Benalmadena - anyone there? or near there?

[Spongebob]

Hi guys

We are thinking of moving to Benalmadena next Spring...I know the area quite well as I grew up there but have lived in England for the past 18 years. DS is two and learning Spanish already!! Would love to know of any Mums who live there??

update: They are Spanish schools teaching billingual lessons ....but....private ones!! Thought it was too good to be true

Bilingual state schools are to be introduced in Andalucia but I don't think it will be in our kids lifetime.

I read a pregnancy mag today and it said Episiotomy is 87% in Spain and a new study has shown that massage with Rosehip oil reduces your chances by 15%. I am going to talk to midwife about this as i'm not keen.

Hi Lucy
Are you seeing a midwife at the local ambulatorio? Or using a private one, if so, is she English-spaeking? I was determined to do everything on the social security but a couple of things have happened that have changed my mind, one of which being the complete lack of involvement of men in the classes(they don't seem welcome). We have been recommended somebody who gives home classes (birth, breastfeeding, bathing etc.) but obviously at a price. I'd be really grateful if you could tell me what you(or anyone else from the same area) are doing...thanks!

Hi I am using thelocal midwifebut I haven't really thought that far yet. This is my second child so I'm not so worried about dh and classes, I think he only was allowed to go to one whenI was in England. I met a great Irish midwife at the costa del sol hospital, who was really helpful. She does private classes but I don't know which areas she covers. If you look on www.babyworld.co.uk, on the raising a family abroad discussion forum, there is an English speaking midwife based in San Pedro advertising. There is also a lady in Sabinillas who I can find out about if it would be helpful.

Perhaps we could meet up for a coffee and a chat. I dont actually know anyone else here that is preggers so it might be quite nice to swap notes.

Lucy
Of course, you won't need any breastfeeding etc classes-I keep forgetting other women have done all this before I'd love to meet up anyway and share notes on being pregnant in Spain. I don't know how to do it through this board but if you put plumber estepona into google the first one will be Tim, my boyf, and if you contact him he'll give you my number.

I looked at the link you mentioned and got in touch with Marion today, who works with Anne the Irish midwife, both based in San Pedro I think. Anne does antenatal classes for small groups and Marion deals with general visits(pre and post birth) at a San Pedro clinic.A friend also highly recommended another midwife who gives private antenatal courses (ie.at your house) and follow up calls too. She's based in the Estepona area I think.
Anna

Hello everyone!!
I'm the owner of the Peter Pan Bilingual Nursery Schools(Marbella and Benalmadena) and just thought I'd drop you all a line as whilst surfing the net I saw I'd (more to the point, one of my nursery schools had)been mentioned.....At present we're updating the web site so your internet searches will probably only return information on the Benalmadena premises......About me,I'm 27 years old and have two children of my own,one of 11 years of age and another of 9 who were both born here as I myself have been here since I was eight years old (I'm bilingual so can help any of you out if you have difficulties here, my mobile number is 0034619727120....)Lots of love to DIXIA and of course your DS (it's amazing how time flies!Off to BIG school already.....) hehehehehe.....Anyway take the best of care all of you and best of luck with pregnancy and childbirth you soon to be mums......

Lucy

Hi everyone - I live just outside san pedro, Marbella. I gave birth to my lovely baby boy in the Costa del sol Nov 2005. He is now 10 months. I don't know many people here and I would like my baby to meet with other babies and me meet mothers too. Anyone know of mother and baby groups or activities we could go to?

Hi Dixia

My DS is at the nursery in Torre - whose mummy are you? I'm Oscar's... Was doing a google search to get the phone number of the nursery to find out when it starts and came across your posting. Small world eh?

Hi again Dixia

Been thinking about it and by a process of elimination you must be either Alfie or Sam's mum. Am i right?!

Hi to any one living in the Costa del Sol area (especially any one living in Benalmadena) and also to the lady nicknamed Newsny, as I'm having a similar problem. I moved here about three months ago. I have a 12 year old son who starts school in a week, but also I have a 15 month old little boy. I would love to take him to something like a toddler group so he can play with other children and I can meet some new friends. I've looked everywhere and can not seem to find anything, apart from day nursery, which I wasn't considering yet as I only work a few hours, which fits around my husband's work.
It would be fab if someone could give me some information. Thanks.

Look out for kids on the costa magazine, it lists lots of groups, activities etc.

Message for Newnsy.

Hi did you manage to find any baby groups in the area? I also live near San pedro and have a 9 month old. Have been looking everywhere for mother baby groups. Haven't managed to find the kids on the costa magazine yet either.

Hi, there is a soft play place in San Pedro. Mums go there chat etc while babes play its beach side near Da Bruno restaurant. Also there is mother/toddler group in Nuevo Andalucia, Aloha Gardens, meets on a Wednesday.