14-28 Apr: Tiny tips for a big executive function boost (#11)

Happy Monday everyone! Alexandra here 👋 

It’s been a big few weeks at APP, between the launch of our Burnout Support Program and our first Co-Work with Kids event. And now thankfully we can put down our to-do lists and return to business usual. This week we’ve got tips for staying on top of things while parenting with ADHD (also helpful to non-ADHDers.) Plus our round-up of kid-friendly events. Read on and let’s get organized! 💪

👩‍⚕️ Dear Dr. Mom: I’m back at work after mat leave and my ADHD is out of control. I’m spending all my time just trying to keep things going. It’s really overwhelming. Help!

Keeping things together when you’re a parent is a tough enough gig – and that’s without all the curveballs thrown your way by ADHD. If you’re anything like us, all the systems you put in place so carefully might be feeling out of reach. Enough sleep? Predictable routine? Wiggle room in your schedule? Forget it.

But don’t despair: there is hope! We turned to ADHD specialist Dr. Annebeth Dekker-Kuijs for advice. Read on for her tips – which are helpful even for those who aren’t facing challenges in the executive function department.

Have a question you want to ask us? Submit it here. All questions will be anonymized and edited for clarity.

🗓️ What’s happening around town

Looking for something fun to do with your little one? Here's a selection of upcoming activities and events for babies, toddlers, and their parents. Happy Passover, Easter, and King’s Day to all who celebrate!

Everywhere

• Preschool Open Day (Dag van de Voorschool)

  Wed 16 Apr @ 10:00-12:00

  You can visit, take a tour, and learn more about the Dutch preschool model at over 200 schools across the city. For parents and toddlers aged 1-3.

• King’s Day Free Market (Vrijmarkt)

  Sat 26 Apr @ 06:00-20:00

  That’s right, King’s Day is on the 26th this year! Vondelpark opens at 9am for the largest family-friendly free market, where children sell secondhand items and sing, dance, and more for small change. Other (less busy) places like Erasmuspark also have live music! The link above has a list of all of the children’s markets in the city.

Center

• From Overload to Equity: Tackling the Parental Mental Load

  Tue 15 Apr @ 19:00-20:30 — Nieuwmarkt

  The mental load is real, and it’s exhausting. Coach Karla from the Working Mama Collective is hosting a workshop at Equals to help parents understand, articulate, and rebalance responsibilities, without micromanaging or delegating.

North

• Easter Family Brunch & Egg Hunt at Lowlander

  Sun 20 - Mon 21 Apr @ 10:00-16:00

  Enjoy a nice family brunch inspired by spring and botanicals, plus lots of room for the kids to run around and find eggs during the egg hunt.

South

• District Church’s Easter Egg Hunt

  Sat 19 Apr @ 11:30 — De Pijp

  This free egg hunt is designed for kids 1-3 years old — older kids start 15 minutes later! And there’s a bouncy castle, face painting, and food.

• Community Café at Maison Parentally

  Wed 23 Apr @ 10:30-12:00 (Weekly) — De Pijp

  A new weekly rendezvous to put on your agenda in Parentally’s new in-person location. It’s for all (expectant) parents and their babies, dads included.

East

• Toddler Music + Movement with ABC Music

  Wed 23 Apr @ 10:00-11:00 (Weekly) — IJburg

  New music class just dropped 🎤🎵 Coffee & Kids hosts a weekly interactive workshop to get your toddler groovin’ and movin’.

Want to share an event with our community? Email [email protected] to get in touch.

Until next time,

Alexandra from the Amsterdam Parent Project (APP)