Conflict isn't the enemy in your relationship—it’s how you handle it that counts. In this timely episode of Dam Parenting, Eva and Maren sit down with relationship expert Dr. Naomi to take a warm, honest, and direct look at conflict resolution during stressful seasons. We move beyond the "blame game" to explore how our individual attachment styles and physiological responses drive our arguments.

Dr. Naomi provides a practical toolkit for healthier communication, including the power of "I" statements, the art of active listening, and techniques for managing emotional triggers before they spiral. We discuss how to set "rules for engagement" that protect your partnership and transform heated moments into opportunities for empathy and teamwork. Whether you're navigating small holiday stressors or deep-seated patterns, this conversation offers the actionable steps needed to regulate your nervous system and strengthen your bond. Because at the end of the day, you're on the same team.

Trigger Warning: This episode discusses addiction and recovery.

In this raw and deeply moving episode of Dam Parenting, we sit down with Maria (known as MamaMaria), a psychologist and Aware Parenting Coach, to discuss the intersection of sobriety and motherhood. Maria shares her candid journey of breaking generational cycles of addiction while raising her own family in the Netherlands. We take a warm, honest, and direct look at the emotional toll of recovery and how the tools of sobriety—patience, presence, and self-compassion—can transform the way we parent.

Whether you are navigating your own recovery, healing from a dysfunctional upbringing, or looking to support a loved one, Maria’s story is a powerful testament to resilience. We explore practical strategies for emotional regulation and the vital role of community in the healing process. Join Eva and Maren for an inspiring conversation about choosing a different path for the next generation, one day at a time.

If you are seeking any further assistance with this topic you can always reach out toAlcoholic Anonymous

The holidays are marketed as "magical," but for most parents, they can feel like a marathon of mental load and unrealistic expectations. In this festive edition of the DamGoode Bookclub, Maren and Eva are joined by Elizabeth Goode to discuss the hilariously relatable Why Mummy Drinks at Christmas by Gill Sims. We take a warm, honest, and direct look at the pressures of gift-giving, the "magic-making" fatigue, and the inevitable family dynamics that come to a head in December.

This episode is more than just a book review; it’s a permission slip to acknowledge the stress of modern parenting. Through the lens of Sims’ witty storytelling, we explore how to find humor in the madness and why shared laughter is the ultimate antidote to holiday burnout. Whether you’re listening in the heat of the season or looking for a relatable laugh during the "quieter" months, grab a drink and join us for a conversation that prioritizes your sanity over perfection.

The holiday season is here, and at Dam Parenting, we want to make it a little brighter for our international community. In this special episode, Eva and Maren kick off the "12 Dam Days of Giving"—our biggest giveaway yet, designed specifically for parents navigating life in the Netherlands. We’ve teamed up with local experts and businesses to offer gifts that actually matter: from 1-on-1 counseling and parenting consultations to books and playdates.

We take a warm, honest, and direct look at why community support is the best gift a parent can receive. This isn't just about winning prizes; it's about celebrating the connections that help us grow. Tune in to hear what’s in store, then head over to our Instagram starting December 1st to enter. Let’s shift the focus back to self-care and mutual support this December. Happy holidays—you’ve earned this!

We’re told that relationships are about teamwork, but the reality of parenting—especially without a local "village"—often feels like a constant negotiation of whose needs come first. In this episode of Dam Parenting, Eva and Maren sit down with resident psychologist Dr. Naomi Gibson to take a warm, honest, and direct look at the art of true compromise.

We explore why real compromise isn't about "meeting in the middle" or making one person sacrifice; it’s about finding a third way that honors both individuals. Dr. Naomi explains how to use empathy and vulnerability to shift from resentment to genuine collaboration, ensuring that your long-term relationship satisfaction doesn't get lost in the daily grind of tasks. Whether you're struggling with "who does what" or feeling a quiet disconnect from your partner, this episode provides the practical communication tools you need to stop keeping score and start building a more harmonious home.

Why do we stay awake when we are absolutely exhausted? In this episode of DAMChats, Eva and Maren take a warm, honest, and direct look at the phenomenon of Revenge Bedtime Procrastination. Eva shares a vulnerable breakthrough from a recent therapy session about the overwhelming "nightly reset"—the endless cycle of folding laundry, clearing toys, and tackling dishes that eats into our rest.

We explore why we sacrifice sleep for a few moments of autonomy and how the "mental load" of parenting in a foreign country makes these evening hours feel so precious. From the psychology of the "doom scroll" to practical strategies for a restorative wind-down ritual, we discuss how to break the cycle of exhaustion. It’s time to stop treating sleep as a luxury and start finding ways to reclaim your peace without sacrificing your health. Tune in for actionable tips to help the whole family transition from chaos to rest.

Are we creating memories, or are we just checking boxes? In this episode of DAMChats, Eva and Maren take a warm, honest, and direct look at the "more is more" culture of modern parenting. We dive into the exhaustion of the endless to-do list—from the pressure of perfect birthday parties to the weekend dash between trampoline parks and dance classes.

We unpack how social media fuels comparison anxiety, making us feel like "enough" is never actually enough. We discuss the impact of over-scheduling on our children's nervous systems (and our own) and why the most magical moments usually happen in the quiet gaps, not the planned activities. If you’re feeling drained by the hustle to keep up with the "Joneses" (or the "Jansens"), this conversation is your permission slip to do less. Tune in for practical insights on fighting parental guilt, embracing simplicity, and reclaiming your family’s time for what actually matters.

At age four, children begin the lifelong habit of comparing themselves to others. As parents, how do we ensure they see challenges as opportunities rather than failures? In this episode of Dam Parenting, we’re joined by Faye from Kerr Psychology to take a warm, honest, and direct look at building resilience and a growth mindset.

We dive into why effort-based praise is more powerful than labeling a child as "smart," and how to foster the intrinsic motivation they need to thrive. Faye shares practical strategies for expanding your child's emotional vocabulary, the importance of child-led play during big transitions, and how to reframe "don’t" statements into positive guidance. Whether you’re dealing with school-age comparisons or toddler frustrations, this conversation is packed with tools to help your child embrace the power of "yet" and grow into a confident, emotionally intelligent individual.

Are you tired of the morning rush and the pressure to always "do more"? In this grounding episode of Dam Parenting, we sit down with world-renowned Montessori educator and author Simone Davies to discuss the transformative power of slowing down. We take a warm, honest, and direct look at how to stop rushing and start trusting your child’s natural pace.

Simone explains that Montessori isn't about expensive wooden toys; it’s a mindset of respect and observation. Discover practical ways to set up your home to foster independence, how to balance freedom with clear boundaries, and why a "pouring water" moment is actually a masterclass in curiosity. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by parenting expectations, this conversation will help you reclaim a sense of calm and build a deeper, more mindful connection with your children. Learn how to model the peace you want to see in your home and savor the journey of raising independent kids.

It is a parenting staple found on almost every expat’s bookshelf, but does How to Talk So Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk actually work in the chaos of 2026? In this episode of the DamGoode Bookclub, Eva, Maren, and Elizabeth take a warm, honest, and direct look at the communication strategies made famous by Adele Faber and Elaine Mazlish.

We break down the book’s core pillars—like acknowledging feelings, inviting cooperation, and finding alternatives to punishment—and discuss how these tools translate to our lives as international parents. We explore what still resonates, what feels a bit dated, and how to use these techniques to build a relationship based on mutual respect rather than control. Whether you’ve read the book cover-to-cover or just want the "cheat sheet" for better communication, join us for a deep dive into talking so your kids—finally—listen.