The Evangelische Omroep (EO) launches the new magazine: Pubergedoe. Pubergedoe is not so much about raising children, but brings recognizable stories for parents that highlight the hassle, uncertainty and fun of life with growing children.
“In Pubergedoe we don’t tell you how to be a good adolescent parent,” says editor-in-chief Griëtte Vonck of the EO. “Because let’s be honest, we have no idea. We do offer honest stories from other parents about their teenagers – but especially about themselves.”
The EO publishes several magazines, including a television guide: De Visie and a women’s magazine: Eva. Pubergedoe emerged from a new way of working at the EO where they work with theme target group teams. One of them is Growing up & Family. “For years, EO has been creating content about growing up and family, including TV programs such as Handen aan de Couveuse and How does that work at your home?”, says Vonk. “We tell stories about birth and family, relationships, upbringing and everything that goes with it. One of our goals is for parents to look at other educators, themselves and their adolescent(s) with gentleness and perspective. Adolescence is a turbulent phase, with issues for which there are often no ready-made solutions. By honestly sharing experiences with each other – including the less pleasant ones – you help each other as parents: shared sorrow is half the sorrow.”
Recognition in Pubergedoe
For example, Griëtte Vonck writes in her editorial about one of her sons’ party that got out of hand: “As an editor, we came to the conclusion that we only rarely dare to tell such stories to friends. Sometimes you are looking for recognition, but you get a pitying look or, even worse, the comment: ‘Luckily my child doesn’t do something like that.’ But the reality is different.”
For all parents
According to Vonck, Pubergedoe invites what the EO stands for: real conversations. “We stand next to the parent who sometimes has no idea how to deal with raging hormones, unpredictable moods and situations that you could not have imagined when you put your child in a baby bath.” Puberty is not specifically aimed at Christian parents. Vonck: “The magazine is for all parents. The values we find important as EO – inviting, sincere and hopeful – and engaging in honest conversations is something we hope everyone will be attracted to.”
A one-time edition for the time being
Pubergedoe is currently a one-off magazine. The editors have noticed that there have been many enthusiastic responses in the preliminary phase. “So perhaps there is a sequel!”, Vonck concludes.
Pubergedoe will be published on Monday, November 27, has 100 pages, costs €9.95 and can be ordered via eo.nl/pubergedoe. Or is available at various bookstores.