Dutch government launches national parenting-support initiative

The Dutch government has launched Team Ouders, a national initiative intended to help parents share advice and support, with activities and discussions planned across the country over the coming year.

Health minister Mirjam Sterk and state secretary for education and emancipation Judith Tielen launched the initiative at De Schakel primary school in Utrecht on 28 October. The government says its aim is to make it easier for parents to talk about parenting, exchange experiences and seek help from one another.

The Team Ouders website offers professionals in services including childcare, schools, youth health care, community groups and local government information and tools for working with parents. Planned activities include school meetings focused on parents’ views and experiences, rather than routine announcements, as well as discussions about children’s online lives, reading, play, food and exercise.

The government says that addressing ordinary parenting questions early and close to home could help prevent them from becoming unnecessary demands on specialist youth care. Team Ouders is an initiative of the health ministry, working with the education and social affairs ministries, parent and youth organisations, community partners and parents.