Flutter

Hi

I am a thirty two year old Londoner with a 20 month old son. My husband is chasing a job with his existing company in Spain and wants to move us all out there if he gets it.

I am worried about my son. At the moment he gets a lot of interaction with other children at various baby groups and classes. Should we move to Spain I am worried about him becoming isolated.

Does anyone here know if there are any equivalent groups out in Spain. Initially I would prefer these to be expat led, at least until we find out feet.

Has anyone moved out there with a small child? How did they find it?

Thank you for any help, sorry I have not posted before leaping in with a question!

fionamw

Firstly, don't feel bad about asking a question. If you don't ask, you won't find out. For myself, I would say the following. If you move to an expat-led area you (and more importantly, given your question) will get loads of interaction ... probably with Brits. A child loves interaction fullstop, regardless of nationality. If you want him to become fluent/bilingual I would suggest you take off the blinkers (probably put on for your own reasons - and I'm not judging any differently than I would judge myself). He will have fun & learn language with Spanish kids just the same. Mine was older, but we plunged him in at the deep end, campo, Spanish Pre-Escolar etc., & wouldn't have it any different. If you take the plunge, you'll find you will also learn far quicker if you immerse yourself in the language rather than seek out ex-pats. Now I know we all love chit chat (waffle being my middle name) but if you want to stand any chance of actually having a conversation with a Spaniard, rather than the fairly limited range a lot of us are stuck with, go for it all guns blazing....you're young enough, your son is absolutely young enough and with a job your husband should hopefully have the stability for the family so good luck all of you, there's a lot of us wish we were in your position now!

Flutter

Thanks, and for your honesty too. I am more than up for immersing us both in the Spanish culture (here's the laughable thing - I am half Spanish) I just want the easy option to start with. I worry that it will be too much to drop LO in at the deap end when he has never really heard Spanish spoken.

I guess I need to grow some stones!

How old was your LO?

What are campo and Spanish Pre-Escolar?

Mitzyboy

You will, by the sounds of it, have overcome the major hurdle that ex pats have here ...... getting a job.

As far as your family is concerned, Spanish life is built around families and from what I have seen families with kids do get quickly involved with local Spanish people as well as expats

Campo: Countryside
Pre escolar - pre school

Flutter

Ta. Exactly what it says on the tin

fionamw

Absolutely not too much to drop LO in at the deep end - not only most parents on this forum but all the magazines & books or whatever you might read on language will tell you the younger the better. Ours was 4+, just about to go into school in UK so we enrolled both there & here & left it to the wire to decide....
Before he went into school, he knew how to say hello, goodbye, my name is, & I want a wee! He's now 6+, in first year of primary having done two years of nursery, & happy in Spanish. According to teachers he's pretty much up with the others in his class(all Spanish bar a kid from Holland). Other families I know have children who've started in the spanish system even younger & it's obvious to hear they are that bit more at ease. Unless your LO has particular problems with socialisation, he WILL be fine whether he goes to guarderia (kindergarten-ish) or a mum & toddler/playgroup or just gets to play with other tots you can find at the local parks. Kids find a way, believe me
If you've got Spanish family, you could start introducing vocabulary now....I think they key word to your fear is 'Londoner' - if you are used to city or even suburban life, think carefully about where you settle. The peace & quiet of the countryside is one thing, but if you fear you & your LO will be better off within a town/village setting then go that route. (just don't assume it has to be in an ex-pat enclave!!!)thumbsup:

GrapeEater

I think 'flutter' you should go for it! - As the others say a JOB is numero uno and language numero dos.

With these two you have a better chance of integrating and surviving here, especially in the current economic climate !!

Where I live, virtually all people of working age are struggling (really struggling) without work and many have been too lazy to learn the language - or have a plan B - too much to chance!!! And by are they regretting it now!!! Start learning Spanish today - you can carry on when you are here.

As for children - you are bound to worry about them but they'll find it easier than you probably. The families I know say this - the kids are mixing with Spanish, Dutch and English here - having the time of their lives.

And I would re-iterate that being on an Urbanisation has it's pros and cons - yes there is a feeling of safety in numbers but it can and more often does impede people's integration into Spanish life.

You're young so make sure you choose an area that offers you, hubby and child things you need and are interested in.

Good Luck and keep asking questions here. You'll never be short of input.

jdr

Oy, I am a Londoner and proud of it, don`t tar me with the same brush as the imitation Londoners.

betris

mouy be its because uim a landarner oi loves landan towyn.or wight jon.cor blimey govener.

fionamw

Technically, if you believe someone having a dig in another thread, so am I... well I would be if I were younger! Bromley? London?

fionamw

So THAT'S how you write scouse......

jdr

The only Bromley that is really in London, is Bromley by Bow. ;-))

betris

hey Im a thico.