December Without the Meltdown: A Parent-to-Parent Reset
This week, Eva takes us through the whirlwind of November–December parenting in the Netherlands — the sugar, the traditions, the cultural juggling, and the pressure to buy all the things. But instead of adding more to our already stretched mental load, this episode invites us to shift toward something simpler, kinder, and far more meaningful: giving together.Eva shares how a Reverse Advent Calendar works — filling a box each day with small essentials for a family in need — and why it’s one of the most grounding, heart-opening activities to do with your kids this season. Plus: ways to get involved across the Netherlands, including: Serving the City Amsterdam, kerstzwolle.nl, the ADRA Christmas Box Campaign, and nationwide Kerstpakketjesactie drives.Got others you want mentioned? Reach out on Instagram to add others to share with our communtiy!If you’re craving a December with less pressure and more purpose, this is your gentle invitation.Take a breath. Gather your kids. Build a box. Make a difference.You’re not alone in this season — and neither are the families we choose to support.
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Welcoming a Second Baby: Helping Your Oldest Child Adjust with Confidence and Calm with Faye from Kerr Psychology
Bringing home baby number two is a big moment — not just for you, but for the little one who’s about to become a big sibling. This highly requested episode dives into what parents can do to guide their first-born through the transition with warmth, confidence, and support.Child psychologist Faye from Kerr Psychology joins us to share practical ways to prepare your oldest, strengthen connection, ease tricky emotions, and set the stage for a loving sibling bond. If you’re growing your family and want to make this change feel safe, supported, and joyfully messy in all the right ways, this conversation is for you. Listen now to get the guidance you need for your “one to two kids” journey.
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OPOL - One Parent, One Language - Myth or Magic With Mimi
Is OPOL — One Parent, One Language — really the “gold standard” for raising bilingual kids, or just another parenting myth that sounds good on paper?In this episode, Eva sits down with linguist and multilingual mom Mimi from Growing Up Multilingual to unpack where OPOL came from, why it’s been trusted for over a century, and what actually happens when real families try it in daily life.If you’ve ever worried about “doing it wrong,” this conversation will help you breathe easier — because your language plan isn’t fixed, it’s a living document.Hit follow on Dam Parenting for new episodes every Wednesday — and share this one with a parent who needs to hear that “perfect bilingualism” doesn’t exist, but connection always does.
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Interdependence vs. Independence: Building Stronger Partnerships Abroad
Living abroad often forces families to walk a fine line between independence and interdependence — between “I’ve got this” and “we’ve got this.”In this episode, host Eva sits down again with Angela from the Expat Parenting Collective to unpack how couples can find balance while raising families in a new country. Together, they explore:What independence and interdependence really mean for expat parentsHow to share responsibilities without resentment or burnoutWhy intentional communication matters more than everWays to blend home and host cultures for a grounded family rhythmPractical tools like weekly check-ins, shared calendars, and outsourcingWhether you’re parenting without a village, navigating new cultural norms, or trying to lighten the mental load — this conversation reminds you that you don’t have to do it all alone. Listen in for real strategies, honest reflections, and encouragement for every international parent building a home away from home.
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Leaving the Netherlands: The Emotional Side of Expat Life and Finding Home Again
Leaving is never easy — not for those who go, and not for those who stay.In this special episode of Dam Parenting, we speak with Erin, a fellow international parent who made the heartfelt decision to leave the Netherlands and return home. After starting her family abroad, Erin chose to move closer to her extended family — recognising what her child and her own wellbeing needed most.Her story is one of courage, reflection, and love: the strength it takes to say goodbye, the gratitude for the friendships and community built here, and the reminder that every goodbye carries a piece of the Netherlands back with it.For expat families, migrants, and internationals navigating life abroad, this episode offers an honest look at what it means to choose home — and why leaving is also part of the journey.Listen to honour the shared stories of our community — and to say thank you to Erin, for reminding us how connection, even across distance, continues to shape our families and our lives.
Living in the Netherlands as an international parent can feel overwhelming at times—but you don’t have to do it alone. DAM Parenting is your weekly support space, dedicated to pregnancy, birth, and parenthood for international families navigating life here.
With over 150 episodes already released, we shine a light on every stage of the parenting journey: from giving birth in a system you may not fully understand, to raising third-culture kids in multilingual homes, to hearing from child psychologists and other experts who can guide you along the way. You’ll also hear real birth stories and ex
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