What is your name and how long have you lived in Mallorca?
Kay Newton – 25 years
What nationality are you?
British
How many children do you have and what are their names and ages?
Two; Max 16 and Tom 13
What was your experience of relocating to Mallorca with children?
The children were born here. That was an experience!
I had my babies at Cinica Rotger - private hospital in the center of Palma. Epidural or nothing. On the birthing table lying down - no choice. The proud father to be sat in the waiting room reading the newspaper until the very last scream! Ante natal lessons all in local language - mallorquian - didn't understand a word. Had a nun try to teach me how to breast feed - what a laugh! Post natal a visit to the doc's!
How well integrated would you say you and your children are?
The family are all Spanish speakers and we have Spanish and Mallorcan friends. We are well integrated but not fully – our neighbors think we're German!
What do you think are the main advantages and disadvantages of being a parent from the international community living in Mallorca?
Advantages – Allows your children to grow up understanding multi cultures within a safe environment.
Disadvantages – Small island.
Some families have struggled to understand the Education system in Spain which is based on rote learning, with Catalan as a compulsory language. (rote learning - learning by copying down what the teacher tells you and regurgitating it back. Tests every two weeks. Failure means re-sitting the year again! Fantastic if you have a photographic memory, torture if you are artistic!) If you don't want your children in local school then the international colleges available can be expensive and limited choice after 16. Tom is in the Spanish system and Max is just about to sit his IGCSE's
For our family personally – you have to rely on good friends to act as family when emergencies arise. Our families live in the UK and S. Africa.
Is there anything that you think would improve childrens’ lives living in Mallorca?
My boys would say waves and lots of them!
What couldn’t you live without in Mallorca?
The Tramuntana mountains.
What could you live without in Mallorca?
People who move here expecting it to be England!
What is the philosophy behind your Personal Development Coaching?
To help people understand how unique they are and find their authentic self.
Why did you start up the business?
Seven years ago I realized my kids were growing up and would no longer need me. It seemed like a really good time to re-train and use my family experience along with coaching and help others.
What services do you offer parents and young people?
Allsorts! A real liquorice bag.
One on one coaching for parents (it’s mainly mums who come to me because they have an issue with their child – only to find I end up coaching them!)
Family holiday coaching – we have a guest house where a family of four can come and stay for a week. We combine relaxing by the pool with challenging activities and work together as a team to get the best out of everyone participating.
One day workshops – for both parents and kids, although I tend to do workshops for teens without their parents! For example: study techniques, how the mind works, finances for kids.
What have you found are the main concerns among parents in recent times for school age children? And what are the children’s main issues?
Parents – mixed. Some are concerned abut the future of their kids and feel pressurized into making sure they do well at school. Others feel uneasy that the education system is outdated and are applying too much pressure.
Kid's – Pressure! Parents, peers, society; it’s a constant squeeze.
If someone is interested in your services how would they best contact you?
Email is always best: info@kaynewtoncoaching.com
www.kaynewtoncoaching.com
(April 2010)
