If you’ve ever felt like the "only one" hesitant to give your nine-year-old a smartphone, this episode is your community. We take a warm, honest, and direct look at the Opgroeien Smartphonevrij (Growing Up Smartphone-Free) movement—a grassroots initiative by Dutch parents to shift the digital norm. Drawing on research from experts like Jean Twenge, we discuss the profound impact of smartphones on a child’s attention, social development, and puberty.

We move beyond the guilt to offer practical strategies: how to talk to other parents at your school, how to advocate for screen-free environments, and how to use the "Smartphonevrij" school tracker to see where your local community stands. This isn't about being "anti-tech"; it’s about protecting the space children need to grow without the weight of an adult digital world. Join us to discover how we can collectively change the narrative and give our kids a healthier, more present childhood.

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

If you want to read about Amsterdam's action plan: You can download the PDF (Dutch only) here

Loved this episode? Help us spread the message!

If this conversation resonated with you, share it with a fellow parent, teacher, or friend. The more we talk about growing up smartphone-free, the stronger the movement becomes.

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Together, we can create healthier environments for our kids to grow up in.

Children are like sponges; they don't just hear what we say, they absorb how we feel. In this episode of Dam Parenting, we welcome back child psychologist Dr. Faye Pool for a warm, honest, and direct conversation about the science of co-regulation. We dive into the "why" behind parental stress, exploring how our own nervous systems impact our children’s developing brains and why managing our own emotions is the first step in handling a tantrum.

Drawing on Social Learning Theory and insights from experts like Kate Silverton, Dr. Faye provides practical, real-life techniques to help you stay grounded when things get chaotic. From navigating public meltdowns in a Dutch supermarket to managing the unique pressures of parenting abroad, we break down how to shift from reactive to resilient. If you’ve ever felt guilty for "losing it," this episode offers the tools to help you and your child thrive together through mutual regulation.

Did you know that 1 in 4 migrant mothers experience symptoms of depression during or after pregnancy? In this essential episode, Dam Parenting explores the MiMoment Project, a research initiative by the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam and the WHO. We take a warm, honest, and direct look at the unique mental health barriers faced by women who have moved to the Netherlands and are now navigating pregnancy far from their birth countries.

We discuss why migrant mothers are at a higher risk for anxiety and how the MiMoment project is working to reshape Dutch healthcare to be more accessible and respectful. If you are currently in your 1st or 2nd trimester, born in a low- or middle-income country, and living in the Netherlands, your voice is needed. Join us to learn how participating in this confidential study can help improve care for future mothers—and how we can better support the "invisible" village of international parents around us.

What does it involve?

• 4 short online questionnaires, in your own language (Dutch, English, Arabic, or Turkish)

• Optional: 2 small hair samples to study stress over time

• Flexible and completely confidential

• Receive up to €40 in vouchers for questionnaires and €20 for hair samples

How to join?
Signing up is easy and does not commit you yet:
Sign up form
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If you’re a listener, friend, or community worker, please share this episode with someone who could benefit — every story makes a difference, and every voice helps improve care for mothers everywhere.

Are you constantly asking yourself, "Am I doing enough?" or worrying that your child is "falling behind" in one of their languages? In this month’s multilingual parenting series, we’re joined by the compassionate Mimi from Growing Up Multilingual to address the unspoken emotional load of raising kids with multiple languages. We take a warm, honest, and direct look at the guilt, comparison, and fear that many international families in the Netherlands carry.

Mimi explains why your language plan should be a "living document" that evolves with your family, rather than a rigid set of rules. We explore the difference between mindfulness and intentionality, offering practical ways to release the pressure and reconnect with your "why." This isn't about adding more to your to-do list; it’s about choosing presence over perfection. If you’re feeling burnt out by language expectations, join Eva and Mimi for permission to let go of the "shoulds" and make your journey feel intuitive, connected, and significantly lighter.

Further Reading:

5 Simple but Powerful Strategies Utilising Mindfulness to Help You Manage Your Family Language Planning Process⁠

Research:

Mindfulness and foreign language learners’ self-perceived proficiency: the mediating roles of anxiety and burnout

Language Acquisition and Use in Multilingual Contexts. Theory and Practice

Fatherhood is often shadowed by the pressure to "stay strong," but the statistics tell a different story: 1 in 6 fathers in the Netherlands report burnout symptoms, and many struggle with postpartum depression in silence. In honor of Men’s Mental Health Week, Dam Parenting hosts a vital, unfiltered conversation about the emotional realities of being a dad.

We are joined by two fathers from our international community who share their raw experiences—one navigating the trauma of the NICU, and the other managing the daily mental overload of raising a family with ADHD. We take a warm, honest, and direct look at paternal burnout and the "hero" stigma that prevents men from seeking help. Whether you are a dad feeling the weight, or a partner looking to understand the silent pressures of fatherhood, this episode is a call to break the stigma and realize that vulnerability is a strength, not a weakness.

Listener Note: This episode explores a specific, often traditional perspective on parenting that may trigger feelings of "mom guilt." Please listen with care and take only what serves you.

In this episode of Dam Parenting, we dive into the deep—and sometimes polarizing—waters of attachment theory with licensed clinical social worker and author Erica Komisar. With over 30 years of experience, Erica discusses the core thesis of her book, Being There, focusing on the emotional and physical presence of a mother during a child’s first three years. We take a warm, honest, and direct look at the science of early childhood development, while acknowledging the immense societal and professional pressures modern mothers face—especially as internationals in the Netherlands. This is a conversation about the "why" behind attachment, the challenges of finding balance, and the importance of self-compassion as we navigate our unique parenting journeys. Whether you're seeking affirmation or a new perspective, we're holding space for it all.

In honor of LGBTQ+ Families Day, Dam Parenting welcomes Jillian to take a warm, honest, and direct look at what it’s really like to raise a child in the Netherlands when your family doesn’t fit the "traditional" mold. Jillian shares her journey of moving here as part of a same-sex couple, the research that led them to the Netherlands, and the unexpected gaps in support they encountered upon arrival.

We dive into the importance of representation and the vital role of organizations like Meer dan Gewenst in helping families find their footing. From navigating legal hurdles to building a community that feels like home, Jillian offers invaluable advice for LGBTQ+ families considering a move or already adjusting to Dutch life. Whether you are part of the community, an ally, or an international parent interested in the diverse fabric of our "village," this episode is a celebration of resilience, love, and the power of finding where you belong.

Resources Mentioned:

• Meer dan Gewenst is the name of the community organisation Jillian mentioned.

  The webinar Jillian spoke about details can be found below in the link. The next webinar is expected July 11th.

  Online space with an abundance of resources

Why do small children have such massive reactions to seemingly tiny problems? In this kickoff to our new monthly series, child psychologist Dr. Faye Poole from Kerr Psychology⁠ takes a warm, honest, and direct look at the neuroscience of "big emotions." We dive into the physical reality of the developing brain, exploring how the amygdala and prefrontal cortex play tug-of-war during a meltdown.

Faye explains the crucial difference between a tantrum and a true meltdown and offers practical, "in-the-moment" strategies like co-regulation and the "Name It to Tame It" technique. We discuss everyday triggers—from shoe-struggles to food refusal—and why your calm presence is the most powerful tool you have. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by your child’s intensity, this episode provides the clarity and scripts you need to move from control to connection. It’s not about stopping the emotion; it’s about helping them navigate it.

Grief doesn’t follow a government calendar, and the "24-week rule" for pregnancy loss leave is finally being challenged. In this powerful episode, Eva joins Fidessa to discuss the movement for national grievance leave for all parents experiencing pregnancy loss. We share an incredible update: thanks to this petition, cities like Amsterdam and Utrecht have already stepped up to accept these terms, proving that local action can force a national conversation.

We take a warm, honest, and direct look at the gap in workplace protections for those experiencing loss in the first or second trimester. This conversation isn't just about policy; it’s about the human right to heal without the pressure of a "business as usual" return to work. Tune in to hear how this grassroots movement is successfully reshaping the Dutch workplace and why your voice is still needed to turn these city-wide victories into a nationwide reality for every parent.

Do you worry that your child is falling behind or that you aren't providing "enough" language exposure? You aren't alone. In this first episode of our monthly series with Mimi from Growing Up Multilingual, we take a warm, honest, and direct look at the invisible stress and self-doubt that many international parents carry.

We dive into why your emotional well-being is actually a primary driver of your child's language development, backed by research showing that maternal mental health predicts the richness of a child's home environment. Mimi and Eva discuss how to shift from a mindset of "doing more" to one of self-awareness and intentionality. We explore how to redefine success, let go of comparison, and focus on connection over perfection. If you're a tired parent juggling cultures and languages, take a breath and tune in. You aren't behind, and you are doing more than enough.

Subscribe, rate, and share this episode with fellow multilingual families. MiMi will be joining us every month to dive even deeper into these powerful, real-life conversations.

Links to topics discussed

-A study published in the Journal of Child Language found that maternal mental health predicts the richness of a child's home language environment and even their expressive language skills - https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33818326/