My son was only 6 weeks old when we boarded the plane from London to Valencia, Spain. I had heard plenty of horror stories online about flying with such a young baby, and I was nervous.
However, the moment we stepped onto the plane, everything felt different. The passengers around us, largely Spanish, greeted my baby with smiles and warm words. No one seemed bothered by our little one.
Perhaps it was the welcoming, calm environment that made all the difference, but — neither my son nor the other small baby seated near us cried a single tear the entire flight.
We settled in Valencia at the start of 2025. Since then, I’ve felt a deep sense of community when my husband and I take our baby out. Small things like strangers offering to hold my baby while I drink my coffee or helping me carry the stroller onto the metro have made me feel accepted.
I wanted to be a parent in Spain
We decided to move to Spain not long after I found out I was pregnant. I had visited Spain several times, and the family-first atmosphere felt so different from the one I had known in London.
In London, I felt like the culture was often about children being confined to suburban life, with mothers staying home after work to care for them. In contrast, in Valencia, I’ve noticed that babies are accepted as part of everyday life, accompanying parents to restaurants, public events, and bars.
I’ve also loved how much the culture here supports both motherhood and individuality. I have felt absolutely no mom guilt or judgment from others when I take my baby out to restaurants late at night or leave my son at home with his dad to meet new girlfriends.
Being a mother in Spain has eased a lot of my anxiety about parenthood
Becoming a new mother has been difficult for me, and I’ve often worried about my new identity. How will I socialize? How will I work? How will I make time for myself?
Living in Spain has made me realize that life doesn’t stop when you become a mother; it transforms into something even richer.
Soon after we moved here with our baby, I experienced a dramatic shift in my perspective on motherhood. My worries about being judged for bringing a small baby everywhere disappeared. I can’t think of a single negative encounter with my son since moving to Spain.
Even the stern security guard at our residency card appointment cracked a smile when he saw my baby. And when I was rushing around town in search of baby passport photos the evening before, the photographer kept his shop open extra late and entertained my baby to get the perfect shot.
Everywhere I go, it feels like people want my baby to be there. I can’t count the number of times older women have stopped me in the street to admire my son, offering smiles, kind words, and a shared appreciation for the preciousness of new life.
I’m so inspired by motherhood I’m considering a second child
The medical care here is another source of reassurance. The child-focused healthcare system in Spain offers me peace of mind, knowing that my baby’s well-being is a top priority.
The therapists and doctors at my son’s health center have been nothing short of incredible. When my son suffered a head injury at 2 months old, affecting his development, we found him an amazing physio and speech and language therapist who have the most infectious enthusiasm and are helping his recovery.
It’s also made me want to have another baby, knowing that I, and my future child, will be well looked after. Before, I was on the fence about having a second child due to high childcare costs in my home country, and I was worried about losing myself entirely to motherhood.
However, living in Spain has deepened my love for motherhood in ways I never expected. The combination of a supportive community, a child-friendly culture, and a focus on well-being has made it far easier for me to embrace the joys of parenting.
It’s made me realize that the path of motherhood doesn’t have to be walked alone, and there’s a whole world out there, ready to help, support, and celebrate with you.
I’m not planning on leaving Spain anytime soon because it’s such a great place to raise a family.
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