Why I Want to Raise my Kids Like The Dutch / Diary of An American Living in The Netherland

[@ItzSKYVlogs]

Yooooo happy Thursday!!! Ok I have to ask, what’s something that makes you happy in your day today life.??

[@ItzSKYVlogs]

Mine is my mornings with my kids and taking them to school.

[@thedutchhuman]

My work 🚛... 😂 and of course there are little things that make me happy. have a nice day Sky!

[@pietergreveling]

A SKY Vlog! 😁✌🏼

[@lostzwolf7269]

those moments where everything just comes together. Like its meant to be. Where all the people nature and architecture just fits perfectly for just a few seconds, breathe in and out. No mater the weather. And already imagining the next time i come across such a moment. You seem to highlight these moments in your videos a lot and i appreciate that. I had one last week when i went to the Biesbosch nature reserve on the boat. Enjoying mature behind the wheel coming across a huge bird on the sign that welcomes the people to the reserve. Or when i just anchored our boat on the side of a little hidden waterway and a tourist boat docked near us, great chatter and many stories, getting tips on what to visit and see in the reserve. all there to enjoy nature and share a great after-summer say. Excitement and happiness in the air and a cool new beer my friend urged me to try out, a Belgian beer called "broeder jacob" (the triple with the green label) Such a simple moment and half day trip yet so impactful.

[@FrankHeuvelman]

Well, that's one I don't even have to think about. It is our freedom. Not the American interpretation of the word, no, the real stuff that money can't buy. For me freedom means to live a life without anxiety. The fact that my beautiful fifteen years old daughter van ride home alone on her bike round midnight without having to fear of being robbed, raped or otherwise molested. Americans don't believe a word of what you you say telling this and think you are just making up stories, just like everybody else does all the time. But you know what, we Dutch are way too lazy to make up stories because you have to remember each and every one of them if you don't wanna make make a fool of yourself when you fail to remember the color of the Ferrari you said you bought with cash last week. Just being honest is soooo much easier! You'll live longer, believe me.

[@LetsGoHelio]

We moved from Miami to a suburb area in Orlando. It's a pretty new neighborhood. I think they might be following the Dutch because it's super bike/walk friendly. Huge sidewalks and a lot of people moving away from cars. I love it! We just bought e-bikes and today was our first time riding together (We had to head back home fast cause of the hurricane passing us. Lol). My sister asked me why I like my neighborhood and I told her, "The sidewalks!!!" Lol! Much love Sky.

[@ItzSKYVlogs]

Awww wow!!! That’s amazing!!!! Ahhh I looove that

[@ItzSKYVlogs]

Oh sidewalks are a biiiigggg deal!!! I looove sidewalks and bikes :)

[@ItzSKYVlogs]

Dude thanks for watching! Hope you are doing well! I’ll try to get on IG Soon to check on you! Would love to catch up! Maan I really miss your videos

[@Richardm1981]

You must live near lake Nona

[@SkyDomeVIZE]

Definitely, not in the Brevard county. Very very few places.

[@dutchman7623]

Yesterday parents with toddler twins on tricycles were in the park, one wanted to sit in the stroller, while the other one 'took off full speed'. While they were busy putting the kid in the seat, I watched the other one because there is a lake. When they thought, damned we had two! I pointed ahead, and said, he's there, still on the path... According to me, every adult in the Netherlands would do the same.

[@BabzV]

Absoluut! It actually happened to me a few days ago, it kind of comes naturally I think. 😊

[@AdvdW]

Not only with children, but also with dogs. I lost my dog in the forrest. My dog listing very good, but I guess he saw a rabbit or squirrel. Gone! Other people had found my dog. They called my mobile number (written on the tag of my dog) and wait for me until I was there. I was so happy and grateful.

[@gerdadijkstra9963]

We learned our kids cycling from the age of 3. So they cycled next to me anywhere we went, me holding my hand on their shoulder. I live in Alkmaar, a small town 40 km above Amsterdam. I let my kids go to school, the library, the swimmingpool etc etc from the age of 9. It is very safe here, no problem. This made them independent and self secured at a young age. They always played outside. They enjoyed their youth a lot they say😊

[@LazyManJoe]

For me the parents cycling with the kids (maybe bakfiets or kiddie in a seat) & having these chats while they're cycling is the best. They're almost always chatting & laughing ! It is great to see 🙂

[@Centurion101B3C]

When I lived in the US, I let my kids grow up the Dutch way and I let them walk or take their bikes over to the small park with the kids playground on their own. I felt that if I wouldn't let them, they'd never develop the independence of doing something for themselves on their own. Well, next thing I knew that my phone went berserk and pretty soon a squad-car pulled up with both my (very grumpy) kids in the back and their bikes sticking out of the boot of the squad-car. I got chewed out by the cops (and by my American wife as well) that I was being totally irresponsible letting my 7 and 9 year olds going out unsupervised like that. It appears that there had been absolutely nothing wrong and nothing untoward had happened, but a neighbour had made a 911 call about kids playing in the playground unsupervised. If I wouldn't have worked in State law-enforcement myself, they likely would have called Child Protective Services on me. US, Land of the Free and home of the Brave? More like land of the neurotic anxiety and home of the cowering. I'm glad that I'm back where I belong now (Born in Utrecht and raised in Haarlem) and can truly enjoy seeing kids playing in the park next door without a care other than having fun and exercise their imagination and energy on their own terms and so develop into happy pleasant, independent thinking and honest people. In any case, not having to grow up in fear and trepidation of vague and terrible (often imaginary) threats that society is indoctrinating them, like what happens to kids in the US.

[@tommmmiii]

Well exactly that thought.. land of the free… not

[@apveening]

I hope for your children they got to the Netherlands as well. And how does their mother now think about it (if she is here and/or knows)?

[@coenwit8602]

Fully agree. Absolutely moronic 'safety' culture in the US... getting yelled at for having your kid on your neck in the swimming pool, or sliding off the water slide with your three year old on your lap... absolutely insane and it takes all the fun away from being there... terrible liability results... also happy to be raising my kid in NL

[@RedbadvanRijn-ft3vv]

My kids of 8 and 12 did bike 24km to my sister. They arive there at 18 ours,wen it dinner time over here. She did phone me,they were safe in Nieuwegein haha.

[@BabzV]

I read a similar story of a man in the US enjoying a summer's day with his kids in the front yard, splashing the hose and just having fun. Then all of a sudden the cops were at his door. Apparently neighbors had called the police because the children only had on swimming trunks on(no tops, it was summer, at home!). Insane..

[@pleurink]

Hi there, i am a Dutch man, living in Zwitserland for 31 years. Your video’s are making me homesick😂

[@ItzSKYVlogs]

@@pleurink awww man I’m sorry!!!!

[@ItzSKYVlogs]

@@pleurink dude why did you leave! I don’t think I can ever leave. My wife and I love it too much here!

[@rogiervis2306]

​@@ItzSKYVlogsSwitzerland is also awesome. It's a beautiful country with nice people.

[@geertstroy]

Hi , Dutchy here , lived fir 9 years in Switzerland which was enough. Had ut good , worked hard , earned nicely , bbbbutt... there is more than a vibe missing. It is a more beautiful country with its mountains , absolutely , but no , the human vibe is absent....time to leave. Anyways thank you Switerland .

[@pleurink]

@@ItzSKYVlogs Hi there, I left the Netherlands because I wanted to live nearby mountains. I did not plan to stay that long, but on my first working day I met a girl………we are happily married for 30 years now. And my homecountry is not too far away. I like your videos very much, the way you explore and comment. Well done.

[@dutchman7623]

If kids are bored, US parents turn on a television channel, Dutch parents say 'Go to the playground!' Five minutes later US kids are fighting for the remote, two hours later Dutch parents go out to find the kids back. Social interaction and hurting your knee is the best education for later life.

[@lienbijs1205]

That is history and it is alarming according " Jantje Beton". 60% of the Dutch children never played outside without supervision of an adult! 13% of the children in the Netherlands between age 4-17 is overweight. They stayed inside, playing computer games, busy on social media. I also see it in my neighbourhood, the playground and play field stayed empty all summer. So this is unfortunetely the reality. Also some children hardly bike anymore. parents bring them to school by car, often even to highschool. It is sad that there is a yearly " outside play day",just to encourage children to play outside.

[@atropatene3596]

​@@lienbijs1205this is absolutely not my experience. We have a playground/field nearby where my kids play. There are always sooo many kids there. And on the streets playing football. And in the evening the teenagers hang out at the playground too.

[@lienbijs1205]

@@atropatene3596 You children are amongs the 40% then.

[@AdvdW]

@@lienbijs1205 Where do you get those numbers?

[@lienbijs1205]

@@AdvdW You read my comment, in that comment I was refering to Jantje Beton. You can read there several results of researches. I read alarming things like many Dutch children don't know how to throw a ball anymore because they never play outside. Half of the children wish to play outside more than they do now. Not enough safe places to play outside, et cetera.

[@mavadelo]

By now Sky is so fammous, I can go into whatever shop, even if Sky has never been there, and say "my boy Sky send me" and they will give me a free receipt without fail. They also look puzzled but hey.. that is not my problem.

[@ItzSKYVlogs]

Hahahaahah

[@ItzSKYVlogs]

Hey it’s true! Just say Sky sent you, may I have my receipt and it’ll be free! 🤣

[@norseman4763]

Like this comment soo much!!! How do I triple like it?!

[@jasper46985]

​@@ItzSKYVlogsDoes this work in Rotterdam? 😝

[@mavadelo]

@@jasper46985 Yeah man, it works in Rotterdam, Alkmaar, Lutjebroek, Tietjerstradeel, Driehuizen en zelfs Amerika

[@lbergen001]

"Sometimes I burn rubber on that bike" hilarious 😆😆👍👍

[@MrKmallory]

I visited Amsterdam for a few days last year. Seeing your videos makes me want to visit Amsterdam (and other parts of the Netherlands) again. I live in L.A. and work in the sports/entertainment industry. Of course, no place is perfect, but the Netherlands looks like it's very peaceful, walkable/bikeable, and built with people in mind. I don't have kids, but I can appreciate walkable/bikeable places with spaces that people can enjoy.

[@BabzV]

Our entire country is set up like this, so we can walk or cycle anywhere in the country. Next time visit some places outside Amsterdam, I think you'll enjoy it even more than A'dam. 😊

[@bUtLUtu]

I’m so glad you’re happy living here Sky. You’re such a welcome addition to our country

[@rubentullenaar2934]

Damn right we’re happy. But of course, we complain about everything !!😂

[@atropatene3596]

No happiness without complaining!

[@omervandenbelt]

In our street there is a little playground, where all of our three kids went to play when they were three years old.

[@_Dutchman24_]

We sometimes also say: "filthy children are happy children" in the meaning that children with spotless clothes are under control and they can't amuse. So for most parents if your kid come home with dirty clothes , this means your kids had a great time. Your channel rocks SKY, and I predict that you will be at 50k+ subscribers before christmas. Keep on the good work 👊👍

[@RoelSteeghs-l2o]

I was a scouts leader for some years. Had some children who were brought by their parents with their best clothes on. Made sure they got real filthy, so they knew not to do that again...

[@Arjay404]

Sky, the feeling about it not feeling safe when there is nobody out has a name it's called "Eyes on the street" and it's a real thing. If there are people outside then there is less crime, less antisocial behavior, less littering, more happiness, more safety and all of those things.

[@ffqm]

With the amount of cops called for children playing outside you would think there's a lot of eyes on the street literally in the US as well. 😂

[@svdlaan]

From about 4 years old on I was going on my own to school in my (industrial) home town just north of Amsterdam. For two years I went to kindergarten with my kick scooter, coming home at noon for lunch, four times 750 meters a day, two miles every day. Elementary school was around the corner so me and my brothers walked. Highschool maybe two and a half miles, always by bicycle, later by moped. Never ever I was brought to school by my parents, whoever did that was considered a weak 'sissy'. I have always taken that for granted as perfectly normal, but that was in the 60's and 70's. Nowadays in exactly where I grew up I see all the kids being brought to school by their parents, walked, bicycled or driven, OMG, what freedom and indepdence we enjoyed.

[@BorgjeB]

The work on the canal is a huge project of fortifying the canal walls. When done they might rearrange it and take away parking spaces and put in more bike parking options.

[@ilmonstre]

Dont forget the dufferent way the kids experiance school that also has big impact on kids happiness

[@SoarinCloudhoof]

talking about kids reminded me being raised in a smaller village. Taking your kids to school was seen as a social event. Parents would bring their kids to school early so that they can have a chat with the other parents (mostly moms) while the kids could play on the playgrounds in front of the school. Same would go for the picking up of the kids.

[@George-zv6yy]

I did the second grade in the Netherlands and I rode a bike to school, rode back home for lunch and then back to school and home at the end of the school day. Four trips per day at age 7 in 1964.😉

[@willemh3319]

same time for me sandalen korte broek warm of koud droog of regen je ging💪💪💪

[@Centurion101B3C]

Yep, Same here! At ten years old go rowing on the river with my school buddies or make bicycle rides to the beach and explore the Bunkersin the dunes. All on our own and not thinking twice about it.

[@jessicacarnley4094]

You're making me even more excited to move to The Netherlands next year!!

[@formula1maximal917]

My daughter grew up partly on a farm, I gave her an axe to demolish an old sofa and she loved it, plus she could ride horses and in the summer I put a field sprinkler on where she and other children would play and just be children and the fresh air, we are always outside,it doesn't matter if it rains outside is healthy!! So partly in Germany and partly in The Netherlands!

[@ronaldderooij1774]

The purpose of kids is to explore the world. The purpose of adults is to decreasingly with time watch over them. I think I walked by myself to school at 6 and had to cross a busy street without traffic lights every day four times. In all those years it only went wrong once when I overlooked a moped. He narrowly avoided me. I was going anywhere where I knew how to get back home on my bike at 7 and stayed until far, far after midnight at my friend's house at 12 (cycling back alone). The only rules under 12 y/o were: Be home in time for lunch and dinner and be home when the streetlights illuminated. I twice encountered pedo's (at 11 and 13, far from home). But that is no problem, I handled it myself (ran away from the first one and talked to him the second one). That's how kids learn resilliance, independence, discovering mindset and improvisation. Nothing bad happened. I ended up finishing university and a good job at the central government.

[@user-wp7zn8ii5u]

Great video, I love looking at the scenery while you walk. I find what you are saying fascinating and poignant. Thank you

[@ItzSKYVlogs]

Oooh thanks so much! So happy you enjoyed it

[@ItzSKYVlogs]

I love looking around too and showing as much as I can :)

[@jannetteberends8730]

bikes made the kids happy, it makes them independent. But more important is that kids are taken serious, at home and at school. Their opinion matters, and they learn to formulate and express it. And use it to work together. Playing outside with other children gives them more social recognition. Personal development is more important than achievements. Children aren’t pushed in certain directions. And parents spent a lot of quality time with their kids by having breakfast and dinner together.

[@raisan5989]

7:54 No sidewalks is a problem but the bad driving of the cars is a bigger problem. I walked outside without a sidewalk often enough. The combination of drivers with their heads elsewhere (phone, food, make-up), SUV's and no sidewalks is killing

[@gerardvansister6007]

Itz keep on making these video's and keep on talking because I really enjoy it. You are so right, I grew up in my old country (the Netherlands), but have been living in the Land Down Under for the last 55 years, but I still miss the country of my birth. Unfortunately my kids and grandchildren live here, and even we have considered moving back on occasions, that will always remain a dream. Luckely we've been back many times, the last time just before Covid in 2019, was probably the last time, but even so, by keeping making these kind of video's make my Dutch heart proud what an American have to say about Holland. By the way I grew up in Amsterdam. regards Gerard.

[@BabzV]

Come back any time Gerard. Misschien kan je het zonnetje met je meenemen. 😉 Groetjes uit een zeer winderig Limburg. ☂️🌧️

[@HexerPsy]

Friend of mine from the states lives on a farm near a village. She had to commute everywhere for the teens. Luckily sports and music were school related clubs. But teens had to do so much! Music, sports, then in weekend farm work and practice or games - rest of the time they were swamped in homework... Lunch and dinner in front of the TV... Like - free time felt like a waste of time. Too busy to have some time in childhood. At times they were overloaded with stuff to do. Kids driving at 16 to visit each other being completely irresponsible drivers. As kids too - swing set in their backyard. But no side walks to go anywhere at all.... Nobody bikes there either on the roads...

[@lkruijsw]

I have some colleagues that worked for a few years in the USA. But they didn't want to raise their kids there and that was a reason to come back.

[@ItzSKYVlogs]

Yea…. I can completely understand

[@ItzSKYVlogs]

It’s strange… I really hope American changes their zoning laws… I think that would help a lot

[@BabzV]

​@@ItzSKYVlogsThat would help so much. Because then Americans who live in rural areas and suburbs could have shops close by and be able to walk and cycle there instead of having to drive there. Plus more social control so more freedom/independence for kids. More free time for the parents to do something for themselves whilst the kids can safely play outside. But also the infrastructure in the US needs some serious overhaul and or repairs to the existing roads and railways. Make it less car dependant, give the people more options to travel other than by car. (not banning the cars, but just making it optional)

[@gloofisearch]

Yes, this is soooo true. I always thought living in the suburbs is what you want, till I recognized that the kids grow up in hell. I already have grand kids that are teenagers and two of them are 18 years old. When I send them pictures from Spain, showing them how teenagers grow up here, they cannot believe it. Well, I must say, they do not understand it. Even my kids, who are already close to 40, do not understand it. I sent my daughter pictures of teenagers walking home at night, like 1 AM, females with no problems at all. I feel so bad for my grand kids that they cannot have a free life and need their parents for everything. This is why they are never independent and have no sense when it comes to money. The US is actually the strangest place of all places, seeing the mile long lines of cars in the morning in front of the school. I always think, "Do parents have nothing else to do?". That is the way we chose to live in USA and since we do not look at other countries and learn, it will always be like that.

[@LetsGoHelio]

It's always a great day when Sky drops a new video

[@eobi-edobi4275]

agree

[@sinister-qk2kc]

The little car is actually an scooter on 4 weels and are limited in 45 km an hour so you can't drive it on highways

[@lostzwolf7269]

Very enjoyable to watch man, ik ben zelf ook nederlands, geboren en getogen in Tilburg. hopefully you will be bale to understand what i wrote there :). Giving me even more appreciation for my country.

[@porschedoc1]

Hey Sky, you ooze happiness! Glad you like it here so much, please stay.

[@VickyRussell-122]

Loved the video. I live in a street where there are lots of kids and they are always outside playing. Next Saturday is burendag (neighbour day) there's lots of things arranged for the kids, hope the rain stays away.

[@bastonor]

Okay, subbed. I remember being 4 years old with classmates being taken to and brought home from kindergarden, under supervision of either a parent or older child. (We walked mind you). It always pissed me off in no small amount, that other people could tell me what to do in My Neighborhood, and snuck off into the alleyways I knew as well as the back of my hand. I was home quicker than the group. Over sixty years ago though.

[@ItzSKYVlogs]

@@bastonor oooh wow thanks for subbing

[@ItzSKYVlogs]

@@bastonor wow you got home quicker than the group!

[@Paul_C]

There's a mum in NYC used to ride an Urban Arrow as mini van. Still does but I think she changed to Riese Müller e-bike. Propel did a few videos on her too. NYC could become America's premier cycle city, sadly someone put a stop to it. Road pricing suddenly stopped being implemented, even though it was set to go... Again wasted money... For me, even when growing up in the 60's, it wasn't any different than today. Sure, we had to walk to school, about a mile, each morning and afternoon, basically we had to walk at least 4 miles every day. That changed to 3-4 miles cycling during high-school and college. But cycling is still the main transport

[@ItzSKYVlogs]

Whaaaaat really!!!??

[@ItzSKYVlogs]

Oh man that’s so crazy! nYc could be such an amazing cycling city

[@adelebennet1638]

New york was a dutch city ones. New Amsterdam it was named .

[@petergaskin1811]

A thought from the UK... Now 78, I still remember walking to infants and junior school when I was young in the 50s and cycling to Grammar (Senior) school up to the mid 60s, even though it was on main roads and involved cycling across the A2 road into London at a set of traffic lights. It's what we did because my parents never owned a car so I had to cycle to school.

[@Daniel-qz8bp]

Bro has a fawking bakfiets, now you are realy Dutch😂Do you have a birdhouse already that almost fals apart, and a kaasschaaf, those are all needed to be realy Dutch😂

[@VickyRussell-122]

I'm a Brit living in Haarlem, I have a kaasshaaf and I hate cheese! 😂

[@Richardm1981]

On point brother! I also noticed that people here don’t react to kindness. It’s like they are always angry at something. I’ll give you an example. I was driving the other day and i stopped to let a car cross but the dude didn’t move and kept making arm movements like he was angry. I’m like dude, I’m letting you through! Cheers from Tampa, Florida!

[@BabzV]

Don't lose that kindness my friend, keep putting out those positive vibes, there will be people who definitely appreciate the gesture and take that moment of kindness with them throughout the day. 😊 Warm greetings from the Netherlands. 😊🌷

[@fasameijer794]

I live in Limburg but while getting my license, I noticed that d dutch take road rules seriously (right of way)Even when sm1 is soaking wet on a bike en u shd go first...do that please to avoid confusion. In Uganda, there are no rules....u rely on kindness 😂😂 Here they get angry coz ur breaking d system.

[@dagui7923]

I saw many parents with their kids ,one in the front seat and one in the backseat in one bicycle, groceries,dog .... etc they are incredible. such a balance!! 😂😂😂

[@Dutch_Gaming-ffa]

Hi SKY. Happy Holland😁 You are not spoiled. You deserve it. You are blessed. Never forget that!!

[@Leonardo-ql1qu]

At 5:15 min.: Natura Artis Magistra (Nature is the Teacher of Art). The oldest zoo on the European continent and the fifth oldest zoo in the world!

[@ffqm]

It should have been closed already. It's the saddest zoo in the Netherlands. 🙈

[@Leonardo-ql1qu]

@@ffqm I don't agree! Try to go down to the cognitive level of animals. Mostly born in captivity, zoo animals don't have to search for food and they have no natural enemies, therefore low stress levels, and the are oblivious of 'a different circumstance' i.e. the concept of 'more living space'. Animals are quite intelligent, but - apart from the other primates - they still have few human attributes! As for the garden itself; it is extremely beautiful. Not sad at all. A peaceful place, for all creatures!

[@Br10a.]

I like your happy videos

[@Handwithaface]

I live in Amsterdam and have three-year-old twins. They cycle a couple of blocks to their daycare center every day, and every day I'm amazed how well they know the way and they know where to stop and wait for traffic even before I tell them. I'm so grateful to live in a densely populated city where the infrastructure is go great that two three-year-olds can safely cycle somewhere. I'm obviously accompanying them now, but I also love they'll be able to go places themselves when they're a little older. I can't imagine having to drive a ten-year-old to school.

[@AdvdW]

Burning rubber on that Bakfiets! 🤣🤣🤣

[@_JoyceArt]

I was born in 1974, growing up I went to school on my own since I was about six or so. It was a 10 minute walk, and I had to cross 1 busier road. At the beginning of the school year, I was supposed to walk together with my older brother, but because I was a dilly dallying slow poke, he didn’t was allowed to just go ahead and let me walk on my own. So he could be on time, and I was theoretically taught that I’d get there too late, if I kept collecting leaves etc. on the way. Went to our equivalent of high school when I 12 year old, on my bicycle. 2.5 km, a 10 minute bike ride. Which was no problem at all to adjust to, and neither was it hard to adjust to going to college, figuring out every day if the train or bus was best that day. All because as is the norm here in the Netherlands to have the freedom to grow and develop crucial life skills.

[@KOKUSMAKREEL]

all 100 % true

[@jelmerhoffman885]

Heerlijk positieve gast dit

[@MrVandype]

Don't get this wrong, but somehow i get the impression that you like to live in our little country, for a lot of reasons 🙂. The good thing about is, you see these good things, and you can compare them with what you know from living in the States. Sadly, in my openion, many Dutch people see this as normal. It would be good for them to learn to appriciated it a lot more. This is what i love about your channel. It will help the Dutch who follow you, and hopefully more Dutch, to be reminded of all the good stuff going on in our country. So a big thanks for that. Keep up the good work.

[@SusanHaalebos]

I love your video’s ❤

[@lkruijsw]

On 8:00, it might just be a reconstruction. A few years ago a road along a canal collapsed in the canal. There is some maintenance there.

[@ItzSKYVlogs]

@@lkruijsw oooohhh thanks so much for letting me know!

[@ItzSKYVlogs]

@@lkruijsw that makes sense :)

[@bluchschnibel7806]

I have been walking to school from my home since i was like 6 years old. Taking 15 minutes up to half an hour, depending on the detours I'd made. Went on the train on my own when I was 10. From chentral Nederland to Rotterdam, then taking the bus an metro all by myself walking a few km to reach my destination. That was 20 somewhat years ago.

[@maartendekroon267]

As to looking after younger people/kids: when you were in 8th grade primary school (12 years old), after sitting the CITO, there's about 3/4 months left in the school year, but you're essentially done. My school "chartered" us to be something like a TA in 1st/2nd grade (4/5/6 years old)

[@andrevdende8244]

I think you are 100% right❤

[@MartinWebNatures]

Thanks for the video. I admire your positivity. All your videos are so fun to watch! What age are your kids if i may ask ? I don't have to ask if you love my (yours too😊) country

[@vagstyleholland3992]

I'm from Holland, it's good living here.... Love the Chanel. Greats Utrecht, Culemborg

[@barbararouwendal8708]

Hi, checkt the Westerpark area and park... in Amsterdam Westerpark, you can walk via haarlemmerstraat and haarlemmerdijk to central station. Nice views etc. Westerpark is the first cultural park in the world. There is an eco quarter as well. clubs, cafes, restaurants, cinemas, studios, musea, art, video games, theatres and a lot of green in between and water. x

[@eobi-edobi4275]

Hey Sky, great video again, i've heard this many times from different ppl ( US and Can ) i often given an example what happens some time ago: i was helping my brother with some "klusjes " it was summer, pretty warm , the youngest ( he was around 9 or 10 years old ) came by with friends, grap his swimsuit stuff towels etc, he said hi uncle, bye uncle i am going to the pool, on his bike with some friends and no adults, didn't see him till dinner. no problem. in that way you will learn as a kid independence.

[@Arnaud58]

@04:10 In essence you are describing "a life" and "living the life". Good on you, and foremost, on your kids.👴👌

[@MrWheatle]

Since you asked 😉 I’ll share a few thoughts. (a) I enjoyed this video. I enjoy all of them (b) I’ve visited the Netherlands and agree that it’s beautiful there (c) glad that you & the Fam love it there (d) I’d just ask that you consider not painting the States with such a broad brush. I grew up in a suburb in New Jersey- Montclair. A very walkable suburb. Growing up, we WALKED to our elementary school for KINDERGARTEN. We walked as a group and the entire neighborhood watched over us during that walk. We had a strong sense of community. In fact we referred to most of the adults on our street as Aunt or Uncle.❤ (e) I’m a Planner now and one of my client communities is Hoboken. An urban community similar to the one in your video in terms of compact /dense development pattern. And most folks walk/bike/scooter. There are ferries and trains to NYC for the commuters . There are residential districts that have zoning codes that do not require parking. 🤯 (f) Some suburbs in Georgia did not get the memo…like the importance of sidewalks, which is sad because they had decades to learn from the “sprawl” mistakes in other States. Anyway, despite all of the valid points about the Netherlands, I wouldn’t be so quick to write-off the States as a whole. I’m just super saying 😉

[@BabzV]

That is great to hear. I'm glad that there are communities in the States where you can also comfortably walk and cycle and where 'everybody knows your name' 😉 It really adds so much quality of life being able to live like this. Good luck with your Hoboken job! :) Warm greetings from the Netherlands. 😊🌷

[@atropatene3596]

That's great that you do live in such a place in the USA. There are more places like it too, like Carmel Indiana. But most of the USA isn't like that, I hope you know that too. People need to be aware that this is also an option for the US. Hoboken and Carmel and other places like it, can help the rest of the USA see this potential. Because when they see the Netherlands, they think "right, that's how THEY do it, we can't do that here. You could potentially get word out that you CAN do this in the USA.

[@JohanBlom7011112]

I love Youre video's. Great filming. One of the best in my youtube list. not becaus of the Netherlands stuf but the way you make the video. i'm all ear. please go one. BTW ... for the furst time. i had you on my message in 21 seconds ago. 👏

[@HannahSBax]

I walked to school and back twice a day since I was 4 years old. Only first day of school, the first few years, my mom would drop me off

[@BetsyEimers]

I already took public transport to school when I was 6 years old. First time my dad secretly drove behind the the bus to make sure I would be okay, but after that he just trusted me and knew it was okay.

[@jeroenvandenberg9443]

Nice vlog again and happy with our bakfiets and playground lifestyle with 4 kids, haha. I would love to see a vlog of you visiting our national treasure: de Efteling! Have you been there yet?

[@michielvdvelden]

On 08.00 is quay wall reconstruction

[@JasperJanssen]

8:00 ish - they’re redoing the quay walls in a bunch of places in Amsterdam, because of a fair amount of deferred maintenance. Same in Utrecht.

[@Jan1967]

Sky i just love your videos, very entertaining and nice to see how a foreigner looks at the Netherlands. You currently take your children to school on de Bakfiets, but I'm curious to see how that will work when they start cycling themselves. I died 1000 times the first few months I took them away on the bike. If your children like Artis, take them to Burgrs Zoo in Arnhem. Do you also go somewhere other than just the Randstad 😉

[@cyrielwollring4622]

I remember cycling to high school, a trip that took more than 15 minutes. It builds your condition. When I hear about security drills in US school because of shooters, it makes me sad.

[@Siriusly_Sirius]

I love how homie Sky intuits how living life should be - something that Jane Jacobs wrote about decades ago. DECADES ago. Also, me as a grown old man, even when I wasn’t an old man, people here in the states would hard judge, if not call the cops on *me* if I were to approach a kid in distress.

[@KOKUSMAKREEL]

at 8.16 min... the have te renew all the quays (?) enbankments in Amsterdam, they are doing it in parts

[@rogerdepuysseleire45]

For this one you REALLY have my sincerely respect.you notice ok and how it should/could be in US❤

[@amorroma1244]

Happiness and exercise go hand in hand. So, grab a bike, go for a walk, it doesn't matter. Come on America, change has to start with you. All changes start small. But it can happen. Greetings from Amsterdam.

[@comsartoo1722]

I feel ya bro… Ik hou van Nederland!🇳🇱

[@CabralCreates]

Man I drive trucks in New York City, traffic drives me insane 🤣

[@MainJet158]

As you know the U.S. is a very big place. Your life in the states was all big cities as far as I know, LA, Chicago, Atlanta. Plenty of places in the states are great to grow up in and I love my car. I do want to go to the Netherlands because of your videos but not sure I would move there.

[@marcovaneersel4532]

You love your car? The Netherlands is the best country in the world to be a driver! kzbin.info/www/bejne/mmm1g3hop6mqas0si=AU6fbwgna5oWG3fw

[@FluoFalI]

As an grown up dutch kid, it baffles me that Americans get arrested for letting children play alone in the playground while ur doing groceries. And with arrested I mean that ur children can be taken away from you.

[@harryvand1144]

it takes a village to raise a child

[@51bikerboy]

If I see your flogs I would like to live in the Netherlands! Fun fact I already do!

[@SideWalkAstronomyNetherlands]

So did you film the bike fishing yet? Bikes apparently spawn in the Amsterdam canals, and every year they harvest news schools of bikes..

[@abbofun9022]

But of course, where else do you think bikes come from? 😎

[@bettiegorgels9637]

that little car is a Smart car, they are Swiss cars

[@ItzSKYVlogs]

@@bettiegorgels9637 whoa are you talking about the one that looks new!!???

[@ItzSKYVlogs]

@@bettiegorgels9637 oh I love that one so much.

[@Arjay404]

The adults living in car's is bad, but at least they are actively driving the car and depending on when and where you are driving there can be some fun in that. But kids are just passively sitting a car, spending half of their childhood not even being able to look out of the car. Drop a Dutch or European child in a random spot in their neighborhood and they will be able to very quickly figure out where they are and where they need to go. Drop an American child in their neighborhood on the other hand? Good luck to the, because the only thing they know is the routes that the car takes and probably not even that they will just know where the car stops along the way, so major intersection and traffic lights. Is it any wonder that American kids are just sitting in the car with their face in a tablet? There is nothing for them outside of the car.

[@SideWalkAstronomyNetherlands]

Those "little cars" are legally MOPEDS so you can drive one when you are 16, rich kids have them some times, originally they were meant for the disabled.

[@ItzSKYVlogs]

Yea!!! I love them!

[@ItzSKYVlogs]

I mean I don’t think I would drive it much.. but i bet my wife wouldn’t mind driving it :)

[@buddy1155]

They can be but don't have to, there is also the L7e category, max 600kg max 90kmh. Many of those small cars come in both versions.

[@fietssleen7183]

By the way, how many km do you walk per day?

[@mrcarlotje]

You dont need the bakfiets when they reach 10-11 years old. at that time both my Daughters cycled to school by themselves. They DONT want you to join anymore, they feel ashamed if you do... i even think earlier (Both are 17 en 20 now so dont remember exactly)

[@ItzSKYVlogs]

@@mrcarlotje yea my oldest can bike all the way! Now! So we practice as much as we can.

[@ItzSKYVlogs]

@@mrcarlotje I’m so sad for the day to come where he goes by himself.

[@harrym740]

You can always pick him up and ride home together or to the supermarket then home. Act like you were in the area anyways😅​@@ItzSKYVlogs

[@Daniel-qz8bp]

​@@ItzSKYVlogsI biked alone to school when i was like 7/8 year old in Amsterdam😅Also played outside alone under that age. Now it is to dangerous in Amsterdam to do that, but in small villages you will see 3/4 year olds alone outside😅

[@RAWDernison1]

When we treat the children nicely, the best change they will pay our pension ... eh?

[@sweetsamuela22]

❤ you’re post

[@ItzSKYVlogs]

@@sweetsamuela22 thanks :)

[@vincentvanbeelen837]

I was six years old and walked to school by myself (I'm a Dutchy) (about a kilometer)

[@thedutchhuman]

I think the kids in the USA know the dashboard better than the infrastructure there......I know, sarcastic 😆

[@ItzSKYVlogs]

Hahahahah

[@benverdel3073]

They can't see anything but the sky and rooftops while they're strapped it seats in those huge cars

[@arthurkroes4027]

I made that streat and side walk whit the nice white lill car

[@raisan5989]

1:11 If I wanted to take the public transportation bus to school (Highschool) I had to walk to the bus stop and from the bus stop to school. Getting dropped off at the bus stop by cars is completely foreign to me or Alien.

[@AmelieVeenstra]

'It takes a village to raise a child" A saying in English so from which English speaking country does this saying come from? I come from the Northern part of the Netherlands but raising my kids in Rotterdam. Although I was hesitating if this was a good idea it turned out just fine. Always a nice adventure to go out for an urban jungle stroll! But surely I cannot claim the kids are outside all the time. No preferably they are glued to Gaming KZbin TikTok Netflix. But yes, navigating on their own from the age of 10-11 yrs to school and sports but not earlier in age because of traffic risks. Well ok, walking around in neighbourhood with some friends from age of 6 if you can trust your kid to stay within one block distance. Anyhow, I agree we live like the saying 'it takes a village to raise a child' and everyone helps kids when something is wrong. Our kids might be the happiest in the world but I must say that especially after covid shut downs more and more teenagers seem to be depressed and there is not enough professional help. That is a tragedy 😢

[@AnymMusic]

apparently it originates from Africa and just got translated into English. Which makes a lot of sense given how community oriented much of African culture is (or at least seems to be)

[@AmelieVeenstra]

@@AnymMusic you must be right then 🙂

[@wb3904]

HNNMW FTW! (If you can figure out that Dutch acronym) 😅

[@ItzSKYVlogs]

@@wb3904 oooohh man I have no idea!!! Hahahahah

[@ItzSKYVlogs]

@@wb3904 I’m gonna go talk to a talk friend tomorrow and ask him! Hahaha

[@wb3904]

@@ItzSKYVlogs hij: New kids featuring Corrie Konings & Ronnie.... yup they even turned it into a song 😅 it would be unthinkable to sing this uncensored in the USA I bet 😅

[@whynologin]

11:38: "I want that one." Good news: I've checked the number plate for you, this is an Eli Zero.

[@Arnoud-nf6iz]

oceans 12 filmed there at that train station

[@TimBrownTown]

So interesting to see the channel plateau out until you pivoted into the Dutch videos. The Algorithm wants me to do talking head videos (they get pushed more than my vlogs), but I don't particularly like doing them.

[@BabzV]

Put the words Dutch, The Netherlands, Holland in your videos and you'll see your view count rise, us Dutchies flock to anything Dutch apparently. 😂 But obviously your video has to contain something Dutch though, not just the title. 😉

[@janbloemsma9127]

mooi man..

[@feelosophy1921]

My partner has a contract to clean the park restrooms in our small town and he always says it looks like only drug addicts have been in there. I never see anyone at the park unless there's a planned city event.🇺🇲

[@alvin3577]

Yes man cool like your videos..

[@patrickdevaan5021]

And you get happy to