Hi,
Would be interested to hear your views on this one if you've experienced raising a family in both the UK & Spain.
We moved here before we had our children, they're now 1 & a half & 2 & a half. We're moving back to UK in January, because we feel it's the right decision for us as a family. So many people have said to us that it's a much better quality of life for children in Sapin compared to the UK. Is this true in your experience?
Thanks.
CC
What an interesting post!!
I felt I had to get my children out of the UK before they got any older, which is why we left when they were 11 and 13. We'd have left before if we could have, but family ties and commitments prevented us from doing that!
The way of life in spain is infinately better for children IMO, the school system is more realistic in Spain, there are so many "PC" issues in Brit schools theses days - for example, when my son started high school before we came to Spain, he complained all the time about how the "naughty kids" ruled. The teacher spent all his time trying unsuccessfully to controll them which meant the "good kids" were left to fend for themselves and learnt nothing (Bear in mind my son is a geek tho lol).
I hate the way that teenagers in the UK hang around in menacing packs, they know noone can touch them.
I had my older kids in the UK and although they've turned out ok now, I went thru hell trying to keep them on the straight and narrow.
The weather spoils most weekend and afterschool activities, there is no space, either mental or physical, and there is no obvious concequenses for actions attitude over there, which I think is important! The PC brigade have ruined any spontaneous or risk taking fun and everything is so cushioned and protected, a good thing maybe??? or maybe not, cos it doesnt teach kids to fend for themselves or face adversity.
And then theres the overall sense of misery in the UK, moaning, complaining, restrictions, rules, regulations, attitudes, everythings grey and dull. In the UK, kids tend to be frowned on - and should be "seen and not heard". In Spain everyone accepts and loves em!
Obviously this is simply my opinion. But my kids are the main reason I came to Spain want to stay here. Life is wonderful for them here - swimming pool in the garden, quad bikes, horseriding, the beach, open spaces to run around in and explore, freedom............ and of course FAMILY VALUES, which have long since gone in the UK, but is still very important in Spain and that breeds respect!
Jo xxx