "lost" after having a baby. We explore why defining yourself solely as a "mother" can be harmful to your mental health and how to navigate the dip in self-esteem that often follows this life-altering transition. If you’ve ever looked in the mirror and asked, "Who am I now?" this episode is your permission slip to acknowledge that you aren't just a parent—you are a woman in the middle of a massive evolution.

Parenthood rarely follows the script we imagine, but for families navigating a rare disease diagnosis, the shift can feel overwhelming. In this warm, honest, and direct episode for Rare Disease Day, Eva is joined by Sarah, who shares her family’s lived experience of parenting in the Netherlands through the lens of a rare condition. We move past the clinical details to discuss the "human" side: the initial grief, the search for a diagnosis, and the power of finding a community that truly understands.
Sarah introduces A Different Story, a vital space created for parents in the Netherlands to be seen, heard, and held. We discuss how labels can serve as tools for finding support rather than reasons for hiding, and why building a village of "rare" parents is essential for maintaining your own resilience. Whether you are at the start of a diagnostic journey or are looking for ways to advocate for your child’s dignity, this episode reminds you that you don't have to navigate the path alone.

Montessori education is woven into the fabric of Dutch life, but it’s more than just wooden toys and minimalist aesthetics. In this top-10 replay for Montessori Education Week, Eva sits down with Simone Davies, world-renowned author of The Montessori Toddler and founder of Amsterdam’s Jacaranda Tree Montessori. We take a warm, honest, and direct look at how to bring these principles into your home without feeling overwhelmed.
Simone explains how to shift your child from dependence to collaboration and eventually independence. We explore the power of observation in transforming "behavior problems" into moments of deep connection and how to foster intrinsic motivation without using pressure or control. Whether you are navigating the Dutch basisschool system or simply want a home where your child feels truly welcome and capable, this conversation offers the grounded, research-backed tools you need to support your child’s development in the Netherlands.