Rebecca Lovell - Vilassar de Mar
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Rebecca Lovell - Vilassar de Mar
What is your name, age, where do you live and how long have you lived in Vilassar de Mar?
Rebecca Lovell, age 30, resident in Vilassar de Mar for 4 years now.
Do you work, and if so what do you do?
Yes, I'm a translator and web contents writer.
What nationality are you and your partner?
I'm English, he's Catalan.
How many children do you have and what are their names and ages?
Just 1, Luca, age 2.
Where did you have Luca and what was it like?
In Mataro hospital. Fine, if a bit clinical.
How well integrated would you say you and Luca are?
Very well. We have foreign and local friends and family.
What language do you speak with your family?
I speak to Luca in English, his dad speaks to him in Catalan and his dad and I speak in Spanish.
What has your impression been of childcare and education in Vilassar de Mar so far?
The local schools are all fairly decent with nice teachers and good resources and there are plenty of nurseries to choose from as well as ludotecas.
How do you rate the amenities available for parents and children in Vilassar de Mar?
Great for kids over 3 years of age, loads of after school activities, kids theatre and concerts in the streets etc but not much for the really little ones and nothing really for mums to get together.
What do you think are the main advantages and disadvantages of being a parent from the International Community living in Vilassar de Mar?
Well, this isn't really specific to being from the International community, but Vilassar is generally speaking a very safe, clean, friendly place to raise a child with good schools and the beach on your doorstep and BCN just 30 mins away by train.
Is there anything you think would improve children´s lives in Vilassar de Mar?
Better parks. The parks here are pretty poor with gravel on the floors and metal slides in the boiling sun with no shade or safety gates.
What do you wish you had been told before you came to Catalunya?
That kids start full time education at 3. That you have to apply each year for the annual child benefit, that you have very little choice over HOW you give birth in ordinary hospitals here.......I'm sure there's more but can't think now.
What advice would you give for anyone having a baby or thinking of relocating to Vilassar de Mar with children?
To go to the Civic centre in Pla de L'Avella and check out their notice board for children's activities and ask what's on at the town hall and library for families at the weekends.
What couldn´t you live without in Vilassar de Mar?
The beach and Divirtit Ludoteca.