Matrescence isn't a one-time event; it’s an ongoing evolution. In this special archive episode of Dam Parenting, we revisit a powerful conversation with Amsterdam-based doula Ilena Standring that is just as relevant today as it was two years ago. While many of us have now heard the term "matrescence," we often still struggle with the quiet, daily reality of feeling like we’ve lost ourselves in the process of raising children.

We take a warm, honest, and direct look at the emotional and psychological rewiring that happens when we become mothers. Ilena shares her profound insights on holding space for this transition, helping you recognize that the "identity fog" you might be feeling isn't a failure—it's a transformation. Whether you are a new parent or years into the journey, this episode is a reminder to bring these silent shifts back into the light. It’s time to stop just surviving your new identity and start honoring the woman you are becoming.

Why is it that 67% of mothers have never heard the word "matrescence," yet almost all of them are living through it? In this powerful and essential conversation, Eva sits down with clinical psychologist Dr. Naomi Gibson to unpack the developmental process of becoming a mother. Much like adolescence, matrescence involves a massive rewiring of the brain, hormonal shifts, and a complete reorganization of your identity.

We take a warm, honest, and direct look at why so many mothers—especially those raising families abroad—feel "lost" after having a baby. We explore why defining yourself solely as a "mother" can be harmful to your mental health and how to navigate the dip in self-esteem that often follows this life-altering transition. If you’ve ever looked in the mirror and asked, "Who am I now?" this episode is your permission slip to acknowledge that you aren't just a parent—you are a woman in the middle of a massive evolution.

Parenthood rarely follows the script we imagine, but for families navigating a rare disease diagnosis, the shift can feel overwhelming. In this warm, honest, and direct episode for Rare Disease Day, Eva is joined by Sarah, who shares her family’s lived experience of parenting in the Netherlands through the lens of a rare condition. We move past the clinical details to discuss the "human" side: the initial grief, the search for a diagnosis, and the power of finding a community that truly understands.

Sarah introduces A Different Story, a vital space created for parents in the Netherlands to be seen, heard, and held. We discuss how labels can serve as tools for finding support rather than reasons for hiding, and why building a village of "rare" parents is essential for maintaining your own resilience. Whether you are at the start of a diagnostic journey or are looking for ways to advocate for your child’s dignity, this episode reminds you that you don't have to navigate the path alone.

Montessori education is woven into the fabric of Dutch life, but it’s more than just wooden toys and minimalist aesthetics. In this top-10 replay for Montessori Education Week, Eva sits down with Simone Davies, world-renowned author of The Montessori Toddler and founder of Amsterdam’s Jacaranda Tree Montessori. We take a warm, honest, and direct look at how to bring these principles into your home without feeling overwhelmed.

Simone explains how to shift your child from dependence to collaboration and eventually independence. We explore the power of observation in transforming "behavior problems" into moments of deep connection and how to foster intrinsic motivation without using pressure or control. Whether you are navigating the Dutch basisschool system or simply want a home where your child feels truly welcome and capable, this conversation offers the grounded, research-backed tools you need to support your child’s development in the Netherlands.

It starts with a simple request from a child to "put the phone away" and grows into a national conversation. In this episode of Dam Parenting, we explore the grassroots movement Smartphonevrij Opgroeien (Growing Up Smartphone-Free) and what it means for international families in the Netherlands. We take a warm, honest, and direct look at the research linking early smartphone use to anxiety and sleep disruption, and why experts are now recommending a "wait until 15" approach for social media.

We break down how the movement works locally, from checking your school’s participation stats to joining English-speaking WhatsApp groups for peer support. This episode offers practical advice on how to delay device access without socially isolating your child. Whether you have a toddler or a pre-teen, this is an essential guide to prioritizing "pro-childhood" values over digital pressure. It’s time to move past the screen and back to the connection.

Links to support you:

Want to join the Whatsapp group in your area? ⁠CLICK HERE⁠

Want to join the Whatsapp group for English speakers: ⁠CLICK HERE⁠ - (in select jouw regio - scroll to bottom for ENGLISH)

If you want to check out your own school (or chosen school)

⁠CLICK HERE⁠ on your region

Click on the image of a school - Bekijk hoeveel ouders....

From there it will show you the number of students and schools, with the list of cities underneath.

Click into the city and you will get a breakdown of each school registered and keep clicking.. It gets more and more interesting! You will see how many kids in your school, and even by which groep they are in.

• If you want the read the materials related to the ⁠UK website CLICK HERE

For International Mother Language Day 2026, we are tackling a vulnerable and rarely discussed topic: the grief of watching the societal language overtake your home language. As international parents in the Netherlands, we celebrate our children’s integration, but it often comes with the fear of losing "relational access." In this warm, honest, and direct episode, Eva and Maren explore what happens when Dutch begins to dominate your child’s friendships, humor, and identity.

We dive into the "8–9 year home language dip" and why the transition to primary school often shifts the power balance of communication. This conversation isn’t about resisting Dutch; it’s about protecting the emotional closeness that your mother tongue provides. We offer practical strategies to maintain your influence, preserve your heritage, and ensure that language never becomes a barrier to intimacy. If you’ve ever felt a pang of sadness when your child answers you in Dutch, this episode is a compassionate reminder that you are not alone.

Asian motherhood in the Netherlands comes with a unique set of pressures—from cultural expectations and career demands to the quiet, constant work of belonging. In this episode of Dam Parenting, Eva is joined by the founder of Second Steep, a community dedicated to Asian working mothers navigating life without a traditional map. We take a warm, honest, and direct look at the intersections of culture, care, and identity.

From the complexities of interracial marriage and identity negotiation to raising multilingual children with cultural pride, we explore what it truly means to stay rooted while letting go of external expectations. We also discuss practical ways to introduce culture ethically in diverse cities like Amsterdam and Eindhoven. Whether you’re looking for community dinners or simply seeking a space that doesn’t require explanation, this conversation is a gentle, affirming reminder that you aren't mothering alone.

Children’s mental health is frequently discussed only when something feels "wrong," but what if it’s actually something we support through our daily relationships? In this episode of Dam Parenting, resident child psychologist Dr. Faye Poole provides a warm, honest, and direct perspective on emotional wellbeing. Moving away from labels and fear-mongering, we explore how connection acts as the ultimate protective factor against the stresses of international life.

We dive into the science of how stress affects a child’s body and the research-backed ways parents can "buffer" that impact through simple routines and emotional attunement. This conversation is a vital reminder for expat parents that you don’t need to be perfect to be a "safe harbor" for your child. We also provide a clear roadmap for navigating the Dutch healthcare system—from the Huisarts to the Ouder- en Kindteam (OKT)—so you know exactly where to turn when you need extra support.

It’s the email every parent in the Netherlands dreads. In this warm, honest, and direct solo episode, Eva tackles the "itchy" reality of head lice with a mix of personal stories and hard facts. We’re breaking down the myths: hygiene has absolutely nothing to do with it, and lice are just as common in high schools as they are in primary classrooms.

Eva explores the science of how lice actually spread (spoiler: they can't jump or fly!) and which treatments really work—and which are just a waste of your time and money. Most importantly, we’re addressing the unnecessary shame and silence that often keep outbreaks going. Whether you’re currently armed with a nit comb or just want to be prepared for the inevitable "Luizenmoeder" check, this episode is a stigma-free guide to handling one of the most common hurdles of parenting in the Netherlands.

Starting school in a foreign language is a significant cognitive challenge, but it’s the emotional challenge that often weighs heaviest on our children. In this episode of Dam Parenting, Eva is joined by Mimi from ⁠Growing Up Multilingual⁠ to take a warm, honest, and direct look at why emotional language is a superpower for kids entering the Dutch school system. We debunk the myth that children "just pick up" the words for their feelings and explore what they actually experience emotionally in a classroom where they don't yet speak the dominant tongue.

Mimi explains why building a strong emotional vocabulary in your home language is actually the best way to support their confidence at school. We share practical strategies for teaching "needs-based" words and discuss how parents and teachers can collaborate to build a sense of safety. Whether your child is about to start their journey or is already navigating life between languages, this episode offers the tools to ensure they feel heard, even when they’re still finding their voice.