Babies and Parenting in Spain
Idiomatic Spanish for sleepless nights, toddler tantrums and getting help from the grandparents.
In Spain, parents swap tips in the park while the kids play, babies are followed by the pediatra at the local centro de salud, and many toddlers start the guardería, or nursery, at one or two. Balancing work and family, conciliar, is a constant topic, and grandparents often do a lot of the childcare. The cards follow a tired parent in Málaga, from a chat in the park to a check-up and a visit to grandma.
- 1
¿Cómo lleváis lo de las rabietas?
How do you deal with the tantrums?
- 2
Hago oídos sordos y luego se lo explico con calma.
I just ignore it, then explain things calmly.
- 3
Hay que armarse de paciencia.
You have to be really patient.
- 4
Está en la edad del no.
She's in the 'no' phase.
- 5
Cuando le da la rabieta, se pone como una fiera.
When she has a tantrum, she goes absolutely wild.
- 6
No he pegado ojo en toda la noche.
I haven't slept a wink all night.
- 7
Estamos hechos polvo.
We're completely shattered.
- 8
¿Ya duerme del tirón?
Does yours sleep through the night yet?
- 9
Cada niño es un mundo.
Every child is different.
- 10
Es clavadita a su padre.
She's the spitting image of her dad.
- 11
A los abuelos se les cae la baba con ella.
Her grandparents absolutely dote on her.
- 12
Los abuelos nos salvan la vida.
The grandparents are a lifesaver.
- 13
Conciliar trabajo y niños es complicadísimo.
Juggling work and kids is really tough.
- 14
Empieza la guarde en septiembre.
She starts nursery in September.
- 15
El periodo de adaptación es duro.
The settling-in period is hard.
- 16
¿Me echas una mano con el carro?
Could you give me a hand with the pushchair?
- 17
No le des más vueltas.
Don't overthink it.
- 18
Si cedes, lo volverá a hacer.
If you give in, she'll do it again.
- 19
Su padre a su edad era igual.
Her dad was just the same at her age.
- 20
Es una etapa, ya se le pasará.
It's a phase, she'll grow out of it.