Advice From The Experts
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Interview with Pediatrician Dr Thorsten Faust
"For a healthy child, going to school is fulfilling an important social need. The school provides them contact with other children in a stable social context. And also stimulates their creative mind. But we have to remember that the preschool age until six years old is the only time in the lifespan when the children mainly should just play. It is important to make sure that the school provides the time for spontaneous play."
Please click here to read the full interview with Pediatrician Dr Thorsten Faust
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Childhood Behavioural Problems by Sinews, Madrid based Child Psychologists
"Spanish teachers are probably not as alert to the behavioral problems that are a result of a physical or mental disorder as teachers in the USA or the UK.
Instead the tendency is for bad behavior to be attributed to naughtiness, a bad
upbringing or problems at home. On the other hand, Spanish teachers tend to be more prudent when it comes to labeling a child with an unconfirmed diagnosis or to medicate any behavior that is "different". However, teachers are becoming more and more aware that there are certain disorders, especially ADHD, that can influence poor performance in school. Other problems like dyslexia or similar learning disorders that do not usually manifest obvious behavioral disturbances go unnoticed." -
Childhood Allergies by Nina Onsrud
"Symptoms of food allergy can start as early as in the womb. If women have had a difficult pregnancy and the baby shows vigorous kicking, tossing and hiccups this can be a sign of a allergic/ intolerant child. Food intolerances are rarely harmful but may cause unpleasant symptoms, including nausea, bloating, wind, abdominal pain (colic in babies) diarrhoea and or constipation and sometimes vomiting. Symptoms such as behavioural problems can also be linked to food intolerance. The onset of allergic disease occurs mostly before the age of 4–5 years; after that, incidence decreases rapidly. In addition, the spectrum of symptoms changes with age. "
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Post Natal Depression by Nathalie Salaun
"A women suffering from PND needs whatever support friends and family can give her. She probably feels overwhelmed by the task of looking after the baby, let alone doing the cleaning, cooking, shopping and all the practicalities involved in day to day living, so she certainly needs help with these. If you know someone suffering from PND, encourage her to be active and to treat herself, to spend some time alone with her friends and with her partner; listen to her and reassure her that you love her and that she will get through this; do not tell her to “snap out of it”, if she could, she would have done so. Depression is not a choice."
Please click here to read the full interview with Nathalie Salaun
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Childbirth in Barcelona by Dra Leila Onbargi
"The caesarean section rate has increased in the developed world and not just in Catalunya. Currently the C-section rate is about 22% in Spain and up to 30% in private clinics. This is due to several factors, including advanced maternal age of patients having their first child which are associated with greater risk factors, recommendations against the practice of breech vaginal deliveries, twin pregnancies (on the rise because of assisted reproductive technology in patients with infertility) which are more likely to present suboptimal foetal position at birth, and of course previous caesareans which make a second caesarean more likely. We also need to mention the practice of “defensive” medicine as patients are intolerant to complications during labour and doctors want to avoid malpractice suits."
Please click here to read an interview with Dra Leila Onbargi
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Moving to Madrid - Madrid Relocation Agency
"Madrid is a relatively small city – easy to get around and with a wide variety of museums, exhibitions etc – on a par with any other major European city. It is rather more “Spanish” - less international – than Barcelona – but as with every other Spanish city the weather is wonderful and the food and wine a delight. Many places of interest are within a day’s visit – Toledo, Aranjuez, Segovia, Salamanca to name but a few. The mountains are easily accessible – for skiing in the winter. Basically as Madrid is the geographical centre of the country it is a relatively short journey to just about anywhere ! There are also flights from Madrid (including low-cost) to just about everywhere. Disadvantages ? Perhaps the lack of English – but fortunately Spanish is an easy language to learn ! Driving is a skill that many Spaniards have not yet learned – you do need to be careful on the roads ! There is little serious crime, but pick-pockets abound – you should hang on to your wallet/bag at all times – especially when in the centre or on the metro or a bus."
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Interview with Registered EuroPsy Psychologist - Dr Jill Jenkins
"If your child is a bully, I would suggest that parents seek professional help for their child as soon as possible. Bullies have a much higher incidence of juvenile crime, violence, drug and alcohol use. Any child that is gaining power in the social setting by chronically hurting or humiliating another child is clearly stating that they have emotional challenges that must be tackled before they further escalate. May I also say that there is a third party in this equation – beyond the bully and the victim, is the bystander. Bystanders are the children who stand by and watch as other children are bullied. They hold a much more powerful position then they realize; research shows that 60% of the times that bystanders intervene, bullying stops. Bullying is a social behavior with social rewards. If bystanders are brave enough to stand up for victims, they could make a major different in the school climate. Bystanders also suffer long term consequences, by the way, when chronically exposed to bullying. Many will feel guilt long into their adulthood for never having had “stood up for” a child that they saw victimized"
Please click here to read the full interview with Dr Jill Jenkins
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Child Birth in Spain - Alex Weatherhead (British Midwife)
"Some women choose to go back to their home country, others may pay to obtain private care i.e the natural birthing centre hospital near Alicante. Depending on the Doctors and Midwives you have on the day of your delivery this could determine how much choice you have. I don't think a natural birth can be guarenteed, but if you aware of your choices and depending on how assertive you are willing to be this may increase your options, and the ability to choose a natural birth. You should always try to discuss your options but sometimes intervention is required. It is best to have an open mind as labour and delivery can be unpredictable and the best outcome is a healthy mum and baby"
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Cash for Kids | Recent Spanish Legislation
"Expecting a child? Resident in Spain? Then you could be set for a hefty windfall as well as some useful tax breaks! "
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Bilingual Children by Speech Therapist Juliet Chubbock
"A child normally speaks one language less proficiently because that language has become the minority language for that child. That is to say that if one language is not spoken as much at home, with friends or at school, the child will stop learning it as efficiently.
In special cases where a child has significant learning disabilities, he or she may tend to use one language more than another because that language is easier. For example a child may “choose” Spanish over English because Spanish is more rule-based and easier to read and write. But this is unusual." -
Advice from Chiropractor Russell Dean
"Just before I came over to Sant Cugat I saw a four week-old baby in Windsor who had not slept more than a few hours at a time at night, since birth. Both Mum and baby were pretty exhausted and distressed! We found a restriction in the upper neck of the baby. Treatment, which in newborns is just gentle finger pressure, allowed the spine to free itself and work correctly. After one visit there was a slight change, after three visits the baby was sleeping five to six hours at a time through the night and clearly not in distress. We saw her once more and then discharged her."
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Life coach Chantal Ducoeurjoly
"In essence, every parent is a coach and it is our job to find out how we can help our children improve in particular areas where growth
is needed. Using the RESPECT model helps us focus on the necessary areas for growth:
R- Reassuring - reassure your child and help them believe they can do it
E- Enthusiastic - parental enthusiasm is infectious...give lots of it!
S- Steady - patience and perseverence
P- Practical - ¨let´s try this again and see what happens...¨
E- Engaging - Show your child how to do it first and then let them try it.
C- Clear - clearly explain what is expected of your child or how they can do it better- this works wonders!
T- Truthful - honesty is important ¨you seem to kick better with your right foot then your left...so we should practise kicking more with the left¨
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Setting Up A Business - Sanchez Molina Abogodas
"The main challenges that an expat faces in Barcelona are basically getting used to a completely different taxation regime. From the feedback I receive from all our expat clients, they are used to a more flexible taxation regime with less bureaucratic processes. That is also what makes their life very difficult in the early stages. But once the first quarter of activity has elapsed, and the new system gets more familiar to them I'd say they really realize that the business is located in a different country and therefore assume that there is no choice other than live with this new and sometimes complex taxation regime in order to get used to it as soon as possible and get the maximum benefits from it."
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Buying Property in Catalunya by Lawyer Hugo Navarrete
"I have seen cases where there were houses for sale with debts that genuinely not even the owners knew about it. That happens because Spanish people buy property without lawyers. I have seen cases where people buy a property and don’t know that the sellers have carried out illegal work on the house and there’s a file opened in the Council against it, so what it is supposed to be a flat ready for occupation actually turns into a 1 year work long negotiation with architect drawings, licences, works, etc. I have even seen lawyers authorize purchases without the right documentation under the promise that it will come very shortly, and the clients losing the money. Most buyers need a mortgage. If that is the case, please make sure you know that you can get that money before you commit, or put a clause that you can pull out if you don’t get the finances in place. I have seen people paying a deposit, and then the bank rejects the application at the last minute..., or changes the terms and conditions for higher interest. No compensation is given for putting the client in such situations."
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Acupuncturist Uby Muñoz
"For women (meditation) is a chance to connect with your own identity - besides being daughter, wife, mother etc. Women begin life as someone's daughter, and then someone's lover, wife, someone's mother. Not only does a woman need an understanding of her body but also needs to connect with the essence of her true self, beyond gender, beyond fluctuations of hormones, beyond family expectations and other superimposed personality patterns¨
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Natural Childbirth and Doulas in Barcelona by Juliette Allard
"Be very active at looking for information and look for the right place to give birth early in the pregnancy, 9 months go very fast. The midwives are very busy so better to meet and hire one early before their schedule is too full and you have no option. If you want a natural birth and if your choice is the public hospital, the best one is actually San Pau in Barcelona or Santa catarina in Girona so ask for a referall from the Cap Salud if that is not your designated hospital. If you take care of your preparation early on you have more time to relax and get ready for the big event!"
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Schools in Catalunya by Bridget Nelson of Planet English
"I have to say (my experience of education in Catalunya has been) quite disappointing. The Private Schools have lots of positive points but in the end are run as businesses with profit being the most important thing. As far as the State Schools go, I have seen a great improvement in Catalan schools – they are moving towards a more child centred approach but are still a long way off. In general the buildings are uninspiring, little importance is given to displaying the children´s work and they are far from being what I would consider – a stimulating environment. I was probably really spoiled because I worked in a lovely Primary School in England which had fantastic interactive displays we had to change every 6 weeks, bees making their honeycomb, tadpoles, incubators with ducks´ eggs etc...."
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Children´s Health in Catalunya by Mª Dolores Terradas
"I think that both ante-natal and post-natal care in Catalunya is excellent and we have very good professionals too. The main problem is a lack of incentivation of the professionals and an insufficient health education of the population that leads to an overuse of the system and burn-out of professionals."
