An interview with Schouders highlighting our parent platform and support group
When your child needs extra care, parenting often feels like a competitive sport: intense, emotional, and sometimes lonely. Sarah Rose LaPham knows this better than anyone. She’s the mother of a son with a rare condition and the director of A Different Story, a parenting platform in Amsterdam. What began as a small initiative in her living room has grown into a vibrant meeting place for parents and children.
A place to really land
The idea arose from a personal need: Sarah missed a safe space where parents could share their stories without having to explain themselves over and over again. “As a parent, sometimes you just want to have a cup of tea and cry or laugh with other parents, without having to take care of your child at the same time.” So she arranged childcare during the sessions. That proved to be the key to success: only when parents know their child is being well cared for do they have room for real conversations.
The group meets monthly, in English. This makes the platform accessible to parents with international backgrounds. The core group now consists of around 10-12 parents, with roots in countries including Chile, Israel, the United States, and the Netherlands. For many, the meeting is “the best moment of the month . “
More than a talk group
A Different Story isn’t just a casual coffee table, but a safe and vulnerable space. Parents learn to find their voice, share experiences, and support each other. This foundation has given rise to new initiatives:
- Workshops , such as nonviolent communication, specifically tailored to living with a child requiring intensive care.
- Group activities for children (ages 8–16) with intensive care needs. While the children dance, sing, or do crafts under supervision, parents can get some rest.
- Support for care and education , thanks to a client support worker who helps families find their way in the social care system and arrange support for their children.
- Visibility and awareness , through social media and building an online community.
Recognition of vulnerability
A key theme in the group is living loss : grieving for dreams that don’t come true. Sarah: “You think you’re over it, but with every milestone—a birthday, a missed step—the feeling returns.” Sharing these feelings creates not only recognition but also strength.
Not numbers but impact
For Sarah, success isn’t about large numbers of participants. “It’s not about quantity, but about the quality of the conversations and the connection.” Yet, the group is growing steadily. New parents regularly join, often through word of mouth or by discovering the group online. Its international character makes A Different Story unique: families from all cultures find a safe haven there.
What makes A Different Story special
- Childcare as a condition for genuine parental support.
- Professional guidance by an experienced therapist, so that the conversations remain safe and in-depth.
- Space for emotions : from tears to laughter, everything is allowed.
- Practical support : not just talking, but also concrete help in arranging care and navigating the Dutch system.
Making a difference together
A Different Story shows that a small group of parents can make a big difference. In a city of millions, sometimes just ten parents are enough to start a movement that changes lives. Or as Sarah puts it: “You don’t have to do it alone. Together we can achieve more.”
Interview in Dutch and on the Schouders website found here: https://schouders.nl/vrije-tijd/ouderplatforms/a-different-story
To learn more about other good examples of parent platforms in the Netherlands go here: https://schouders.nl/vrije-tijd/ouderplatforms/goede-voorbeelden/