A Letter from the Netherlands

My Gorgeous Mother's Day Present(c) Amanda van MulligenFor those of you who are mothers living in the Netherlands today was hopefully a day of pampering and cuddles from your little ones, and your partner of course. It's a day to put mum in the spotlight, because let's face it most days aren't..... Mum is usually too busy running around taking care of everyone else to stop and stand in the spotlight!Mother's Day in the Netherlands is always the second Sunday of May and has been since 1925 (if...

A Lonesome MagpiePhoto: Christophe LibertDoes this title ring any bells with you' If you are superstitious about magpies then asking, "hello Mr Magpie, how's your wife'"will be something that you do on a  regular basis. In fact, every time you see a lonesome magpie.I have to admit that I do have a thing about magpies. It's my only superstition or 'weird' thing. (I don't walk under ladders either but that is more a common sense thing than superstition.) If I see a magpie, I do ask him how...

As an expat you have a story to tell. You might not even realise it. You may not believe it. But the normal, every day things you do that you take for granted, that you do on automatic pilot and think nothing of, are interesting. These ordinary tasks and actions make up the moments of the life that you lead right here, right now. The things that seem mundane now will be a treasure house in the future. Want to know what I mean'Every morning the school run routine is a "tear my hair out" ninety...

We recently took a break and spent a few days on Texel, the closest of the Dutch-Frisian islands (Waddeneilanden) to the Dutch mainland. From the off it feels like you are really going on holiday because you have to go on a boat. Irrelevant is the fact that it is a trip of 20 minutes and a cost of 35 euro (return).The island of Texel is quiet (at least at the beginning of March but I fear not in the summer months) and peaceful. Driving along the narrow rural roads we often had the feeling we...

Is the Dutch languagesuffering because ofbilingualism'Following a Radio Netherlands Worldwide article about bilingualism in kids I wrote a blog post on Life with a Double Buggy. The conversation and discussion has been popular on Twitter and on the blog - the short version is that the article reported that the Dutch consultatiebureaus advise parents to teach their children open language only - and therefore do not encourage bilingualism in children here. This goes completely against my own...

I have to admit I have been swept up in the euphoria around a possible Elfstedentocht (Eleven Cities Tour), but with minimal ice growth the last few nights it's not looking likely is it'Every year I get quite excited about the idea of being able to experience (albeit this year on a television due to three sprogs in tow) such a truly Dutch sporting event. The reason why escapes me because I am no ice skater myself. In fact, I can count on two fingers the number of times I have been on ice...

Dutch Cheese - A MeasuringStick for Dutch Culture'(c) The Writing WellI read an article today on the Weekly Telegraph written by Karen Vivers about the role of Dutch food in helping her settle here in the Netherlands. It's an interesting read - the simpleness of Dutch food.... and a reminder that sometimes we don't need everything to be complicated or in her words, "bigger and better." I agree that food here in the Netherlands gives a real insight in to the Dutch culture and people.Karen...

2011 has brought lots of changes to the van Mulligen household. One of the consequences of these changes is that my focus has been solely on my role as a mother for the last few months.Time restraints have left this blog a little neglected in recent months and whilst I haven't had time to sit in front of my PC and write, I have had lots of time to think.Becoming and fulfilling the role as a mother in a country not your own brings its fair share of challenges, questions and unforgettable...

Yet again, I find myself apologising for my blog absence. Time is once more not on my side..... Between school runs, a baby with reflux and a toddler in the house I barely have time to blow my own nose, let alone write a blog post.However, a quick update and hopefully the start of more frequent posts again....The last few weeks have been centred around Sinterklaas, the Dutch celebration of the birthday of Saint Nicholas. As a Brit, this celebration has taken some years to get used to but I...

I have let people know on Facebook and Twitter about the safe arrival of our latest addition - but until now have not found the time to provide a proper blog update - and after a prod in the week - here it is.My third son made his appearance at 9.09am on Friday 7th October weighing a kilo less than both his brothers at 3520 grams but making up for it in his length of 52cm.The weeks since have been quite 'pittig' (as the Dutch say) with a re-admittance to hospital for me (nothing like being...