She misses protective aspect of Netherlands
“I was born and raised in the Netherlands. When I was 20 years old, I wanted to go away for a year. But I also wanted to have some financial stability. So I decided to be a nanny for a Dutch family that lived in Houston.
“They were expats. They wanted someone who was talking Dutch to keep that up for their kids, because they were already speaking English to each other. So I took care of their three kids.
“I eventually met my husband, and we got married when I was 24. We lived in California for 5-6 years, and almost three years ago we moved to Baytown.
“The big difference living here, compared to living in the Netherlands, is that I grew up protected. Like, it’s safer there. I used to bike to school. We didn’t even have school buses. As my kids are growing up, that part I do miss. My sister says her kids just play outside all the time. I don’t feel that’s really possible to do here safely.
“I really miss the small, protective community aspect of the Netherlands. They say everything is bigger in Texas, and it is really true.”
— Annemarie Padilla
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