
Dutch government resigns: what are the consequences for the corona crisis?
The Dutch prime minister Mark Rutte’s government resigned on Friday 15 January over a scandal in which thousands of parents were falsely accused of child benefit fraud between 2013 and 2019.
Ministers will stay on in a caretaker capacity…

Dutch lockdown continues until at least 9 February
On the evening of Tuesday 12 January, prime minister Mark Rutte and minister Hugo de Jonge announced that the measures to contain the spread of the coronavirus would be extended for a further 3 weeks. The previous announcement in December…

Unruly kids: is it time to embrace the ‘time out’?
Time out is often used to calm children down. It is a controversial method, with both supporters and opponents. This article includes a description of what the ‘time out’ method entails and the advantages and disadvantages that go along…

Freebies for newborns in the Netherlands
When your new baby is delivered, this will undoubtedly be the best present ever. Though, did you know that you can get other deliveries – for free – for when you bring your newborn home, if you know where to look? Read on to know what surprises…

Compulsary negative coronavirus test for all travellers
A compulsory negative COVID-19 test result is now required for all airline passengers, including Dutch nationals.
The Dutch government recently amended the travel restrictions, valid for all incoming passengers including EU residents. The…

Live life without regrets
Living life without regrets needs you need to take the leap. Are you ready?
Regret is poison. Imagine being 90 years old and you're looking back upon your life and all you can think is:
What if I had done it?'
What if I had done what…

A coronavirus patient from Haarlem taken by helicopter to German hospital
On Monday 21 December, a coronavirus patient from Haarlem was taken by helicopter to a hospital in Dortmund. This is first infected patient in two months that has been transported to Germany.
The last time patients were admitted to…

Feeling blue this festive season?
Some of us, this year more than ever, might be dreading the upcoming festivities. Not being able to travel home to be with loved ones is going to be tough for so many people. While some might be putting a brave face on, determined to decorate…

8894 new infections yesterday, 1600 more than the weekly average
A total of 8894 new confirmed coronavirus infections were reported to the RIVM as of Friday morning on 11 December, which is 120 more than the previous day. The weekly average is 7264. The number of infections has increased rapidly over the…

Writing Christmas cards to Haarlem's elderly residents
It’s the festive season and a perfect time to do a good deed for fellow residents in the city, right? How about penning a little message on a Christmas card as a surprise for someone who might not otherwise receive any Christmas mail? It could…

Simpel voted Website of the Year 2020
On 26 November, 2020, Simpel was voted the 'Website of the Year 2020' by the Dutch public, making it the overall winner of the 20th edition of this exciting election.
The Website of the Year election* is the largest online public award…

From 1 December, face masks compulsory in all indoor public places in the Netherlands
To reduce the spread of the coronavirus, it is compulsory to wear a face mask in all public indoor spaces for everyone aged 13 and older from Tuesday 1 December. Anyone not wearing a mask can be fined €95.
The new law provides a legal…

Addressing the need to be liked
It is time to stop being a people pleaser and instead make time to build more self-worth.
You are a kind person, that's great, but when do you become a people pleaser?
The difference between being nice and being a people pleaser is the…

Intensive mothering: the concept fully explained
Have you ever heard of ‘intensive mothering’? It could be a term relevant to all mothers in 2020 – as it has been quite an intensive year, right? Though, it is actually a concept that was introduced in the 1990s. Read on to discover more…

Dutch coronavirus response: survey for internationals
A new survey aimed at internationals living in the Netherlands about how the coronavirus pandemic is impacting their daily lives has been issued by ICAP, the International Community Advisory Panel – which is an initiative put together by four…

Experiencing gratitude even in tough times
It is mid-November and Thanksgiving is just around the corner. With the trials that 2020 has brought us so far, it has been a tough year – though, maybe we can still take a moment and find something to be grateful for. If you wish to welcome…

Cabinet tightens up measures to tackle coronavirus
On the evening of 3 November, prime minister Mark Rutte and minister Hugo de Jonge announced new measures to contain the spread of the coronavirus. In addition to extending the current measures, part of the package of new measures…

Coronavirus in Haarlem: latest numbers from the RIVM
The total number of Haarlem residents that tested positive for coronavirus over the last week was 553. The figures were announced in the new weekly update from the RIVM. A total of 67,542 Dutch people received confirmation that they are infected…

How to let go of limiting beliefs
Your challenge is to shut down the monkey mind in order to break free from your limiting beliefs.
Your dream is to wake up to a life + career + relationships you love.
You want a lifestyle that has other people saying: wow, you're so lucky!
What…

Uncertainties of global mobility for expats during a pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic has basically impacted all aspects of life including the way we work and travel. We are living in times of great uncertainty. In this blog post, I shed light on the global mobility trends 2020/2021 and how the pandemic…

The Netherlands ranked best place to grow up by UNICEF report
According to a recent UNICEF report, Dutch kids come out top in a league table of well-being outcomes across 41 of the world’s richest countries. Though, there is always room for improvement.
UNICEF’s Innocenti Report Card 16 – ‘Worlds…

Tips for communicating with your kids
Trying to get your message across in a busy household takes work. Getting your children to listen to you is another mountain to climb. Remember that it is a two-way process and learning to honestly talk to each other can really help. Clear conversations…

Post-career break: how about a returnship?
Calling anyone considering going back to work after a career break, whether that be after having had children or following a move abroad. If you are ready to make decisions and take action, be sure to consider all options. Did you ever think…

Manifest anything you want
Every day, every moment, every second, we are determining our reality. We have the power. We have control.
Would you like to wake up in a good mood every day?
Monday or Sunday would be equally fun because you're doing what you love every…

A healthy dose of nostalgia
Is there actually such a thing as a healthy dose of nostalgia? Most expats will be familiar with those pangs of nostalgia that can hit at any moment. Being overcome by a nostalgic fog can have both its positives and negatives – it can be triggered…

Green-roofed bus shelters in Haarlem
Two bus shelters at the Verwulft in Haarlem have gone 'green'. Since 7 September, the bus shelters have been installed with eco-roofs and are topped with plants. Residents of the surrounding houses can now look out onto a mini garden. The plants…

How to calm down children?
When children are at home a lot, surrounded by their brothers and sisters, tensions can sometimes build. Children can suffer from tension and over stimulation. Here, I advise the following if you have children who argue a lot.
Read…

Juggling family and career: decide on your model
Anyone who wants to get back to work after having a baby will often seek tips from those who have done exactly this before them. What happens to family life when the time comes to rejoin the workforce? How do you approach this juggling act?…

Dutch CoronaMelder coronavirus app to feature multiple languages
The CoronaMelder coronavirus app is in an advanced stage of development. CoronaMelder is currently being trialled in several regions in the Netherlands and will offer multiple language options, including English, German, Polish and Turkish,…

Testing centre at Schiphol Airport open from this week
A testing centre at Schiphol Airport opened on Friday 14 August. This is where travellers returning from high-risk areas can get themselves tested. Read about what that involves.
By getting yourself tested for COVID-19 at Schiphol,…