26 May-9 Jun: Meet Fernanda (#14)

Hi y’all! 👋 

Alex here — back for this newsletter issue after a really enriching week in APP-land.

We’re starting to connect with birth and postpartum workers for our Fourth Trimester Program (currently in development), and the initial response from the community has been positive and overwhelming, in the best way 🥹 If you’re pregnant, your friend is pregnant, or your favorite midwife/kraamzorg would want to join a community-led, nonprofit, expat postpartum support system, let’s chat!

We’re also wrapping up our pilot Burnout Support Program cohort this week. Whew, y’all, it has been deep work and healing together. Looking forward to the future cohorts to come.

👩‍⚕️ Community Spotlight: Fernanda Navarro talks navigating life one-handed — with her baby in the other hand

For Mexican expat Fernanda, navigating motherhood feels like having only one hand free — both figuratively and literally. She shares how she and her 18-month-old daughter have finally found their flow here in Amsterdam: with eating, communicating, and soaking in the city’s beauty in hard times. It probably helps that her daughter unloads the dishwasher.

What’s your best piece of advice for parents-to-be or new parents?

Your kids need you as you are, with everything that you have — including your limitations and the things you don’t like about yourself.

Want to know how Fernanda struggled then overcame her first Dutch winter with a newborn, and the advice she shared for new and seasoned parents alike? Click here to read the rest of the interview.

🗓️ What’s happening around town

New: Did you know that APP now has a public Google calendar with events for babies, toddlers, and their parents in Amsterdam? It’s great for seeing all of the recurring activities we share, too. Add to your calendar at amsterdamparentproject.nl/community-calendar.

Upcoming APP events

• BBABBY Fair

  Sat 28 June @ 9:00-18:00 — Nieuwmarkt

  Over 40 birth and postpartum professionals are gathering at the BBABBY Fair to share their expertise ranging from conception to early parenting: Before, Belly, Birth and Beyond. Come listen to the panels, participate in workshops, meet experts, and browse the booths while your little one plays in the special kid’s corner — nannies included. I’ll be representing APP at the Beyond panel in the afternoon: to talk about burnout, postpartum identity, and community building.

Multiple locations

• From the APP community: Baby swim lessons 🐠

  Wed and/or Thurs — West/South

  Interested in swimming lessons? Community member Sylwia is gathering parents who want to take Waterbabies lessons at Mercatorbad (West) on Wednesdays or Mirandabad (South) on Thursdays. Email here to register your interest and mention Sylwia’s name!

• Outdoor play areas on WipWap

  WipWap.app — Online

  With sunny weather coming, we’re all hunting for places like playgrounds, farms, cafés, and more where babies and toddlers can safely explore. In WipWap, you can search your neighborhood with the map view and click into nearby locations to see what’s there for your child’s age group. And the info is sourced from community parents, which we love 😎

Noord

• Children’s clothes and toy swap

  8-9 June @ 12:00-17:00 — NDSM

  Run by the same organization that does the swaps in De Hallen, but this time at the Lepeltje-Lepeltje food festival on NDSM-plein! Bring your old kid stuff and walk away with new clothes, toys, and books for your little ones.

West

• Parent & Child class at Amsterdam Kids Drama & Dance

  Wed 28 May, Sat 31 May, Sat 7 June @ 9:45-11:00 — Oud West

  These performance-based sessions use a combination of dance, mime, songs, costumes and decor to bring alive your child’s imagination. They’re offering trials this week and next. For toddlers 2-4 years old and their parents.

• Rollende Keukens (Rolling Kitchens Food Festival)

  28 May-1 June — Westerpark

  Looking to spice up your BLW journey? Stop by this free food festival where over 100 food trucks from all over the Netherlands (and tons of cuisines) descend on Amsterdam’s Westerpark. Live music, too. If you’re going on the weekend, APP community members recommend leaving your stroller at home.

• Green Market

  Sun 1 June — Postjesbuurt

  We love a good neighborhood party, and this one is all about plants! Kid’s activities plus cakes, tea, snacks, drinks, and (organic) herbs and plants galore for you to pick up and decorate your balcony, stoop, or garden with.

East

• Playgroup + special music session at Robbeburg

  Wed 28 May @ 10:00-12:00 — Rivierenbuurt

  Head to Robbeburg for a playdate plus joyful mini-session where the little ones will explore music through singing, playing instruments, and moving their bodies. All ages welcome.

• Baby haircut + cappuccino and babyccino

  Wed 4 Jun @ 11:00-14:00 (Every first Wed of the month) — IJburg

  Treat yourself and your baby to a haircut and coffee date: parent and baby drinks included! Hosted by Coffee & Kids.

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

Until next time,

Alex from the Amsterdam Parent Project (APP)