Parents eligible for childcare allowance can still claim their 2012 benefits retroactively if they missed the original deadline. Submit your application before September 1, 2013, to secure this support.Childcare allowance provides income-based assistance for childcare costs. Youre eligible if you wo

The first week of summer vacation brought six mothers and twelve children to Landgoed De Mosbeek in Mander, Twente. Blessed with warm weather, we departed Rotterdam around 11 a.m. and arrived over two hours later at Pancake Restaurant Watermolen Bels—a top tip from estate owner Henriët—for lunch. Th

Need an extra day off each week? Approaching your employer can feel daunting, but youre not alone—numerous legal options exist, and they cant simply say no. Explore your rights to work fewer hours in this guide, drawn from established employment law expertise.Financial feasibility matters, of course

A landmark study by researchers at the Copenhagen Business School, analyzing 16,000 children aged 2 to 9 across Belgium, Cyprus, Estonia, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Spain, and Sweden, found no connection between full-time working mothers and childhood obesity. Lead researcher Wencke Gwozdz, professor

It had to happen eventually. Id been wrestling with these words for months—wanting to share them but held back by the sheer weight of it all. Too raw, too tangled, too heartbreaking, and perhaps too raw for confrontation. The storm of grief left indelible scars, shattering the foundations of what I

In recent months, Ive been training rigorously for the Amsterdam half marathon. Last week, I injured my calf—again. It looks like I wont be able to participate. Frustrating, right? Our bodies can sabotage our best plans. Now, I have to slow down, and trust me, its not easy. Do you feel it too? The w

Today, I received fantastic news from my publisher. Theyve reviewed my latest childrens play and deemed it fun, educational, and salable. Theyre publishing it, just like my previous four works, and I eagerly await royalties. Im thrilled and deeply proud—proud of my boundless imagination and my skill

Whether you occasionally work from home or maintain a dedicated home office, having a dedicated space for focused, motivated work is essential. Its even better when that space is inspiring, organized, and professional—especially if clients visit. As the saying goes, a tidy office fosters a tidy mind

Feminism is obsolete! Womens emancipation is basically complete, I declared to my mother as a know-it-all teenager. Looking back, I was incredibly naive. Now, as a working mother of three, that realization struck hard when I landed a five-day research trip abroad to write tourism articles. After yea

Starting January 1, 2014, new rules require childcare allowance applications within three months after the month childcare begins. Apply late, and youll forfeit the benefit.Childcare allowance provides income-based support for childcare costs. While retroactive claims were possible, from January 1,

The Netherlands boasts around one million self-employed professionals, with thousands more joining each year. At the start of 2016, 38% of those registered with the Chamber of Commerce were women—thats 380,000 female entrepreneurs. Im proud to be one of them, having launched my freelance career in e

As a mom whos always battled punctuality, getting myself and my two boys to school on time feels like an Olympic event. Ive been a girly girl since high school—staring in the mirror until Im satisfied can derail the best plans. Add in my chronic lateness, and school drop-offs become a high-stakes ra

Our home features a cheeky sign: Tired parents and happy kids live here. I chose it because it nails our reality. My daughters have their moody moments, but theyre mostly bursting with joy, enthusiasm, and boundless energy. Their happiness fuels mine. As parents, were thriving by letting them be kid

As a parent whos traveled with kids countless times, holidays build immense anticipation—from planning destinations to keeping the backseat crew entertained. I cherish the drive, watching landscapes shift, inventing games, and daydreaming about sun-soaked days ahead. But now, vacations over, and tha

As the blissful blank days of summer fade, its back to the rhythm of school runs, birthday parties, outings, and endless activities. Transitioning from holiday freedom to structured days can be tough, but the Kidsproof Family Planner from Geschijn makes it seamless. This essential tool helps familie

As a seasoned work-from-home mom and freelance writer, Ive navigated the realities of balancing motherhood and career under one roof. Its a dream for some, a challenge for others—and definitely not as easy as outsiders think. Drawing from my own journey, heres an honest look at the upsides and down

The Institute for Human Rights (formerly the Equal Treatment Commission) has launched a poll titled Pregnant and Work: Regular or Hassle? Through the website www.zwangerenwerk.nl, the Institute provides women a platform to report issues with employers related to pregnancy. Women can also assess if t

Story Magazine as the Yardstick?David Beckham retired from professional football at age 38. Celebrity news rarely catches my eye, but this time it did—thanks to an article about his wife, Victoria, the former Spice Girl.Victoria isnt just any footballers wife. After a modest solo music career, shes

The flag is ready, but right now our daughter is deep in exam season. The house is filled with tension, and the Valdispert tablets for exam nerves arent making much difference. For years, Id see those flags with hanging bags signaling exam successes and think, How sweet—someone passed! Now, living i

Just a few more days until summer vacation starts for the kids. For us, thats a full two months—or exactly 9 weeks and 64.5 days. It feels immensely long!Ill be thrilled to ditch the alarm clock, though my own Girl Alarm Clock will still wake me bright and early. The best part? No more rigid schedul