Barcelona Mum

What is your name, age, where do you live and how long have you lived in Barcelona?
Eli Ridler / 42 yrs / Poble Sec / 10years + 4 in Sitges

Do you work, and if so what do you do?
Director of Studies/ teacher in a language academy, but currently on unpaid maternity leave.

What nationality are you and your partner?
We're both British.

How many children do you have and what are their names and ages?
1 daughter, Sarah, born Dec 15th '06

What was your experience of having a baby in Barcelona? (if relevant)
Very good & free (Seguridad Social): the ante-natal care and post-natal care were really good thanks to Poble Sec's brilliant midwife, Pepi. Regular check-ups and close monitoring throughout pregnancy due to 'advanced age' of the mother ie. me!! Sarah was born at the Maternitat hospital and although I had an episiotomy and she was pulled out with forceps in the end, we felt happy with how we were treated. It was pretty slow and they didn't rush us into doing anything we didn't want: my plan to have a 'natural birth' didn't quite work out, but it was our decision to have the epidural in the end rather than the hospital staff. We paid about 80 euros for a room to ourselves which was worth every cent as Phil, Sarah's dad, could stay quite comfortably on a sofa bed rather than on the floor. There's not always one free but it's worth asking when you first arrive at the hospital. The only thing that I wasn't too happy with was the conflicting advice on breastfeeding and staff didn't really have time to help too much. If we have another one I'd be happy to have it here, either at home or the Maternitat again.

How well integrated would you say you and your children are?
After all these years I think we're quite well integrated. Although we have a lot of British friends, we have quite a lot of Catalan friends too. Phil works in a local secondary school and I sing in a big gospel choir so we've met many 'locals' over the years! I also think that having a baby helps you integrate more, especially in the barrio as everyone's friendly when you've got a little one. Although you can manage without speaking Catalan in BCN, I really think it helps you integrate more too if you make the effort to learn some Catalan: people really appreciate it if you try, even if you don't speak very well. I think their attitide towrds you changes too.

What language do you speak to your children?
Only English at home and some Spanish when with Spanish-speaking friends or friends from other countries.

What has your impression been of childcare and education in Barcelona so far?
No first-hand experience as yet, but from what I can tell, people seem quite happy with nursery and primary education. Personally, I think that starting the year when they're three is too young even if it's not 'real' school. It's still a long day especially for those born at the end of the year who are only two years old when they start. As you know there's a great lack of state nurseries and friends say that you really have to check out the private ones carefully and compare a few before making your choice.

How do you rate the amenities available for parents and children in Barcelona?
Depends a lot on your 'barrio'. There's a lot going on all over the city but you have to look for it or ask people. Lou's shop (Mujer) has made things a lot easier for many people as she's a great source of information as are the other mums who go there on Mondays. Loads of swimming classes and music classes all over town, but can be pricey.

Where you live, how good are facilities for children (shops, restaurants, activities etc)?
In Poble Sec we're quite lucky as we have a nice local library, a new park with children's playground and a Ludoteca at the Civic Centre. The latter is great and although there's a waiting list to be a 'member', you can pay as you go. Open every afternoon from 5-8 and Saturday mornings. We're also lucky with the CAP ( local Health Centre) as there are ante + post natal classes with no restrictions on how long you attend them. We can also go to CAP Mansó where they have a breastfeeding group on Monday mornings and massage classes on Thursday afternoons. However shops aren't great though it's so easy to get to the centre that it doesn't really matter.

What do you think are the main advantages and disadvantages of being a parent from the International Community living in Barcelona?
One advantage is that local people want to know you because you're foreign and, being foreign, you've always got something in common with other foreign parents!

Is there anything you think would improve children´s lives in Barcelona?
Cleaner streets and parks and more baby swings. It's amazing how few of the latter there are.

What do you wish you had been told before you came to Barcelona?
I think I've been here too long to answer this question!

What advice would you give for anyone having a baby or thinking of relocating to Barcelona with children?
Be careful when choosing where you're going to live and although an attic flat may sound attractive, make sure you have a lift. Also check what metro / bus lines are nearest. A lot of metro stations don't have lifts so it can be hard with prams / pushchairs. And don't worry if total strangers constantly comment on your baby / child: they're well-meaning but sometimes their 'advice' is not always wanted, especially when you're a new mum and your baby's crying and the old ladies are telling you that the baby's cold/hungry/angry etc. Just ignore them if you can. Most comments are in fact nice and it's very child-friendly here.

What couldn´t you live without in Barcelona?
Living on the edge of Montjuic.

What could you live without?!
So much dog waste on the streets and cigarette butts in the sandpit in the parks!