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.

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.

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 parents

• How to share responsibilities without resentment or burnout

• Why intentional communication matters more than ever

• Ways to blend home and host cultures for a grounded family rhythm

• Practical tools like weekly check-ins, shared calendars, and outsourcing

Whether 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.

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.

In this episode, child psychologist Faye Poole joins Eva to unpack how social media shapes the modern idea of “perfect parenting.” From picture-perfect feeds to parenting influencers, we explore why so many parents feel they’re not doing enough — and how comparison culture can quietly impact both parental wellbeing and children’s sense of security.

Faye shares practical ways to step back from the pressure, build self-compassion, and model healthy digital habits at home. Whether you’re a new parent scrolling for advice or just trying to keep it real online, this conversation will help you see past the filters and reconnect with what really matters.

Listen for insights on:

• The link between social media and parenting perfectionism

• Why comparison undermines confidence

• How to talk to kids about online “perfection”

• Simple mindset shifts for calmer, more authentic parenting

  
  

  
  

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What happens when two parents share one child… but not the same “why”?

This week on Dam Parenting, we explore what really happens behind the scenes of raising a multilingual child when parents aren’t aligned on their motivations, values, or goals.

Host Eva speak with Mimi from Growing up Multilingual who dives into what she’s learned after years of speaking with multilingual families — and why parental alignment isn’t a “nice-to-have”, but the foundation of any successful family language plan.

Because no strategy will ever stick if the people shaping the child’s world are pulling in different directions.

In this episode, you’ll learn:
* Why many couples overlook the importance of discussing their language goals early on
* How silent misalignment can quietly erode even the best intentions
* The 5 key questions every couple should ask before starting their bilingual or multilingual journey
* How your own language beliefs, identity, and childhood shape the way you raise your child
* What happens when “heritage language” becomes emotional territory

If you’ve ever wondered why your partner isn’t as invested in your child’s language learning—or why your family’s plan feels harder than it should—this episode will help you start the right conversations.

Because raising a multilingual child isn’t just about the child.
It starts with you, the parents — your “whys”, your alignment, and your shared understanding.

Listen now and discover how to make your family language plan a truly shared journey. And be sure to check out the Instagram carousel providing you with more questions to consider in your journey.

Our thanks as always to Mimi from Growing up Multilingual

Halloween is just around the corner — and the Netherlands is getting spook-tacular!

This week, Samira from Amsterdam Kids joins us to share her top picks for family-friendly Halloween fun — from pumpkin patches to science parties and everything in between. Whether your kids are tiny pumpkins or full-on thrill seekers, we’ve got something for everyone:

Robbeburg — little-kid-approved Halloween crafts and costume fun
Pumpkin picking — the perfect autumn photo op (and pie excuse)
Speeltuin Amstelpark — cozy autumn playtime with a spooky twist

NoordOogst — family farm vibes, treats, and community Halloween spirit
Groteschijn — magical light festival nights
Walibi & Heksendoorn — for the brave (and slightly older!) ghouls
Science Camp Halloween Party — experiments that glow, fizz, and go boo!
Cultural Trick-or-Treat events — creative costumes, candy, and community fun

So whether you’re planning your first pumpkin adventure or mapping out a family fright night, tune in for ideas that make this Halloween magical for both young and old.

Stay till the end — there’s a special giveaway for the Science Camp Halloween Party!

It’s Herfstvakantie — the week every Dutch parent remembers that “autumn break” actually means a full week of keeping the kids entertained while it rains horizontally.

This week, Samira from Amsterdam Kids joins us to shine a light (and possibly a flashlight through the storm) on the best things to do with little ones — especially ages 0 to 7 — across Amsterdam and beyond.

From pumpkin patches to play cafés, here’s what made our “yes, that’s actually worth putting on real pants for” list:

Rainy-day heroes:

• ​CineKid Festival - Nationwide
• ​Eye Film museum - Amsterdam
• ​Philips Kids Factory Museum - Eindhoven

Nature & Outdoor Escapes:

• ​OERRR - nation wide
• ​Oudhollandse Kermis Enkhuizen
• ​De Grote Schijn Rotterdam
• ​Herfstfestival at BillyBird Hemelrijk

Easy day trips:

• ​ Muiderslot Historical Tasting
• ​Sprookjeswonderland Enkhuizen
• ​Avonturenpark Helendoorn
• ​Walibi

For the crafty stay-at-homers:

• ​KreaDoe Craft Fair - Utrecht
• ​SoundLab - Amsterdam
• ​Rijksmuseum van Oudheden - Leiden

Whether you’re chasing puddles, dodging tantrums, or just praying for one peaceful cup of coffee, this episode’s got your Herfstvakantie survival plan sorted — with tips, laughs, and plenty of parent-tested ideas to make the break actually feel like... well, a break.

Listen now, follow the show, and share with a friend who deserves a medal for making it through midterm break.

Thanks to Samira from @Amsterdamkids_nl

Or check out their website Amsterdamkids.com

#Herfstvakantie #AmsterdamKids #FamilyFunNetherlands #ThingsToDoWithKids #ParentingPodcast #DutchLife

Join us as we spotlight Healthy Here’s upcoming event on November 1st in Amstelveen — a free community gathering designed to help internationals connect directly with the Dutch health system. No huisarts (GP) referral needed for this one!

This event is all about breaking barriers — meeting trusted Dutch health professionals face to face, asking questions in plain English, and finding the support you need to navigate healthcare in the Netherlands with confidence. Whether you’re new here or have been around for years, Healthy Here is creating a space for connection, clarity, and community wellbeing.

Tune in to learn more about what to expect, who’s involved, and how this event is shining a light on another incredible member of our growing international community.

Free to attend. Open to everyone. Because better health starts with being seen, heard, and understood.

Health Fair Amstelveen 2025

In this episode, host Eva and Angela from the Expat Parenting Collective dive into what it really takes to build strong relationships as international couples and expat families.

They talk openly about the challenges of love, communication, and parenting abroad, and why no relationship is ever easy — especially when you’re juggling cultural differences, distance from family, and life in a new country.

This episode is a reality check for expat partners and global parents, reminding us that relationships are partnerships — not just with our spouses, but with our children too. With honesty and warmth, Eva and Angela share how to stay connected, communicate better, and create a sense of home wherever you are.

Listen to learn:

• How to strengthen relationships while living abroad