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Living overseas

Whether you're considering emigrating or an expat abroad, you'll find likeminds on this forum.

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Original poster

Mumsnet members living in Italy

78 replies

Valery · 02/06/2006 13:59

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.

OP posts:

sasa15 · 02/07/2006 20:18

oh yeah definetely....men are th same in all world....!!!!

I don't blame them...it's just natural!!!!!!!!

MadamePlatypus · 03/07/2006 16:51

I live in a little outpost of Italy in Surrey . I work for an Italian company so know loads of Italian ex-pats struggling to understand our English ways. Thought you might be interested to hear some of the things they have problems with!

What is this Shepherd's Pee that we eat?
If we have dog racing, why not cat racing?
Why are we not all obsessed with what we are going to eat tonight? (This from single men)
Why do all the children go to bed at the maddly early time of 7pm?
Why do we not all go on holiday in the same month?
Why do we only get 2 ante-natal scans?
Do we honestly think that the food in Waitrose is as good as the food arriving in parcels from mama back home?
Do we not realise that we are all malnourished by eating sandwiches at our desk for lunch?
If the espresso machine breaks down, obviously it is understood that work will end for the day?
Do we honestly think those charlatans who call themselves GP's and don't give you proper medicine for your cold are doctors?

MaryP0p1 · 04/07/2006 13:54

I have to agree with some if not all of these comments. I went to work today I didn't get a coffee, By 12 I had given up trying to teach my children anything and went and played in the garden with them! Oh we spent the morning talking about food and what we like to eat and how it should be cooked (with 10/11 year olds).

Tanktop · 04/07/2006 15:22

Yep, think I have heard most of these comments before. Funny how with italians the subject always eventually ends food related. An italian friend of mine was horrified when I told him that italian food was not in my top 3 favorite cuisines. He really couldn't understand why.

Marypop1 & Sasha15, I am not going 2 make any remarks re ur hubbies because I am the same. My hubby speaks good Italian and I suppose in a way this has made me slightly lazy.Excuses,excuses. I do think I am getting a wee bit better daily though.

It our 3rd wedding anniversary 2day so we have just been out for a wonderful lunch. Think I have had a tab 2 much vino as all I want 2 do now is sleep. Another very hot day eh?

MaryP0p1 · 08/07/2006 12:40

I've made it to Saturday.... A few days off thank goodness. Had a hell of day and week and releived I have a day off.

How's your week been going?

Tanktop · 08/07/2006 15:35

Well this is my last week with our resident babysitter (Nonna). So we have been making as much use of her as possible. She is off back home 2 Scotland on Wednesday. That also means I have 2 start cooking the tea again. Nonna is a fab cook and lets just say I am not the best.

Have u been busy with ur guest or with teaching?

MaryP0p1 · 08/07/2006 17:53

Both, today I had a child faint on me and nobody but me was first aid trained. Nomally its the job of the caretakers but they weren't there today. Generally a bit of a disaster today.

Tanktop · 08/07/2006 18:08

Fainting children are not a good thing. Especially if I am around. I am not the best person in a crisis. Once my nephew chocked and I ran out the room. My sister and hubby were in the room so it wasnt like I left him on his own but lets just say they werent too keen on having me as a baby sitter after that. Mind u since having DD I have surprised myself in some situations. When it's ur own child u just seem to know what to do. Which is just as well.

Are ur kids enjoying their summer break so far?

MaryP0p1 · 10/07/2006 17:50

Yes a rollacoster of family does wonders for that. my sister arrived today.

Tanktop · 11/07/2006 16:36

My sister and family arrive in just over a week. They have rented a villa with pool just a 10 mins walk from our house so will be great 2 have her here and still keep our space as well. They have 2 teenage kids so place with pool was a must. This is my last day for a while n the shop so i won't be on PC for sometime.

Hope u enjoy ur sis being here and enjoy these long hot humid days. TC

Tanktop · 11/07/2006 16:43

Hope u enjoy ur sis being here and enjoy these long hot humid days. TC

Tanktop · 11/07/2006 16:43

ops added twice. what a twat

MaryP0p1 · 11/07/2006 19:37

Twat, what a good engih word to used. How do you translate that to Italian?

Have fun with your family.

jambot · 17/07/2006 10:24

Valery - we will be spending a week in Tuscany next month. Is Lucca worth a visit?

MaryP0p1 · 17/07/2006 15:14

She's with her family this week, but MY other half has been and says its lovely.

Tanktop · 13/08/2006 12:09

Hi again Marypops. Back in the shop 2day for a wee while. Suppose 2 be help other half but spending most of my time trying 2 catch up with emails and sorts. Was lovely having my sister and family over and the pool was just wot the Doc ordered on those V hot days. Mind u weather here has made a dramatic change. lots and lots of rain which in a strange way has been a joy. Had 2 buy a pair of wellingtons for DD as puddles gallore in our village. Today in Lucca is bright and sunny but still pleasantly coolish. We went along 2 a mexican evening on Friday nite n a small village near where we live. Food was really lovely but my eyes were bigger than my belly and I ended up over doing the nachos and feeling slight worse for wear. Made a refreshing change for the usual italian foods. Obviously there was also pizza and pasta on offer. God forbid.

Hope u have a lovely holiday w/end. R u and the family up 2 anything special? Our shop is open so no rest for poor old DH.

MaryP0p1 · 14/08/2006 20:32

Glad to hear you had a great time with your sister.

My sister arrived last Thursday. She has just broke up with her bfriend. She's having such a nice time decided to stay for longer. I'm really pleased. Plus my best friend hopefully arrives on Wednesday, flights being well etc. So a busy house this end.

I saw in my local supermarket a jar of chilli sauce. I was very impressed with my adventurous supermarket.

Hows the shop doing being August and all?

Tanktop · 21/08/2006 12:34

It's always nice having folk from back home 2 visit (if u have the space). I always feel v home sick when they leave though.

Shop has been really good this month and as September is the big festa month in Lucca we are really hoping for a busy Sept. Fingers crossed.

We have just had DD at the Docs this morning as she has decided that she never wants to poo again. Got some medicine from Doc 2 put up her botty. A job for dad I think. We have tried everything so far but she just will not let it go. She is so determind 2 hold it in. Bet that all changes once she's out of nappies.

Sweltering heat is back with avengence. DH has just asked if I remember 2 put cream on DD. Ops a daisy where is that sunblock.

Have a good week. Did u buy the chilli sauce? If so hope u enjoyed it.

MaryP0p1 · 25/08/2006 10:48

good to hear youre busy.

My sister has come to stay, excaping her house, boyfriend trouble.

Don't you think summer has flown by.

Tanktop · 28/08/2006 11:57

Yep, been the fastest summer I have ever known. Mind u Sept and Oct can be pretty nice so its not all doom and gloom yet. We are planning a trip back 2 Scotland n the next couple of months. Hoping 2 stock up on all DD winter clothes from Asda and the likes. We can't seem to buy cheap good quality kids gear where we are. Even a single vest seems 2 cost a small fortune. Do u agree? If not where have u been buying ur kids clothes?

We have a friend arriving for a week on Wednesday. She has bought a complete wreak of a house fairly near us and is hoping to start renovating soon. She has lived n Italy before so is aware of how unreliable Italy workies can be.

Hope ur sister is being the perfect house guest.

MaryP0p1 · 31/08/2006 19:35

My sister is being the perfect house guest. Unfortunately H is back from the UK and is behaving horribly. Could quite happily run him over tonight.

I know what you mean about kids clothes I buy most of mine in the UK, same as you. In fact H is taking my son for a week and is getting him some winter shoes. The shoes here are either horrible and expensive and okay but will fall apart and expensive. Give me ASDA or Tesco any day, even next are cheap in comparision, no? I find the same with tights and jumpers for the kids.

The oher thing about clothes I can't get the hand of bra sizing for me. I almost given up and and sending home for them. When H came home he bought 2 packs of 2 from tescos for £3 each. Bargin.

Is your friend a couple or a family. Bets it will be nice to have some more friends about.

What will you bring back with you?

Tanktop · 03/09/2006 11:40

Friend is a single girl. Newly divorced so she is a wee bit down and I think the project of the new house is a bit of a distraction for her. She is good company so it has been nice having her here.

I have a list of goodies I will be bring back. We alway drive home and take the overnight ferry. Pack the car up to the top with kids Clothes for DH Kitty and food stuffs like Tetley tea bags, lots of dried herbs and forgein ingredients that u just can't get here. Also the odd box of maltesers for my sweet tooth. I ration myself to a small handful a day. It's crazy the things I crave for. Last time it was Heinz tomato soup. Would never have dreamed of buying a can when we lived in the UK. If I could I would pack the car full of Chedder cheese, bacon and black pubbing but would need to invest in a car fridge. Sure I could get one somewhere. mmmmmm thats a idea.

Have a good week. Try not to run DH over. Think of the damage u may do 2 the car...

JoolsToo · 03/09/2006 11:42

"Mumsnet members living in Italy"

MaryP0p1 · 05/09/2006 08:10

I might be going back this month too. DH (he is again) has ticket he booked but doesn't need so I might use them.

I know what you mean about the crazy thing, i was ginger biscuits for me last time. Don't understand that at all!

Hope you have a lovely time, you'll enjoy seeing our family.

Tanktop · 17/09/2006 16:28

It's festa time here in Lucca so town is mega busy. A complete nightmare trying to weave buggy in and out of all the brollys. Why do italian find it necessary to stop in the middle of the street to have a chat. Looks like we won't be returning to the UK until the end of October as hubby had to sack commessa as she was abit of a waste of space. Nice girl though. New commessa has now started who seems much better but obviously don't want to leave her on her own right away. Just bought DD a new pair of boots which are the cuties you have ever seem and only 45 euro which isnt too bad. She seems to love them anyway and is currently running though all the puddles she can find. Enjoy your trip home.

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