Dam Parenting

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...

How do we move past the clutter and foster true independence in our children? In this episode of Dam Parenting , we celebrate Montessori Week with the world-renowned Simone Davies. As the author of The Montessori Toddler and The Montessori Baby , Simone joins Maren and Eva to discuss her newest release, The Montessori Child . We take a warm, honest, and direct look at the Montessori philosophy bey...

We’ve all seen them—those perfectly styled, incredibly cheap baby outfits popping up in our social media feeds. In this short but essential episode of DAMChats , Eva and Maren take a warm, honest, and direct look at why these "dubious deals" are a major red flag for parents. While the price tag is tempting, the reality behind these ultra-fast fashion retailers often includes high levels...

Raising kids in a foreign country is a juggle, but keeping your home language alive shouldn't feel like a losing battle. In this episode of Dam Parenting , Eva and Maren sit down with Eowyn Crisfield to strip away the myths of language acquisition. Being an international parent in the Netherlands often means navigating a sea of Dutch, English, and your native tongue. Eowyn offers a warm, honest lo...

Playdates are often sold to us as a "lifesaving" way to entertain the kids while we find our new best friends, but the reality is often a bit more complicated. In this episode of DAMChats , Eva and Maren take a warm, honest, and direct look at the world of playdates in the Netherlands. With new family-friendly spots popping up across Amsterdam and the winter chill fading, the pressure to...

We often hear the phrase "you can’t pour from an empty cup," but how do we actually fill it when we’re being pulled in a dozen directions? In this profound episode of Dam Parenting , we welcome back Dr. Naomi Gibson to explore the transformative concept of reparenting ourselves. Reparenting is the courageous process of healing emotional wounds by choosing to give ourselves the love, appr...

It’s official: the flu in the Netherlands has hit epidemic levels, and our households were not spared. In this episode of Dam Parenting , Eva and Maren take a warm, honest, and direct look at the reality of surviving a "house down" situation. From Eva’s ten-day marathon to Maren’s family falling like dominoes just a week later, we’re sharing the unvarnished truth about how rough this sea...

Change is the only constant in expat life, but that doesn't make it easy—especially for our children. In this episode of Dam Parenting , we sit down with Kate Berger from the Expat Kids Club to take a warm, honest, and direct look at children’s mental health during major life shifts. Whether you’ve just landed in the Netherlands or are navigating a mid-year school move, Kate shares practical s...

On today's episode of DAMChats Eva's voice is back and together with Maren, they discuss the latest episode with Elizabeth Goode from Goode Writes and Reads, and the insights they garnished from the episode.

Reading to your child is one of the simplest yet most profound acts of parenting, but where do you start when the board book aisle feels overwhelming? To celebrate De Nationale Voorleesdagen ⁠ , we sit down with award-winning librarian Elizabeth Goode to take a warm, honest, and direct look at the world of baby literature. Elizabeth breaks down the specific types of books that best serve our &quot...

The window between 4 and 6 months is a critical phase for your baby’s development, but for many parents, it’s also a source of major stress. In this vital episode of Dam Parenting , we sit down with Jozien from Vini Mini to take a warm, honest, and direct look at introducing allergenic foods. With food allergies on the rise across Europe, understanding the "early and often" approach to e...

Mom guilt is the uninvited companion that follows us from the nursery to the office. Whether it’s the guilt of taking ten minutes for yourself or second-guessing every parenting decision you make, it’s a universal weight that many moms carry in silence. In this episode of DAMChats , Eva and Maren take a warm, honest, and direct look at why this guilt creeps in and how it manifests differently for...

In honor of Parental Mental Health Day, Dam Parenting is tackling a topic that often goes unspoken: the mental health of the partnership. When life gets busy in the Netherlands, it’s easy to let your relationship slide into a series of logistical hand-offs. We’re joined by resident psychologist Dr. Naomi Gibson for a warm, honest, and direct conversation about why nurturing your bond is essential...

Are we spoiling them or just meeting their needs? In this second episode of our DAM Chat series, Eva and Maren tackle the age-old dilemma of spoiling versus nurturing. We take a warm, honest, and direct look at the definitions that often haunt parents and explore how to find flexibility in those high-pressure moments. The reality is that "spoiling" is often a label used by outsiders who...

Giving birth in a new country is a monumental milestone, but the Dutch "Birthscape" can often feel confusing for international parents. In this episode of Dam Parenting , we welcome back doula and coach Ilena Standring, who brings over a decade of experience supporting families in Amsterdam. Ilena provides a warm, honest, and direct breakdown of the unique three-tiered approach to Dutch maternity...

Dive into the chaos and charm of toddlerhood with Maren and Eva in this debut episode of DAM Chats . We’re taking a warm, honest, and direct look at the nitty-gritty of toddler tantrums—from the epic meltdowns at the park to the moments that leave you questioning your own sanity. This isn't a lecture on perfect discipline; it’s a candid conversation about the highs, the lows, and the messy in-...

Birth is often shrouded in idealized narratives, but in our first "Village Vibes" episode, we’re stripping away the mystery to reveal the raw reality. Host Maren kicks off this special series by sharing her own personal birth story—the emotional highs, the unexpected twists, and the resilience required to bring new life into the world. At Dam Parenting , we believe that sharing our birth...

Seventeen episodes in, and we are feeling more grateful than ever for this incredible international community. In this special episode of Dam Parenting , Eva and Maren take a moment to "pass the mic" back to the listeners and reflect on the journey so far. We dive into the heart of why we started this podcast: to bridge the gap for parents navigating the Netherlands without their traditi...

'Tis the season for the "great trek" back to our home countries—but returning to our roots looks different once we’re the ones pushing the stroller. In this episode of Dam Parenting , we take a warm, honest, and direct look at the emotional tug-of-war that happens when international parents in the Netherlands visit family for the holidays. How do we balance old family roles with our...

The nursery is ready and the birth plan is signed, but what happens when you actually bring the baby home? In this episode of Dam Parenting , we sit down with postpartum doula Harriet to navigate the often-ignored "fourth trimester." Harriet provides a warm, honest, and direct guide to the first six weeks post-birth—a pivotal window for physical recovery and deep bonding. We dive into the essentia...

If you are navigating pregnancy over the age of 35 in the Netherlands, you might notice the "medical" side of the Dutch system clicking into gear. In this episode of Dam Parenting , we wrap up our professional series with Dr. Leonie van Rheenen, a leading gynaecologist from OLVG in Amsterdam. Dr. Leonie provides a warm, honest, and direct look at the evidence-based reality of being an "older" expe...

What does it actually mean to have a doula by your side in the Netherlands? In this episode of Dam Parenting , we explore "the art of presence" with Joyce, a seasoned doula and trainer. We take an honest, direct look at the role of a doula—from the emotional power of holding space during labor to the practical support provided during the postpartum transition. Joyce pulls back the curtain on the r...