Debunking the Motherbrain Myth: How Caregiving Rewires the Brain with Dr. Elke De Witte
Dam Parenting2 Jul 2025

Debunking the Motherbrain Myth: How Caregiving Rewires the Brain with Dr. Elke De Witte

Forget everything you’ve been told about "baby brain" making you less capable. In this episode of Dam Parenting, we sit down with neuroscientist Dr. Elke De Witte, author of De Moederbreinmythe, to take a warm, honest, and direct look at how parenthood truly reshapes the brain. Dr. De Witte reveals that the parental brain undergoes a profound "upgrade" in plasticity and emotional intelligence—a transformation that applies to all caregivers, not just biological mothers.

We discuss why it’s time to stop the jokes about forgetfulness and start valuing the cognitive strengths that come with caregiving. From challenging outdated workplace assumptions to calling for a societal shift in maternity policies, this conversation is essential for parents, partners, and HR professionals alike. It’s time to move past the myths and understand the real neurological power of the "village." Your brain hasn't checked out; it has evolved.


Find out more from www.elkedewitte.com

Episoder(185)

Reducing Resentment: How to Share the Mental Load as an International Couple

Reducing Resentment: How to Share the Mental Load as an International Couple

Living abroad often forces families into a "survivalist" independence that can inadvertently create distance between partners. In this episode of Dam Parenting, Eva sits down with Angela from the Expa...

12 Nov 202519min

The Expat Goodbye: Relocation Grief, Identity, and Finding Home Again with Erin

The Expat Goodbye: Relocation Grief, Identity, and Finding Home Again with Erin

Leaving a country isn’t just a logistical checklist; it’s a profound emotional journey. In this special episode of Dam Parenting, Eva and Maren sit down with Erin, who recently made the heartfelt deci...

5 Nov 202526min

Quitting the Comparison Trap: Building Parental Confidence in a Digital World

Quitting the Comparison Trap: Building Parental Confidence in a Digital World

Do you ever close Instagram feeling like you’re failing, even though your kids are happy and fed? In this episode of Dam Parenting, resident psychologist Dr. Faye Poole joins Eva to take a warm, hones...

29 Okt 202518min

Raising Multilingual Children: How to Align Language Goals as a Couple with Mimi

Raising Multilingual Children: How to Align Language Goals as a Couple with Mimi

What happens when two parents share a child, but don't share the same vision for their multilingual future? In this episode of Dam Parenting, Eva is joined by Mimi from Growing up Multilingual⁠ to tak...

22 Okt 202521min

Hallowe'en 2025 in Amsterdam with Samira from Amsterdam Kids

Hallowe'en 2025 in Amsterdam with Samira from Amsterdam Kids

Halloween is just around the corner — and the Netherlands is getting spook-tacular! This week, Samira from Amsterdam Kids joins us to share her top picks for family-friendly Halloween fun — from pumpk...

17 Okt 20256min

Navigating the Dutch Weather: Parenting Lessons from the Autumn Break

Navigating the Dutch Weather: Parenting Lessons from the Autumn Break

The Herfstvakantie may be over, but the challenge of keeping kids entertained in the Dutch weather is a year-round reality. In this episode, Eva and Samira from AmsterdamKids look back at their ultima...

15 Okt 202512min

Navigating Dutch Healthcare: The Healthy Here Event in Amstelveen

Navigating Dutch Healthcare: The Healthy Here Event in Amstelveen

Healthcare in the Netherlands shouldn't feel like a barrier to your well-being. In this episode of Dam Parenting, we spotlight the Healthy Here event taking place on November 1st in Amstelveen. This i...

12 Okt 202513min

Communication for Expat Couples: Preventing Resentment and Building Intimacy

Communication for Expat Couples: Preventing Resentment and Building Intimacy

Relationships aren't easy, but they are especially complex when you’re juggling cultural differences, career shifts, and parenting far from home. In this episode of Dam Parenting, Eva is joined by Ang...

8 Okt 202523min

Populært innen For unge lyttere

min-barneoppdragelse
foreldreradet
er-det-noe-liv-med-nora-angeltveit
vitnemal
rss-maren-mina
snipp-snapp-snute
mamma-jobber
gravid-uke-for-uke
rss-det-ma-vi-snakke-om
jordmorpodden-om-graviditet-fodsel-og-barseltid
rss-lovepodden
babyverden
plutselig-barneteater
fodselspodden
familieliv
fra-null-til-hund
uroskolen
rss-lundqvist-podden
fodepodden-2
rss-trygg-av-natur