Mumsnet members living in Italy

[Valery]

Hi just wondered if there are any other mumsnet mums or mums 2 be living in Italy. As things over here seems 2 be done quite differently it would be go 2 talk 2 another parent who has done it before or is as confused as me. Mums over here don't seemed 2 be given the same sort of info which is freely available 2 mums in the uk. Not sure why. Although I have no complaints about the care both me and my babe have rec'd so far. Would love 2 hear from others and chat about how they have found things over here.

We live in le marche. I agree things are different. My children are older so haven't needed so much advice. How old are your children?

Hi Marypop, So far I only have one DD who is 18 months. Would love another soon but DH not as keen. We live outside Lucca n Tuscany. Like I said, no complaint but they don't seem 2 supply u with much info. Especially post help with breastfeeding etc. Luckily I had lots of support from friends back home. It amazing when I mentioned my fear of the mmr 2 one italian mum she had never heard of any worries regarding this vaccination. Did u experience the same?

Lucca is beautiful, how long have you lived there?

Advice seems to come mostly from friends and family.
As far as the MMR mine both had in the UK (we only arrived last year). I choose to have because of the herd immunity thing and nobody in my family is allergic or reacts to anything, so didn't even consider not having it.

In the UK the MMR worry is a big thing but in my opinion the fact that so my parents are choosing not to have their children vacinated may be more of a problem should there be an outbreak of measles in particular.

The thing I have noticed here is that the doctors are more liberal with medicines, antibiotics in particular. For example I was given medicine from the doctor for chickenpox. I did think that was a bit strange. Have you had the same experience?

We have been here for just over 2 years now and love it. We live outside Lucca in a small village but hope 2 move into the city in the future. We also had the mmr done. I done loads of research by myself and after weighing up the pros and cons decided it best 2 have it done. I think the media in the uk are 2 blame for the decreasing number of kids being vaccinated as they only seem to give the negative side of the story. The Pediatric we have over here is good. We have only ever been given antibiotics once and that was for a ear infection. I was amazed that we had to pay for them, not free like back in the uk. It the same when u are pregnant. All ur standard tests etc are free but if u need any additional medication u have 2 pay for it as with dental care.
How r you enjoying living over here and why did u decide to make the move? My DH is half italian and also wanted 2 move over. We have a clothes shop in the centre of Lucca. Only been open for 4mts so still early days.

We came because we had be coming to visit many years and thought an opportunity that not worth missing. We were right and have no intention of going back for anything else but work and a holiday. I teach English (what else) but my Dh has a merchansing company in the UK, it means he has to going back at least once a month.

I've not really visited Tuscany or Lucca but I hear it very beautiful. What kind of clothes do you sell. Does your daughter go to asilo? Does she speak both English and Italian?

Oh and by the way, I don't pay for my antibiotics because they are essential medicines, that was what I was told anyway!

valery, i have a friend who has a place in brandeglio,close to bagni di lucca, is that near you?

Californifrau, I have never done the bike thing over here. These guy cycle like nutters. Must have been lovely being able 2 study here.

Bundle, Bagni di Lucca is around 25km from me so not far at all. Is ur friend from the uk? How long has she been staying in Italy? How is she finding things over here? Sorry if I am being nosey.

Hi Marypop, Tuscany is very beauiful. U must visit Lucca and pop into our shop. We r right in the middle of the walled city. Our shop sells clothes for both men and women. Quite trendy streetwear with some more streamline stuff mixed in, makes like Boxfresh, DSL55, GSUS & FCUK etc. Not 2 expensive but not cheep either. We have only been open for 4ish month so still early days. Business seems 2 be picking up now there are more tourists.

We r hoping that our DH grows up speaking both languages. I only ever speak English 2 her as my italian is NOT GOOD but nonna speaks 2 her in italian. My dh speaks good italian but only speaks 2 her in italian when in company. She seems 2 understand both languages so far. How is ur Italian? At the moment dd is not at a'silo, When I am helping n the shop she is with nonna. Must be tough for ur dh traveling back 2 the uk everymonth. At least there are plenty of cheep flights available now.
We never questioned having 2 pay for the antibiotics but will should we ever need them again (fingers crossed not). Hows the weather been were u r? Weather here hasnt been normal for June. Dull and windy. Sun is out 2day though so heres hoping the real summer has arrived.

she lives in the UK but works term-time only so she and her daughter spend a lot of time in brandeglio, we've stayed with them once, it's lovely there and v peaceful. her dd is learning italian here in the uk, understands a lot but is a bit shy about speaking it (she's 6)

Just come back from the UK, always a very strange experience don't you think? Its only the second time I've been back. The first time I spent the whole time wishing to be back home! This time was a bit better. We did the tourist thing and visited Buck Palace and Tower of London etc.

DH is used to the travel, doesn't like it though mind. I'm on holiday till September so just as you get busy I go on holiday. However this is when all the friends and family visit. Is you visiting diary as busy as mine?

I would like to tour round Italy a bit but we're still doing the house up and its taking all our money for the moment. Lucca sound beautiful.

I don't think you Italian can be that bad if your running a shop, are you being hard on yourself. I'm always wanting perfection with my language NOW but it takes time, no?

Valery here (changed nickname 2 Tanktop).
How was the weather back n the uk? I must admit I always love going back 2 Scotland and catching up with family and friends. I have just had sister 1, hubby and nan over last month and my sister 2, hubby and kids arrive next month along with friends who are coming over 2 see Roger Waters play live n Lucca.

We are just back from a week n Sardinia (a freebie from a supplier). Had a lovely time but weather was a tab 2 hot. Not the prettiest island, very baron and dry. DD had a fab time as hotel was V kid friendly.

Exceptionally hot n Lucca 2day, air con n shop is on full blast. Would imagine just as hot where u are.

Did u speak italian before u made the move? I am still really struggling with the whole thing. Been thinking of going 2 a language school for a few weeks after the summer. One 2 one would be ideal...

A couple of friends have jus beeen in Sardinia, one family on honeymoon and another on holiday. They loved it saying the air was beautiful not humid like here!

Yes its bloody hot and was in England. Yesterday when I got in the car 35 degrees. When its too hot I go down the beach (only 5 mins away) few degrees cooler there no?

I spoke holiday Italian before arriving and it has improved greatly over the last year. Funny you say about a language course because I'm doing one in August with inlingua. Costs 195e for 2 hours for 4 weeks 5 days a week. Bargin I think. My main problem is written Italian and I'm finding I have to write and read more as time goes by.

My son has his vaccinations yesterday and the hospital was great. It was so well organised I was so impressed. Especially since I've fighting with my Dr's in the UK for 1 1/2 to get it done. They are really crap, the drs in the UK that is.

That language course does sound pretty cheep. Think I will have 2 investigate whats available round and about Lucca.

What vaccinations was ur son having? We are taking DD for her Men C jag next week. I have been impressed by the medical system over here. Especially our DD's pediatric. She is always very patient and I have never felt rush or made 2 feel like a paranoid mother (which I can be).

We were in the south of Sardinia in a small town called Chia. I think the north of the island is suppose 2 be more picturesque.

It still v hot here. Just sprayed myself with mosi repellant as they seem 2 find me V tasty. We r off 2 watch a kick boxing match (hubbies idea) Nonna is babysitting so it's a night out.

My friend (english) has offered to give me the same course for 100e on the beach, meaning we don't need babysitters?

DS is having his pre school boosters. I agree I like the way you have a pediatrician and they get to know the child very well. My Pedi was a bit frosty to start with but he seems to be warming up. Perhaps he goes by the saying 'better to have death at your door rather than a person from le Marche!' He spent some time in England and understand my stupid jokes I tell my children so is starting to thaw, for example when DS had chickenpos I told him he was turning into a chicken. Doctor thought that was very amusing.

I was told the north is far more pretty with much fewer tourists.

We're waiting on building materials because my brother in law is arriving tomorrow to plaster our walls for us. Then we're getting set for their visit. This is the start of the many visitors arriving for holidays. I think the next break without visitors is the first week of August!

Yesterday we built a new chicken shed, my DH always seems to pick the hottest day to build outside. You've got to love him, I think!

Enjoy your night out!

Mary

My friend (english) has offered to give me the same course for 100e on the beach, meaning we don't need babysitters?

DS is having his pre school boosters. I agree I like the way you have a pediatrician and they get to know the child very well. My Pedi was a bit frosty to start with but he seems to be warming up. Perhaps he goes by the saying 'better to have death at your door rather than a person from le Marche!' He spent some time in England and understand my stupid jokes I tell my children so is starting to thaw, for example when DS had chickenpos I told him he was turning into a chicken. Doctor thought that was very amusing.

I was told the north is far more pretty with much fewer tourists.

We're waiting on building materials because my brother in law is arriving tomorrow to plaster our walls for us. Then we're getting set for their visit. This is the start of the many visitors arriving for holidays. I think the next break without visitors is the first week of August!

Yesterday we built a new chicken shed, my DH always seems to pick the hottest day to build outside. You've got to love him, I think!

Enjoy your night out!

Mary

Lucky you, I can think of worse places to learn italian.

Your lucky that your kids pediatrician understands some english. We sometimes drag nonna along on our vists just 2 make sure we have understood everything. The pedi she speaks so fast. At the beginning we used 2 get her 2 write stuff down but her handwriting was so bad it ended up a waste of time.

The weather here is so hot. There seems 2 be no air and no escape. Think I was designed for the Scottish climate.

Enjoy ur visitors when they arrive and hope the chickens like their new abode.

The air is very humid here too. Visitors okay but want to spend ALL day getting as much beer down their neck as poss. Bit of a culture shock for DH and me!!!!!

Are ur visitor scottish? Only kidding. I can say that being scottish myself. I must admit I did use 2 enjoy a few drinks but since having DD and moving over here my lifestyle has changed. Not saying that when I go back 2 Edinburgh/Glasgow I won't jump at the first opportunity 2 meet up with the girls and have a good old gossip over a few cocktails.

I love the attitude 2 alcohol over here. We were at a football party last night and there was not a drunk man or women in sight. Now that is a culture shock for me and my dh.

Will u be watching the game 2day?

At the local bar, they have a meal on for la festa della campagna. 15 per adult and kids free inc. all drink, great deal hey.

Tanktop, we're exactly the same in England we both drank quite a bit but here we will drink but I don't remember the last time I got stupid drunk. For me seeing family do what we used to is more a culture shock. I suppose when we came we just did what everybody else does without any thought until this week.

Sounds fab. Eat, drink and be merry. You can't go wrong for 15euro ahead.

Unfortuately I do remember the last time I got horribly drunk (well bits of it) and it was on my last visit back home. Suffered so badly the next day and have vowed NEVER 2 do it again. DH was not impressed.

Shop is v quiet 2day. Think most folk are off 2 the beach or watching the football n a nice air con bar. Sensible choice.

Have a good w/end.

The same to you. Hmmmm Air conditioning!!!

Hi Mums in Italy....
I'm in Sicily great heatwave...close to the beach.....

fantastic life here from last year......hubby english.....I'm italian always using mumsnet...
very helpful for any tips.......

no great info.......I agree with you....

but great life style.......food is gorgeous!!!!

Always sunny down here.........
I love Tuscany tooo!!!!!!!!

Hi Sara, would love to visit Sicily but not this year, still repairing ours.

How did you meet hubby?

In a party....in London while I was there for work!!!!

p.s. I'm in a fab place.......!!!!
called siracusa