In-Laws, Culture & Boundaries: Parenting Without Guilt Abroad

Cross-cultural families often face unspoken expectations. This episode explores boundaries, cultural tension, and how to protect relationships without losing yourself.

Feeling Alone as a New Parent Abroad? You're Not the Only One
In this heartfelt episode of Dam Parenting, we dive deep into one of the most personal and challenging experiences many parents face: raising a child far from home, without the family support they expected.

Host Eva is joined by Angela from the Expat Parenting Collective, an expert in helping globally mobile families navigate the emotional, cultural, and practical challenges of parenting abroad. Together, they unpack a powerful listener question from an expat mother in the Netherlands — a new mom navigating postpartum life without the strong family support system she was used to back in Asia.

Topics Covered:

• Why parenting abroad can feel so isolating — even when you're not "alone"

• Cultural clashes around postpartum care and family involvement

• Setting boundaries with in-laws and expressing your needs clearly (without guilt)

• Practical ways to build a sense of community as an expat parent

• Tools to reduce overwhelm and reconnect with your inner strength

• How to prepare for cultural differences before the baby arrives

If you’re parenting in a new country and feel overwhelmed, misunderstood, or just plain exhausted — this episode is for you. We’re here with real talk, real support, and real solutions.

Whether you’re in Amsterdam, Tokyo, Nairobi, or anywhere in between — hit play, take a deep breath, and know: you’re not alone.

Don’t forget to follow, rate, and share Dam Parenting to support honest conversations that matter.