First question is why do you need to read an article about children? Spanish children are the same as British aren’t they?

Well, the answer to that is yes, but it’s how they are treated in the home, in public and at occasions or events that differs. So brace yourself and learn how to treat kids the Spanish way!

You may have noticed that children are allowed in bars in Spain which, in one easy stroke, does away with that hideous English pub concept “the family room” (normally a cold cheerless room on the other side of the car park). Actually, to be honest, now the new smoking laws have come in, children are officially not allowed in bars where smoking is permitted.

In bars and cafes children are not expected to remain seated and quiet (not unless they want to of course!).

They wander around playing with toys from the “bolas” (machines that dispense transparent balls each with a toy in for a Euro), fiddling with the cigarette machine, getting under the waiter’s feet and trying to break into the kitchen. They cry, shout and trap their hands in the swing doors.

In fact they generally do what they want and have a whale of a time doing it! Whilst they are doing this the whole bar from spotty teenage boys to toothless old men and all the staff, of course, will be admiring them, cooing over them, cuddling and kissing them and feeding them titbits from their own plates.

In fact, anything short of actually kidnapping them and taking them home for themselves! All Spaniards love and indulge young children, irrespective of how annoying they are being.

Babysitting is very rarely a problem for Spanish families. If on the odd occasion a couple are going out without their kids then there is the extended family to rely on and, of course, the neighbours.

Children fit in so neatly with Spanish family life that the addition of a couple of extra for the night is no problem – in fact it is considered a delight and an honour.

Needless to say no money exchanges hands – teenage girls do not make a lot of money babysitting in Spain! Older brothers and boy cousins are frequently roped in as well and do so with pleasure! Teenage boys looking after toddlers! Yes, it happens here!

Bedtime is also a very different concept here. The summer heat means that no-one can really sleep before 11 but Spanish children can be seen playing out to very late hours during the whole year (but not so often on school days).

The main plazas and squares of Spanish villages ring with the sound of children playing football, roller-skating and bicycling until way past their British bed times.

Who keeps an eye on them? More often or not a group of “abuelos and abuelas” (village elders) will be sitting chatting on a bench nearby and sorting out the odd problems. Life in Spain is very free and happy for children!

School is another matter only. Children can be guaranteed a pre-school place at 3 and by the time they are 8 or 9 it is a very serious business with daily homework and a rigorous timetable.

Discipline problems in schools are rare as Spanish parents are aware that their parents had limited education possibilities so the importance of getting the best out of your education is strongly stressed!

Love and firmness, when necessary, produces beautiful children!