Posts

Gerd Altmann ©
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Top tips for last-minute Christmas shopping

Okay so it's December 18th, you could start to panic BUT we would rather you didn't! Whether you are yet to pick up the hottest gadget of the year or you simply need to grab the last few items on that wish list, here are a few stress-busting…
Grote Markt HaarlemFiona McGeever ©
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Life in the Netherlands

90 days in: Life in the Netherlands. Is it time to stick or twist? When I was about one month into my time in the Netherlands, I met up with some other expats.  Those that were here for one year shared with me that the first six months were…
Houtfestival
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Houtfestival: open-air music and dance festival

One of Haarlem’s biggest outdoor fests offers an exotic blend of music. It takes place at the Stadspark de Haarlemmerhout in Haarlem. Houtfestival is a relaxed event where people of all ages and backgrounds come. You can listen to the…
senior
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Turning Your House into a Senior Friendly Home

The Netherlands is well known for its beautiful houses and stunning scenery. And in contrast to many other European cities, it is possible to find many two-or three-story homes with a scenic garden – just perfect for families with…
Sint Maarten
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Sint Maarten's Day

St. Martin's Day or Sint Maarten in Dutch is a popular children's feast day in many parts of the Netherlands and it is celebrated on 11 November.  Typically, in the early winter evening of 11 November, small groups of children can…
missing
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What do you miss the most and what does that say about you.

All of us know the feeling of missing – a loved one (person or pet) who has passed; a best friend who moves to another school; a favorite book, toy or memento forever lost; a garden sanctuary that someone else discovered. For expats,…
Experience Haarlem Fair 2017
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Video and photos Experience Haarlem Fair 2017

We are pleasured to show you the video en photos of the Experience Haarlem Fair 2017. Here is the video of the Experience Haarlem Fair 2017. The video is made by Cherello With. Find the photo album of the Experience Haarlem Fair…
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Experience Haarlem Fair

Speeches, presentations, workshops, exhibitors, kids entertainment, Tierney's Pub Quiz, popular music band The Buccaneers, drinks, meeting people & having fun. Join the largest bilingual fair in the Haarlem area! The program will cover…
elderly
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You should check in on your elderly neighbours

Has the West lost its ability to care for the vulnerable in society? Taking care of our own families is increasingly difficult in the 21st century; especially if some members live abroad and far away from other family members. The UK…
Family
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The Netherlands is voted one of the best countries for raising a family.

InterNations, the world's largest network of expats, conducted a survey in which they rated 43 different aspects of life abroad on a scale of 1-7. Expats scored everything from children's health and safety, to childcare and education. Each…
festive season
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Help! I got the festive season blues

The festive season and end-of-year celebrations are supposed to be the most joyous time of the year: fancy dress, gourmet foods, decorations, lights, parties, music, gifts and an opportunity to spend time with family and friends. But this is…
Interview of the month
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Interview of the month November 2016

Arriving in a new country is such a change, and  how to feel ‘’at Home’’ can be a challenge. How can an expat integrate easily? In my goal to support people with confidence and languages, I hear many real-life stories.  Through…
interview month
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Interview of the month September 2016

Arriving in a new country is such a change, and  how to feel ‘’at Home’’ can be a challenge. How can an expat integrate easily? This month I introduce you to Sukhada Parkhi Interview with Sukhada Original country: India Expat…

Reduce conflict during family vacation

Happy Mother's Day! (Picture: Arianna Ardia)
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Happy Mother's Day!

Moederdag or Mother's Day in the Netherlands is always the second Sunday of May: this year on May 8th. What, how, since when, ideas for Mother's Day, what to write in Dutch on a Mother's Day card. And... a drawing. Download and let your kid(s)…
'Buurman & Buurman'
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'Buurman & Buurman' turns 40!

The Dutch very popular characters, loved by adults and kids, are turning 40. To celebrate Pathé Cinemas are showing an hour long special daily until the 6th April 2016.  For those who do not know what 'Buurman & Buurman' is 'Two…
Bloemencorso
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Bloemencorso 2016 Flower Parade

Hey, did you know that the annual Flower Parade of the Bollenstreek is starting soon? The Flower Parade is a parade of about twenty floats and more than thirty special floats, decorated with an abundance of flowers. The theme for 2016…
Keukenhof Gardens open till May 18th
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Keukenhof Gardens open from today till May 16th

Enjoy the fabulous sea of flowers of Keukenhof Gardens. With 32 hectares and approximately 7 million flower bulbs Keukenhof is the world’s largest flower garden and probably the most beautiful spring park in the world.  Keukenhof Gardens…
Linnaeushof, Europe's biggest playground, is open
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Linnaeushof, Europe's biggest playground is open again

Speelparadijs Linnaeushof: the biggest playground of Europe! So close! Linnaeushof is located in Bennebroek, a 15 minute drive from Haarlem and Leiden, just some more from Amsterdam and The Hague.  During the whole season (April till…
Luilak
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Luilak Day

Saturday before Pentecost: little wagons and a lot of noise? Sunday of Pentecost: dirty windows? LUILAK DAY! Luilak, or Lazybones Day, is a youth festival celebrated in Zaandam, Haarlem, Amsterdam and other towns in the western Netherlands.…
4 & 5 May: Remembrance Day and Liberation Day (Photo: Melanie Caitlin)
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4 & 5 May: Remembrance Day and Liberation Day 2015

The Netherlands is unique among the other European countries in having two national ceremony days originating from the Second World War: Remembrance Day – ‘Dodenherdenking’ and Liberation Day – ‘Bevrijdingsdag’. On 4 May there…
Flower Parade
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Flower Parade Bollenstreek 2015

The Bloemencorso Bollenstreek, or Flower Parade of the Bollenstreek (Bulbs Area) is one of the most famous parades in the world. More than a million people come to see the beautiful flower praalwagens (floats). The Flower Parade Bollenstreek…
12 things parents raising bilingual children need to know (Photo: Rachel Ranting)

12 things parents raising bilingual children need to know

1 – It doesn’t happen by magic Children do not become bilingual “by magic”. There is a persistent myth claiming that “children are like sponges when it comes to language” and that they will learn all languages they hear regularly…
How to fit into Dutch society, have a home birth (Photo: Sofeminine)
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How to fit into Dutch society, have a home birth

The Shallow Man, after ten years in the Netherlands has learned many things about the Nederlandse samenleving. One of the things that has puzzled both myself and many other expats is why Dutch women are so loud. There have been many theories…
Dutch crèches refusing non-vaccinated children
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Dutch crèches refusing non-vaccinated children

At least 5 crèches in the Netherlands now refuse children who have not been vaccinated, according to a survey conducted by RTL News. Of 560 daycare organizations that responded to RTL’s questions about vaccination policies, 118 said…
Clothing industry revises children's sizes (Photo: NOS)
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Clothing industry revises children's sizes

Dutch children are on average 2 kilos heavier than they were 12 years ago, and their waists are 4 cm thicker, according to research institute TNO. "The current children sizes, of 12 years ago, are too small nowadays. Children have become…
Luilak Day
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Luilak Day

Saturday before Pentecost: little wagons and a lot of noise? Sunday of Pentecost: dirty windows? LUILAK DAY! Luilak, or Lazybones Day, is a youth festival celebrated in Zaandam, Haarlem, Amsterdam and other towns in the western Netherlands.…
Duch toddlers' songs - Olifantje in het bos

Dutch toddlers' songs - Olifantje in het bos

Olifantje in het bos Laat je mamma toch niet los! Anders raak je de weg nog kwijt, en dan krijg je later spijt. Olifantje in het bos Laat je mamma toch niet los!   Don’t know the music? Our mini members Luca & Laura…
English lessons to bilingual children in Haarlem and surroundings (Photo: Gerlinde de Haas)
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English lessons to bilingual children in Haarlem and surroundings

Haarlem is a great place to grow up for children and although there are many internationals living in Haarlem, there is currently no international education in Haarlem. Once at school, multilingual families often experience that the primary…
Five forms of child care in the Netherlands - Day care

Five forms of childcare in the Netherlands - Part 1: Day care

Are you expecting your first child soon? And are you looking for high-quality childcare for your baby? Or are you an expat family that has arranged childcare already, but would you like to reconsider whether this form of care still fits you…