At my daughter's school here in Spain there are children of many different nationalities: there is a large contingent from Morocco and Tunisia, as well as others from France, Switzerland, Belgium, the Netherlands and, of course, Britain

Is being an expat all about attitude, and if so, does this have an immense influence on expat children and how they perceive their situation in this new environment? If as adults we have doubts about settling in a new country, how do you think our children are feeling?

Valentine's Day is coming, one time of year when no one minds if you get mushy and sentimental. Newlyweds daydream about the perfect evening. Old-timers try to think of something new to surprise their lifelong partner. Children cut construction-paper hearts. Everyone plans ways to show the special person in their life just how much they care.

Love is blind they say, even scientists, who gleefully point to studies that show how the rush of emotions place blinkers on our brains, shutting down rational thought. Falling' in love with someone from another culture is hardly a misnomer. We truly prove our love with the ultimate commitment -- launching ourselves off the hard ground of our personal reality into the unknown of another.

There is nothing quite like hiking with small children. The thrill of introducing these young ones to the wonder of nature is matched only by their eyes as they take it all in. If you follow a few simple rules when hiking with children, things go extremely well. Forget these simple rules and your treks with the young can be a recipe for disaster.

Minopolis is a unique theme park – a 6,000 square meters child size city.  Children can pretend to slip into the skins of grownups or “prepare” themselves for their dream jobs. So whether your child’s dream job is to be an engine driver, a doctor, a journalist, or a fireman – Minopolis is a fascinating place for exciting role play and instructive adventures.

"Oh no," Senta says, "In three days I'll have to speak just English again. I won't be able to mix languages anymore. What a hassle." Children from bilingual or multilingual environments get used to switching from one language to the other. They speak to one person in English, or French, or Spanish and to the next in German, or Arabic or Flemish.

Getting married or moving in with a partner is to enter a state of constant negotiation; who takes out the rubbish, how much should be spent on books or wine, and whether having a manicure is an essential expenditure.

The Vienna Babies Club is a support network for expat women living in and around Vienna who are pregnant or have small children. Whether you have been here for four weeks, four months, or four years, you will find others in the same situation as you: mothers (and some fathers) from abroad living in Vienna, possibly very far from home.

Have you made your usual New Year resolutions? You know the resolutions where you turn over a new leaf to get fit, steer away from junk food and start a savings plan. While you are reflecting on past bad habits and setting new directions for your personal life consider taking stock of your parenting as well.

The "Boy Scouts and Girl Guides of Austria" is a democratic, apolitical movement for children and juveniles, open to people of all skin colors and all religious denominations. They are committed to environmental protection, promote collaborative endeavors and teach our members a love of peace.

I worked in a Kindergarten for 3 years and now that I have left I always get invitations to join a Birthday party. Most of the parties are the usual at home events with the children in the garden. However 2 parties in particular have made an impression on me and both of them took place in Schoenbrunn. I have spent a lot of time at Schoenbrunn but except for walking through the park and going to the Zoo I had always avoided anything else due to the amount of tourists. So I didn't realise it had more to offer for children until these 2 parties."

I babysit for 2 children and one rainy afternoon their mother suggested taking them to the Technical museum. I wasn't so sure, it sounded a little boring. However after walking through the exhibitions and then finding the childrens area I was sure that this was the best place to be! "

Hunt elephants in an asphalt jungle. Fly the sky in a bouncy castle. Let the wind carry your hair while you ride a pony: Vienna, the romantic imperial city of the Habsburgs, metropolis of arts and culture, is also a city for kids. Action, fun and almost unlimited leisure enjoyment for the entire family.

For those of you choosing to fully integrate your families in the Austrian life and educate your children in German, or for the VIC Austrian, Swiss or German families, please, allow me to introduce you to a fine school (Gymnasium) in the Embassy quarter of the 4th District.  It is a private Austrian School that provides an excellent co-ed education taught in the German language within a five day school week. It is an Episcopal School with a large Catholic attendance and provides religious studies in both these disciplines, however any and all children are welcome at the school and the mix of students is international.

“Hands on, minds on, hearts on!” At ZOOM Children’s Museum, children are welcome to ask questions, to touch and to feel, to examine and to play to their hearts’ desire. At ZOOM, children explore the world with all their senses ? on their own or in small teams.