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What is your name, age, where do you live and how long have you lived in Tarragona?
Amanda Blackburn, 40 (sad but true!), I live just outside Tarragona in Urb. La Mora, and I arrived here September 1991.
What nationality are you and your partner?
I’m British from Lancashire, and my husband is Spanish.
How many children do you have and what are their names and ages?
I have two children Megan 8, and Melissa 6.
Do you work and if so what to you do?
I am the Weight Watchers leader in the province of Tarragona and help out with my husbands company “Publipan Tarragona”.
What was your experience of having a baby where you live? (if relevant)
I had both of my children in “Clinica Monigal” in Tarragona. Everything went well and the mid wife was wonderful.
What was your experience of relocating to Spain with children? (if relevant)
I came to Tarragona as an English teacher with the thought of spending a couple of years abroad before going back to England to get a real job!!
How well integrated would you say you and your children are?
Being born here my children have no problems with integration.
What language do you speak to your children?
They speak Spanish, Catalan and English. My oldest daughter spent years tell people that Mickey Mouse had learnt English from her Mummy!!
What is your impression of childcare and education so far?
It’s obviously different than in England but I’m very happy with the healthcare, education is sometimes a problem as you can’t give your children all the help they need as all their education is in Catalan.
What school do your children go to?
La Portalada in Altafulla
Why did you choose this school and are you happy with your choice?
There is a lot of pressure on children to do well in exams, and they are expected to read and write from an early age. My oldest daughter has ADD (attention Deficit Disorder) and the teachers and school don’t seem to be ready to cope with this, so I have to pay for extra tuition to help her.
The school is near my home and quite small, taking everything into account I’m reasonable happy with it.
Where you live, how good are the facilities for children (shops, restaurants, activities etc)?
The facilities where I am are wonderful in summer, lots of beach activities, and outdoor fun. In winter it’s a little quieter and we have to go to Tarragona for most things. In Tarragona in the “Plaza de les Corts Catalanes” there is a fantastic “Vital Dent” dentist, they have a dentist specifically for children who is also a pediatric doctor. Essential for children (and adults) who are scared of the dentist!
What do you think are the main advantages and disadvantages of being a parent from the International Community living where you do?
Advantages are the cultural diversity that my children get. The disadvantage is the paper work you have to go though every 5 years for your NIE, and the fact that there are 2 languages in Cataluña, not only one set of irregular verbs but two!!
Is there anything you think would improve children´s lives where you live?
It would be nice to have more activities available in winter.
What advice would you give for anyone having a baby or thinking of relocating to Catalunya with children?
Buy your children’s clothes in England, they are a lot cheaper.
Where you live, what couldn´t you live without ?
I couldn’t live without the beach.
What could you live without?!
I could live without the Spanish paper work and the “Functionarios” (Spain’s civil servants)