Those passes are not in every 'gemeente', but usualy there is something simular available. Ask about it in the 'gemeentehuis.' Every gemeente has a different aproach to how they budget their money.
@@JoviesHome in most places it would be 'participatiefonds', but Linda is right, it differs from 'gemeente' to 'gemeente'. I live in Borger-Odoorn, sports and creative/cultural things are covered by 'Jeugdfonds Sport en Cultuur Drenthe', besides that when kids are leaving the 'basisschool' they get some starters money for there next level of education. And last but not least every year (depending on how many members your family has) there is a certain amount of money available on an account of a 'gemeente webshop', you can use it to buy a computer or a bike for example. Not every 'gemeente' can spend that much, but I'm proud that we can (Yes I'm working for the gemeente).
For all places in the Netherlands, if a family cannot afford to pay for classes for their kids for sports and cultural activities (like dancing, playing a musical instrument, etc), they can find information on how to get support on the webpage jeugdfondssportencultuur.nl
@@Strodie567 not every 'gemeente' is connected to 'jeugdfondsportencultuur' (237 of the 355). But it differs from province to province. In Groningen it is lower for example (12 out of 20).
So true! I'm born in the province of Groningen and I can give a perfect example. If you ask someone 'How are you doing?' The would never say 'I'm fine' but... 'It could be worse'
Reading this... it’s just exactly what I would say about Germany. And we have all these great things too (maybe apart from the kid corners in restaurants (it’s more a thing in doctors practices, with stylist and in malls))
The most child friendly thing in the Netherlands you covered already in an earlier video. That is that parents have a whole different attitude towards their children than in the rest of the world. That aspect is even highlighted in TED talks by foreigners all over the world as a positive thing. Parents take children seriously in their opinions and their wishes. That is not to say that kids get their way all the time. They just are listened to and taken seriously. That also reflects in the freedom children get here from a very young age to explore the world by themselves as much as possible and make the necessary mistakes. I know you covered this already, but I find this aspect is internationally recongnised as being very positive for children. And Dutch children are the happiest in the world according to the UN.
I totally agree with you, although I have visited the country just several times, the people’s attitude towards children is really something that is noticed right away.
Yes, we learned to make choices and, indeed, fall flat on our faces sometimes, at a relatively young age. I think that's the reason we are both so grounded, but also very outspoken (or rude) and diverse in our opinions.
I am Dutch, and I am not the target audience for this video because I don't have kids, but I have always watched videos of Americans and Canadians who live in Germany and tell their stories and about culture shock and life in Germany, but you are the fist one I know to do these kind of things about the Netherlands. I appreciate it a lot, your content is good, your personality is nice and warm. I hope your channel grows to be big and successful!
Don't worry. Today we are Europeans. The most popular reason for Germany are only Lederhosen and Oktoberfest. Germans know how important and nice the neighbors are. I'm interested to hear more about the "normal" life in the U.S.A.. Not only the CIA filtered fakenews we get in Germany.
Congratulations on your pregnancy and your move ❤️. Where did you move from? I have a few videos here about birth and childcare and kid’s healthcare, you might find them helpful since the system is a bit different than I expected. All the best!!
@@JoviesHome thanks for your reply :) we moved from India in the month of march. And yes when i was searching for random videos about birth in netherlands and glad that i found you :)
I feel privileged to have been a child in The Netherlands, never realized how child friendly this country is. And never realized it is not common to have a playground nearby. I loved going to the kinderboederij when I was a child and now it is amazing to bring my nephews, and see theire eyes shining from joy.
This is nice to hear - and yes we are really privileged to live here, raise kids (or nephews) here. Seriously, the only contact I had with animals growing up was when we would go to the zoo or maybe seeing some ducks at a pond. But there was nothing like kinderboerderij around. And as you say, it is amazing to see the world through the eyes of a child, just appreciating the small things in life. Thanks so much for watching. 💛
All these things you mention in your movies seem so normal to me. Thanks for making me proud of my little country. I do feel bad for you when I see you struggle about the US. You are such a warm and caring person. Glad to have you!
Jovie, watching your videos makes me sometimes MISS HOME! I am a US born citizen living in the US. My parents were Dutch immigrants who decided to move back to Holland when I was 6 years old. I was raised and educated in The Netherlands, I lived there from age 6 to age 22. You point out some great things that I would say are structured programs for the well being of children and it appears that your kids are still a bit young, there is a lot more to come. I believe that there are many reasons for Holland being a great country for kids, reasons that are not easy to quantify as are some of the programs you mention. For starters, The Netherlands is small and people are far more hesitant than Americans to migrate, even as much as, an hour away from their base home town and where their family is, for things like career reasons. Because of this extended family members like grand parents, uncles, aunts, etc, as well as close friends from an early age, school friends and so on are always in close reach. Children don't experience losses of friends and family, relationships that have been forged because of a career move from Baltimore to Dallas. At age 6 I made friends with my school mates at my new school when we moved to the Netherlands. At age 22 when I left to return to the states, I still had multiple times interaction per week with those very same friends, we are not talking one or two friends, we're talking dozens. Because Holland is small, kids do not have to rely on their parents for transportation to all of their activities, the 'mom chauffeur' syndrome, kids can get to their own voetbal practice and go to the community swimming pool to meet up with their friends on their own with their bicycles and later on, on their "brommers". This creates independence at an early age which is fantastic for their development. Dutch education is supremely superior to that of the US, it is outright embarrassing for the US, the difference in quality. The Netherlands is a diverse society, but The Dutch really don't mingle that much (personal and intimate) with all the other cultures and The Dutch, as in, strictly Dutch people are enormously homogenized with extremely similar values and behavior. This means that your kid can be over at a friends house for up to 20 hours a week without you worrying what kind of people he/she is exposed to, likely, the same kind of people that you are. Have you had the pleasure of getting all tangled in political conversations or conversations about money spending......with The Dutch! Haha. You learn that The Dutch are intensely outspoken, strongly opinionated, very sincere and committed. These are not shallow people. they take things seriously, including the well being of their children, this is to the ultimate benefit of everyone. I could go on, but I am dragging on, I'll stop here.
@@in551125do Nice. And rude. And I have to agree with Wieke. Amsterdam is a Dutch city, but I feel like I'm no longer in my country whenever I spend a day there. Everything is so rushed, people are loud, extremely direct and they seem to live in their own private bubble. Being addressed to in English first doesn't help with the feeling that I've left The Netherlands ;).
@@freakstylebjdstudios8198 So what's your "great example of dutchness", and what does it take to feel you're IN your country...? Perhaps Volendam, Marken, Spakenburg, Alkmaar (ofcourse without the tourists and with clogs, cheese, windmills and traditional clothing and a non-international/ethnic population....?) ....talking about living in a bubble....!! (btw I am dutch, but apparently not according to your standards....)
My friends from abroad where amazed when they saw a kinderboerderij. At first I was like what's so special about it? We have so many of those! But they told me they never saw something like it before and they where amazed that you could touch the animals and feed them. They really enjoyed it because in their home country they hardly saw such animals and there was not so much green.
You forgot to mention the most important aspect of child well being in the Netherlands. Children are allowed a high level of independence meaning they are allowed to play outside unsupervised or ride their bikes alone or with friends etc. I highly recomend RUclips videos regarding why are dutch children the happiest in the world.
Hi Peter, I agree 100% and spoke about this in a previous video (and linked it in the cards), called "5 Ways You Know You're Raising a Child in The Netherlands". There are so many more reasons why this is an incredible place to raise kids but I have to pick/choose certain topics for certain videos. My videos are already "too long" by RUclips standards but I'd love to make videos of 2 hours to go really in depth with a topic but I'm not sure anyone would watch that 😂
What I loved about growing up in the Netherlands was the freedom we had as a child. Going everwhere on your own with your friends on your bike was amazing! Children get more freedom and become more independent and happy/secure in life. That's one of the best things about growing up in the Netherlands, and that's why we have so many happy kids here.
Hi Cindy, thanks for watching! I spoke about this wonderful feature in a previous video, if you'd like to watch it . ruclips.net/video/LMLEUhPcf7g/видео.html
Hi Ashlie, I totally understand what you're saying! It was a surprise for me too - here you have young kids playing in the neighborhoods with very little parental supervision (young as 4-5 years old). But it really builds their independence and sense of being in the world. And they are responsible too! I'm surprised by how observant and aware the kids in my neighborhood are - whenever they witness something "bad" or "wrong" (like once a different kid damaged our trash can and the other kids "reported" him to me 😂). It's an entirely different approach to parenting here.
@Ashlie Chesbrough When I was 11 I was gone on my bike with my friends all day long, and back then (the early-mid 90s) my mother had no idea where I was, but we didn't stay close to home at that age. lol! I traveled alone on the train to another city at age 9 or 10. I always thought that was normal.
@Ashlie Chesbrough My 11 yrs old daughter left today 11 am to go with her friends with their bikes to the swimmingpool , 5 km biking from our village to the nearest town. I don't have to worry about her swimming skills because she has swimming diploma' s A,B and C including rescue swimming.I just got an whatsapp message from her, she is not coming home for dinner because she was invited to have dinner in her friends home. I just told her to be back home before 8.30 pm. She is also going alone to the ortodontist appointments in a nearby village, 3 km biking. She is biking alone to her sports, cinema, friends houses, shoppingmall, or just biking around with her friends. Last week she was for the first time going alone by bus to a city 16 km away. She was going to be picked up by my sister at the station. She called me: " I don't see aunt Marian but I am standing in front of Starbucks 😃 In the Netherlands most people learn children to be as independent as possible.I recently taught her how she can fix her own punctured tire but she needs to practise a bit more. She knows how to bake cupcakes on her own, how to make tea and how to bake an egg and how to manage the oven and how to make a tosti ( toasted bread with cheese). She knows how to pay with her own bank card where I put her 3 euro a week pocket money on. I love to tell this because I know it is very uncommon for an 11 yrs old child in other countries but other Dutch people can confirm it is normal here in the Netherlands. She is 12 over 2 months. Oh, she is cleaning her own room too every saturday, included changing the bed sheets.
@@lienbijs1205 Yes, very normal in the Netherlands. My mother never drove me around in a car, at age 7 I could bike alone to my school on my new bike, and I felt free like a bird! I had some scary moments when you are alone in another city and you missed the train home and you're 13 years old, but you learn from those things. It's life skills! I'm so thankful to be Dutch for things like this.
Hey Jovie, here in The Netherlands we have something we call a openluchtmuseum. This is a kind om museum in the open air and you basically walk through The Netherlands of about 100 - 200 years ago. These museums are very kid friendly.
I LOVE this!! So Different than the US, I don’t know much of anything about the Netherlands (except Some bits of history form the world war) but I’ve always thought it sounded amazing! I would love to plan a visit one day!
@@CleanwithChristina Oh..can I be your guide then ? ! I'll do it for free but you have to continue to say nice things about us until I say "Christina, for heavens sake " And then you can stop .Deal ?
If you are low income single parent those don't help a lot. Usually the prices of those activities are market-set, discounts are not big enough, and most people who are entitled won't use them. It would be better if at least children that are talented for something get the opportunity to train or develop their skills for free, if their parents can't pay for it. In France, a friend, working for minimum wage got both of her daughter's through the music school for free, even got assistance from the government to get the instruments for them.
Hi Jovie, I enjoy watching your videos so much that I subscribed ( and I don't usually do that). You make me appreciate all the things I take for granted: I grew up with them and
Kids are the future... Ignoring them or not treating them as such is silly. And how nice is it if you can give them the tools to mold their own future. It's something that should happen all over the world. Nice video, thanks...
Lots of cities have something like a storkpass, something to support low income families with kids. In my city they pay for a hobby, like sport, ballet, music lessons, etc. This includes the necessities for the hobby, like sportsclothing. When children go to middleschool, the city pays for a bike and a computer if needed.
Seriously, when I thought I couldn't love NL more, you tell me that low income kids get a city-paid-for computer and bicycle. This whole system is just wonderful. Thank you Hennie!!
One thing that gave me a lot of freedom growing up was the ability to bike everywhere without an accompanying adult, due to the great bicycle-friendly infrastructure. I cannot remember any of my parents ever driving me anywere; I walked to school by myself from the age of 6 (ok, just a few hundred meters), cycled to friends, the swimming pool, piano lessons etc. from the age of about 8 or 9. This was in the 70’s and I know the times have changed, but I’m quite sure a lot of modern day Dutch children still have similar experiences, especially in more rural areas. I never thought it was anything special, until some expat pointed it out to me a few years ago.
And that’s why I like your video’s so much. We like to complain about everything and forget to value our blessings. You give us a good look in the mirror so we can appreciate our accomplicements and forget the flaws. Although I think the constant complaining may help to improve the system as well, it’s still valuable to count your blessings.
Thank you so much Carolina! For me, the key to being a happy person is to always appreciate what I HAVE and not only look at what I DON'T. By being grateful for simple things (like free parks, farms, cycle culture etc), it is easy to appreciate how wonderful things are here. Because the most important basics that people need to have a happy and safe and healthy life are well-regulated and there is equality in access to those things. When I compare the "have vs have not" culture in the USA it makes me feel ashamed to have some things (like you know, medical insurance) when my neighbor does not. Thank you so much for watching!
Pettingzoo or city farm is called Kinderboerderij #3 I know you were gonna mention this, and it's great As a single mom I had to say no to many times to my daughter when she wanted to do stuff. And I did the best I could. I found that swimming lesson where most important so that i paid for myself. Other thing is asked for help. Even now I get help. I apply each year voor de Schoolspullenpas. This is a card with €50 or €75 on it and it helps me pay for thing my daughter needs. This card helps me pay for school supplies she needs for the next schoolyear.
It must have been so difficult to say "no" to your daughter in those situations, but I'm so glad that you had access to the Schoolspullenpas. It makes me sick to hear US politicians talking about "family values" but never actually doing anything like giving Schoolspullenpas to families that need it. I know your daughter is 16 now but I hope you will enter the giveaway on Thursday! Thank you for being here in every video 💛
Yes very dufficult, but wat else could I do. I think sometimes they learn more from saying "no", then getting everything they want. They will take better care of the things they get. That is why I'm so glad living here. I get so much help with so many things.
Number 8 of course would be: Efteling! Have you been there miss Jovie? I don't remember. I live in a small town, with a polder right in front of my house and a forest nearby but even here there are two playgrounds within walking distance. About the restaurants: we also have special pancake restaurants. Those are often even more kid friendly. We don't have the pinky swear. We do have "Dat Klopt als een zwerende vinger" but that is something completely different.
I haven't been there (yet), just waiting for Luna to be 3 years or so. But I would love to go at Christmastime and stay in one of the little cottages. Once we took Leo on the Pannenkoekenboot around Rotterdam. It was so fun! Thanks for letting me know that I am a super weirdo asking Dutch people to pinky swear 😅😂😳
@@JoviesHome No pinky swear when I was young. We use to make a V sign (nails facing away) and spit between the index and middle finger. I think this is really a dutch thing. PS: Efteling is obligated whit kids from 3 years old:) Our kids been to the Efteling from 2 years old. They go almost every week since they have a pass and we live nearby the Efteling.
@@JoviesHome You are very welcome! 😉 You don't have to wait. You can go again when Luna is 3. When I was a kid we used to go about once a year or once every two years. We went just one day as there weren't any cottages then and even the hotel wasn't there yet. But the park was much smaller too so one day was enough.
@@JoviesHome While efteling is great, for really small kids there is not much except sprookjesbos *i'm 46 and i can wonder there all day* Maybe Duinrell or this? www.sprookjeswonderland.nl/home/ *never been to both but people i know have.
Good video, you showed the farm and restaurant, showing things in the Netherlands make your videos better, an american would say a fantastic video, but i am dutch, from the north coast part.
What I think makes the NL childfriendly is the safe biking roads (maybe not in the centre of the biggest cities) but where I lived i biked to school and sports etc from age 10 or something and it made me feel really mobile and independent and free. And because there where always seperate biking roads my mom would never really worry that i would be in an accident. Also a lot of 'gemeente' funded project for kids. In my time i there was something called "Plein Actief" and every wednesday there would be PE teachers at the playground of my neighbourhood and they would organise very fun activities and games. These kind of projects are still very common in neighbourhoods.
We started visiting musea with our daughters from a very young age (about 3 years). When you choose smaller musea with interactive displays and games, they can really enjoy it, as long as you do not force them to watch everything. Nice musea to start with are natural history musea and "openluchtmusea". There are various openluchtmusea and my daughters have always enjoyed them. The biggest ones are in Enkhuizen and Arnhem, but there are many smaller ones, e.g in Eindhoven and in Drenthe. It might also be a fun way for you to experience some of the history of the Netherlands. I liked the Ellert and Brammert museum, Orvelte, and the Veenpark in Drenthe. When you want to spend a holiday with your kids in the Netherlands, Drenthe is a very good choice. It is a bycicle paradise, it is green and quiet, there are so many things to do for families like little zoos, activity parks, beautiful swimming lakes, and pools, musea etcetera.
Ooievaarspas is only for lower income households, families but also singles. Its not for everything, there's a booklet or information point where you can look it up, websites of places supporting it will say so. It will certainly not be for everything. In The Hague if you apply for the welfare you get it automatically after a year or so, but you can ask for it earlier, all you need to do is provide a picture and fill in a small form. The pass is basically a "proof" to various parties that someone really has a low income which is pretty defined, and can therefore be getting a discount if the party is willing to do so, or some things can be sponsored by the city (basically all the city projects/facilities etc that are around at least, like swimming pools and w/e). This pass is only for the The Hague region/city other cities/municipalities often have similar programs. The only downside is that it's only "local", its not some that you can use in other cities, towns or municipalities.
in Rotterdam we have the Rotterdampas and the Rotterdampas and Ooievaarspas are connected. You'd be surprised what you can do in Rotterdam with your Ooievaarspas ;)
I appreciate you like the way we spent our tax money. I am all for it as well. In the USA the general opinion is this is very communistic and for that reason the USA does not have these social structures in place. In the Netherlands the wage tax is very high, and also with wagetaxes we see a social structure. The taxes are increasing, on the first part of your salary you pay less tax than on the part where you are above an average income to put it simple. These taxes are used for several things but also to assure that everyone has access to live essential services like healthcare, rent subsidies etc. In the USA taxes are paid by the common citizens, the riches pay almost no taxes as I have seen in the media. (I hope that is accurate). I believe that this political difference is caused by the way we review life. In Europe we work to live, have an urge to have a good balance between private and work (so you won’t find you plumber on a Sunday). In the USA I have the feeling people live to work. Working two or three jobs and have money as their ultimate goal. If money is that important, low taxes make sense. However why do you want all that money with no time to spend it an no holidays to enjoy it? As you might have noticed, I prefer the way we do it in Europe. However I am not judging the way it is done in the USA. Government needs to represent the wishes of the people and if money is their priority, then the USA government is doing a good job. I know politics is a tricky subject, I hope I did not offense any of your followers.
Hello :) I am planning to move to the Netherlands with my one year old and three years old boys. What are the steps i have to make and how can I arrange everything before we go there? Which city are you recommending? Your channel is so useful so I’m happy I found it. Fijne Dag :)
8:20 I see comments which say: they threat kids like grownups and you said: "a little place for little people". Sounds like we (the Netherlands) are not just kids or family friendly but also very parent friendly. :-) One problem exists with things like #5, lots of people don't get them because they don't know it exists. Sounds to me like having kids in the Netherlands compared to other countries is fairly stress free.
Have you ever been to Nemo in Amsterdam? It's a sceince museum. Kids can touch and experience stuff by trying, to see how a chainreaction works by pushing a ball or something like that. So they are expected to touch stuff. So there are even child orentated museums.
Yes!! Nemo is on our list. When my daughter stops napping in the afternoons, I'll bring both kids. I've been looking forward to Nemo since my son was born 💛Thank you for watching and commenting!
In Germany, the pinky swear is called "Indianer-Ehrenwort", Indian honor word. Growing up in the Netherlands, we did the spitting through the pointing and middle finger, then crossing them and say "Belooft!" ("Promise!") Who else remembers this? I know how confused I was at first here in Germany by the gesture of keeping your fingers crossed behind your back, saying "I am lying to you. I won't keep my promise to you", and then the American gesture of keeping your fingers crossed (sending prosperity to someone) which I had learned from watching American soap on TV, combined with my Dutch upbringing of crossing fingers for a promise. It's called intercultural communication. It can only be learned by experience.
They all sound lovely! Enjoying a meal in a restaurant while my kids are happily playing sounds like heaven! And I love the concept of the stork pass! Looking forward to seeing your favorite restaurant Thursday!
Ik vind de video's die je maakt heel leuk. Kom eens naar Spakenburg, een oud vissersdorp aan de oude Zuiderzee. Morgen is er de 2e Spakenburgse dag en de komende 2 weken ook. 6 September it's fihseryday in the citycenter of Spakenburg the hidden jamme of the Netherlands on saterday there is a weekly markert whit more then 100 stands. #SPAKENBURG #NETHERLANDS #Zuiderzee #UNESCO #CENTERPRAKS
I was waiting for you to say that kids are able to bike anywhere they want from a young age which results in great freedom and Independence from their parents
I used to live in Toronto between 5-15 years old! It was wonderful and I was very upset when my parents decided to move us to Arizona. I begged them to let me stay in Canada. But all of those life experiences have enabled me to now compare/contrast different systems and what's good/bad in different countries. I would love to visit Canada again at some point :) Thanks so much for watching!
I made a similar video about why is Germany the best country to have kids and I covered a lot of things you talked about. But I was positively surprise to learn about Ooievaarspas, this was something new to me. I am not even sure if Germany has that🤔
Living at the Dutch/German border I can say that the German parks and zoo’s are amazing. They are really cheap, for Dutch standards, and have a ton of kids activities.
Are you from the US? Did you grow up there? (Commenting as I watch) Edited:: Ohk! I Went and looked & see you are from the US originally, I knew you sounded American & I know usually you are able to appreciate things more when you are new somewhere. The Netherlands sound like a DREAM!! What brought you to the Netherlands?
Hey miss jovie,l really like the farm....l had taken long without seeing a rabbit they look nice,l also like the beauty of the country lt looks green....l would like to see how the Dutch restaurant look like and compared to ours here in Dubai.
Hi! Thanks so much and I'm glad you enjoyed it! Yes the rabbits are really cute and soft and nice. It's very calming and relaxing to be in nature and among the animals. Restaurant tour is coming later this week! I'm excited to hear how it compares to Dubai :) Big hug!!
@@JoviesHome thanks mum by next week l will be going for my vacation in my country Uganda l will miss all your video's for about a month just because there it's difficult to use wi-fi . thanks l appreciate.
The klimkooi (monkey bars) were not very safe all those years ago. Can remember some little dare devils received some nasty injuries. Have some turf or sand underneath is a lot better than bricks or pavers.
And don't forget our: huisdokter's niet! Most of them come at your house to visit you when you are to sick to com to their office or if your child is very sick.
Mijn ervaring is helaas heel anders. Ik was zo ziek dat ik echt niet meer naar de dokter kon. Maar noch de huisarts, noch de huisartsenpost wilden een ambulance sturen. Uiteindelijk ben ik door mijn buurman in zijn auto gesleept en bij de huisartsenpost afgeleverd. Daar bleek ik onmiddellijk in het ziekenhuis opgenomen te moeten worden. Ik stelde me dus niet aan!
Gemeentes also have holiday/vakantie passen. They are ment for children who can not go away for vacation but they can still do nice things with this pas in the summer. Things like going to the swimming pool, a free ice cream, tickets for a amusement park ect. When I grew up I had this pas also when I went to the basis school. In groep 7 my parents got a divorce and money was tight. But with this pas I could do nice things and have something to tell about after the summer break. And I also sport or practice a hobby because our gemeente helpt my mom paying for it. Once a year my mom could ask for this subsidie. And this is still available.
Thanks for sharing your experience Catharina 💛 My son is now is basisschool and we also received one of these vakatiepases. It is really wonderful that children from families where money is tight can also have nice summer and, as you say, have something to tell about their summer breaks. When I was young, my family moved from Serbia to Canada and money was extremely tight. I still have memories of a Christmas party that we went to where I received a gift from Santa (a kind anonymous donation).It mustn't be underestimated HOW important these small things are for children.
its not really a point to mention tho maybe a point 7.5? the themeparks in the netherlands like Ponypark slagharen, linneaushof and Efteling. that are 75% focused on the 0-10 Y/O and have some that the rest can enjoy aswell
Not a tax expert but... income tax is divided in scales (if you earn more, you pay more taxes, and people aged 65+ pay less) but its around 35%, our VAT low is 9% and VAT high is 21%. When you calculate an average family (income and expenses) you will be taxed about 41% of your income for all kind of taxes. This puts the Netherlands in the top5 of heavy taxes in Europe, BUT.. we have one of the best health care systems (in the world??), good education available for those who want it, good and affordable public transport, well maintained roads (both for motorized vehicles and for bicycles) a good social security system (for the sick, elder and unemployed) And yes we (the Dutch) like to grumble and moan about everything here .. but when we really compare what we have, pay for and get compared to other countries.. It is a real good balanced system we got here.
Ohk, yeah that is CRAZY high for taxes for the “average” person to be paying compared to the US ... I was assuming it was probably very high to have all of those great things “included” at no extra cost ... I’m sure it probably ends up being the same when you consider how much we pay out of pocket for health care and the extra taxes that get tacked onto us randomly when things go up
It's really difficult to compare the US and NL in terms of taxes and salaries. I think Americans would be shocked at how little the average salary is in NL; meanwhile Dutch people have such a more comfortable, balanced and easygoing lifestyle than Americans. You see Dutchies working part time, being with their families, traveling all over the world, having multiple vacations each year; despite paying "high taxes". Because of the social welfare system that's in place people aren't worried about going bankrupt from medical bills or losing their jobs if they are sick (jobs are safe for 2 years if you're on medical leave, with at least 70% of your salary being paid out for those 2 years). It's a complete mind change from the American individualistic approach to a greater good for greater number of people mentality. And it's really incredible. THanks so much for watching!!
Love your videos, if you would like to go to a great museum with your kids, the kinderboekenmuseum in the hague is really fun! I went there with my 2 nieces , of 2 and 5, and they loved it!
Dutch people are happy with what they have. It is all so normal if you were born here. That you don't think about it. how well it is arranged here. The only thing I miss as a Dutchman is the huge stores with happy planner stuff from mambi. hahaha would like that closer. LOL. we need to stand still more what we have and be happy with how good we are. Because even if you are poor in the Netherlands you have the basics.
Compared to the US I think the school education system is very good and more progressive. There is also no interference of big corporations in their education.
Okay I am sure I ger a lot of hate for this but still I want to mention. Becauae I really don’t like restaurants with kidscorners. I have three kids and we from the beginning teached them to just sit at the table while we are eating. They need to learn that I think and not to run off to a kids corner and runnng around the restaurant going back and forth. I think they easily can learn just to sit at the table for 1-2 hours. Je kunt ze betrekken in het gesprek dan hebben ze het gevoel dat ze er echt bijhoren ( sorry had to write that in Dutch) They got to bring 1 toy or colouringbook or something where they could play with at the table. And yes I think kids belong there too when you go out for dinner and that exactly is why I want them at the table. And also I think the running around of children in a restaurant is so annoying. So no as a parent I do not like restaurants with a kidscorner. My children are now 18 and 20 and they all three think the same !!
Hey Laura :-) Sure it is good to teach your kids to behave and not to run around! But I do think there is a place for restaurants with kids corners that do not serve junk-food! Like everything let there be a diversity: cool hip places for hipsters, comfy places for elderly people and places you can go to and have a set up with a play corner. And such a play corner not necessarily needs to be loud and messy :-) BTW: can I advocate here for restaurants that serve NORMAL food in smaller portions for kids ??!! Why kids have to eat only chicken and "French" fries or even "frikandellen" (= processed meat) ? Kids menu's should be a little bit more inspiring! Amen! :-)
Hans Vuijst Oh no I do not mean fast food restaurants or restaurants that only serve fries for children. I mean ANY RESTAURANT. I do nit think there is any need for a chilscorner. They easily can sit at the table. Anx my xhildren NEVER had fries and frikandel in a restaurant. They even as a toddler eat nornal food like we did. Everywhere you can ask for a small portion or an extra plate so they can eat with you. I think children must learn that from a young age and my kids totally agrre and niw don’t even want to go to a restaurant that had a kids corner necause they think it annoying too. Please just teach your children and give them normal food. My kids didnt even want to order from the kids menu. They wanted to choose from the normal menu like the adults and just ask a smallet portion. ( i do that now for myself too because of my health i cannot eat larger portion. Never had a problem with that for the kids or for myself.
Hi Laura, so I both agree and disagree with your point. While I think its important that we as parents teach kids how to behave at a table, kids are really unpredictable at times (especially from like 1.5 years - 4 years or so). And so while on one day my kids might be super happy to sit at the table and behave "grown up", on other days they just don't. And so for the sake of the other guests I'm happy that kids corners exist because when kids don't want to sit (but have a place to play), it's just a better overall experience for everyone.
Just a random question....is red hair common in the Netherlands? Do Dutch have red hair? I heard they appreciate red hair there, unlike in the UK and US where it is not so much appreciated
Not super common. Blondes are common, especially up north. Probably about 1 in 30 folks have red hair? Most people like it, though. No ginger teasing etc from what I've heard of redheads.
Danny Dunn - Nope, in Europe only Ireland, Scotland, and England have a lot of redheads (statistically those countries have the highest amount of redheads in the world). Redheads are admired in continental Europe but they’re teased in the UK and Ireland.
I have several subscriptions with the bell clicked and they also do not show, that system, just like their commenting system behind the bell icon in the top is completely broken (for me, that is) on the site-version of RUclips, the app seems to be better. For me, the child-friendlyness is something I consider to be the small things like some of the things you mentioned, but also the thing that, at like a butcher's shop, when you order something and you have a child with you, the person behind the counter will ask the child (and sometimes the parent) if they would like a slice of sausage (usually liversausage). The same goes for the market-stands that sell cheese (and the one at the market here does it for everyone, and when they are having the funnies because it's either very busy or they lost count who was next and someone orders a piece of cheese, sometimes everyone get's a piece from basically every cheese ordered at that right moment :P. And second: about the museum thing: if you like museums that engage children in doing some kind of activity you should DEFINITELY go to the NEMO in Amsterdam. It's a science museum that teaches children about many things that they might encounter in daily life but have never given a second thought or are really curious about how it works. I am not sure if it is still there because I think it was a temporary thing, but there also was a part in the museum that was prohibited for parents to enter, because it was about sexual education and they wanted children to be a little more comfortable by not having their parents there with them. And, also a small, less daily thing which really depends on the doctor you encounter: when you are a little younger and you need to have some kind of surgery, no matter how minor, the need-to-know-things are talked about with the parents or parent, and if the child has a question, right after the most important stuff for the parents the doctor can go on to ask "Is there something you would like to know?" This is done because the things the parents need to know can be a hugely minor thing for the child who might have a question that is a major-thing for the child compared to the parents. For instance, when I had to get tubes in both of my ears (I was 5 or 6 I think) my mom had the talk with the doctor who would be placing them and I got asked if I had a question and said that I wanted to know what the tubes looked like and the doctor got a dummy-set out of a drawer and grabbed one of those "organs on display" kind of things (they have an official name that I forgot) which showed the whole ear from the outside of the ear up to the inside with the whole inner workings of it and showed where it would be placed. Even though I didn't panic when one of the tubes got worked out by my ear itself (which was supposed to happen), I was glad to know what the tiny thing was that I was holding in my hands right after my ear started itching like crazy :P. Also, concerning children-friendly activities: in my city during school holidays you have something called the PurVak (Purmerend Vakantie, I guess it's an abbreviation of) where a local sports and activities organisation organises sports and games in the local sporting hall in the area where you live and they are free to attend (sometimes from and up to a certain age, but when they are in the bigger sporting buildings they can be for basically anyone from 2-3 (with or without parental guidance) till 14 or even 16 years of age. In my city you also have something called's the Children's Paradise, where they can build a wooden shelter or hut, build a fire to make their own pancakes or popcorn on, take a piece of wood and go down from something that resembles a conveyerbelt that is at an incline so you automatically go down, or take a ride on something that looks like a zip line but has a bar with a sort kind of seat on it and cross a small waterway that is on the same terrain. You don't pay with money to get some of the items like a hammer and nails (or matches and newspapers to light a fire) but you hand over your house keys, or the key from your bike like some kind of deposit. Weew, looong reply :P.
Hey there Iris, thanks so much for sharing! I've definitely experienced that at the butcher :) And Nemo is on our list but only once neither of our kids has an afternoon nap (otherwise the day is too broken up). I love your comment about how the doctors engage with even the young patients. THis is so important and seems like you felt reassured from the doctor and confident when the tube fell out. That festival in your village sounds so fun for kids (and adults!) Isn't this how life SHOULD be? Thank you for watching, as always 💛
The stork pass is a something of the Municipality of The Hague, the stork is the sign of the village (the Hague is not officially a city) and has been around for 30 years this year (2019). There are more places with something similar, but it is certainly not everywhere in the Netherlands. Engels: www.denhaag.nl/en/general/ooievaarspas-reduction-card.htm Dutch: www.ooievaarspas.nl/ There are a few hundred children's farms in the Netherlands, wherever you are there is probably one in a radius of 10 miles. There are several in the Hague but a very nice one just out site the Hague is 't Geertje: hetgeertje.nl/engels/
I watched alot of your video’s and love them. The reason we have All this stuff...in All your video’s is because we pay a bit more tax...and this is organised by the coverment. Many americans Call this soliciallistic and mix this up with Communism. They see coverment getting involved Being bad.....well Scandinavië, germany and Holland show How iT Can be.
We had different seasons for street-sport. Kasti, kind of street baseball. 'Palen' aka street soccer and 'Luilak' that's unique it translates as Lazybones and is a tradition of the Saturday before Pentecost. Nobody is allowed to stay in bed and the kids get up at 4 am at the latest to make a racket. Sometimes it turned into a full time riot and the 'Smerisen' (Coppers) at times lost their temper. ;) In Australia they are sports-mad but the kids don't take much initiative. We played our sport without umpires and the kids improvised a lot. Lampposts made do as the goal other version the rubbish bins supplied by the municipality the list went on and on. Sadly when I went back the last time I didn't see much innovation. Yes the times are a changing :(
Melissa Poe late answer but it depends on your wishes. We have hospitals almost everywhere at max a 30 minute ride. We have ‘streekziekenhuis’ (like smaller hospitals with only needy stuff), normal hospitals and academic/university hospitals. I live like 20 minutes drive with car and 10 minutes by train away from rotterdam and I have 3 hospitals in like 10 minutes drive from my hometown. You can live in the randstad (rotterdam, den haag, amsterdam, utrecht area) or in the country. And the randstad also has big city’s like talked above, smaller cities like hellevoetsluis, Dordrecht, Barendrecht, Houten, etc, ‘dorpen’ like smaller villages and ‘gehuchten’ extremely small villages. Also you can go from the most south to the most north in like 3 hours by train😊 If you want to live here, go on vacation for like 2 weeks and visit the randstad, limburg, twente, groningen, etc. We have 12 districts so you can do one every day😂 traintickets can you buy as daycards for 12 euro’s a day by diffrent stores. The public transportation here is amazing.
Het Kinderboekenmuseum is nice for small kids. Do you son gets the 'vakantiepas' at school, there also a list of things to do in The Hague and Leiden, also for small kids and small budgets..
I didn't realize I was saying his name wrong! I'll make an effort to do better in the future :) Thanks for the feedback! But as an aside, I do find it difficult to use correct pronunciation when using two languages. Even if I'm speaking in Serbian for example, I will pronounce my son's name with a Serbian accent. When speaking in English, I pronounce his name with the English accent. It's actually pretty funny 😂
@@JoviesHome I totally understand you! I also find myself having trouble with saying dutch placenames when speaking english haha. I just thought it was really interesting ;)
Again, thinking of moving to The Netherlands, would appreciate a video on what that process is like...I mean I can get the black and white description off the forms but would like your point of view. Coming from Scottsdale Arizona.
I moved from Scottsdale to NL!!! OMG!! What process are you looking at? Like the immigration rules, or what to pack, or how to find a job? There is just so much involved in an international relocation. I'd be happy to help if you can give a bit more detail on what you're looking for?
@@JoviesHome Well really anything is helpful and appreciated. I have two boys and wonder how the immigration process would go for them, what it all entails? Wanting to know how I could get a job there, not sure what the market is like for licensed adjusters there since my license is for Arizona and Texas not the Netherlands...I mean do they even require adjusters to be licensed there? I have so many questions but just requested a video on basics on how the transition felt....can you live there and still keep your American citizenship or how long till your expected to become a citizen there? Do they have special education services for my son? Are there Hispanic families there? Too many questions for here but again anything you can provide would be appreciated. Thank you
What I DON'T like is that children don't get art and music classes at school. They do, but their regular teacher is giving those, and most teachers are not skilled and educated to give those lessons. Also, it is normal that the class changes teacher every year, so children with behavioural problems don't get enough help ( "I just have to endure this child a school year, and then is he/she someone else's problem" logic, as teachers have too much on their plate anyway. While working at school, there were children that spent more time in a hallway ( that is the punishment for bad vehaviour in class) than in their class.
The Netherlands should appoint you as goodwill ambassador to the United States! If you can get sent to New York City or San Francisco that would somewhat insulate you from the normal American craziness.
Im thinking of relocating from texas. Kind of scared cause my kids don't know dutch and i can't afford private international schools. Is there any way they help them in public schools? Any other help or tips from anyone i would appreciate it. I am a single mom of 4 so life is challenging. I was born in the Netherlands but i have been gone for 20 years so i don't know anything about the dutch assistance for single parents. I would appreciate any info.
Pinky swear: I don't know how the kids do it now, but when I was little we made a V sign with our fingers, palm towards you, and spat on the ground with the fingers on either side of your mouth. I guess we only made promises outside...
Hi Bert! I have to tell you... when we were on our holidays in Spain last week, I had a dream IN DUTCH!! I was talking to Leo but the entire conversation was in my bad, basic broken Dutch. I think my subconscious is trying to tell me something. Hmm 🤔
@@JoviesHome have you ever made a video about weird linguistic mistakes or new words that you start making up? as im typing this you said "baby dear" baby deer? fawn?
Those passes are not in every 'gemeente', but usualy there is something simular available. Ask about it in the 'gemeentehuis.'
Every gemeente has a different aproach to how they budget their money.
Thanks Linda! Great tip.
@@JoviesHome in most places it would be 'participatiefonds', but Linda is right, it differs from 'gemeente' to 'gemeente'. I live in Borger-Odoorn, sports and creative/cultural things are covered by 'Jeugdfonds Sport en Cultuur Drenthe', besides that when kids are leaving the 'basisschool' they get some starters money for there next level of education. And last but not least every year (depending on how many members your family has) there is a certain amount of money available on an account of a 'gemeente webshop', you can use it to buy a computer or a bike for example. Not every 'gemeente' can spend that much, but I'm proud that we can (Yes I'm working for the gemeente).
For all places in the Netherlands, if a family cannot afford to pay for classes for their kids for sports and cultural activities (like dancing, playing a musical instrument, etc), they can find information on how to get support on the webpage jeugdfondssportencultuur.nl
@@Strodie567 not every 'gemeente' is connected to 'jeugdfondsportencultuur' (237 of the 355). But it differs from province to province. In Groningen it is lower for example (12 out of 20).
People with low income can also check Stichting Leergeld for support for schooltrips and that kind of things.
Watching your video's we Dutchies learn how privileged we are to live here. Although we constantly complain about everything.
So true! I'm born in the province of Groningen and I can give a perfect example. If you ask someone 'How are you doing?' The would never say 'I'm fine' but... 'It could be worse'
Nosy neighbours making your life a hell is the first..
Zo is het inderdaad
Reading this... it’s just exactly what I would say about Germany. And we have all these great things too (maybe apart from the kid corners in restaurants (it’s more a thing in doctors practices, with stylist and in malls))
its only good because people love to complain (thus there is reason to improve) instead of getting thrown in jail for criticizing the almighty leader
The most child friendly thing in the Netherlands you covered already in an earlier video. That is that parents have a whole different attitude towards their children than in the rest of the world. That aspect is even highlighted in TED talks by foreigners all over the world as a positive thing. Parents take children seriously in their opinions and their wishes. That is not to say that kids get their way all the time. They just are listened to and taken seriously. That also reflects in the freedom children get here from a very young age to explore the world by themselves as much as possible and make the necessary mistakes. I know you covered this already, but I find this aspect is internationally recongnised as being very positive for children. And Dutch children are the happiest in the world according to the UN.
What it also does which I think is important for kids: to know why they don't get to do something.
Agree!!
Something I really want to strive to do with my kids but I don’t see much in the US 😢
I totally agree with you, although I have visited the country just several times, the people’s attitude towards children is really something that is noticed right away.
Yes, we learned to make choices and, indeed, fall flat on our faces sometimes, at a relatively young age. I think that's the reason we are both so grounded, but also very outspoken (or rude) and diverse in our opinions.
I am Dutch, and I am not the target audience for this video because I don't have kids, but I have always watched videos of Americans and Canadians who live in Germany and tell their stories and about culture shock and life in Germany, but you are the fist one I know to do these kind of things about the Netherlands. I appreciate it a lot, your content is good, your personality is nice and warm. I hope your channel grows to be big and successful!
Thank you so much Gianna, what a kind thing to say! I really appreciate it 💛
Don't worry. Today we are Europeans. The most popular reason for Germany are only Lederhosen and Oktoberfest. Germans know how important and nice the neighbors are. I'm interested to hear more about the "normal" life in the U.S.A.. Not only the CIA filtered fakenews we get in Germany.
We recently moved to netherlands and currently im 8months pregnant and i totally agree with your points.
I love the hospitality of this country 😍
Congratulations on your pregnancy and your move ❤️. Where did you move from? I have a few videos here about birth and childcare and kid’s healthcare, you might find them helpful since the system is a bit different than I expected. All the best!!
@@JoviesHome thanks for your reply :) we moved from India in the month of march. And yes when i was searching for random videos about birth in netherlands and glad that i found you :)
I feel privileged to have been a child in The Netherlands, never realized how child friendly this country is. And never realized it is not common to have a playground nearby. I loved going to the kinderboederij when I was a child and now it is amazing to bring my nephews, and see theire eyes shining from joy.
This is nice to hear - and yes we are really privileged to live here, raise kids (or nephews) here. Seriously, the only contact I had with animals growing up was when we would go to the zoo or maybe seeing some ducks at a pond. But there was nothing like kinderboerderij around. And as you say, it is amazing to see the world through the eyes of a child, just appreciating the small things in life. Thanks so much for watching. 💛
You are our Dutch goodwill Ambassador on RUclips :D Thanks!
OOOOH I like that!! Who do we contact to make that official 😉😂💛
@@JoviesHome In my view the growing number of subscribers makes it sort of official ;)
No that would be too easy, we're Dutch and like some controvery :) Make her at least the first female 'non Dutch' prime minister.
All these things you mention in your movies seem so normal to me. Thanks for making me proud of my little country. I do feel bad for you when I see you struggle about the US. You are such a warm and caring person. Glad to have you!
@@JoviesHome I guess the King 👑
Jovie, watching your videos makes me sometimes MISS HOME!
I am a US born citizen living in the US. My parents were Dutch immigrants who decided to move back to Holland when I was 6 years old. I was raised and educated in The Netherlands, I lived there from age 6 to age 22.
You point out some great things that I would say are structured programs for the well being of children and it appears that your kids are still a bit young, there is a lot more to come.
I believe that there are many reasons for Holland being a great country for kids, reasons that are not easy to quantify as are some of the programs you mention.
For starters, The Netherlands is small and people are far more hesitant than Americans to migrate, even as much as, an hour away from their base home town and where their family is, for things like career reasons. Because of this extended family members like grand parents, uncles, aunts, etc, as well as close friends from an early age, school friends and so on are always in close reach. Children don't experience losses of friends and family, relationships that have been forged because of a career move from Baltimore to Dallas. At age 6 I made friends with my school mates at my new school when we moved to the Netherlands. At age 22 when I left to return to the states, I still had multiple times interaction per week with those very same friends, we are not talking one or two friends, we're talking dozens.
Because Holland is small, kids do not have to rely on their parents for transportation to all of their activities, the 'mom chauffeur' syndrome, kids can get to their own voetbal practice and go to the community swimming pool to meet up with their friends on their own with their bicycles and later on, on their "brommers". This creates independence at an early age which is fantastic for their development.
Dutch education is supremely superior to that of the US, it is outright embarrassing for the US, the difference in quality.
The Netherlands is a diverse society, but The Dutch really don't mingle that much (personal and intimate) with all the other cultures and The Dutch, as in, strictly Dutch people are enormously homogenized with extremely similar values and behavior. This means that your kid can be over at a friends house for up to 20 hours a week without you worrying what kind of people he/she is exposed to, likely, the same kind of people that you are.
Have you had the pleasure of getting all tangled in political conversations or conversations about money spending......with The Dutch! Haha. You learn that The Dutch are intensely outspoken, strongly opinionated, very sincere and committed. These are not shallow people. they take things seriously, including the well being of their children, this is to the ultimate benefit of everyone.
I could go on, but I am dragging on, I'll stop here.
"The Dutch don't mingle that much"...ever been to Amsterdam....?
@@in551125do Amsterdam is not considered a great example of dutchness outside of Amsterdam
@@wiekeboiten6742 I guess you belong to That train of thought That thinks non caucasian are not considered to be dutch....?
@@in551125do Nice. And rude. And I have to agree with Wieke. Amsterdam is a Dutch city, but I feel like I'm no longer in my country whenever I spend a day there. Everything is so rushed, people are loud, extremely direct and they seem to live in their own private bubble. Being addressed to in English first doesn't help with the feeling that I've left The Netherlands ;).
@@freakstylebjdstudios8198 So what's your "great example of dutchness", and what does it take to feel you're IN your country...? Perhaps Volendam, Marken, Spakenburg, Alkmaar (ofcourse without the tourists and with clogs, cheese, windmills and traditional clothing and a non-international/ethnic population....?) ....talking about living in a bubble....!! (btw I am dutch, but apparently not according to your standards....)
We are very proud to have you here in our little country... you are an absolute treasure...
I think its really nice to hear these things from the perspective of a foreigner because it really shows just how good we have it in in this country
My friends from abroad where amazed when they saw a kinderboerderij. At first I was like what's so special about it? We have so many of those! But they told me they never saw something like it before and they where amazed that you could touch the animals and feed them. They really enjoyed it because in their home country they hardly saw such animals and there was not so much green.
You forgot to mention the most important aspect of child well being in the Netherlands. Children are allowed a high level of independence meaning they are allowed to play outside unsupervised or ride their bikes alone or with friends etc. I highly recomend RUclips videos regarding why are dutch children the happiest in the world.
Hi Peter, I agree 100% and spoke about this in a previous video (and linked it in the cards), called "5 Ways You Know You're Raising a Child in The Netherlands". There are so many more reasons why this is an incredible place to raise kids but I have to pick/choose certain topics for certain videos. My videos are already "too long" by RUclips standards but I'd love to make videos of 2 hours to go really in depth with a topic but I'm not sure anyone would watch that 😂
@@JoviesHome No such thing as to long ! ;-) Maximum limit is 10 hours. My guess is editor (husband?) will not be happy though if you do that. :-)
Yes I like long videos too! But according to YT, about 10 minutes is the "best" :)
@@JoviesHome This is probably the point when I have to remind people: size/length doesn't matter, it's what you do with it. Quality over quantity. :-)
@@autohmae The editor Daan, is the grandson of Jovie´s neighbors!
What I loved about growing up in the Netherlands was the freedom we had as a child. Going everwhere on your own with your friends on your bike was amazing! Children get more freedom and become more independent and happy/secure in life.
That's one of the best things about growing up in the Netherlands, and that's why we have so many happy kids here.
Hi Cindy, thanks for watching! I spoke about this wonderful feature in a previous video, if you'd like to watch it . ruclips.net/video/LMLEUhPcf7g/видео.html
Hi Ashlie, I totally understand what you're saying! It was a surprise for me too - here you have young kids playing in the neighborhoods with very little parental supervision (young as 4-5 years old). But it really builds their independence and sense of being in the world. And they are responsible too! I'm surprised by how observant and aware the kids in my neighborhood are - whenever they witness something "bad" or "wrong" (like once a different kid damaged our trash can and the other kids "reported" him to me 😂). It's an entirely different approach to parenting here.
@Ashlie Chesbrough When I was 11 I was gone on my bike with my friends all day long, and back then (the early-mid 90s) my mother had no idea where I was, but we didn't stay close to home at that age. lol! I traveled alone on the train to another city at age 9 or 10. I always thought that was normal.
@Ashlie Chesbrough My 11 yrs old daughter left today 11 am to go with her friends with their bikes to the swimmingpool , 5 km biking from our village to the nearest town. I don't have to worry about her swimming skills because she has swimming diploma' s A,B and C including rescue swimming.I just got an whatsapp message from her, she is not coming home for dinner because she was invited to have dinner in her friends home. I just told her to be back home before 8.30 pm. She is also going alone to the ortodontist appointments in a nearby village, 3 km biking. She is biking alone to her sports, cinema, friends houses, shoppingmall, or just biking around with her friends. Last week she was for the first time going alone by bus to a city 16 km away. She was going to be picked up by my sister at the station. She called me: " I don't see aunt Marian but I am standing in front of Starbucks 😃 In the Netherlands most people learn children to be as independent as possible.I recently taught her how she can fix her own punctured tire but she needs to practise a bit more. She knows how to bake cupcakes on her own, how to make tea and how to bake an egg and how to manage the oven and how to make a tosti ( toasted bread with cheese). She knows how to pay with her own bank card where I put her 3 euro a week pocket money on. I love to tell this because I know it is very uncommon for an 11 yrs old child in other countries but other Dutch people can confirm it is normal here in the Netherlands. She is 12 over 2 months. Oh, she is cleaning her own room too every saturday, included changing the bed sheets.
@@lienbijs1205 Yes, very normal in the Netherlands. My mother never drove me around in a car, at age 7 I could bike alone to my school on my new bike, and I felt free like a bird! I had some scary moments when you are alone in another city and you missed the train home and you're 13 years old, but you learn from those things. It's life skills! I'm so thankful to be Dutch for things like this.
I moved 10 years ago. I Love The Nederlands and mts husband and chlldren also Love it. I Love the organization ,the school, everithing realy.
Hey Jovie, here in The Netherlands we have something we call a openluchtmuseum. This is a kind om museum in the open air and you basically walk through The Netherlands of about 100 - 200 years ago. These museums are very kid friendly.
Openluchtmuseum in Warffum, Groningen 😍
I left the netherlands 30 years ago, and only now when I see you videos I get homesick! Thanks Jovie.
I LOVE this!! So Different than the US, I don’t know much of anything about the Netherlands (except
Some bits of history form the world war) but I’ve always thought it sounded amazing! I would love to plan a visit one day!
Why thank you ! We tend to do that with people 🤣 I will look out for you then shall I ?
MusicJunky3 haha! Yes! Lol If I can ever afford it, it sounds sooo whimsical 🥰
@@CleanwithChristina Oh..can I be your guide then ? ! I'll do it for free but you have to continue to say nice things about us until I say "Christina, for heavens sake " And then you can stop .Deal ?
LOL I love this discussion between you two!
What a nice offer!
The Dutch want to give everyone a good start in life and an equal opportunity, even if the parents are in a limited situation.
If you are low income single parent those don't help a lot. Usually the prices of those activities are market-set, discounts are not big enough, and most people who are entitled won't use them.
It would be better if at least children that are talented for something get the opportunity to train or develop their skills for free, if their parents can't pay for it.
In France, a friend, working for minimum wage got both of her daughter's through the music school for free, even got assistance from the government to get the instruments for them.
Hi Jovie,
I enjoy watching your videos so much that I subscribed ( and I don't usually do that). You make me appreciate all the things I take for granted: I grew up with them and
Kids are the future...
Ignoring them or not treating them as such is silly.
And how nice is it if you can give them the tools to mold their own future.
It's something that should happen all over the world.
Nice video, thanks...
Lots of cities have something like a storkpass, something to support low income families with kids. In my city they pay for a hobby, like sport, ballet, music lessons, etc. This includes the necessities for the hobby, like sportsclothing. When children go to middleschool, the city pays for a bike and a computer if needed.
Seriously, when I thought I couldn't love NL more, you tell me that low income kids get a city-paid-for computer and bicycle. This whole system is just wonderful. Thank you Hennie!!
One thing that gave me a lot of freedom growing up was the ability to bike everywhere without an accompanying adult, due to the great bicycle-friendly infrastructure. I cannot remember any of my parents ever driving me anywere; I walked to school by myself from the age of 6 (ok, just a few hundred meters), cycled to friends, the swimming pool, piano lessons etc. from the age of about 8 or 9. This was in the 70’s and I know the times have changed, but I’m quite sure a lot of modern day Dutch children still have similar experiences, especially in more rural areas. I never thought it was anything special, until some expat pointed it out to me a few years ago.
And that’s why I like your video’s so much. We like to complain about everything and forget to value our blessings. You give us a good look in the mirror so we can appreciate our accomplicements and forget the flaws. Although I think the constant complaining may help to improve the system as well, it’s still valuable to count your blessings.
Thank you so much Carolina! For me, the key to being a happy person is to always appreciate what I HAVE and not only look at what I DON'T. By being grateful for simple things (like free parks, farms, cycle culture etc), it is easy to appreciate how wonderful things are here. Because the most important basics that people need to have a happy and safe and healthy life are well-regulated and there is equality in access to those things. When I compare the "have vs have not" culture in the USA it makes me feel ashamed to have some things (like you know, medical insurance) when my neighbor does not. Thank you so much for watching!
I loved this video. Looking forward to the restaurant in Thursday video
I will definitely visit the Netherlands 🇳🇱 with my kids someday
Wil jij ook een frikandel
Pettingzoo or city farm is called Kinderboerderij
#3 I know you were gonna mention this, and it's great
As a single mom I had to say no to many times to my daughter when she wanted to do stuff.
And I did the best I could.
I found that swimming lesson where most important so that i paid for myself.
Other thing is asked for help.
Even now I get help.
I apply each year voor de Schoolspullenpas.
This is a card with €50 or €75 on it and it helps me pay for thing my daughter needs.
This card helps me pay for school supplies she needs for the next schoolyear.
It must have been so difficult to say "no" to your daughter in those situations, but I'm so glad that you had access to the Schoolspullenpas. It makes me sick to hear US politicians talking about "family values" but never actually doing anything like giving Schoolspullenpas to families that need it.
I know your daughter is 16 now but I hope you will enter the giveaway on Thursday! Thank you for being here in every video 💛
Yes very dufficult, but wat else could I do.
I think sometimes they learn more from saying "no", then getting everything they want.
They will take better care of the things they get.
That is why I'm so glad living here.
I get so much help with so many things.
Number 8 of course would be: Efteling! Have you been there miss Jovie? I don't remember.
I live in a small town, with a polder right in front of my house and a forest nearby but even here there are two playgrounds within walking distance.
About the restaurants: we also have special pancake restaurants. Those are often even more kid friendly.
We don't have the pinky swear. We do have "Dat Klopt als een zwerende vinger" but that is something completely different.
I haven't been there (yet), just waiting for Luna to be 3 years or so. But I would love to go at Christmastime and stay in one of the little cottages.
Once we took Leo on the Pannenkoekenboot around Rotterdam. It was so fun!
Thanks for letting me know that I am a super weirdo asking Dutch people to pinky swear 😅😂😳
@@JoviesHome No pinky swear when I was young. We use to make a V sign (nails facing away) and spit between the index and middle finger. I think this is really a dutch thing.
PS: Efteling is obligated whit kids from 3 years old:) Our kids been to the Efteling from 2 years old. They go almost every week since they have a pass and we live nearby the Efteling.
@@JoviesHome You are very welcome! 😉
You don't have to wait. You can go again when Luna is 3.
When I was a kid we used to go about once a year or once every two years. We went just one day as there weren't any cottages then and even the hotel wasn't there yet. But the park was much smaller too so one day was enough.
@@JoviesHome While efteling is great, for really small kids there is not much except sprookjesbos *i'm 46 and i can wonder there all day* Maybe Duinrell or this? www.sprookjeswonderland.nl/home/ *never been to both but people i know have.
Good video, you showed the farm and restaurant, showing things in the Netherlands make your videos better, an american would say a fantastic video, but i am dutch, from the north coast part.
😂💛 thank you! I'm glad you enjoyed it. Daan and I have some big goals but have to get there step by step / bit by bit...
I would love to visit the Netherlands someday! Thanks for the great info!
Be welcome and bring your kids!
What I think makes the NL childfriendly is the safe biking roads (maybe not in the centre of the biggest cities) but where I lived i biked to school and sports etc from age 10 or something and it made me feel really mobile and independent and free. And because there where always seperate biking roads my mom would never really worry that i would be in an accident. Also a lot of 'gemeente' funded project for kids. In my time i there was something called "Plein Actief" and every wednesday there would be PE teachers at the playground of my neighbourhood and they would organise very fun activities and games. These kind of projects are still very common in neighbourhoods.
We started visiting musea with our daughters from a very young age (about 3 years). When you choose smaller musea with interactive displays and games, they can really enjoy it, as long as you do not force them to watch everything. Nice musea to start with are natural history musea and "openluchtmusea". There are various openluchtmusea and my daughters have always enjoyed them. The biggest ones are in Enkhuizen and Arnhem, but there are many smaller ones, e.g in Eindhoven and in Drenthe. It might also be a fun way for you to experience some of the history of the Netherlands. I liked the Ellert and Brammert museum, Orvelte, and the Veenpark in Drenthe. When you want to spend a holiday with your kids in the Netherlands, Drenthe is a very good choice. It is a bycicle paradise, it is green and quiet, there are so many things to do for families like little zoos, activity parks, beautiful swimming lakes, and pools, musea etcetera.
Ooievaarspas is only for lower income households, families but also singles. Its not for everything, there's a booklet or information point where you can look it up, websites of places supporting it will say so. It will certainly not be for everything. In The Hague if you apply for the welfare you get it automatically after a year or so, but you can ask for it earlier, all you need to do is provide a picture and fill in a small form. The pass is basically a "proof" to various parties that someone really has a low income which is pretty defined, and can therefore be getting a discount if the party is willing to do so, or some things can be sponsored by the city (basically all the city projects/facilities etc that are around at least, like swimming pools and w/e). This pass is only for the The Hague region/city other cities/municipalities often have similar programs. The only downside is that it's only "local", its not some that you can use in other cities, towns or municipalities.
in Rotterdam we have the Rotterdampas and the Rotterdampas and Ooievaarspas are connected. You'd be surprised what you can do in Rotterdam with your Ooievaarspas ;)
The kinderboerderij where you filmed is pretty close to where I live! Haha funny to see in the video.
It's a great one! Sounds like we're neighbors then ;)
I appreciate you like the way we spent our tax money. I am all for it as well. In the USA the general opinion is this is very communistic and for that reason the USA does not have these social structures in place.
In the Netherlands the wage tax is very high, and also with wagetaxes we see a social structure. The taxes are increasing, on the first part of your salary you pay less tax than on the part where you are above an average income to put it simple. These taxes are used for several things but also to assure that everyone has access to live essential services like healthcare, rent subsidies etc.
In the USA taxes are paid by the common citizens, the riches pay almost no taxes as I have seen in the media. (I hope that is accurate).
I believe that this political difference is caused by the way we review life.
In Europe we work to live, have an urge to have a good balance between private and work (so you won’t find you plumber on a Sunday).
In the USA I have the feeling people live to work. Working two or three jobs and have money as their ultimate goal.
If money is that important, low taxes make sense. However why do you want all that money with no time to spend it an no holidays to enjoy it?
As you might have noticed, I prefer the way we do it in Europe. However I am not judging the way it is done in the USA. Government needs to represent the wishes of the people and if money is their priority, then the USA government is doing a good job.
I know politics is a tricky subject, I hope I did not offense any of your followers.
thinking no way there are multiple city farms...googles kinderboerderij in my city...oh we have 4x extra i never knew about ;p
Hello :)
I am planning to move to the Netherlands with my one year old and three years old boys.
What are the steps i have to make and how can I arrange everything before we go there?
Which city are you recommending?
Your channel is so useful so I’m happy I found it.
Fijne Dag :)
8:20 I see comments which say: they threat kids like grownups and you said: "a little place for little people".
Sounds like we (the Netherlands) are not just kids or family friendly but also very parent friendly. :-)
One problem exists with things like #5, lots of people don't get them because they don't know it exists.
Sounds to me like having kids in the Netherlands compared to other countries is fairly stress free.
I think the kinderboerderij thing is mostly in cities and towns.
They probably also help kids in understanding animals and how to interact with them.
Have you ever been to Nemo in Amsterdam? It's a sceince museum. Kids can touch and experience stuff by trying, to see how a chainreaction works by pushing a ball or something like that. So they are expected to touch stuff. So there are even child orentated museums.
Yes!! Nemo is on our list. When my daughter stops napping in the afternoons, I'll bring both kids. I've been looking forward to Nemo since my son was born 💛Thank you for watching and commenting!
In Germany, the pinky swear is called "Indianer-Ehrenwort", Indian honor word.
Growing up in the Netherlands, we did the spitting through the pointing and middle finger, then crossing them and say "Belooft!" ("Promise!") Who else remembers this? I know how confused I was at first here in Germany by the gesture of keeping your fingers crossed behind your back, saying "I am lying to you. I won't keep my promise to you", and then the American gesture of keeping your fingers crossed (sending prosperity to someone) which I had learned from watching American soap on TV, combined with my Dutch upbringing of crossing fingers for a promise. It's called intercultural communication. It can only be learned by experience.
If you want to go to a very nice museum for your kids, you should visit Het Nijntje Museum in Utrecht. So much fun with small children.
They all sound lovely! Enjoying a meal in a restaurant while my kids are happily playing sounds like heaven! And I love the concept of the stork pass! Looking forward to seeing your favorite restaurant Thursday!
Thanks Carolyn! When you visit me we'll take the kids there FOR SURE. ;)
Totally off topic but....I tried your recipe and it was delicious !
Thank you so much! I'm so excited that you enjoyed it!! Are you talking about the Spanish Omelette?
@@JoviesHome Yes ! There...there are others ?!
Your videos are very useful.
Ik vind de video's die je maakt heel leuk.
Kom eens naar Spakenburg, een oud vissersdorp aan de oude Zuiderzee.
Morgen is er de 2e Spakenburgse dag en de komende 2 weken ook.
6 September it's fihseryday in the citycenter of Spakenburg the hidden jamme of the Netherlands on saterday there is a weekly markert whit more then 100 stands. #SPAKENBURG #NETHERLANDS #Zuiderzee #UNESCO #CENTERPRAKS
I was waiting for you to say that kids are able to bike anywhere they want from a young age which results in great freedom and Independence from their parents
That was in another video ;) ruclips.net/video/LMLEUhPcf7g/видео.html
I did this in a previous video :) . You can watch it here ruclips.net/video/LMLEUhPcf7g/видео.html
The petting farm in Oss is a real great one to visit some times :)
Thank goodness we have health care and dentistry for kids as well in ontario canada. But yes the dutch do look after their people.
I used to live in Toronto between 5-15 years old! It was wonderful and I was very upset when my parents decided to move us to Arizona. I begged them to let me stay in Canada. But all of those life experiences have enabled me to now compare/contrast different systems and what's good/bad in different countries. I would love to visit Canada again at some point :) Thanks so much for watching!
As someone who lives in The Hague, I'm really curious to hear about your favourite restaurant!
In case people are wondering why it's called a 'stork pass' in The Hague: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coat_of_arms_of_The_Hague
I made a similar video about why is Germany the best country to have kids and I covered a lot of things you talked about. But I was positively surprise to learn about Ooievaarspas, this was something new to me. I am not even sure if Germany has that🤔
Hi Mary, thanks for watching! Yes the ooievaarspas is a great feature!
Living at the Dutch/German border I can say that the German parks and zoo’s are amazing. They are really cheap, for Dutch standards, and have a ton of kids activities.
Don't know if the name changed over the years, but what you call city farms actually used to be called kids' farms.
Are you from the US? Did you grow up there? (Commenting as I watch) Edited:: Ohk! I Went and looked & see you are from the US originally, I knew you sounded American & I know usually you are able to appreciate things more when you are new somewhere. The Netherlands sound like a DREAM!! What brought you to the Netherlands?
I came to NL for an internship when I was finishing law school in San Diego, met my Spanish hubby and we stayed here for work :)
Hey miss jovie,l really like the farm....l had taken long without seeing a rabbit they look nice,l also like the beauty of the country lt looks green....l would like to see how the Dutch restaurant look like and compared to ours here in Dubai.
Hi! Thanks so much and I'm glad you enjoyed it! Yes the rabbits are really cute and soft and nice. It's very calming and relaxing to be in nature and among the animals. Restaurant tour is coming later this week! I'm excited to hear how it compares to Dubai :) Big hug!!
@@JoviesHome thanks mum by next week l will be going for my vacation in my country Uganda l will miss all your video's for about a month just because there it's difficult to use wi-fi . thanks l appreciate.
The klimkooi (monkey bars) were not very safe all those years ago. Can remember some little dare devils received some nasty injuries. Have some turf or sand underneath is a lot better than bricks or pavers.
And don't forget our: huisdokter's niet!
Most of them come at your house to visit you
when you are to sick to com to their office
or if your child is very sick.
Mijn ervaring is helaas heel anders. Ik was zo ziek dat ik echt niet meer naar de dokter kon. Maar noch de huisarts, noch de huisartsenpost wilden een ambulance sturen. Uiteindelijk ben ik door mijn buurman in zijn auto gesleept en bij de huisartsenpost afgeleverd. Daar bleek ik onmiddellijk in het ziekenhuis opgenomen te moeten worden. Ik stelde me dus niet aan!
What people say is true.germany, Scandinavië and Belfius a bit got the Same things.
Gemeentes also have holiday/vakantie passen. They are ment for children who can not go away for vacation but they can still do nice things with this pas in the summer. Things like going to the swimming pool, a free ice cream, tickets for a amusement park ect. When I grew up I had this pas also when I went to the basis school. In groep 7 my parents got a divorce and money was tight. But with this pas I could do nice things and have something to tell about after the summer break. And I also sport or practice a hobby because our gemeente helpt my mom paying for it. Once a year my mom could ask for this subsidie. And this is still available.
Thanks for sharing your experience Catharina 💛
My son is now is basisschool and we also received one of these vakatiepases. It is really wonderful that children from families where money is tight can also have nice summer and, as you say, have something to tell about their summer breaks.
When I was young, my family moved from Serbia to Canada and money was extremely tight. I still have memories of a Christmas party that we went to where I received a gift from Santa (a kind anonymous donation).It mustn't be underestimated HOW important these small things are for children.
You forgot the free style in which children are brought up. I think that is very beneficial for children too.
its not really a point to mention tho maybe a point 7.5? the themeparks in the netherlands like Ponypark slagharen, linneaushof and Efteling. that are 75% focused on the 0-10 Y/O and have some that the rest can enjoy aswell
Wow! Someone to come to your house & help with baby after giving birth! That’s AMAZING!!!
Curious how income taxes compare there to the us?
Not a tax expert but... income tax is divided in scales (if you earn more, you pay more taxes, and people aged 65+ pay less) but its around 35%, our VAT low is 9% and VAT high is 21%.
When you calculate an average family (income and expenses) you will be taxed about 41% of your income for all kind of taxes.
This puts the Netherlands in the top5 of heavy taxes in Europe, BUT.. we have one of the best health care systems (in the world??), good education available for those who want it, good and affordable public transport, well maintained roads (both for motorized vehicles and for bicycles) a good social security system (for the sick, elder and unemployed)
And yes we (the Dutch) like to grumble and moan about everything here .. but when we really compare what we have, pay for and get compared to other countries.. It is a real good balanced system we got here.
Our income taxes are lower as in the US. I say that based on a documentary by Michael Moore "where to invade next?" (highly recommended to watch!)
Ohk, yeah that is CRAZY high for taxes for the “average” person to be paying compared to the US ... I was assuming it was probably very high to have all of those great things “included” at no extra cost ... I’m sure it probably ends up being the same when you consider how much we pay out of pocket for health care and the extra taxes that get tacked onto us randomly when things go up
It's really difficult to compare the US and NL in terms of taxes and salaries. I think Americans would be shocked at how little the average salary is in NL; meanwhile Dutch people have such a more comfortable, balanced and easygoing lifestyle than Americans. You see Dutchies working part time, being with their families, traveling all over the world, having multiple vacations each year; despite paying "high taxes". Because of the social welfare system that's in place people aren't worried about going bankrupt from medical bills or losing their jobs if they are sick (jobs are safe for 2 years if you're on medical leave, with at least 70% of your salary being paid out for those 2 years). It's a complete mind change from the American individualistic approach to a greater good for greater number of people mentality. And it's really incredible. THanks so much for watching!!
OMG YES this Kraamzorg system is mindblowing. And you get it for EACH KID!!
Love your videos, if you would like to go to a great museum with your kids, the kinderboekenmuseum in the hague is really fun! I went there with my 2 nieces , of 2 and 5, and they loved it!
Thank you Marie-Jet! We've been there and loved it too! It's such a cosy and fun place for littles :)
Dutch people are happy with what they have. It is all so normal if you were born here. That you don't think about it. how well it is arranged here. The only thing I miss as a Dutchman is the huge stores with happy planner stuff from mambi. hahaha would like that closer. LOL. we need to stand still more what we have and be happy with how good we are. Because even if you are poor in the Netherlands you have the basics.
Compared to the US I think the school education system is very good and more progressive. There is also no interference of big corporations in their education.
AGREE!! In a future video about schooling/education I'll definitely mention it ;) Thanks for watching!
Okay I am sure I ger a lot of hate for this but still I want to mention. Becauae I really don’t like restaurants with kidscorners. I have three kids and we from the beginning teached them to just sit at the table while we are eating. They need to learn that I think and not to run off to a kids corner and runnng around the restaurant going back and forth. I think they easily can learn just to sit at the table for 1-2 hours. Je kunt ze betrekken in het gesprek dan hebben ze het gevoel dat ze er echt bijhoren ( sorry had to write that in Dutch) They got to bring 1 toy or colouringbook or something where they could play with at the table. And yes I think kids belong there too when you go out for dinner and that exactly is why I want them at the table. And also I think the running around of children in a restaurant is so annoying. So no as a parent I do not like restaurants with a kidscorner. My children are now 18 and 20 and they all three think the same !!
Hey Laura :-) Sure it is good to teach your kids to behave and not to run around! But I do think there is a place for restaurants with kids corners that do not serve junk-food! Like everything let there be a diversity: cool hip places for hipsters, comfy places for elderly people and places you can go to and have a set up with a play corner. And such a play corner not necessarily needs to be loud and messy :-)
BTW: can I advocate here for restaurants that serve NORMAL food in smaller portions for kids ??!! Why kids have to eat only chicken and "French" fries or even "frikandellen" (= processed meat) ? Kids menu's should be a little bit more inspiring! Amen! :-)
Hans Vuijst Oh no I do not mean fast food restaurants or restaurants that only serve fries for children. I mean ANY RESTAURANT. I do nit think there is any need for a chilscorner. They easily can sit at the table. Anx my xhildren NEVER had fries and frikandel in a restaurant. They even as a toddler eat nornal food like we did. Everywhere you can ask for a small portion or an extra plate so they can eat with you. I think children must learn that from a young age and my kids totally agrre and niw don’t even want to go to a restaurant that had a kids corner necause they think it annoying too. Please just teach your children and give them normal food. My kids didnt even want to order from the kids menu. They wanted to choose from the normal menu like the adults and just ask a smallet portion. ( i do that now for myself too because of my health i cannot eat larger portion. Never had a problem with that for the kids or for myself.
YES to this! Restaurants serving kids portions of normal food is the right thing to do :)
Hi Laura, so I both agree and disagree with your point. While I think its important that we as parents teach kids how to behave at a table, kids are really unpredictable at times (especially from like 1.5 years - 4 years or so). And so while on one day my kids might be super happy to sit at the table and behave "grown up", on other days they just don't. And so for the sake of the other guests I'm happy that kids corners exist because when kids don't want to sit (but have a place to play), it's just a better overall experience for everyone.
Sounds like their supplying the children with all the boot straps they'll need to succeed in life...
Just a random question....is red hair common in the Netherlands? Do Dutch have red hair? I heard they appreciate red hair there, unlike in the UK and US where it is not so much appreciated
Not super common. Blondes are common, especially up north. Probably about 1 in 30 folks have red hair? Most people like it, though. No ginger teasing etc from what I've heard of redheads.
Danny Dunn - Nope, in Europe only Ireland, Scotland, and England have a lot of redheads (statistically those countries have the highest amount of redheads in the world).
Redheads are admired in continental Europe but they’re teased in the UK and Ireland.
What legal status do you need to have to enjoy storkpass, childcare etc in Netherlands?
I have several subscriptions with the bell clicked and they also do not show, that system, just like their commenting system behind the bell icon in the top is completely broken (for me, that is) on the site-version of RUclips, the app seems to be better.
For me, the child-friendlyness is something I consider to be the small things like some of the things you mentioned, but also the thing that, at like a butcher's shop, when you order something and you have a child with you, the person behind the counter will ask the child (and sometimes the parent) if they would like a slice of sausage (usually liversausage). The same goes for the market-stands that sell cheese (and the one at the market here does it for everyone, and when they are having the funnies because it's either very busy or they lost count who was next and someone orders a piece of cheese, sometimes everyone get's a piece from basically every cheese ordered at that right moment :P.
And second: about the museum thing: if you like museums that engage children in doing some kind of activity you should DEFINITELY go to the NEMO in Amsterdam. It's a science museum that teaches children about many things that they might encounter in daily life but have never given a second thought or are really curious about how it works.
I am not sure if it is still there because I think it was a temporary thing, but there also was a part in the museum that was prohibited for parents to enter, because it was about sexual education and they wanted children to be a little more comfortable by not having their parents there with them.
And, also a small, less daily thing which really depends on the doctor you encounter: when you are a little younger and you need to have some kind of surgery, no matter how minor, the need-to-know-things are talked about with the parents or parent, and if the child has a question, right after the most important stuff for the parents the doctor can go on to ask "Is there something you would like to know?"
This is done because the things the parents need to know can be a hugely minor thing for the child who might have a question that is a major-thing for the child compared to the parents.
For instance, when I had to get tubes in both of my ears (I was 5 or 6 I think) my mom had the talk with the doctor who would be placing them and I got asked if I had a question and said that I wanted to know what the tubes looked like and the doctor got a dummy-set out of a drawer and grabbed one of those "organs on display" kind of things (they have an official name that I forgot) which showed the whole ear from the outside of the ear up to the inside with the whole inner workings of it and showed where it would be placed.
Even though I didn't panic when one of the tubes got worked out by my ear itself (which was supposed to happen), I was glad to know what the tiny thing was that I was holding in my hands right after my ear started itching like crazy :P.
Also, concerning children-friendly activities: in my city during school holidays you have something called the PurVak (Purmerend Vakantie, I guess it's an abbreviation of) where a local sports and activities organisation organises sports and games in the local sporting hall in the area where you live and they are free to attend (sometimes from and up to a certain age, but when they are in the bigger sporting buildings they can be for basically anyone from 2-3 (with or without parental guidance) till 14 or even 16 years of age.
In my city you also have something called's the Children's Paradise, where they can build a wooden shelter or hut, build a fire to make their own pancakes or popcorn on, take a piece of wood and go down from something that resembles a conveyerbelt that is at an incline so you automatically go down, or take a ride on something that looks like a zip line but has a bar with a sort kind of seat on it and cross a small waterway that is on the same terrain.
You don't pay with money to get some of the items like a hammer and nails (or matches and newspapers to light a fire) but you hand over your house keys, or the key from your bike like some kind of deposit.
Weew, looong reply :P.
Hey there Iris, thanks so much for sharing! I've definitely experienced that at the butcher :) And Nemo is on our list but only once neither of our kids has an afternoon nap (otherwise the day is too broken up).
I love your comment about how the doctors engage with even the young patients. THis is so important and seems like you felt reassured from the doctor and confident when the tube fell out.
That festival in your village sounds so fun for kids (and adults!)
Isn't this how life SHOULD be?
Thank you for watching, as always 💛
The stork pass is a something of the Municipality of The Hague, the stork is the sign of the village (the Hague is not officially a city) and has been around for 30 years this year (2019). There are more places with something similar, but it is certainly not everywhere in the Netherlands.
Engels: www.denhaag.nl/en/general/ooievaarspas-reduction-card.htm
Dutch: www.ooievaarspas.nl/
There are a few hundred children's farms in the Netherlands, wherever you are there is probably one in a radius of 10 miles.
There are several in the Hague but a very nice one just out site the Hague is 't Geertje: hetgeertje.nl/engels/
I watched alot of your video’s and love them.
The reason we have All this stuff...in All your video’s is because we pay a bit more tax...and this is organised by the coverment.
Many americans Call this soliciallistic and mix this up with Communism.
They see coverment getting involved Being bad.....well Scandinavië, germany and Holland show How iT Can be.
You make me want to move! Aus is great with most of these but it seems slightly different! xo
I love our 'medicare' system here and am so glad we have it! America seems to need to work on their health benefits!
Absolutely! I literally don't understand a single argument against the "Medicare" for all system Thanks so much for watching!
museums (musea) in the netherlands are so expensive!
Baby deer aka a fawn.
We had different seasons for street-sport. Kasti, kind of street baseball. 'Palen' aka street soccer and 'Luilak' that's unique it translates as Lazybones and is a tradition of the Saturday before Pentecost. Nobody is allowed to stay in bed and the kids get up at 4 am at the latest to make a racket. Sometimes it turned into a full time riot and the 'Smerisen' (Coppers) at times lost their temper. ;) In Australia they are sports-mad but the kids don't take much initiative. We played our sport without umpires and the kids improvised a lot. Lampposts made do as the goal other version the rubbish bins supplied by the municipality the list went on and on. Sadly when I went back the last time I didn't see much innovation. Yes the times are a changing :(
What's the best place to live in I want to work in a laboratory in the hospital? I want to move. Seriously.
Melissa Poe late answer but it depends on your wishes. We have hospitals almost everywhere at max a 30 minute ride. We have ‘streekziekenhuis’ (like smaller hospitals with only needy stuff), normal hospitals and academic/university hospitals. I live like 20 minutes drive with car and 10 minutes by train away from rotterdam and I have 3 hospitals in like 10 minutes drive from my hometown. You can live in the randstad (rotterdam, den haag, amsterdam, utrecht area) or in the country. And the randstad also has big city’s like talked above, smaller cities like hellevoetsluis, Dordrecht, Barendrecht, Houten, etc, ‘dorpen’ like smaller villages and ‘gehuchten’ extremely small villages. Also you can go from the most south to the most north in like 3 hours by train😊 If you want to live here, go on vacation for like 2 weeks and visit the randstad, limburg, twente, groningen, etc. We have 12 districts so you can do one every day😂 traintickets can you buy as daycards for 12 euro’s a day by diffrent stores. The public transportation here is amazing.
Grobingen has the "Stadjerspas"
Het Kinderboekenmuseum is nice for small kids. Do you son gets the 'vakantiepas' at school, there also a list of things to do in The Hague and Leiden, also for small kids and small budgets..
www.vakantiepas.nl/
Oh YES! I forgot to mention this! Maybe in a future video. Thanks for watching!
I find it interesting that you call him Dan in english instead of Daan haha. Those damned dubble vowels lol
I didn't realize I was saying his name wrong! I'll make an effort to do better in the future :) Thanks for the feedback!
But as an aside, I do find it difficult to use correct pronunciation when using two languages. Even if I'm speaking in Serbian for example, I will pronounce my son's name with a Serbian accent. When speaking in English, I pronounce his name with the English accent. It's actually pretty funny 😂
@@JoviesHome I totally understand you! I also find myself having trouble with saying dutch placenames when speaking english haha. I just thought it was really interesting ;)
I am in Amsterdam visiting my family for 20 days and I am missing the sheets!!!!! Here they don't use them . Why ??????????
City Farm Kinderboerderij 😊🐮🐖
Again, thinking of moving to The Netherlands, would appreciate a video on what that process is like...I mean I can get the black and white description off the forms but would like your point of view. Coming from Scottsdale Arizona.
I moved from Scottsdale to NL!!! OMG!! What process are you looking at? Like the immigration rules, or what to pack, or how to find a job? There is just so much involved in an international relocation. I'd be happy to help if you can give a bit more detail on what you're looking for?
@@JoviesHome Well really anything is helpful and appreciated. I have two boys and wonder how the immigration process would go for them, what it all entails? Wanting to know how I could get a job there, not sure what the market is like for licensed adjusters there since my license is for Arizona and Texas not the Netherlands...I mean do they even require adjusters to be licensed there? I have so many questions but just requested a video on basics on how the transition felt....can you live there and still keep your American citizenship or how long till your expected to become a citizen there? Do they have special education services for my son? Are there Hispanic families there? Too many questions for here but again anything you can provide would be appreciated. Thank you
What I DON'T like is that children don't get art and music classes at school. They do, but their regular teacher is giving those, and most teachers are not skilled and educated to give those lessons.
Also, it is normal that the class changes teacher every year, so children with behavioural problems don't get enough help ( "I just have to endure this child a school year, and then is he/she someone else's problem" logic, as teachers have too much on their plate anyway. While working at school, there were children that spent more time in a hallway ( that is the punishment for bad vehaviour in class) than in their class.
Covered by the medical insurance? But, Jovie, what if I don't HAVE insurance? ;)
That is not allowed. You have to have a health insurance.
@@LobkeVB Yeah, I know, I was pointing out that, by now, she's taken it for granted and forgot to mention it.
The Netherlands should appoint you as goodwill ambassador to the United States! If you can get sent to New York City or San Francisco that would somewhat insulate you from the normal American craziness.
City farm is called kinderboerderij
Nr 2 is nice word for the game scrabble. Kinderboerderij
Im thinking of relocating from texas. Kind of scared cause my kids don't know dutch and i can't afford private international schools. Is there any way they help them in public schools? Any other help or tips from anyone i would appreciate it. I am a single mom of 4 so life is challenging. I was born in the Netherlands but i have been gone for 20 years so i don't know anything about the dutch assistance for single parents. I would appreciate any info.
Oh yes! Schools are very accommodating to non-Dutch speakers and kids pick up languages pretty quickly. Good luck!!
there are TONS of bilingual English Dutch schools here!
Pinky swear: I don't know how the kids do it now, but when I was little we made a V sign with our fingers, palm towards you, and spat on the ground with the fingers on either side of your mouth. I guess we only made promises outside...
😂😂😂
3:22 KINDERBOEDERIJ!!!!
The schools and cicylingroads
And notice goats have horns (some never get them) and aren't not being dehorned like in the US because something MIGHT happen.
Thats a thing? Gross! You still declawing cats too?
@@Philemaphobia We never declawed cats, that's been done in the US. Here it's always been illegal.
11:37 Wouldn't that be maternity care in English? I'm glad to see that you use the Dutch word so spontaneously though.
16:56 Not that I know of.
Hi Bert! I have to tell you... when we were on our holidays in Spain last week, I had a dream IN DUTCH!! I was talking to Leo but the entire conversation was in my bad, basic broken Dutch. I think my subconscious is trying to tell me something. Hmm 🤔
@@JoviesHome have you ever made a video about weird linguistic mistakes or new words that you start making up?
as im typing this you said "baby dear" baby deer? fawn?
Ik lus wel een frikandel
I think you were hungry watching the video 😂so many frikandel comments!
Brothels?
Legal canabis?
Het is gewoon goed regeld hier.
Alleen de talenkennis laat nog wat te wensen over.
Frans Buijs. 😂
madurodam
Us is best
Kinderboerderijen... Childrens Farms... look them up...
#1 every dutch store has A LOOOOOT of candy
haha, American stores have that too
And you didn't even mention kinderbijslag!
Lus jij ook een frikandel
That's true! I'll make another video about these types of government benefits in the future.