What if your child’s "difficult behavior" is actually a sensory SOS? In this episode of Dam Parenting, Eva sits down with resident child psychologist Faye from Kerr Psychology to take a warm, honest, and direct look at the sensory systems that govern our children’s worlds. We go beyond sight and sound to explain proprioception and vestibular input—the hidden systems that help kids feel grounded, focused, and calm.

Faye breaks down why transitions—like heading back to school or returning from holidays—can trigger sensory overload and offers practical, low-pressure ways to support your child through "heavy work" and movement. From big bear hugs and climbing to the simple act of carrying a heavy grocery bag, we explore how everyday activities can provide the regulation your child needs. If you’re tired of the "trial and error" and want to understand the why behind the wiggle, this episode provides the clarity you’ve been looking for.

• Middletown Centre for Autism – Sensory Processing Information

Does your child resist speaking your native language? The solution might be simpler than you think. In this episode of Dam Parenting, Eva sits down with Mimi from Growing Up Multilingual to explore a heartwarming breakthrough: how a simple afternoon of coloring led to a spontaneous surge in Bulgarian. We take a warm, honest, and direct look at why play is the most powerful "language lab" a child can have.

We move away from the pressure of formal "lessons" and discuss why connection must always come before correction. Mimi explains how following your child’s lead creates the emotional safety they need to take linguistic risks. You’ll learn how to build a "play-connection checklist" to nurture language growth at home without making it feel like work. If you’re tired of the language tug-of-war, tune in to discover how showing up with curiosity and presence can unlock the bilingual breakthroughs you’ve been waiting for.

The Dutch education system is famous for its variety, but for international parents, that variety can feel like a complex puzzle. In this "Time Vault" episode, Eva and Maren sit down with Isabel Cruz from Consulting Kaleidoscope to take a warm, honest, and direct look at school choices in the Netherlands. We break down the different educational philosophies—like Montessori and Waldorf—and explain the practicalities of when to start planning and what to actually look for during a school visit.

Isabel provides the clarity you need to move past the stress of the "lottery" system and focus on what truly fits your child’s personality. We also discuss how to use resources like AlleCijfers to understand secondary school pathways. Whether your toddler is months away from their fourth birthday or you are just starting to explore your options, this episode offers the expert insight and confidence you need to navigate your family’s educational journey in the Netherlands.

Find out more:

⁠Kaleidoscope Consulting⁠

⁠Instagram ⁠

Numbers showing which secondary school the children progress to

⁠AlleCijfers

August 12th is The United Nations' International Youth Day which recognises efforts of the world's youth in enhancing global society. And I thought who better than to do a re-listen to then Project Fearless.

What an incredible Stichting for youth right here in the Netherlands.

Today’s episode is a little different. There are no guest experts, no structured interviews, and no "how-to" guides for navigating life in the Netherlands. Instead, it’s just a warm, honest, and direct note from me to you. We spend so much time as international parents acting as the planners, the problem-solvers, and the "villages" for our own families that we often overlook our own mental load.

This is a short conversation about those weeks where everything feels a bit heavy—where the logistics of expat life collide with the raw reality of raising humans. It’s a reminder that it is okay not to have it all figured out and that sometimes, "getting through the day" is a massive achievement. If you’re feeling overstimulated, exhausted, or just in need of a friendly voice that understands the unique pressure of parenting abroad, this episode is for you. You aren't alone; life is just lifing.

In this episode of Dam Parenting, we’re giving you a seat in a "free therapy" session with our resident child psychologist, Faye from Kerr Psychology. We take a warm, honest, and direct look at two of the most common hurdles for international parents: physical outbursts and the dreaded morning chaos.

First, we tackle the "big feelings" that manifest physically—hitting, pushing, and lashing out—and how to support your child without losing your own cool. Then, we dive into the time-management battles that turn every morning into a high-stress scramble. Faye provides evidence-based guidance to help you move from reactive parenting to a place of compassionate clarity. If you’ve ever felt like the only parent struggling to get out the door or manage a meltdown, this conversation is a vital reminder that you are not alone and that there are practical, gentle ways to regain control of your day.

If your child is a "passive bilingual"—understanding your home language but refusing to speak it—you aren't failing. In this episode of Dam Parenting, Eva welcomes back Mimi to take a warm, honest, and direct look at the psychology of language choice. Moving beyond the "just add more exposure" trope, we dive into the research of Susanne Döpke and Piaget to explain why child-centered interaction is the real key to unlocking speech.

We explore how your child’s natural egocentrism means they only speak the language that feels emotionally engaging and relevant to their world. We discuss why "connection before correction" is vital for building the confidence to speak, and how to create low-pressure environments where the home language feels like a gift rather than a requirement. If you’re tired of the language tug-of-war, tune in to learn how to turn passive listening into active, meaningful conversation through the power of emotional attunement.

Where to go, what to do with Samira from AmsterdamKids.com

Beaches

Zandvoort aan Zee

Bloemendaal aan Zee

Castricum aan Zee

Texel Island

Zeeland

Scheveningen

Amusement Parks

Efteling

 Oud Valkeveen

Duinrell and Tiki Pool

Toverland

Sprookjeswonderland

Easy Outdoor Escapes from Amsterdam

Het Twiske

*Always check water safety on Waterkwaliteit.net before swimming.

Outdoor Pools - Flevoparkbad and Mirandabad

Pierenbadjes

Special Summer Events

 SAIL Amsterdam

Museum Summer Programs - grab your Museumkaart

Doolhof Corn Maze

Travel Hacks

NS Spoordeelwinkel

NS Kids free travel

GVB Kids Vrij

OBA - Library

Bonus: Boeren Camping

aising a child far from home brings a unique set of emotional and cultural challenges that many "locals" simply don't see. In this episode of Dam Parenting, Eva is joined by Angela from the Expat Parenting Collective to take a warm, honest, and direct look at the reality of parenting abroad. We dive into a powerful listener story from a new mother in the Netherlands navigating the gap between her Asian heritage and her current postpartum reality.

We explore why parenting in a new country feels so isolating, how to manage cultural clashes regarding childcare, and the essential art of setting boundaries with in-laws without the crushing weight of guilt. Angela shares practical tools for building a "chosen village" and reclaiming your inner strength when your biological support system is half a world away. If you’ve ever felt misunderstood by family back home or overwhelmed by the "expat mental load," this conversation is for you.

Forget everything you’ve been told about "baby brain" making you less capable. In this episode of Dam Parenting, we sit down with neuroscientist Dr. Elke De Witte, author of De Moederbreinmythe, to take a warm, honest, and direct look at how parenthood truly reshapes the brain. Dr. De Witte reveals that the parental brain undergoes a profound "upgrade" in plasticity and emotional intelligence—a transformation that applies to all caregivers, not just biological mothers.

We discuss why it’s time to stop the jokes about forgetfulness and start valuing the cognitive strengths that come with caregiving. From challenging outdated workplace assumptions to calling for a societal shift in maternity policies, this conversation is essential for parents, partners, and HR professionals alike. It’s time to move past the myths and understand the real neurological power of the "village." Your brain hasn't checked out; it has evolved.

Find out more from www.elkedewitte.com