The golden rule has always been that children should be free to discover and experience whatever they please. Also free to be creative, with little consideration for others as long as they are not in danger. They should learn to be independent as early as possible. So keep that in mind.

When you visit a typical Dutch family, you can forget about trying to start a conversation with the mother, because the child will demand attention, or sit on his mother’s lap, constantly asking questions, or sit between you and the mother and imitate your facial expressions. If the mother then sees that you want to walk away, because you cannot talk to her properly, she will address the child. It rarely if ever happens that a child will simply get a spanking. It is therefore very important to first find out how the parents stand on discipline, before you apply it. Even though your hands may be itching to give a good spanking at some point, you still have to remember the general guidelines within the household. So rather count to 10 and don’t raise your hand at all!!!

The Dutch child is also used to screaming, fighting, running around the house, climbing over the furniture, slamming doors etc. just to make a conversation even more difficult.

There are 3 things that are used in the process of raising a child: a ball that he starts playing with, even before he can walk; a bicycle is the next. As soon as the child is about 3 years old, he can already ride a bicycle on his own. Cycling is one of the most important things for the Dutch to be able to do and they also love it very much; and thirdly, kindergarten. They are sent to kindergarten anything from 30 months to 5 years. Also at this time the child gets his first pair of ice skates.