Dam Parenting

Dam Parenting Podcast
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Parenting in the Netherlands as an international family can feel overwhelming — but you don’t have to do it alone. DAM Parenting is a weekly podcast supporting international parents through pregnancy, birth, and parenthood in the Dutch system. With 165+ episodes, we explore everything from giving birth in a system you may not fully understand to raising third-culture kids in multilingual homes. Featuring real birth stories, expert insights, and honest conversations, this is your space for clarity, reassurance, and community. You are not alone.

  1. Matrescence & Body Image: Why Motherhood Changes How We See Our Bodies | Ilena Standring

    1 DAG GELEDEN

    Matrescence & Body Image: Why Motherhood Changes How We See Our Bodies | Ilena Standring

    Last week on the DAM Parenting Podcast I reshared archive episodes about  the identity shift in motherhood wth Dr Naomi Gibson and then continued the conversation on Saturday with Ilena Standring in matrescence — the profound identity shift that happens when a woman becomes a mother. But identity isn’t the only thing that changes. Our bodies change too. In this episode, Ii am sharing another archive episode with Ilena Standring as we open a deeply honest conversation about body image in matrescence — something many mothers experience but rarely talk about openly. Because motherhood doesn’t just change your life. It changes the way you experience your body. We talk about: • why so many women struggle with body image after pregnancy • the pressure to “bounce back” after birth • how patriarchal beauty standards influence motherhood • the emotional complexity of postpartum bodies • why focusing on body functionality instead of body perfection can change everything This conversation also touches on sensitive topics including body perception, diet culture, trauma, and sexual abuse, so please listen in a way that feels safe and supportive for you. One of the most powerful reminders from this conversation is simple: Your body is doing its best. It carried life. It adapted. It healed. It continues to sustain you and your family. And that deserves compassion. If last week's episode helped you understand the identity shift of matrescence, this conversation continues that journey — exploring the physical and emotional relationship many women develop with their bodies after becoming mothers. Because matrescence is not just about becoming responsible for another human. It is about learning to inhabit yourself again.

    54 min
  2. Matrescence: Why So Many Mothers Feel Like They’re Losing Themselves

    5 DGN GELEDEN

    Matrescence: Why So Many Mothers Feel Like They’re Losing Themselves

    This is a DAM Parenting archive episode recorded two years ago, brought back because the conversation around matrescence and identity in motherhood is still so relevant today. So many of us assume that once we’ve heard the term matrescence, the conversation is done. That everyone understands it. That we’ve already said enough. But the reality is that motherhood continues to reshape us in ways that are rarely spoken about openly. The emotional shifts. The identity changes. The quiet moments of wondering who we are now. These conversations can easily disappear beneath the daily demands of parenting, which is exactly why they need to be revisited again and again. This episode is a reminder that the transformation of becoming a mother isn’t a one-time conversation. It’s an ongoing experience many of us are still navigating. So if this topic resonated in Wednesday’s episode on matrescence, this follow-up from the archives is a powerful continuation of that conversation. Because sometimes the most important conversations in motherhood are the ones we need to keep bringing back into the light. In this episode, you’ll hear from Ilena Standring, a doula based in Amsterdam, whose work beautifully reflects the heart of matrescence — the profound emotional, psychological, and identity transformation that happens when we become mothers. Ilena doesn’t simply support women through pregnancy and birth; she holds space for the deeper transition into motherhood that continues long after a baby arrives. Her perspective is grounded in the belief that women deserve to understand what is happening to them during this powerful life shift. Through her work as a doula and guide in the motherhood journey, Ilena helps women recognise that matrescence is not something to struggle through alone, but a transformation they can learn to navigate, honour, and ultimately flourish within.

    1u 4m
  3. The Identity Shift in Motherhood: Understanding Matrescence

    4 MRT

    The Identity Shift in Motherhood: Understanding Matrescence

    What if motherhood isn’t just a new role — but a complete identity transition? In this powerful conversation with clinical psychologist Dr. Naomi Gibson, we explore matrescence — the developmental process a woman goes through when becoming a mother. Like adolescence, matrescence involves hormonal changes, brain rewiring, shifting values, and a reorganisation of identity. Yet 67% of mothers have never heard the word. In this episode we discuss: • What matrescence really means• Why many mothers feel lost after having a baby• Identity shifts in expat motherhood• Self-esteem and confidence after children• Why defining yourself only as “mother” can be harmful• How to navigate the psychological transition into parenthood If you’ve ever wondered:“Who am I now?”“Why don’t I feel like myself?”“Is this normal?” This episode is for you. Listen now and join the conversation redefining motherhood in the Netherlands and beyond.

    51 min
  4. Parenting a Child with a Rare Disease: Finding Community, Dignity, and Support

    28 FEB

    Parenting a Child with a Rare Disease: Finding Community, Dignity, and Support

    Parenthood doesn’t always unfold the way we imagine. In this Rare Disease Day special, Sarah shares her family’s lived experience of parenting a child with a rare disease — from diagnosis and grief to resilience and connection. This conversation explores how labels can become tools for finding support, not reasons for hiding, and how A Different Story was created as a community for parents in the Netherlands to be seen, heard, and held. This episode may feel heavy for some — and deeply affirming for others. It is shared with care, dignity, and the belief that no one should navigate this journey alone.

    23 min
  5. Montessori at Home in the Netherlands with Simone Davies

    25 FEB

    Montessori at Home in the Netherlands with Simone Davies

    Montessori is not a trend in the Netherlands — it’s part of the educational fabric. When Maria Montessori made the Netherlands her home, her work was already flourishing here, with over 200 Montessori schools established by the mid-1930s. Today, Montessori education remains more accessible in the Netherlands than in most countries worldwide. In this special Montessori Education Week replay — and one of our top 10 most downloaded episodes — I sit down with Simone Davies, author of The Montessori Baby, The Montessori Toddler, and The Montessori Child, and founder of Jacaranda Tree Montessori in Amsterdam. We explore: What Montessori really means beyond aesthetics How to create a home environment where everything is accessible and everyone feels welcome Guiding children from dependence → collaboration → independence How observation transforms behaviour challenges into connection Sparking intrinsic motivation without pressure or control Whether you are navigating the Dutch school system or simply curious about bringing Montessori principles into your home, this episode offers grounded, practical insight for parents raising children in the Netherlands. This conversation continues to shape thousands of homes around the world — and remains one of the most powerful starting points for understanding Montessori in everyday life. Links Jacaranda Tree MontessoriMontessori NotebookSimone's Books

    46 min
  6. Phone Free February: Growing Up Smartphone-Free in the Netherlands

    21 FEB

    Phone Free February: Growing Up Smartphone-Free in the Netherlands

    My child is five and last week she asked me to put mine away. That moment changed how I think about smartphones and childhood. This episode is part of Phone Free February — a global campaign encouraging families to reduce or delay smartphone use. But here in the Netherlands, something even bigger is happening. The grassroots movement Smartphonevrij Opgroeien (Growing Up Smartphone-Free - originally from the UK) began with Dutch parents who saw what the UK were doing and felt early smartphone access didn’t sit right. Today, more families are choosing to delay smartphones until group 8 (around age 12), and there is growing national debate about banning smartphones in schools all day. Across Europe, experts are recommending waiting until 15 for social media access. GPs and youth care workers are reporting increases in sleep disruption, anxiety, low self-esteem, and concentration challenges linked to smartphone use in children. This episode brings the Dutch movement into English — because if your child is growing up in the Netherlands, this affects you too. Inside this episode:• What Smartphonevrij Opgroeien actually means• Why parents are signing up — even with babies and toddlers• What the research says about early smartphone use• How to join the WhatsApp groups (including English-speaking parents)• How to delay without isolating your child This isn’t anti-technology. It’s pro-childhood. And it starts long before your child asks for their first phone. 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

    30 min
  7. Am I Losing My Child to Another Language? Multilingual Parenting in the Netherlands with Mimi

    18 FEB

    Am I Losing My Child to Another Language? Multilingual Parenting in the Netherlands with Mimi

    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.

    25 min
  8. Mothering Between Worlds: Asian Identity, Parenting & Community

    11 FEB

    Mothering Between Worlds: Asian Identity, Parenting & Community

    Asian motherhood abroad comes with unique pressures — cultural expectations, career demands, identity shifts, and the quiet work of belonging. In this episode of the DAM Parenting Podcast, we’re joined by the founder of Second Steep, a community created for Asian working mothers navigating the intersections of career, culture, and care — often without a map and without enough support. Together, we explore: What makes Asian immigrant motherhood distinct Letting go of cultural expectations while staying rooted Interracial marriages and identity negotiation Raising multilingual, culturally grounded children How to introduce culture ethically in diverse cities like Amsterdam The power of community spaces that don’t require explanation We also talk about Lunar New Year, upcoming community dinners in Amsterdam and Eindhoven, and resources for raising children with cultural pride and emotional safety. A gentle, affirming conversation for Asian mums, immigrant parents, and anyone raising children abroad.

    19 min
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Parenting in the Netherlands as an international family can feel overwhelming — but you don’t have to do it alone. DAM Parenting is a weekly podcast supporting international parents through pregnancy, birth, and parenthood in the Dutch system. With 165+ episodes, we explore everything from giving birth in a system you may not fully understand to raising third-culture kids in multilingual homes. Featuring real birth stories, expert insights, and honest conversations, this is your space for clarity, reassurance, and community. You are not alone.

Informatie

  • Maker
    Dam Parenting Podcast
  • Jaren actief
    2023 - 2026
  • Afleveringen
    193
  • Beoordeling
    Expliciet
  • Copyright
    © Dam Parenting Podcast
  • Website van aflevering
    Dam Parenting

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