Happy Monday and happy September, y’all.
Fall has always been my favorite season — changing leaves, scarf weather, apple cider donuts (IYKYK). While it’s bittersweet to say goodbye to the beloved pair of shorts we’ll definitely outgrow before next Summer, there’s something about Fall that beckons “new beginnings” and new adventures, and I’m ready to lean in. We’ve been exploring Noord a lot lately, given that my toddler is obsessed with the ferry. If you have any favorite spots up there, do let me know!
And if you’re keeping tabs on APP-land: We’ve started our First Year Program this September with some lovely new families. The Community Call last week was a powerful reminder of why deep impact designed for a small scale is important — to be the highly personal support system when other systems aren’t set up to catch you. In the age of AI and efficiency, some things are just meant to be rooted in the community around you. Proud to be doing that work. (And always open to all families with a baby under 1, if you’re keen to join our rolling program.)
With tiny hands come big changes 🥹
👩⚕️ Dear Dr. Mom: I love being a mother. So why do I miss my old life and old self?
This issue’s expert column is for the moms out there who are in the messy beginning, middle (and neverending) transformation that comes with becoming a mother. Changes compounding from so many different directions — physical, emotional, social, psychological, hormonal — all while you’re sleep deprived and trying to do probably the highest-stakes thing you’ve ever tried to do in your life. With no actual training, just vibes and whatever evolution gave us.
Ellen Johnson and Kelsey Mather, two local moms and professional transformational coaches, are here to tell us that, actually, nothing is wrong. It’s not only okay to be grappling with conflicting feelings — it’s totally normal. And there’s a name for it all: matrescence.
Matrescence makes room for the "both/and" — the concept that two seemingly opposite things can be true at once. These feelings don't cancel each other out. They can exist at exactly the same time and both be valid.
I love their post because they’ve said the quiet parts out loud that we all think to ourselves. There’s a framework and a phenomenon behind what we’re going through — which feels like permission to live in the transformation rather than treating our newfound identities as a problem to be solved.
If you want to dive deeper in a safe space, Ellen & Kelsey are also hosting an upcoming in-person workshop on the topic in Amsterdam.
Tue 29 Sep @ 18:30-20:30 — Grachtengordel
A workshop for mothers who want to pause and reflect upon the many layers of who they are becoming. Guided by professional coaches and local moms Ellen & Kelsey, the group will explore the emotional complexity of motherhood, identity and self from a biological, psychological, social, and cultural lens. This event is adults only, so please leave your little ones at home to delve deep, distraction-free.
Shannon from Mukha Yoga is offering a free community class in West this month!
🗓️ 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.
APP & Friends
Thu 10 Sep @ 10:00-11:00 — Museumplein
Room for 2 more toddlers and their parents on our Rijksmuseum tour of the Fiep Westendorp exhibit this week! Guide Paola Bucciol has been sending me pictures of the cool post-tour activity she has planned in the exhibit’s play lab. I’m definitely excited 😎
Fri 18 Sep @ 12:00-13:00 — Grachtengordel
Expecting families often hear about how doulas support the birth & postpartum period — but understanding how they can help YOU can be harder. APP has partnered with Hello Doula to provide clarity on Amsterdam doula FAQs like how birth doulas work alongside midwives, how postpartum doulas support your family, and more. Bring your questions and let's chat with Justine from Hello Doula — who was also my birth doula!
Wed 23 Sep @ 11:00-12:30 — Oosterdok
Feeding your baby is one of the most magical AND grueling parts of new parenthood, and a little peer support, expert guidance, and validation can go a long way 🙌 Whether you feed with a bottle, pump, or boob, we invite you to come to our feeding circle — with or without baby — to share experiences and learn from other parents and Danielle, our First Year Program facilitator and postpartum doula.
West
Mon 7 Sep @ 11:00-12:00 (Weekly) — Overtoomse Veld
Tante Toorop is hosting an 8-week musical adventure featuring rhythm, movement, and singing for toddlers. Totally free, but you need to register beforehand — this started today, but I'm sure you can still join in. If you can't join on Mondays, they have a spelinloop on Friday mornings that comes highly recommended by the local folks I know.
Sun 13 Sep @ 09:30-10:30 — De Baarsjes
Join Noel and the dads in West for a run at Papote — 5.5km or 10km. Dad connections, coffee, and juice all included in the ticket — and your table is reserved for brunch afterwards if you're joining with your family!
Sun 13 Sep @ 12:00-17:00 — Osdorp
The... what?! The Elephant Poop Parade is a joyful collaboration between farmers, scientists and artists, inspired by a circular project where elephant manure from ARTIS is turned into fertilizer for the food gardens at Wereld Groente Tuintjes. There will be free workshops, dance, and food for all ages.
Sun 27 Sep @ 10:00-10:30 — Spaarndammerbuurt
Shannon from Mukha Kids is hosting a free parent and kid yoga class for the community! Join her for a sweet moment on the mat: to play, explore, breathe and get into some yoga poses with the little ones. I got my ticket — see you there 😊
South
Tue 8 Sep @ 11:00-11:45 (Weekly) — Olympic Quarter
Reset Room offers a gentle, guided pilates session designed for every stage of pregnancy and the fourth trimester. They work on breath, deep core connection, pelvic floor, and mobility, building strength safely. Babies are welcome to join! If you're interested, there was a free code shared in one of the WhatsApp groups for the Tuesday class, intended for a wide audience — reply to this email and I'll send it to you. (Just don't want to spam it out for everyone!)
Sat 19 Sep @ 10:30-12:00 (Monthly) — Rivierenbuurt
La Librairie du Chat Noir hosts a monthly storytime for French-speaking families. It's free and specifically tailored for children aged 0-3 to explore the French language in a supportive, social environment connecting French families across the city.
East
Fri 11 Sep @ 18:45-21:30 — Oosterparkbuurt
There's a free open-air concert by the Concertgebouw Orchestra in Oosterpark — and kids are specifically invited. The program features young musicians conducted by the orchestra's professionals.
Sun 13 Sep @ 10:00-11:00 — Oosterparkbuurt
Dads assemble — the Bakkie Boys are walking again. They'll start at Yusu Coffee and continue to Cafe Susy. A great casual opportunity to meet and walk with other local papas, and also perhaps catch up with your Postpartum Post date 😄
Sun 20 Sep @ 11:00-16:00 — Amsteldorp
If you enjoyed Tiny Grooves, this should probably be your next stop. The Little Big Festival at QRU will have a family rave, kids' yoga, synths for kids to play with, and stops by the Wonderbus and "Troubadour Car." Sounds groovy 🕺🏻
Center
18-19 Sep — Grachtengordel
For two days, one of the most beautiful squares in the heart of Amsterdam transforms into a large open-air concert hall and opera stage for this free classical music festival! On Saturday starting at 11:00, there is a special kids’ program, featuring a dance workshop, a story about Mozart, and a drawing competition — plus face painting, popcorn, and poffertjes!
Sat 19 Sep @ 10:00-18:00 — Jordaan
The construction isn't quite done, but that's not stopping the Rozengracht shops from throwing a party! This free festival for all ages features music, delicious food, and drinks for the whole community to enjoy.
Everywhere
Wed 9 Sep @ 07:00-19:00
I interrupt the fun family activity digest for a PSA: NS has announced a nationwide strike on Wednesday, meaning no trains will operate across the country. If you're planning on going somewhere with your little one via public transportation, make sure to check out the travel details beforehand!
12-13 Sep
Every year on the second weekend of September, thousands of beautiful monuments throughout the Netherlands are freely accessible to everyone — Amsterdam included. The link I've included above goes straight to the list of participating monuments in Amsterdam, and you can further filter on monument type and activities that they'll host. For example, in West on Saturday there's an olive oil festival in the Central Market Hall (who knew?), or you can visit the Otter windmill by Hugo De Grootplein. Something for everyone in every part of town!
Join a supportive mothers' group in Amsterdam designed for connection and sharing experiences among local moms. This free, Dutch-speaking, community-led initiative creates a space for mothers to support one another in their journey through birth and parenthood united by the motto: "Mothers are stronger together." It has been running for a few months, and will continue until December 2026 in Southeast, New West, and East.
Online
The Dutch TV program Kassa is investigating workplace lactation and pumping facilities, and they're asking for parents to share their experiences via this 2-minute anonymous survey. They'll use the results to help highlight whether current workplace conditions across Amsterdam and the Netherlands meet legal standards.
Did you find an event today? Consider donating to support our work and keep this newsletter free for the community.
Until next time,
Alex from the Amsterdam Parent Project (APP)
