The Amsterdam Mamas Podcast

In this episode, we talk to Amsterdam cycling aficionado Henry Cutler, founder of WorkCycles, about biking in Amsterdam, including the surprising reason why scooters share the bike paths and why there can never be too many cyclists in Amsterdam. We also answer a listener question about bringing grandparents to live in the Netherlands, introduce our new co-host Nerissa, and say goodbye to Donna. http://www.amsterdam-mamas.nl/articles/sharing-bike-path-bikes-and-scooters-amsterdam

In this episode, we cover the Dutch secondary school system including the streaming procedure, CITO exam, and some particular aspects of the process that are unique to Amsterdam.

In this episode, we share an interview from the Hiraeth Podcast about migration and the search for home. Host Monica Perez Vega talks to guest Kristina about the different forms of migration she has experienced, including coming to the Netherlands as both a refugee and an expat. Show Notes: http://www.amsterdam-mamas.nl/articles/around-world-search-home Hiraeth Magazine: http://hiraethmagazine.com/

In this episode, we shine a light on the experience of burnout in the Netherlands, and hear three perspectives on burnout from our community, including Amsterdam Mamas' director Emmy McCarthy's story. Show notes: http://www.amsterdam-mamas.nl/articles/what-we-talk-about-when-we-talk-about-burnouts

In this episode, we discuss eating disorders and body image issues in teens, globally and in the Netherlands. Show notes: http://www.amsterdam-mamas.nl/articles/teens-body-image-and-eating-disorders

In this episode, we talk to Eowyn Crisfield about the concept of language status and how it affects the outcomes of bilingual education. Show notes: http://www.amsterdam-mamas.nl/articles/benefit-or-detriment-paradox-bilingualism

In this episode, we talk to parenting coach, and former teacher and social worker, Alison Ochs about perfection and parenting. We explore the pitfalls, cultural taboos, and the reality of parenting while also being human. We also poke a little fun at our own imperfect podcast with a few totally legit listener emails. Show notes: http://www.amsterdam-mamas.nl/articles/so-youre-not-perfect-now-what

In this bonus segment, Katherine and Donna discuss some decluttering advice from a recent FB discussion, as well as the strangest thing you can recycle in Amsterdam.

In this episode, we talk to a stay-at-home dad and working mom about parenting and gender roles. Show notes:

In this episode, we talk with an Amsterdam Mama of seven children to find out what it’s like to navigate city living with a larger-than-average family. We also discuss the decision to close the Village Card.

In this episode, we hear the story of two Amsterdam Papas and learn how they became the parents to twin boys through gestational surrogacy. We find out what their options were as gay (intended) fathers, how they decided on surrogacy, what decisions they had to make along the way, and what sort of legal issues they encountered after the birth. Their story spans three countries, involves a change.org petition, and required over 200 pages of legal documents. Show notes: http://www.amsterdam-mamas.nl/stories/pride-papahood-rainbow-family-story

In this episode, we interview two parents raising neurologically-atypical children in the Amsterdam Mamas community: Lucinda Juliani, founder of the Special Needs Families in the Netherlands support group, and Debbie Reber, founder of the TiLT Parenting podcast and website. We touch on both their of their choices to move to the Netherlands, how they navigated their educational options, the needs they had and where it led them. The parenthood journey, it turns out, often takes us to unexpected destinations. Show notes: http://www.amsterdam-mamas.nl/stories/when-parenting-takes-you-somewhere-different

In this episode, we talk to child psychologist Kate Berger from the Expat Kids Club about how to help children adjust to an international move. We also hear from four new arrivals to Amsterdam, to find out what it’s like to be in the midst of the adjustment. Finally, we learn about a new Amsterdam-based magazine exploring the theme of migration. Show Notes: http://www.amsterdam-mamas.nl/stories/moving-internationally-kids-what-expect-and-how-help-them

In this episode, we talk to psychologist and Amsterdam Papa Stephen Davies about the changing role of fathers. We also explain how the OV-chipkaart system works and how to register your child to travel for free on NS trains. Shown notes: www.amsterdam-mamas.nl/stories/what-does-dad-do

this episode, we kick off our third season and introduce our new co-host, Katherine Perretta, as well as some new segments. We hand the mic over to our director, Emmy McCarthy, to talk about whatever she wants for five minutes or less -- and we find out her thoughts on her original "business plan" for Amsterdam Mamas, five years later. Finally, we kick off a listener question series, but this time co-host Donna Bardsley starts off with a question for our listeners: should she get her 13-year-old a smartphone? Show notes: http://www.amsterdam-mamas.nl/stories/amsterdam-mamas-five-years-old

Interested in being part of the Amsterdam Mamas Podcast? We're looking for families in our community to contribute to our next season!

Are you new to Amsterdam and looking for fun things to do with your children? Or have your children outgrown some of their old favorite spots? Maybe you’ve lived here for a long time but are curious about what other families do in their free time. Either way, we’ve got you covered! On this final episode of season 2, we ask experts from our community and from our Amsterdam Mamas’ team about their favorite things to do in Amsterdam with kids. Show notes: http://www.amsterdam-mamas.nl/stories/our-top-things-do-kids-amsterdam-season-2-episode-18

In this episode, we check in with our guest "Mohammed" from our EU refugee crisis episode (#2), 6 months after our initial interview, to see how he and his family are doing. Show notes: http://www.amsterdam-mamas.nl/stories/update-mohammed-six-months-later

In this episode, we bring you the story of a mother who found herself trapped in a foreign country and a living nightmare, fighting for the right to go home with her children. Roz Osborne is the founder of GlobalARRK, a support group for parents stuck abroad. She sits down with host Donna Bardsley to share her experience. Show notes: http://www.amsterdam-mamas.nl/stories/when-international-family-law-gets-messy

In this episode, we talk to Ian Curry-Sumner, a consultant in international family law, about one of our most frequently-asked questions: what documentation does a parent need to travel alone with their child across international borders? Show notes: http://www.amsterdam-mamas.nl/stories/solo-parent-travel-and-law