The inaugural meeting of our “Parenting in the Netherlands” series took place last week at the International School of Almere, marking a strong start to this new community initiative. Hosted in the school’s spacious and bright aula, the event brought together parents of children ranging from early elementary age through adolescence.

Led by youth and family expert Ronnie Kendall and child psychologist Dr. Çisem Gürel, the first session focused on “Parenting Through Change” – exploring how relocation and life transitions affect children and teens, and providing practical strategies for parents supporting their children through emotional and behavioural challenges.

The presenters created a warm and safe atmosphere that encouraged open dialogue among attendees. Parents readily shared personal experiences about navigating cultural transitions, adapting to new school systems, and addressing the unique challenges facing international families in Almere.

“What stood out most was the genuine connection that formed among participants,” noted one of the organizers.

“The formal presentation portion was informative, but equally valuable was watching parents discover they weren’t alone in their struggles.”

The engagement was so enthusiastic that conversations continued almost an hour after the scheduled end time, with parents networking and continuing discussions with both the experts and each other.

Looking Ahead

The next session is scheduled for July 1st, focusing on “Understanding and Communicating with Your Child or Teen.” This session will explore setting healthy boundaries, managing conflict, and connecting meaningfully with children at every developmental stage.

These sessions are open to all parents of children aged 4-18 living in Almere, with a special focus on families navigating behavioural challenges, school difficulties, or cultural transitions.

For more information or to register for the upcoming session (FREE), please register HERE.