Heidi lives with me in Schijndel. I know her mainly by sight—her children attend school with my daughter, and Ive seen her around there in the past. Recently, I learned through local news that Heidi is chronically ill with multiple sclerosis (MS). Shes far from alone in this struggle, but her story

Oops. Last week, my usually sweet but occasionally blunt husband gave me tough love when I vented about stubborn pounds. He said, Well, then exercise more and eat less, right? Ouch.Of course, hes spot on—I know that. But in those moments, a little empathy would go a long way: a hug, a gentle hair st

As a parent whos battled endless mealtime battles—toddler refusing veggies, food fights, and wasted leftovers—Ive found a game-changer: the Strip Card system. If your little one digs in their heels at the table, this simple, effective tool creates a positive atmosphere and gets them eating joyfully.

For nearly every woman, menstruation is a natural part of life—something our grandmothers, mothers, aunts, and neighbors all experienced. Its utterly commonplace. So, why a book on periods? Saskia van Ommen, author of How Do I Survive My Period, argues we absolutely need one. Despite its universalit

Deciding when to introduce your childs first pillow and selecting the right one can feel overwhelming. Our nearly three-year-old, Noud, recently started asking for one after borrowing ours. As parents with years of experience navigating toddler sleep, weve explored the options and share expert insig

Franziska shared her insights after reading my article on moving more and eating smarter. Shes passionate about her fitness hula hoop, so I asked about her real-world experiences with it and weight loss overall. Heres her authentic story, drawn from years as an entrepreneurial mom.Table of ContentsF

Suddenly, I was at the bottom of the slope, unable to stand. Thats how my ski trip with friends ended last weekend. Diagnosis: torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and outer knee ligament in my right knee—or so I gathered, given my limited German and the Austrian doctors reluctance to speak English

Drink pouches are incredibly convenient—perfect for on-the-go days, amusement parks, or school lunches. Tired of leaky cups, soaked bags, and disappointed kids? Those colorful pouches in the supermarket catch every childs eye. Sound familiar?Table of contentsBut what’s actually in a drink pouch?A lo

The real pink cloud is quite rare, says Quintra Rijnders. In her compelling book The Black Cloud, she vividly details slipping into postpartum depression, enduring its challenges, and rising above it. This vital topic remains shrouded in taboo, despite affecting countless new mothers.Table of conten

As a parent and seasoned observer of lifes rhythms, Ive noticed my perception of time shifting dramatically over the years—and not for the better. These days, time races ahead. Days blur into weeks, weeks into months, and suddenly, a decade has passed with kids growing up before my eyes. If this res

Emotions are running high online following a controversial column advising against childhood vaccinations (now removed) and a mothers harrowing account on Vrouw.nl of her baby nearly dying from measles contracted from an unvaccinated child. Heres a closer look at the risks of forgoing vaccinations.T

As a mom, youre juggling countless responsibilities. Sex might not even crack your top three priorities. If your intimate life needs a boost, these tips—drawn from my own experience—can help.Im single right now, but sex remains a vital part of my life. It energizes me, enhances my sense of femininit

I still remember knocking on my parents door at 17 to ask about starting birth control. Living at home, I was a challenging teen who made everything negotiable—including ditching condoms for the pill to avoid unprotected sex. My parents were unaware of my two-year relationship or sexual activity, wh

Im done with the relentless superfood buzz. Its everywhere you turn, but has this trend gone too far? Everyday foods offer plenty of nutrition without the hype.Superfoods are a catch-all term for nutrient-dense plants and fruits packed with proteins, minerals, vitamins, enzymes, antioxidants, polysa

To bed, to bed, says Sleep... But first, I need to fold laundry, check emails, prep lunch boxes, and more, replies the night owl. Sound familiar? If so, you might wake up less than refreshed. Research reveals the ideal bedtimes for children and adults—and honestly, most of us fall short.As a parent

In the blogging world, tags are a fun way to spark conversations. For those new to it, a blogger tag is a set of questions created by one blogger and passed along to others. You copy the questions, credit the originator, and share your honest answers. Today, Im launching my own: the What Makes Me Ne

The Netherlands boasts a unique culinary landscape thats often met with raised eyebrows from international visitors. While our fries with mayonnaise (famously featured in Pulp Fiction) and raw herring spark confusion, chocolate sprinkles—or hagelslag—on bread top the list of head-scratchers. As a D

There’s a familiar groan from under the covers—not one of pleasure, but of deep discomfort. It sounds like pure agony. When my husband has the flu, it’s immediately apparent. What do you do with a case of the flu? Pop a paracetamol and carry on, dropping the kids at school? For men, it’s a different

Traffic accidents can happen in an instant, even when youre not at fault. Last year, there were 629 fatalities on the roads, with cyclists making up the vast majority. Notably, women are disproportionately represented among road victims, often facing more severe outcomes.Navigating the Roads SafelyT

As a parent, navigating an ADHD diagnosis for your child can feel overwhelming. While labels like ADHD arent always necessary, a formal diagnosis opens doors to targeted support, including medication when behavioral strategies alone arent enough. If your child exhibits clear ADHD traits and struggle