Dam Parenting

It's European Baby Wearing week ! In this episode of Dam Parenting , we’re joined by baby carrier expert ⁠⁠Zyanya⁠ to take a warm, honest, and direct look at why keeping your baby close is about so much more than just freeing up your hands. For international parents navigating life in the Netherlands, a carrier isn't just a piece of gear—it’s a lifeline for mobility and emotional connectio...

Postpartum is one of the most transformative seasons of your life, yet it’s the one we often prepare for the least. In this episode of Dam Parenting , we sit down with Amsterdam-based postpartum specialist Heather Berry to take a warm, honest, and direct look at the "fourth trimester." Forget the nursery decor—we’re talking about the human infrastructure you need to thrive. ⁠Heather Berr...

In the Netherlands, home births are often celebrated as the gold standard, but what happens when that vision doesn't align with your personal sense of safety? In this episode of Dam Parenting , we welcome ADHD coach and advocate Emma to share her birth story—a powerful reflection on choosing a clinical, sterilized environment over the traditional Dutch home-birth model. Maren and Eva take a wa...

Maternal mental health is just as critical as physical health, yet nearly 20% of women will face psychiatric challenges during or after pregnancy. In this essential episode of Dam Parenting , we are joined by Professor Birit Broekman from the POP-poli at OLVG in Amsterdam. We take a warm, honest, and direct look at the specialized care available for mothers dealing with depression, anxiety, or psy...

The six weeks following childbirth are some of the most intense and transformative days you will ever experience. In this kickoff to our Maternal Mental Health series, we welcome back Amsterdam-based midwife Chandelle to take a warm, honest, and direct look at the "Fourth Trimester." While midwives are experts in your physical recovery, they are also vital witnesses to your transition in...

We’ve hit a major milestone! Six months and 55 episodes later, Dam Parenting has become the go-to resource for international families in the Netherlands. In this special announcement episode, Eva and Maren reflect on the journey so far and reveal our most ambitious project yet: the Maternal Mental Health Series . Throughout the entire month of May, we are releasing over 15 episodes dedicated to th...

Why does becoming a mother feel like a total overhaul of your soul? It’s called Matrescence . In this episode of Dam Parenting , we are joined by doula and advocate Ilena Standring to explore this profound developmental transition. Coined in 1973, Matrescence describes the hormonal, physical, and psychological transformation that rivals adolescence in its intensity. Ilena takes a warm, honest, and...

Summer is finally hitting the Netherlands, and we have something special to keep you company during those sunny park days or long travel stretches. In this episode of DAMChats , Eva and Maren are joined by Elizabeth Goode from Goode Writes and Reads to announce the DamGoode Bookclub . We’ve handpicked three essential parenting books to dive into over the summer, and we want you to read along with...

Becoming a parent doesn't just add a new role to your life—it completely rewrites your identity. In this episode of Dam Parenting , Maren and Eva sit down with clinical psychologist Dr. Naomi to discuss the profound and often destabilizing "identity shift" that comes with motherhood. For international parents in the Netherlands, this transformation can feel even more intense as we navigate new cul...

Raising a family abroad means you don't have the luxury of "dropping the kids at Grandma's." In this honest and direct episode of DAMChats , Eva and Maren tackle the stigma around outsourcing parenthood. From the competitive hunt for a gastouder or nanny to the decision to hire a cleaner or use a meal delivery service, we explore why paying for support is a practical necessity ra...

In Amsterdam, the search for a primary school doesn't start at age five—it begins long before your child’s third birthday. In this episode of Dam Parenting , we’re joined by Isabel Cruz of Kaleidoscope Consulting to demystify the "kaleidoscope" of Dutch education. Isabel offers a warm, honest, and direct roadmap through Amsterdam's unique school lottery system, explaining the critical deadlines (l...

The wait is finally over! Eva and Maren both held their breath alongside thousands of other parents in the Netherlands, and today they’re sharing the big news: they both secured their first-choice schools. But once the initial "phew" wears off, a new mountain of paperwork arrives. In this warm, honest, and direct DAMChat , we’re opening up those acceptance emails and comparing exactly wh...

In honor of Cesarean Awareness Month, we’re peeling back the curtain on surgical births in the Netherlands. Join Eva and Maren as they sit down with Dr. Deurloo, a renowned OBGYN at Utrecht’s Diakonessenhuis, to discuss a more human-centered approach to C-sections. Dr. Deurloo is a leading voice in "mother-assisted cesareans," a practice where the birthing parent plays an active, physica...

We’ve all seen the "perfect" morning routines on social media, but what does sanity actually look like in a real, international household? In this episode of DAMChats , Eva and Maren get warm, honest, and direct about the small habits that keep them grounded. Coming from two very different mindsets, they each share three "Sanity Savers"—the practical rituals, mental shifts, and...

When your child starts school in the Netherlands, the "Dutch wave" can feel like it’s washing away your home language. In this episode of Dam Parenting , we welcome back Eowyn Crisfield for a warm, honest, and direct conversation about navigating the school years as a multilingual family. Eowyn sheds light on how to seamlessly integrate multiple languages into your child’s new educational reality...

Labels belong on clothes, not on our kids. In this episode of Dam Parenting , we are joined by Anne Graham , the author of JellyPie Firefly , to discuss how we can help children navigate a neurodiverse diagnosis with confidence. Created alongside our resident psychologist, Dr. Naomi Gibson , Anne’s book reclaims the labels that often feel overwhelming, redefining them through the eyes of a child a...

Navigating pregnancy and birth in a foreign country is a monumental life event, and you shouldn’t have to do it alone. In celebration of World Doula Week , this bonus episode of Dam Parenting showcases a diverse range of doulas serving the international community across the Netherlands. We take a warm, honest, and direct look at how these professionals provide the emotional and physical advocacy t...

At Dam Parenting , we believe every birthing person deserves a "village" that understands their needs, especially when navigating a foreign healthcare system. In this special bonus episode for World Doula Week , we showcase a dedicated group of doulas serving the North of the Netherlands . We take a warm, honest, and direct look at the diverse backgrounds and specializations available to...

Pregnancy and birth are transformative, but doing it in a foreign country requires an extra layer of support. In this bonus episode of Dam Parenting , we continue our celebration of World Doula Week by highlighting the incredible birth workers serving the South of the Netherlands. We take a warm, honest, and direct look at how doulas bridge the gap between the Dutch medical system and the unique e...

How do you brush a toddler’s teeth when they absolutely refuse? When should that first dental check-up actually happen? In this episode of Dam Parenting , we’re diving deep into the world of pediatric oral health to answer the questions every parent has frantically Googled. From the arrival of the very first baby tooth to the milestone of independent brushing, we provide a warm, honest, and direct...

Bedtime is often the most exhausting part of a parent's day. We’re tired, our kids are wired, and social media tells us they "should" be falling asleep independently by now. In this episode of DAMChats , Eva and Maren are joined by Zyanya from Adapting to Love to take a warm, honest, and direct look at the reality of the evening shuffle. Inspired by a viral glimpse into Zyanya’s own...

With an estimated 1 in 5 people being neurodiverse, why does the journey of parenting an autistic or ADHD child often feel so lonely? In this episode of Dam Parenting , we are joined by Claudia Carter , an autism educator, family counselor, and founder of Ludica workshop ⁠ . Ahead of Neurodiversity Week, we take a warm, honest, and direct look at the power of "Nurturing Networks"—spaces...

Are you your own harshest critic? In this episode of DAMChats , Eva and Maren circle back to their recent conversation with Dr. Naomi to take a warm, honest, and direct look at the trap of the "Perfect Parent." We’ve all been there—striving for an unattainable standard that leaves us exhausted and disconnected. Today, we’re peeling back the curtain on our own lives to share the messy, un...

In a world of curated Instagram feeds and competitive playground chats, the "perfect parent" myth is everywhere. In this episode of Dam Parenting , we’re joined once again by Dr. Naomi Gibson to take a warm, honest, and direct look at the high cost of parental perfectionism. Studies show that women are disproportionately affected by the drive to excel in every area of nurturing, often at...

Is the term "Momtrepreneur" a badge of honor or a playful jab that keeps women’s businesses in the "hobby" category? In this episode of DAMChats , Eva and Maren are joined by Karoll Ramamonjisoa , founder of Parentally , to take a warm, honest, and direct look at the labels we give to working parents. Karoll created a platform to help parents access essential care from pregnanc...