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

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

For International Mother Language Day 2026, we explore a rarely spoken fear in multilingual and expat families: what happens when your child becomes more fluent in the societal language than you are?

Living in the Netherlands, many immigrant and international parents watch Dutch slowly take over their child’s world — friendships, school life, humor, even identity. And while multilingualism is beautiful, it can also bring subtle grief, emotional distance, and a fear of losing influence.

In this episode, we explore:

  • Why school shifts language dominance

  • The emotional impact on parents

  • The 8–9 year home language dip

  • How to protect your home language without resisting Dutch

  • Practical ways to maintain emotional closeness

International Mother Language Day isn’t just about preserving languages. It’s about preserving relational access.

If you’re raising multilingual children in the Netherlands (or anywhere abroad), this episode is for you.

Subscribe, share with another multilingual parent, and join the conversation on Instagram @damparentingpocast


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