Does raising a multilingual child ever feel more like a chore than a joy? In this warm, honest, and direct episode, Eva is joined by resident linguist Mimi from Growing Up Multilingual to tackle the emotional side of language learning. We dive deep into the "guilt" and "comparison" that often plague international parents in the Netherlands, especially when our children don’t meet the arbitrary milestones we’ve been told they "should."

Mimi offers a gentle reset, moving away from rigid performance goals and toward a flexible, sustainable approach rooted in emotional connection. We discuss how to handle language burnout and the fear that your heritage language might be lost. Whether you’re navigating the busy holiday season or just need permission to lower the bar, this conversation is a reminder that a child’s best language resource is a parent who is present, not perfect. It’s time to let go of the pressure and rediscover the joy in your family’s unique linguistic journey.

Resilience isn't something children are just born with; it’s a skill built through connection, effort, and emotional safety. In this warm, honest, and direct episode, Eva and Maren are joined by child psychologist Faye to explore the foundations of a growth mindset. We tackle the practical tools parents need to help children navigate challenges—from using effort-based praise to expanding their emotional vocabulary so they can name what they’re feeling.

Raising children in a second language or a new culture adds unique layers to their identity and self-belief. We discuss the power of child-led play and why "failure" is a vital part of the learning process. Reshared to support families during the emotionally intense holiday season, this conversation offers a gentle roadmap for helping your child feel capable and heard. Whether you’re dealing with a toddler’s frustration or a school-aged child’s self-doubt, learn how to foster the resilience they need to thrive in any environment.

Parenting in the Netherlands often means navigating a "village" that is thousands of kilometers away. In this warm, honest, and direct conversation, Eva and Angela from the Expat Parenting Collective unpack the unique emotional hurdles of international life. We explore the complex dynamics that surface during the holidays—from managing postpartum expectations and unsolicited advice to the guilt that comes with setting boundaries with in-laws who may have different cultural perspectives.

Raising children far from your original support system requires a specific set of tools. We discuss how to handle the isolation of the expat experience while ensuring your own parenting values aren't lost in translation. Whether you’re dealing with "guest fatigue" or struggling to explain your parenting choices to extended family, this episode offers the reassurance and "real talk" you need. It’s time to stop apologizing for your boundaries and start parenting with confidence, no matter how far away home is.

It’s the ultimate parenting paradox: to calm a distressed child, you have to be calm yourself—even when you’re anything but. In this warm, honest, and direct episode, Eva is joined by resident child psychologist Dr. Faye Pool from Kerr Psychology to discuss the science of co-regulation. We move past "perfect parenting" ideals to explore how stress physically impacts both you and your child, and why managing your own response is the most effective tool in your kit.

Whether you're facing a public tantrum in a new country or feeling the isolation of the holiday season, Dr. Pool shares practical, "in-the-moment" techniques to help you lower the temperature before things escalate. Reshared as part of our Christmas support series, this conversation is a vital resource for international parents looking to build emotional resilience. You don’t have to be perfect; you just have to be regulated. Learn how to pause, breathe, and show up as the parent your child needs.

Child psychologist Faye joins Eva and Maren to explore how children develop resilience, self-belief, and emotional awareness. This episode covers growth mindset, effort-based praise, emotional vocabulary, child-led play, and practical tools to help children move from “I can’t” to “I can’t… yet.”

Reshared to support parents during emotionally intense holiday periods.

Why does returning to your childhood home often feel like stepping back into an old version of yourself? In this insightful episode, Eva is joined by resident psychologist Dr. Naomi Gibson to explore the complex emotional landscape of "going home" for the holidays. For international parents in the Netherlands, these trips are rarely just vacations—they are a high-stakes balancing act between old family roles and your new identity as a parent.

We offer a warm, honest, and direct look at how to navigate unsolicited parenting advice, set healthy boundaries with extended family, and manage the "identity whiplash" that comes with holiday travel. Whether you’re struggling with guilt, overstimulation, or the pressure to keep everyone happy, Dr. Gibson provides practical tools to help you honor your roots while protecting your own family’s needs. Part of our 12 Days of Christmas series, this conversation is a must-listen for anyone trying to keep their peace—and their identity—intact this season.

Does the thought of a long-haul flight or a cross-border car trip with your kids make you want to stay home? In this warm, honest, and direct episode, Eva sits down with family travel content creator Jetset Gabrielle to break down the art of the family trip. We move past the "perfect" Instagram travel aesthetic to focus on what actually matters: realistic preparation, smart packing, and maintaining your mental health on travel days.

Whether you’re navigating Schiphol during peak season or packing for a holiday "home," Gabrielle shares practical insights on how to lower the stakes and boost your confidence. We discuss why lowering your expectations is your greatest travel tool and how to prepare your children for the transitions. Reshared as part of our 12 Days of Christmas support series, this conversation is a vital resource for any parent looking to turn travel from a source of anxiety into a manageable—and even enjoyable—adventure.

While the world focuses on festive magic, many parents are quietly bracing for the impact of broken routines and big family expectations. In this warm, honest, and direct episode, Eva is joined by child psychologist Faye to look at what is actually happening in a child’s brain when the holidays become "too much." We move past the guilt of holiday stress to explore the science of overstimulation—from the exhaustion of travel to the sensory overload of big gatherings.

Faye shares realistic, parent-tested tools to help you protect your child’s emotional safety without feeling like you have to control every single moment. We discuss how to navigate family pressure when your child needs space and why your own regulation is the key to their calm. This isn’t a guide to a perfect Christmas; it’s a survival plan for creating pockets of peace amidst the chaos, ensuring the season feels supportive for the whole family.

How do children really find their voice in multiple languages? In this warm, honest, and direct episode, Eva sits down with resident linguist Mimi from Growing Up Multilingual to explore the profound link between play and speech. For international parents, the pressure to "teach" a heritage language can be overwhelming, but Mimi explains why slowing down is actually the most effective strategy.

We dive into how simple, low-pressure activities—like coloring, drawing, and open-ended play—create the emotional safety children need to experiment with language. We also discuss navigating the overstimulation of busy seasons and why returning to basic connection can strengthen both your bond and your child’s bilingual skills. Whether you’re worried about language delays or just want to support your child’s multilingual journey without it feeling like a chore, this conversation offers the gentle reset you need. Play isn't just fun; for a multilingual child, it's how they learn to belong in every language they speak

The Dutch festive season is a whirlwind of light festivals, Christmas markets, and cozy museum outings—but knowing where to go can be overwhelming for international parents. In this episode, Eva is joined by Samira from AmsterdamKids to talk through the best ways to make the most of winter in the Netherlands. While the specific dates from this broadcast have passed, the strategies for finding the best "kid-proof" holiday magic remain the same.

We take a warm, honest, and direct look at the joys (and the logistics) of managing the December calendar. From choosing the right winter events to finding those hidden gems that make the season special, this conversation is a celebration of Dutch winter traditions. For the most up-to-date, current holiday listings and weekend inspiration, we highly recommend heading over to the AmsterdamKids website and following their social channels. They are the ultimate "village" resource for keeping your family calendar full all year round.