Great blogs by expat parents in the Netherlands

The Netherlands attracts a lot of internationals, meaning there are a fair share of blogs written by expat parents, too. Although, they all have unique perspectives and preferred topics, the one unifying factor, is that they can all write from the perspective of someone, who is raising a child in a different environment, than the one they grew up with. Since each of them has their own unique set of experiences and background, you might even find an article, that’s not about parenting, that you relate to or learn from as well.

Parenting Across Borders

First off, we have the Parenting Across Borders Blog, which is stock-full of helpful articles and insights. They have a large community of writers, who illustrate their experience as international parents in the Netherlands, and everything that comes with it. Something particularly refreshing about Parenting Across Borders, is that they aim to showcase a plethora of expriences, thereby diminishing the idea of a “standard experience” as an expat parent in the Netherlands. In fact, they focus on the differences in experiences, and highlight that the “perfect parent” can mean a world of different things. Taking this philosophy off the page, they organise dialogues for mothers and fathers to share their experiences, hopes and fears, with the aim of making nobody feel alone in their journey as an international parent.

Finding Dutchland

Secondly, Finding Dutchland is a note-worthy mention. The blog itself is a collaborative work between authors Rina Mae Acosta and Michelle Hutchison, who are both raising their kids in the Netherlands as expats. Together, they write with eloquent wit and tackle a diverse set of experiences in their writing about motherhood, being an expat in the Netherlands and familiarising oneself with Dutch life. As a result, they have built up a good stack of articles full of candor about parent-life over the years, which are fun to sift through! The culmination of their work is comprised in a book they have released together, called Raising Kids the Dutch Way. But, in case you don’t have time to start a new book at the moment, Hutchison has given a TedTalk about this topic (and it’s available on YouTube).

Going Dutch

Going Dutch is next up. Tanya, the author, heavily thematises the experience of being an expat in the Netherlands. Writing from her personal experiences as a South-African in Amsterdam. Consequently, her writing provides comfort for other expats, giving personal insight in to the bright and not-so-bright facets of integrating to a new culture, and leaving what you knew so well behind. It’s no secret. Relocating – no matter how far – is always a strenous transition. Tanya does a great job in using that discomfort to her strengths and writing about it in a way, that makes the reader feel understood and seen.

Renegade Mothering

Lastly (but most definitely not least), Renegade Mothering takes the stage. It is safe to say, this blog is not for the faint of heart. That being said, author Janelle Hanchett, does not stray away from darker topics, cruder language and very personal experiences. She writes about herself; about her experiences as a mother, and categorises them by months of “bad decisions.” Her writing is gripping, funny and the furthest thing from generic one could imagine amongst parent-led blogs. If this sounds like what you’ve been looking for, get ready for some deep, hard-hitting articles that are both incredibly personal and gritty. SHe does not shy away from making social statements about things happening around us in the world. Although the focus is more on the human experience – especially as a mother, there are articles that divulge what her experiences as an international mum in the Netherlands meant.

That is a wrap! We hope you found something of interest, but if these recommendations didn’t quite suit you, please check out our other blog entry about blogs by expat parents in the Netherlands!