Category Archives: The Netherlands

Spring Traditions Around the World

Posted on April 12, 2013 | 8 Comments

I am part of a world-side, diverse group of bloggers called Multicultural Kid Bloggers who write about their experiences in multicultural parenting. Every month we host a different blogging carnival, which focuses on a relevant topic, and includes perspectives from (literally) around the world. For example, we discussed teaching heritage to your children, and talked about winter traditions around the world, and the importance of family traditions. Join us on facebook, Twitter or pinterest to meet other multicultural, globally-minded parents.

This month’s carnival is all about our Spring traditions. Continue reading →

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Posted in Africa, Around the World, Asia, Australia, Australia and Oceania, Canada, Celebrations, China, Europe, Malawi, Mexico, Poland, The Americas, The Netherlands, United States

Tagged spring, traditions

Dutch Pancakes: “Pannekoeken”

Posted on June 2, 2012 | Leave a comment

Many US restaurants have “pannekoeken” on the menu, borrowing the Dutch name to describe a US-invented “Dutch Baby,” puffy pancake. This recipe, however, is the real deal. Sally Roden, from The Hague in Holland, shares with us how to make authentic pannekoeken. These Dutch pancakes are different than pancakes from other countries because they are chewy and very thin due to the runny batter. You can eat them with syrup, powdered sugar, or plain butter- or try molasses-based stroop. In the batter you might find cheese, bacon, raisins, or other fruit. Don’t just limit yourself to breakfast! These Dutch pancakes can be eaten at all times of the day- especially dinner- or for dessert. Continue reading →

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Posted in Europe, Food, The Netherlands

Tagged break

Real Families: One World, Two Kids, Three Languages- Our Lives in Belgium

Posted on May 8, 2012 | 2 Comments

This is the second in a series of articles on real families who are embracing and incorporating cultures and languages into their lives. If you you would like to be featured, send us a note. Today’s post is written by JR Hammerschmidt, US American mother of 2 adorable little girls, who is living in Belgium.

I live in Belgium with my family, which includes my husband and my two daughters, an 18 month old and a 6 year old. Belgium is a small country in western Europe, bordered by four different countries: Germany, France, Luxemburg, and the Netherlands. At the crossroads of so many different cultural and linguistic influences, Belgium is a very diverse place. Dutch, French, and German are the three official languages here. We live in the Dutch-speaking city of Ghent.

My daughter on a sunny day in Ghent

Both my husband and I are foreigners in Belgium: he is German, and I am US American. Before we came to Belgium, we already had a mix of our two different languages and cultures at home. Continue reading →

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Posted in Belgium, Europe, Field Trips and Travel, Language, The Netherlands, Travel with Kids

Tagged living abroad, real families

Christmas in the Netherlands with Sinterklaas + 2 Christmas Cookie Recipes

Posted on December 10, 2011 | 2 Comments

The Hague is in Holland, which is only a part of the Netherlands. The country is bordered by Germany, Belgium, and the North Sea, in northwestern Europe. The primary language is Dutch.

I asked my lovely friend Sally Roden, to tell me a little bit about the Christmas season in the Netherlands. Sally is from The Hague in Holland, and is the mom to 3 beautiful and active boys. She wrote this piece about St. Nicholas Day, which is celebrated around the country of the Netherlands on December 5th. St. Nicholas is the patron saint of children, sailors, and the city of Amsterdam, and visits children on December 5th at night to leave them gifts. I’ll let Sally tell the rest…

St. Nicholas is called Sinterklaas.

Saint Nicholas
Ask a Dutch child what he is thinking about right now and he’ll say: ” I hope he’ll come tonight.” Who is he, you wonder? He is Saint Nicholas or one of his Zwarte Piet helpers. Every year mid November, he and his helpers arrive by boat from Spain. Sinterklaas, as kids call him, travels around the country on his white horse, Amigo. He and his helpers jump from roof to roof and listen at the chimneys to make sure Dutch children are behaving well. In return they can hope for a little present left in their shoe when they wake up in the morning. Continue reading →