Moving to Rome next week

[thetraveller]

Moving to Rome next week with 5mo DS. I can speak only basic phrase book Italian at the moment (naively thought I might be able to use my maternity leave to learn properly) and have never been to Italy before. Any other Mumsnetters living in Rome who could give me some advice on any English speaking mother and baby groups / activities? We'll be living in the Villa Borghese / Villa Ada area. Also, is there an Italian "Mothercare" equivalent where I can stock up on baby necessities early on?

[gio71]

Hi there. I live in Rome. Are you moving permanently here or for an interim period? You'll be living in a lovely area anyway near Villa Borghese. There are a few English speaking playgroups,one in particular will be handy for you as is based just off Via del Corso in the centre so not far from the Borghese. It's called Ladybirds and you can get more details from the site here www.ladybirdsrome.com/
I would also have a look at rome.angloinfo.com/default.asp and www.romemama.com/ as they can have really helpful info plus forums you can join.
Re Italian Mothercare- I wish!!! I got most of my stuff from Io Bimbo www.iobimbo.it/punti-vendita/ (I always went to the Via Tiburtina one, no idea what the others are like) or www.toyscenter.it/home/index.html , went to the one on Via Auerlia. I also got a lot of stuff on-line. If you want things like fab clothes for feeding , gorgeous underwear and various breastfeeding pieces of equipment then I know a shop near Santa Maria Maggiore, walking distance from Termini station run by an (American) friend and she has some amazing stuff in stock-let me know if you want more details.
Anyway let me know if you need anything else- I can usually be found on the Little Italy thread on this site www.mumsnet.com/Talk?call=ThreadsImOn

• you ought to come and join us - we are a mix of British and Italian Mums based both in the UK and Italy.

Good luck with the move! The sun is shining and it has been 21 degrees over the last few days here

[thetraveller]

Thanks gio71 - that's really helpful.We're moving out for at least 4 years, so feels pretty permanent. We're getting most of our things shipped out in January, but I need some basic baby stuff to tide us over until then (V-shaped feeding pillow / gym mat etc). Would be great to get more details about the shop in Santa Maria Maggiore. Will join you on the Little Italy thread next week - in the midst of frantic last minute packing at the moment!

[gio71]

I got my V shaped feeding pillow and mat etc from Io Bimbo. What they don't do here particularly is bargain stuff for kids so I tend to do big stock ups on basic clothes for DS when I am back in the UK. Good luck with the packing.