With my blogs , I aim to support parents in their role as caregivers.
Parenthood is beautiful — but let's be honest, it can also be quite challenging. Let those challenges be there; they're part of the journey.
Enjoy the process, even when things feel uncertain. 💛
Today, I want to talk about a topic many parents have questions about: safety.
Safety for children goes beyond physical protection. It also includes emotional security and, nowadays, digital safety.
Safety for children involves physical, emotional, and digital protection.
It's about allowing a child to develop freely in an environment that feels safe — at home, at school, and online.
At the same time, it's important to teach children how to handle risks. Because through experience, they learn their limits and build self-confidence.
Children explore the world with their whole bodies — and that comes with risks. Fortunately, there's a lot you can do to prevent accidents.
Secure electrical outlets and anchor loose furniture.
Cover sharp corners, install stair gates and window locks.
Store dangerous items such as cleaning supplies, medication, alcohol, and (e-)cigarettes out of reach, preferably in a locked cabinet.
Use non-slip mats in the shower, bath, or on the stairs.
Check whether plants are toxic and remove them if necessary.Controleer of planten giftig zijn en verwijder deze indien nodig.
Keep balconies free of objects children could climb on.
A child who feels emotionally safe dares to explore, learns to understand themselves, and develops confidence.
Listen and communicate: talk to your child, truly listen, and respond to both verbal and non-verbal cues.
Create security: tune in to your child's needs and personality.
Show appreciation: let them know you are proud and always there for them.
Encourage independence: give space to try things on their own; making mistakes is part of learning.
As the Dutch Youth Institute says: "Keep safety and freedom in balance."
Set boundaries, but try not to control everything.
Let children learn through age-appropriate experiences.
Stay calm during moments of fright — your calmness gives your child confidence.
Want to read more? See:
Netherlands Youth Institute – Safety and freedom in balance
A favourable youth for every child. The Netherlands Youth Institute owns and shares knowledge on what works to boost and to hinder a favourable childhood.
The Netherlands Youth Institute is a national knowledge centre collecting, enriching, explaining and sharing topical knowledge. Our point of departure is to improve the lives of children, young people and their parents and other caretakers. We call attention to knowledge and assist in its implementation. That's our mission, that's what we stand for.
This page offers a short introduction to the organisation of the youth system in the Netherlands.
Useful links to relevant information about youth policy in Europe and the Netherlands.
Journalists can contact spokespersons of the Netherlands Youth Institute. This page offers relevant contact details.
Overall, 85 percent of Dutch children and young people are doing fine. They grow up with normal development opportunities and without the need for professional support or care. 15 percent of young people and their families need guidance and support in parenting, health care or other youth services. For most of them this concerns minor upbringing issues in health, education or parenting support, which can be addressed through preventive services or basic care.
Almost 5 percent of them need more specialized care.
Government Nl - Youth Care And Child Protection
Information about youth care (jeugdhulp) and child protection in the Netherlands: who is responsible, how to request help, and what measures can be taken to protect children.
Youth care (jeugdhulp) covers support and services for children, young people and their families, including prevention, guidance, specialised help and residential care. Child protection measures (jeugdbescherming) are taken if there is serious danger to a child’s safety or development.
Key point: Municipalities are primarily responsible for providing youth care and organising access to services.
When there is a serious risk to a child, the court can impose protection measures. These include:
Decisions are based on assessments by child protection services and, when required, the juvenile court.
Youth care and child protection are governed by Dutch laws such as the Youth Act (Jeugdwet), which sets out the responsibilities of municipalities and standards for provision. Child protection cases may be handled under civil or juvenile law when court intervention is needed.
National policy focuses on early intervention, family‑based support and ensuring the best interests of the child.
Available support includes parenting support, mental health care for youth, addiction support, help for families in crisis, and foster care. Many preventive services are free or provided via the municipality.
We live in a time where children grow up with the internet, smartphones, games, and social media. This offers many wonderful opportunities — but it also comes with risks.
Children can easily enter a higher age online, which may expose them to harmful content (such as violence or dangerous challenges).
Children are sensitive to online advertising because they cannot yet fully distinguish between what is real and what is commercial.
Too much screen time can lead to physical complaints (such as reduced eyesight or back pain), sleep problems, and feelings of loneliness.
This can have many causes, such as:
Financial problems or poverty
Divorce
Illness (physical or mental) of a family member
Grief or loss, including through suicide
Addiction (alcohol, drugs, gambling, gaming)
Violence or abuse
Detention of a family member
Bullying or cyberbullying
Long-term stress affects the well-being of both parents and children, and may cause anxiety, fatigue, sleep problems, or withdrawn behavior in children.
That is why it is important to seek help early if there are concerns.
Asking for help is not a sign of weakness, but of strength.
> Veilig Thuis Zl - Contact– for advice or reporting domestic violence or child abuse: veiligthuis.nl
If you are worried about the safety of a child or adult in the Netherlands, here is how to contact Veilig Thuis ZL.
Phone (general): Call the regional Veilig Thuis ZL hotline at 088 - 8 10 10 10 (example number — check your local page for the exact number).
24/7 urgent help: If someone is in immediate danger, always call 112.
Email: info@veiligthuiszl.nl (for non-urgent questions).
Online contact / report: Use the online contact form to report concerns or request advice. (Link to original contact form)
Anonymous reporting: You can report concerns anonymously if you prefer — Veilig Thuis will treat tips confidentially.
Veilig Thuis gives advice, assesses safety risks and can refer to local services. In urgent cases they may involve other organisations or request court measures to protect a child.
Government Nl - Health Welfare Sport
Overview of key public services, national institutes and organisations operating under or alongside the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport (VWS).
The Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport (VWS) ensures a healthy population, accessible healthcare and strong social support systems. It oversees a wide network of agencies, inspectorates, advisory councils and national organisations.
Official information: Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport
For specific services or institutions, refer to the official website for contact details of each organisation.
113 Suicide Prevention – support for suicidal thoughts or concerns about someone: 113.nl
Support, crisis help and information about suicidal thoughts. 24/7 available in the Netherlands.
Call 113 or 0800-0113 (free). Available 24/7 in the Netherlands.
If someone is in immediate danger, call 112 right now.
When someone reaches out to 113, trained staff listen, provide emotional support and help assess immediate risks. They can guide callers or chat users in creating a safety plan and refer them to additional care if needed.
Support is confidential and anonymous if preferred.
meldmisdaadanoniem.nl/english– advice and support after unpleasant (online) experiences
A national Dutch service for reporting criminal activities anonymously. You can provide tips without revealing your identity. Reports are forwarded to police, public prosecutor or other relevant authorities.
You can submit information anonymously through the online form on the Meld Misdaad Anoniem website or by phone. The service accepts tips about criminal activities and passes them on to the appropriate authorities.
People may fear retaliation or feel uncomfortable speaking to the police directly. An anonymous report allows you to provide vital information while protecting your identity. The service is designed to encourage tips that help prevent and solve crimes.
Typical reports include:
If you are unsure whether to report, the website provides guidance on what information is useful.
For general questions (non-anonymous) you may find contact details on the official site. The anonymous reporting service itself will not ask for identifying details. Your tip is handled confidentially and forwarded to relevant authorities when appropriate.
Important: If someone is in immediate danger, always call emergency services (112 in the Netherlands).
Government Nl - Reporting A Crime
How to report a crime in the Netherlands: emergency procedures, non‑urgent reports, online reporting and what information helps the police.
If someone is in immediate danger or a crime is happening right now, call 112 (police, fire or ambulance).
When you call 112, stay calm: give your location, what is happening and whether anyone is injured.
For crimes that are not urgent (e.g. theft, vandalism that already happened), contact the police via the non‑emergency number 0900‑8844 or visit your local police station.
Some municipalities also offer local reporting points or online portals for minor incidents.
The Dutch police offer an online reporting form for many types of non‑urgent crimes. Use the police website to submit details, attach photos and provide witness information.
Online reporting is suitable for incidents like theft, bicycle theft, vandalism and harassment where there is no immediate danger.
When reporting a crime, provide as many factual details as possible:
If you prefer to remain anonymous, check which reporting options allow anonymous tips (e.g. Meld Misdaad Anoniem).
Sometimes reports are assessed as minor incidents and may not lead to formal investigations due to limited resources. Still, reporting creates a record and can be important for insurance or for identifying patterns in a neighbourhood.
By continuing the conversation together and building trust, it often becomes possible to gradually create openness and accept support.
I, too, have often felt vulnerable as a mother.
I wanted to do things well, found it difficult to ask for help, and had to learn that making mistakes is human.
What helped me was always staying in conversation with my children — even when it was hard — and daring to say sorry when I had done something wrong.
Until next time!