Am I Losing My Child to Another Language? Multilingual Parenting in the Netherlands with Mimi

For International Mother Language Day 2026, we are tackling a vulnerable and rarely discussed topic: the grief of watching the societal language overtake your home language. As international parents in the Netherlands, we celebrate our children’s integration, but it often comes with the fear of losing "relational access." In this warm, honest, and direct episode, Eva and Maren explore what happens when Dutch begins to dominate your child’s friendships, humor, and identity.

We dive into the "8–9 year home language dip" and why the transition to primary school often shifts the power balance of communication. This conversation isn’t about resisting Dutch; it’s about protecting the emotional closeness that your mother tongue provides. We offer practical strategies to maintain your influence, preserve your heritage, and ensure that language never becomes a barrier to intimacy. If you’ve ever felt a pang of sadness when your child answers you in Dutch, this episode is a compassionate reminder that you are not alone.