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 as Awesome, Dynamic, Happy, and Different.

Anne shares her warm, honest, and direct journey of writing this story to help her own daughter identify with her unique brain. We reflect on the recent Neurodiversity Celebration Week events at A Different Story and discuss why relatable characters are the best tools for building resilience in our kids. Whether you are looking for ways to start a conversation at home or want to bring more inclusive resources to your school or community in the Netherlands, this episode is a beautiful reminder that our children are so much more than a diagnosis.

Check out their website here

You can read more (and see the images Anne spoke about) about this amazing book from their kickstarter here

Follow their instagram

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 that every birthing person deserves.

From seasoned practitioners to dedicated student doulas, our guests share their backgrounds, the multiple languages they speak, and their specific specializations—whether that’s hypnobirthing, postpartum support, or trauma-informed care. If you are currently pregnant or planning for the future, listen in to hear from the women making a difference in the Dutch birthing landscape. This is your chance to find a support partner who "ticks all the boxes" and can help you navigate your journey into parenthood with confidence and connection.

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 you—from hypnobirthing and yoga to support in multiple languages.

Whether you are in Groningen, Friesland, or Drenthe, this episode introduces you to practitioners who are ready to advocate for your birth wishes. You’ll hear from student and veteran doulas alike, sharing their origins and the unique ways they support international families. If you are currently pregnant and looking for someone who "ticks all the boxes" to walk alongside you during your birthing journey, listen in and connect with the incredible professionals listed in our show notes.

Instagram links:

@birthmatters.nl

@natidala

@yogamama_doula_hypnobirthing

@douladorene

@birthwish.nl

@annacatharinheil

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 emotional needs of international families.

Listen in as we showcase doulas from the Eindhoven region and beyond, sharing their heritage, the diverse languages they speak, and their specific expertise—from hypnobirthing and intuitive birth to student doula support. If you are a pregnant parent living in the South, this is your opportunity to "meet" the professionals who can provide the advocacy and connection you need during your birthing journey.

Instagram links:

@laviehypnobirthing

@oase_doula

@suto.karina

@doula.madi

@intuitief_bevallen

@siri_empowering_birth

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 guide to maintaining your child’s smile. We discuss the practical shifts between infant and toddler dental care, how to manage "brushing battles" without the drama, and—most importantly—at what age parents can finally stop supervising the process. This isn’t a bite-sized episode; it’s a comprehensive deep dive packed with expert knowledge and sanity-saving tips for international families navigating dental hygiene in the Netherlands. Grab your toothbrush and join Eva and Maren for the answers you’ve been looking for.

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 family routine, we dismantle the unrealistic expectation that children should just "shut down" on command. We share our real-life experiences of choosing to stay until sleep arrives, transforming a stressful power struggle into a vital moment of connection. If you’ve ever felt like the only parent still sitting on a bedroom floor at 8:30 PM, tune in to hear why prioritizing the bedtime bond might be exactly what your child—and your nervous system—actually needs.

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 created specifically for international parents in the Netherlands to connect, share, and find strength in their peers.

We move past the overwhelming noise of online advice to focus on the essential need for community. Claudia shares how Ludica provides a safe harbor for families navigating special needs abroad, offering professional guidance alongside peer-to-peer support. If you’ve been searching for a space where you don’t have to explain your child’s behavior or your own burnout, this episode is for you. Discover the local resources available to you and reclaim your sense of belonging in the neurodiverse community.

Neurodiversity

Support group for Parents of Children with Special Needs 

Neurodiversity Week Celebration

Social media

Instagram
Website Ludica Workshops

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, unpolished reality of trying our best while living abroad.

We discuss why the "Good Enough" title isn't a consolation prize, but a sustainable goal that actually benefits our children. From letting go of the guilt of a messy house to accepting the "polder" pace of life, we explore how to trade perfection for presence. If you’ve been pushing yourself too hard to "do it all" in a new country, this episode is your permission slip to exhale. Join us as we embrace the beauty of being imperfectly human.

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 the expense of their own mental health. We discuss how the "battleground" of online disputes and the scrutiny of extended family can trigger deep-seated anxieties for international parents in the Netherlands. Dr. Naomi helps us identify the warning signs of perfectionist burnout and offers practical strategies for shifting toward a "good enough" mindset. If you’ve been white-knuckling your way through motherhood, this conversation is a permission slip to lower the bar, go easy on yourself, and find joy in the beautifully imperfect reality of raising children.

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 pregnancy to early parenthood, yet like many of us, she’s navigated the confusing conundrum of this "cute" title.

We discuss why society feels the need to gender a mother’s business success and ask the burning question: where is the "Dad version" of this title? Join us as we unpack the cultural nuances of being an international parent launching a business in the Netherlands, the pressure to "do it all," and how we can reclaim our professional identities without losing our connection to motherhood.