CERTIFIED GENTLE SLEEP COACH® FOR EXPAT FAMILIES

"BEING A PARENT WITH YOUR FAMILY FAR AWAY CAN BE TOUGH. AS EXPATS, WE NEED TO BUILD OUR OWN TRIBE AND BE THERE FOR EACH OTHER."

I am Vanessa De Malmazet, born and raised in the German "Ruhr Area". I set out to explore the world straight after my Bachelor's degree. Travelling, working, studying in diverse parts of the world for the decade that followed. Somewhere along the way, I met my husband and together we decided to settle (back) in the Netherlands in 2015, after a year of travelling.

In the meantime we have grown into a vibrant family of 5 where the influences of our shared heritage are felt and lived every day; where we speak in German, French, Spanish and Dutch throughout the day. But also where life is sometimes hard because we are far away from our families, grandparents, child-hood friends. Especially in moments where we could really do with some support, this "village" is something we dearly miss.

For us, one of these moments was the first year with our first-born son. New responsibilities, new roles, so much worry, so much joy - and so little sleep.

In hindsight, we waited far too long with looking for help. Had we only known earlier that literally within days after tweaking things just a little bit, our little one would be blissfully asleep for an entire night, we would have acted earlier.

This triggered my decision to help other families in similar situations. I love giving families (and especially children) their energy and rest back and see their confidence and pride shine throughout the process.