• Home
  • Our Shop
  • About Us
    • About MKB
    • Our Shop
    • MKB Board
    • Editorial Board and MKB Administrators
    • Our Contributors
    • For Bloggers: Join MKB
    • Books and Products from Our Members
    • Cultural Resources
    • Contact Us
  • Product Promotion Services
  • Blog Hops & Series
    • Holidays Around the World
      • Martin Luther King Day
      • Chinese New Year
      • Purim
      • Passover
      • Easter Around the World
      • Ramadan
      • Hajj (Eid al Adha)
      • Rosh Hashanah
      • Day of the Dead
      • Diwali
      • Hanukkah
      • Christmas in Different Lands
    • Heritage Months
      • Black History Month
      • Women’s History Month
      • Asian-Pacific Islander Heritage Month
      • Middle Eastern and North African Heritage Month
      • Hispanic Heritage Month
      • Native American Heritage Month
    • Blogging Carnivals
    • Creative Kids Culture Blog Hop
    • Global Learning for Kids
  • Resources for Raising Global Citizens
  • Privacy Policy

Multicultural Kid Blogs

For families and educators raising world citizens, through arts, activities, crafts, food, language, and love.

Expat in Spain: Why It is Great for Kids

March 18, 2016 by Lisa Sadleir

Facebooktwitterredditpinterestlinkedinmailby feather

Family really does come first in Spain. That is one of reasons being an expat in Spain is great for kids. Even in today’s modern world, it is not unusual for several generations of the same family to live under the same roof. It is also not uncommon for “children” to stay living in the family home well into their 30’s.

Being an expat in Spain is great for kids because family time is a priority.

Times are changing of course, and the economic climate is causing these traditions to change. If you read the news, you will know that younger Spaniards nowadays are opting to move overseas at an earlier age in search of higher wages, better job prospects and their fortune. Most of them, however, would be home in a flash if they had the opportunity. Memories of their childhood in Spain are full of family, love, friends and fun.

So, why do I say being an expat in Spain is great for kids?

Please note that I am not comparing Spain in contrast to any other country. I am merely sharing personal opinions and observations about living as an expat in Spain.

 Living as an Expat in Spain with Kids

1. A longer childhood: I cannot say exactly why, but it is widely agreed that children are children for longer in Spain. There is less social pressure on them to grow up and act like adults. Age is not a barrier. It is not frowned upon for a teenager to cuddle and coo over a baby or to play with a toddler.

2. Safety: It is wonderful to have strangers in the street come up to your children, to talk to them, embrace them, even to take your baby out of your arms. (I can imagine some parents cringing at this very thought). Spain has a relatively low crime rate. Parents do not live in fear for the safety of their children. This is an important reason being an expat in Spain is great for kids.

3. Outdoor lifestyle: Thanks to the weather, in most parts of Spain and particularly in the South, more time is spent outdoors than indoors. Sports facilities are in abundance in all villages and towns. Playing on the beach, or in the open countryside, in clean fresh air, is a normal occurrence rather than a rare holiday treat. Living as an expat in Spain kids are outside, and that is great!

4. Family first: The family unit in Spain is generally very tight. Children grow up with great respect for family members and appreciating the family unit. They develop a special pride in their family. Respect for elders is inherent.”Woe betide the niño who does not instantly give up his seat for an Abuelita” Even though expat children who move to Spain may not see relatives as often as if they lived in the same country, when they do meet up they enjoy quality time together.

Delicious food is one of the many reasons advantages of being an expat in Spain.

5. Great food: In Spain, cooking is a passion. The best dishes are often simple recipes that have been passed down through the generations. Quality ingredients are more important that fancy presentation. Comida casera rules! Read about some of my children’s favourite Spanish dishes. “Children’s meals” are not typical in most Spanish restaurants, as in the UK. It is more typical for families in Spain to share plates of food. Meal times are often family times. Fast food is yet to impact Spanish eating habits. How often have you seen people walking down the street eating their lunch in Spain?

6. Holidays: Spain is famous for its ferias and festivos. They are another reason Spain living as an expat in Spain is great for kids.  There is often any excuse for a holiday in Spain. Although it may be more challenging for some parents, based on their work schedule, for those of us who work for ourselves and have flexible working conditions, regular holidays are part of the routine. What child doesn’t enjoy a holiday? Whether it’s a week at home with more trips to the beach or fun family days out, the children enjoy more family time.

Family holidays make being an expat in Spain great for kids.

7. Children are welcome everywhere: There may be some exceptions, but, in general, you will not need to worry if your children will be welcomed in most establishments in Spain. No matter what the time or location, your children will be not only welcomed but welcomed with open, loving arms.

So there you have just seven of many reasons why I think being an expat in Spain is great for kids. I’d love to hear about any other reasons you think I should add.

¡Hasta pronto!
Lisa

Global Learning for Kids | Multicultural Kid Blogs

This post is part of our new series Global Learning for Kids. Each month we will feature a country and host a link party to collect posts about teaching kids about that country–crafts, books, lessons, recipes, etc. It will create a one-stop place full of information about the country.

This month we are learning all about Spain, so go here to link up below any old or new posts designed to teach kids about Spain–crafts, books, lessons, recipes, music and more!

Facebooktwitterredditpinterestlinkedinmailby feather
The following two tabs change content below.
  • Bio
  • Latest Posts
My Twitter profileMy Facebook profileMy LinkedIn profileMy Instagram profileMy Flickr profileMy Pinterest profileMy YouTube channel

Lisa Sadleir

Founder at Family in Spain SL
Lisa Sadleir is a trilingual mum to two bilingual children, founder of Cooking with Languages and author of “Moving to Spain with Children”. Born in England, educated in France and a resident of Spain, she is passionate about travel and encouraging children to learn new languages.
My Twitter profileMy Facebook profileMy LinkedIn profileMy Instagram profileMy Flickr profileMy Pinterest profileMy YouTube channel

Latest posts by Lisa Sadleir (see all)

  • 10 Fun Facts About Spain For Kids - July 2, 2018
  • Expat in Spain: Why It is Great for Kids - March 18, 2016

Filed Under: Expat Life, Global Learning for Kids, Spain Tagged With: expat families, spain

Subscribe to our mailing list

* indicates required

Comments

  1. Valerie says

    March 24, 2016 at 4:45 pm

    Coming to Spain with my daughter fir her first time! Can’t wait–I’m energized by your post!

    • Lisa Sadleir says

      March 25, 2016 at 3:06 am

      It is a wonderful country to visit and to live, Valerie. Whereabouts are you visiting?

Follow Us!

Follow Us on FacebookFollow Us on Google+Follow Us on TwitterFollow Us on PinterestFollow Us on RSSFollow Us on Instagram

Anti-Bullying Resource FREE Download

Enter your email address:

Delivered by FeedBurner

Grab Our Button!

grab button for Multicultural Kid Blogs
<div class="multicultural-kid-blogs-button" style="width: 200px; margin: 0 auto;"> <a href="https://multiculturalkidblogs.com/" rel="nofollow"> <img src="https://multiculturalkidblogs.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/button-take-3.jpg" alt="Multicultural Kid Blogs" width="200" height="200" /> </a> </div>
Multicultural Children's Book Day Co-Host

Archives

Copyright © 2023 · Lifestyle Pro Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in

This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish.Accept Read More
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Non-necessary
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
SAVE & ACCEPT