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 everyone.

We share our own raw anecdotes and explore practical strategies to manage—and occasionally overcome—the feeling that we aren’t doing enough. This conversation is a reminder that you are not alone in the struggle. We’re here to create a safe space to acknowledge the "beautiful chaos" of parenting and realize that our imperfections don't make us bad mothers—they make us real ones. Grab a coffee and join us as we reclaim our time and our sanity from the clutches of mom guilt.

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 for your family's well-being.

We explore how "unseen" mental health struggles can create cracks in even the strongest foundations. Dr. Naomi shares practical ways to check in with your partner to ensure you both get the rest, space, and fun you need to thrive—not just survive. If you’ve felt like you and your partner are ships passing in the night, this episode is a timely reminder to pause, reconnect, and reinvest in the person you started this journey with. Because a healthy parent begins with a supported partner.

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 only see a fraction of your day. We discuss the importance of grasping our children's perspective and shifting our own perceptions of what a "good" parent looks like. We aren’t corporals raising an army; we are parents building a relationship. This episode is a reminder to stop beating yourself up over a snapshot in time and to embrace a more nurturing, less rigid approach to those difficult behavioral crossroads. Join us as we share our own messy experiences of trying to get it right in a world full of opinions.

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 care. We dive into the vital roles of primary, secondary, and tertiary care, helping you understand exactly who is in the room and why. From the autonomy of Dutch midwives to the practicalities of choosing between a home birth, a birthing centre (bevalcentrum), or a hospital setting, this conversation demystifies the process. Whether it’s your first baby or your third, Ilena’s insights will help you navigate the system with confidence and peace of mind. Check the show notes below for all the links and resources mentioned in this episode!Birth Pool Hire

BevallliingsBaden

BevalBad

Birthpool (& breast pump) for hospitals

TENS Machine:

To buy - llena has this one in her doula bag. You can pass it on to a friend afterwards and they can just buy new pads!)

Rent TENS Machine

Information about pharmaceutical pain relief / birthing positions & possibilities in English, French, Turkish, Polish & Arabic

Birth positions (in Dutch but very visual!)

Hospitals in Amsterdam:

Boven ‘Ij

Ziekenhuis Amstelland (Amstelveen)OLVG Oost / West

AMC

Birth Centres

Beval Centrum West ( OLVG West)Beval Centrum Zuid (Buitenveldert)Verloskundigen Hygiea

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-betweens of raising a tiny human with a big personality. We share our own tried-and-tested strategies (and the ones that failed miserably) to help you navigate the wild ride of the toddler years with a bit more grace and a lot more humor. Grab your favorite brew and settle in for some much-needed solidarity. Remember, DAM Chats is community-driven, so let us know what topics you want us to tackle next. You aren’t alone in the chaos!

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 stories is the cornerstone of building a supportive international village. These narratives aren't just about medical procedures; they are about the profound strength of mothers and the diverse tapestry of experiences within our community. Join Eva and Maren for a warm, honest, and direct conversation that invites you to connect, empathize, and learn from the collective wisdom of parents just like you. Whether your birth went "to plan" or took a completely different turn, this episode celebrates the authentic journey of motherhood in all its forms.

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 traditional support systems and to provide a platform for expert wisdom that actually resonates with expat life.

We share our personal motivations, the biggest lessons we’ve learned from our guest experts, and—most importantly—where we are going next. This is a warm, honest, and direct conversation about the power of shared knowledge and the "village" we are building together, one episode at a time. Whether you’ve been with us since episode one or you’re just joining the community, tune in to hear how we plan to keep supporting your parenting journey in the years to come.

'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 new identities as parents? Our resident psychologist, Dr. Naomi Gibson, joins Eva and Maren to provide a "mental map" for navigating the festive season. We discuss the pressure of creating "perfect" traditions, managing unsolicited advice from grandparents, and the exhaustion of being the "architect" of your own family while sleeping in your childhood bedroom. Whether you’re bracing for difficult conversations or just trying to keep your routine intact, this episode offers the tools to help you dance through the holidays with grace and clear boundaries.

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 essential conversations couples need to have before the sleep deprivation hits, from managing household expectations to protecting your mental health as an international parent in the Netherlands. Harriet’s expert "compass" helps you shift your focus from merely surviving to intentionally settling into your new identity. Whether it’s your first or third child, this episode offers the practical preparation needed to turn those early weeks into a sacred, supported chapter of family life.

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" expectant parent. We peel back the layers of the Dutch medical approach, exploring why certain screenings and protocols change after 35 and how these practices differ from those for younger parents. Most importantly, Dr. Leonie offers a reassuring reminder: despite the increased monitoring, your birth remains your choice. Empower yourself with the facts on hereditary testing and medical interventions so you can navigate your journey with confidence. For information on carrier testing mentioned in the show, visit amc.nl/web/dragerschapstesten.htm.

A website Dr. Leonie mentioned about testing for hereditary disease testing can be found here:

amc.nl/web/dragerschapstesten.htm