| If you want to travel in Spain with children then it | | | | by Law have them restrained with a seat belt and |
| couldn't be easier. In Spain you can take your children | | | | young children. by this I mean children under the age |
| out with you until late, as it is common for families to | | | | of twelve are not allowed to travel in the front seat |
| take their children to restaurants during the evening | | | | of a car. The police will stop you and fine you if you |
| and socially this is perfectly acceptable unlike the UK. | | | | are found to be on the wrong side of the Law. |
| Spain is a country where children are allowed a lot of | | | | The sun in Spain is very intense, especially in the |
| the freedom that we give only to adults. It may not | | | | summer and young children should not be out in it |
| be right to keep a five year old up until eleven | | | | when possible. If they must be on the beach in the |
| o'clock but the Spanish don't worry about it. It means | | | | middle of the day they must have high protective |
| that for a short time whilst you are travelling on | | | | cream added frequently, sunglasses, a hat with a |
| holiday if you want to you can take your children | | | | wide brim and if possible lightweight long sleeved |
| with you wherever you go and they will be | | | | tops. It is very easy for children to burn and studies |
| welcomed. Children, especially those with blonde hair | | | | have shown that children that have been exposed to |
| or blue eyes will find their hair tousled as they walk | | | | sunburn more than twice have a highly increased of |
| about. The Spanish are very tactile and both men | | | | having skin cancer when they are adults. It is a |
| and women will go up to children, have a quick chat | | | | parent's sole responsibility to ensure that their children |
| with them as they pass about their business. Free | | | | do not burn. We used to take a long lunch and then |
| sweets and biscuits are often handed out. It isn't | | | | go to the pool or beach much later in the afternoon |
| unusual in restaurants for waiters to disappear with | | | | when we were on holiday in Spain. Putting on suntan |
| the baby whilst you enjoy your meal. Don't worry, | | | | lotion is a pain but not as much as sunburn! |
| they are being entertained, leaving you to eat in | | | | Supermarkets such as Tesco in the summer offer |
| peace. | | | | quite cheap all in one suits, cut off at the knees that |
| If you are travelling with a baby in Spain and need to | | | | provide total UV cover for those areas covered and |
| do a quick nappy change, you will find nappy changing | | | | they are waterproof too. They look like mini wetsuits |
| facilities a rare sight indeed. Parents usually use their | | | | that divers would wear and are ideal for children that |
| prams/pushchairs for this. The large department | | | | are going to spend a lot of time in the water. |
| store El Corte Ingles found in all the major cities do | | | | There are a few customs regarding children in Spain |
| provide baby changing facilities in their cloakroom. | | | | which may be of interest to you. Girls in Spain have |
| Baby formula is found in local supermarkets or | | | | their ears pierced within a few days of being born |
| pharmacies. They are different to those in the UK | | | | and it is a common practice to shave the infants |
| but some brands you will recognize such as Nestle. | | | | head in the belief that it will make the hair grow |
| The tins have numbers on them. Number one is for | | | | stronger. I have a Spanish friend who wasn't keen on |
| younger babies up to four months and number two | | | | the idea of shaving off her daughter's beautiful head |
| is for older babies. If you have a child than will only | | | | of hair. However it is still a firm belief of the older |
| drink SMA formula please bring it with you as at the | | | | generation. Her mum babysat for a day and on her |
| time of writing I have never seen this brand available | | | | return my friend found her daughter was bald! |
| in Spain. Babies can sometimes get upset stomachs if | | | | Saying this, the Spanish are much more relaxed about |
| their baby milk is changed so if you are worried | | | | having children than we are in the UK. They have a |
| about this just pack extra formula from the UK. | | | | strong sense of family and with most parents |
| Baby foods are available from supermarkets in much | | | | working they do not feel the need to hire a |
| larger jars than we have in the UK and the flavours | | | | babysitter for their children when they can so easily |
| are different. I found with my children that there | | | | take their children with them wherever they go. If |
| were favourites but it took a little time. If you have | | | | the children are tired the next day then they have a |
| a fussy eater then it may again be best to pack | | | | little nap in the afternoon, their siesta. This works for |
| some baby food in tins from home so that you do | | | | Spanish children, but in my experience trying to get a |
| not have the stress of trying to persuade your child | | | | child from the UK to take a nap in the afternoon is |
| to eat. | | | | like pulling teeth. |
| There are many different brands of nappies. The | | | | So if you want to avoid tantrums caused by |
| brand Didot seems to be one of the most popular | | | | overtired children perhaps you may only want to try |
| and is made by the same manufacturer as Pampers. | | | | the late nights with the children a couple of times for |
| Some of the cheaper brands like those in the UK leak | | | | the sake of a happy family holiday. |
| quickly so it is worth paying the extra for Didot | | | | Enjoy your holiday in Spain with your children, try to |
| nappies. | | | | be more flexible about rigid bedtimes and everyone |
| When travelling with children in Spain by car you must | | | | should have a very happy time. Ole! |