Of all the reasons why we moved to the Netherlands, the independence of children is probably the most important one.
Watch this video ad-free on Nebula: https://nebula.tv/videos/notjustbikes-why-we-wont-raise-our-kids-in-suburbia
I originally made this video in the early days of my channel, back in 2020, but I became a lot better at making videos, and I was never really happy with the outcome of the first video I made on this topic. So I’ve done a re-make of this topic with a slightly shorter script, and a few more details of why we would never, ever want to raise our kids in suburbia.
Sign up to Nebula and watch ad-free and sponsor-free: https://go.nebula.tv/notjustbikes
Patreon: https://patreon.com/notjustbikes
Twitter: https://twitter.com/notjustbikes
Reddit: https://reddit.com/r/notjustbikes
One-time donations: https://notjustbikes.com/donate
NJB Live (my bicycle livestream channel):
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9v57F4xz46KaDsvWfCv8yw
—
Additional Reading & References:
Worlds of Influence – Understanding What Shapes Child Well-being in Rich Countries
UNICEF
https://www.unicef.nl/files/Report%20Card%2016%20UNICEF_3%20sept_2020.pdf
Montreal pedestrian deaths at highest level in 6 years
Toronto appears to have hit a one-year high in pedestrian and cyclist fatalities
https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2018/12/07/toronto-appears-to-have-hit-a-one-year-high-in-pedestrian-and-cyclist-fatalities-over-40-per-cent-of-those-deaths-happened-in-scarborough.html
Drivers are killing more pedestrians in Canada every year. Here’s why: Michael’s essay
https://www.cbc.ca/radio/sunday/the-sunday-edition-for-february-3-2019-1.4997146/drivers-are-killing-more-pedestrians-in-canada-every-year-here-s-why-michael-s-essay-1.4998615
Pedestrian deaths hit 28-year high, and big vehicles and smartphones are to blame
https://www.cnbc.com/2019/02/28/pedestrian-deaths-hit-a-28-year-high-and-big-vehicles-and-smartphones-are-to-blame.html
Arriving at school on a bicycle (Netherlands) [298]
Bicycle Dutch (YouTube)
Cycling to school; Culemborg (Netherlands) [149]
Bicycle Dutch (YouTube)
Very Superstitious: How Fact-Free Parenting Policies Rob Our Kids of Independence
Very Superstitious: How Fact-Free Parenting Policies Rob Our Kids of Independence
Riding the first bus (5 mins) with kids on a rainy day
Adrian Crook (YouTube)
Kids filing onto their second bus (25 mins) that goes directly to school
Adrian Crook (YouTube)
We Won! Common Sense Prevails in ‘Bus Dad’ Case.
COURT OF APPEAL FOR BRITISH COLUMBIA
Adrian Crook
The Director under the Child, Family and Community Service Act
Kids First Parent Association of Canada
https://www.bccourts.ca/jdb-txt/ca/20/01/2020BCCA0192cor1.htm
How did good parenting become a crime?
Maclean’s
Florida mom arrested after 7-year-old son went to park alone
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/florida-mom-arrested-after-7-year-old-son-went-to-park-alone/
S.C. mom’s arrest over daughter alone in park sparks debate
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/south-carolina-moms-arrest-over-daughter-alone-in-park-sparks-debate/
Includes licensed stock footage from Getty Images
20 Comments
I remember being around 11 when my dad was scratching his head wondering why I wasn’t going outside. I was able to connect the dots because the first thing you encounter outside is asphalt. He wasn’t able to and it became a “problem” that was associated with me and naturally I blamed myself. I really want to go back and scream at myself “No, you’re right!” I get sad when I think about it.
Aight for reference i live in the Netherlands and my school is an 1 hour away (on bike) and i bike there for fun cause its calming and its safe and i am even expected to bike to school
I grew up early 1970s in St. John’s, Newfoundland. Our neighbourhoods were full of kids on bikes and we all were out all days, in all seasons, without parental supervision….Even as 8 years old. Walked to school. Etc Etc. An amazing childhood. We have absolutely lost that in our suburbs.
This is why american kids end up mental. Parents just have too much control and kids end up Christian copies of them, only with less ability to look after themselves.
Truly 1st world problems. Everywhere has its set of problems, but from where I live, this is truly the definition of 1st world problems haha
Sheeeesh!!!! I am shocked that I never considered how restricted I am from leaving unless I am driving somewhere. I spend wayy too much on my computer and I would bargain that it is not a total coincidence. I mean, really… what else am I supposed to do….
Cycling is the thing I miss most from my time in the Netherlands
I wish our cityscapes in Australia were decided the people, not the companies who fund the government.
Bruh, republicans could be talking about these infrastructure problems, but they playin.
Security, independence, freedom,open mind, good education, good health care – all this was what my parents wanted for me 18 years ago….I have been a German for a few months now and I am grateful and happy.I am sure that your children will also say that they are grateful and happy. You did everything right!
this reminds me of the time i was allowed to walk back to my house which was less than 300 ft from the bus stop and the school got involved and forced my grandmother to come 45 minutes to my house just to walk me back home, i was 10
Thank you for showing that bike lane at 3:23 what the hell were they thinking paving that one
Yo vivo en ciudad de Panamá, y es horrible 💀. Es imposible andar en bicicleta y hay calles que ni siquiera tienen aceras para las personas. Encima vivo en un edificio y por las ventanas ni siquiera puedo ver la calle, solo se ve la pared de otro edificio. A veces me asombró de lo hermoso que es el cielo porque casi no lo puedo apreciar 💀.
I have two kids and a husband and would like more info on relocation to the Netherlands, thanks.
I'm about 100% positive that nearly all parents say "it's a good place to raise a family" about your hometown… wherever they live. If only we could level some cities and rebuild them properly. 😀
I have a license and even I bike to restaurants/stores sometimes. The gas station that I live close to is nearly impossible to bike to because it is on the corner of 2 busy roads that are very dangerous to cross with no crosswalks, and from the route I have to take I would have to turn left across traffic. There are also no sidewalks, so you are forced to go up to the next intersection further up and get in the road while the light is red.
Thanks!
I live across the street from an elementary school that I went to with a giant baseball/football field and a nice playground. Now it's always empty, even in the summer. When I was a kid that playground and field used to be the heartbeat of my little neighborhood. And I'm only 27!
amongst all the horrors i'm just finding out, the pop of "Fake London" from time to time it's hillarious and in perfect tone with the video…
Watch this video ad-free on Nebula: https://nebula.tv/videos/notjustbikes-why-we-wont-raise-our-kids-in-suburbia
Or visit: https://go.nebula.tv/notjustbikes
Danke! Thank you! Amazing content!