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 the emotional and practical realities of pregnancy, birthing, and parenthood abroad.

Navigating these transitions is daunting, especially when you’re facing language barriers and cultural shifts without your original support network. This series is designed to eliminate the "search and struggle," connecting you directly with local experts and service providers who understand the expat experience. Whether you’re currently expectant or navigating the "thick of it" with a toddler, tune in to hear how we’re shining a light on the support you deserve. Together, let’s embrace parenthood with confidence and grace.

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 direct look at the "becoming" of a mother, offering a roadmap for the joys and identity crises that follow. For international parents in the Netherlands, navigating this shift without traditional family support can feel isolating—but you aren't alone. We discuss shifting relationship dynamics, the evolving sense of self, and how to move through this chapter with resilience. This episode also features Ilena’s powerful reflection questions to help you process your own inner transformation. Whether you are expecting or years into the journey, join us as we name the experience and reclaim our power.

You can find out more on Ilena on her instagram:

Ilena_j_standring

Be sure to share this within your community, mothers to be and mothers alike - we are all in this together. Being a parent is hard enough, doing it in another country without the support from our family and close friends is a tough journey many of us are trying to figure out. Let's do it together.

Ilena's reflection questions:

[ ] In the 12-24 months before I became pregnant, I was preoccupied with...

[ ] If I reflect back to my pregnancy, these are the ideas, the ideals and the topics, that I was preoccupied with

[ ] As I look back now, on those 12-24 months before pregnancy, and that period in pregnancy, I wish I had spent more time exploring...

[ ] As I glance back into my Matrescence journey thus far, these are the things that spring to mind as the most surprisingly fulfilling aspects of my inner and outer transformation.

[ ] These are the realisations about the way I was parented and how Matrescence was modelled to me as I have been on the journey through Matrescence

[ ] As I look forward to the next 12 months of my identity expansion, beyond the every day parenting, I would like to explore these aspects of my identity and of my experience of Matrescence

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 us.

Starting in June, we’ll explore the secrets of "The Happiest Kids in the World" (the Dutch way!), followed by Philippa Perry’s deep dive into family patterns in July, and ending with the neuroscience of "The Whole-Brain Child" in August. We take a warm, honest, and direct look at why these titles made the cut and how they can help you navigate the unique challenges of raising kids abroad. Tune in for our monthly synopses on the first Monday of each month and join the conversation on Instagram!

The books chosen are:

June: The Happiest Kids in the World: Bringing up Children the Dutch Way by Rina Mae Acosta and Michele Hutchison 

July: The Book You Wish Your Parents Had Read And Your Children Will Be Glad That You Did by Philippa Perry

August: The Whole-Brain Child : 12 Revolutionary Strategies to Nurture Your Child's Developing Mind by Daniel J Siegel

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 cultural norms alongside a changing sense of self. Dr. Naomi offers a warm, honest, and direct exploration of the emotional and psychological changes that occur when you transition from "me" to "mom." We discuss how to embrace this evolution with self-compassion, navigate the strain it can put on relationships, and build resilience in your new role. Whether you are mourning your pre-baby freedom or struggling to recognize the person in the mirror, this episode provides the expert guidance needed to grow through the shift with confidence.

You can find out more about Dr Naomi here

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 rather than a sign of laziness.

We pull back the curtain on the social media pressure to be a "perfect" parent who does it all, and instead, focus on what actually serves your family’s unique needs and mental health. Whether it’s reclaiming an hour for yourself or finding reliable childcare in a city with year-long waiting lists, we discuss how outsourcing can actually provide you with more high-quality time to spend with your children. It’s time to stop comparing and start building the village you deserve.

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 (like the March 11th cutoff for many 2022-born children!) and the eight-school priority rule. We explore the diversity of educational philosophies—from Montessori and Dalton to Vrije schools—and discuss how to choose a path that aligns with your family’s values. Whether you’re overwhelmed by "AlleCijfers" data or wondering how to handle a school tour, Isabel provides the clarity you need to move forward with confidence. Check the show notes for links to Kaleidoscope Consulting and essential school-ranking resources.

Find out more:

Kaleidoscope Consulting

Instagram

Numbers showing which secondary school the children progress to

AlleCijfers

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 what the schools are asking for.

From medical history and emergency contacts to "getting to know you" questionnaires, we break down the standard (and the surprising) requirements for enrollment. Whether you’re currently clutching your own acceptance sheet, still waiting for the lottery results, or just curious about how different Dutch schools handle the transition, this episode gives you an inside look at what to expect. Join us as we navigate the leap from "lottery winner" to "school parent" and help you get your paperwork—and your peace of mind—in order.

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, physical role in the delivery. We take a warm, honest, and direct look at how the Dutch medical system prioritizes maternal agency, even in the operating theater. From the initial decision-making process to the specifics of postpartum recovery and skin-to-skin contact, this episode demystifies the procedure. Whether you are planning a C-section or simply want to be prepared for every birth path, Dr. Deurloo’s insights will empower you to view a cesarean not just as a medical event, but as a profound birth experience.

You can find him on Instagram as kldloo

He is also found as an expert for Ouders van nu and How About Mom

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 tiny hacks they use to navigate the daily grind of life in the Netherlands.

From reclaiming five minutes of silence to the power of a specific "reset" habit, this conversation moves away from aspirational wellness and into the reality of busy parenting. We want to know: what are the tips and tricks that help you get through the day? Listen in to hear our favorites, then head over to Instagram to share your own. Let’s learn from each other and build a collective toolkit for staying sane while raising our families far from home.

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 without losing your native tongue. We discuss practical strategies for maintaining fluency at home while your child embraces the linguistic diversity of the Dutch classroom. From managing the "language shift" to fostering cultural awareness, Eowyn provides the roadmap for supporting your child’s transition into a new language. Whether you’re worried about playground communication or academic progress, this episode equips you to nurture your child’s global identity with confidence.