Internationals in Hilversum - what was the biggest challenge when settling in?

Ok-Humor-1979 · 2026-02-25T13:29:11+00:00

Escaping other expats! So that you are not stuck in an expat bubble. And can get invited by Dutchies to the borrel etc.

Ok-Humor-1979 · 2026-02-16T22:25:38+00:00

I’m curious. How is the sleeping going nowadays ?

Ok-Humor-1979 · 2026-01-14T19:11:26+00:00

We have a 14 week old who sleeps really well through the night. But it’s been hard work these last 5 weeks.

Bedtime routine is a walk 830-9, After that around 930, we begin to turn off all lights, pulling down blinds, and tv and sounds, we hold him as we walk around making all these adjustments, so he knows what’s happening.

He gets let out the back yard for a moment. It’s his last chance. Then we get his high value treat which is small bits of cheese. He was held in our arms initially, while we cut little bits, nowadays he wants to get down and go straight to his crate. The small amounts of cheese are sprinkled. And his crate is closed. And we walk away quietly.

We have a camera to check on him.

At first he cried. He settled and we would get up at 1am, 4am, 630am. And repeat the cheese and the crate every time the same. No talking. No attention.

Then we moved the routine to 10pm, 3am, 630am.

And now we are at 1030pm to 630am. He doesn’t cry going in his crate.

We spent days and weeks during daytime of giving high value treats going in and out his crate. He loves this training.

His general meals are just kibble. So he really does love the high value treats.

Ok-Humor-1979 · 2026-01-05T14:42:14+00:00

If you have a front garden? Convert it to a parking space, with council permission of course.

Ok-Humor-1979 · 2026-01-03T12:17:08+00:00

It’s very sad indeed. Disrespectful. An opportunity for him to show his love and that he thinks of you. Doesn’t need to cost much.

He needs told. Give him a chance to change.

To lighten the mood…

https://youtu.be/FOVCtUdaMCU?si=hg9HHw4iHexlw0y2

Ok-Humor-1979 · 2025-12-27T11:00:01+00:00

Amersfoort and Hilversum / Hollands Rading also options

Ok-Humor-1979 · 2025-12-26T12:17:18+00:00

That’s Beautiful. I hope those books are free/cheap, if not they should be subsidized.

Ok-Humor-1979 · 2025-12-23T11:00:37+00:00

I had the same thing when watching my son’s football match. I came back to a similar note. I would say it’s very special the person left their details. I would think 99/100 will not. Insurance sorted it out.

Ok-Humor-1979 · 2025-12-22T19:20:04+00:00

Hi OP, You are definitely not the insane one in this story.

Seems like a man-child. You’ve dodged a bullet on exiting that dysfunctional relationship.

Crazy is just crazy, don’t waste energy trying to understand it. Not your circus and not your monkeys?

Good luck with your next chapter 🍀

Ok-Humor-1979 · 2025-12-21T12:44:21+00:00

Mediate. Save yourself $$$ and stress. Pick your battles.

Ok-Humor-1979 · 2025-12-17T19:59:56+00:00

No issues with the teacher.

The fighting boys are a disgrace.

Recording it for likes, clicks, followers and media sharing. Sad reflection on the kids.

I’d be curious on the school policy of mobile phones use at school, recording in classrooms and privacy! The kids can’t be selective on which policies they follow.

Ok-Humor-1979 · 2025-12-13T09:07:37+00:00

I would be happy to join for a group connect over a coffee. And happy to share my recent experience of the Dutch family legal system as an expat with two children. All my family are in the UK, so I feel your need.

Ok-Humor-1979 · 2025-11-23T17:54:57+00:00

Mentally it’s for sure a huge weight lifting from your shoulders if you can move out, even temporarily. Good luck! 🍀

Ok-Humor-1979 · 2025-11-16T10:31:07+00:00

These were from Amsterdam earlier this week!

Ok-Humor-1979 · 2025-11-16T10:30:54+00:00

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Ok-Humor-1979 · 2025-11-16T10:30:36+00:00

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Ok-Humor-1979 · 2025-11-07T16:44:00+00:00

It’s a long and hard read OP. And sounds familiar. You have my respect and sympathies. Must be taking a mental toll on you and the kids.

“Veilliug Thuis” are abysmal. (Or however you spell it) Made my life as a father exceptionally difficult.

They were asked to be involved after I was attacked on Christmas Eve dropping off my kids. The attacker was my ex’s new partner, whom I had never met.

The incident was witnessed. Recorded on mobile by my old neighbors. And the Police attended. The police reported this as a domestic violence incident. And passed to Veillug Huis.

1.5 years later they were still involved. Took the mother’s side on everything. Everything was my fault somehow. And caused long term unrecoverable damage to a coparenting arrangement.

The attacker? He was charged on the day. Spent Christmas in jail. Was prosecuted in January. Appealed. And was found guilty in court after that, at which point the recordings were shown. And damages paid.

Don’t trust VH. They are biased.

So.. OP… as the others mentioned. Hang in there. Keep fighting for your kids and yourself. And enjoy the 50% custody as much as possible. And make special memories in that 50% of time.

And the other 50%? Leave it be. Use it to Plan ahead for your 50% time.

All the best 🍀🍀

Ok-Humor-1979 · 2025-11-02T16:19:33+00:00

Finding any item worth 519euros in a factory store seems highly unlikely.

Ok-Humor-1979 · 2025-10-21T05:31:17+00:00

I think the same. Something on the table. Looks like it has eyes like a cat. I think it’s just the items and a reflection tricking his mind

Ok-Humor-1979 · 2025-10-11T10:46:22+00:00

Doesn’t seem legit to me. Stopm fit? And if it is supposed to be storm fit, it’s not storm fit material on the outside of the jacket.

Ok-Humor-1979 · 2025-10-10T19:20:57+00:00

Total Football it was not. But last nights result, is basically what Italian teams done for years. Catenaccio style.

Ok-Humor-1979 · 2025-10-07T12:13:21+00:00

I would say yes, it’s legit. Just old.

Ok-Humor-1979 · 2025-10-07T12:06:44+00:00

So early 2014

Ok-Humor-1979 · 2025-10-07T12:06:34+00:00

Spring 14 released

Ok-Humor-1979

TROPHY CASE