Additional Coverage:
- I moved to Spain by myself with 2 kids while my husband was deployed overseas. It helped me rediscover who I am. (businessinsider.com)
Facing a nine-month deployment for her husband, Gina Benavidez decided to take an unconventional route. With two children under four and a graduate degree requiring overseas research, Benavidez opted to move her family to Spain.
The “Spain plan,” as she called it, involved securing a visa, finding an apartment and preschool, and obtaining a research grant. After a year and a half of planning, the family departed in September 2024.
The initial weeks presented challenges, from navigating bureaucratic processes to helping her children adjust to a new environment. The language barrier, while not insurmountable thanks to supportive teachers, added to the difficulty. Benavidez admits to moments of doubt and guilt, questioning her decision.
A turning point came during a lunch in Toledo. A friend’s advice reminded Benavidez that she deserved time for herself, to simply exist without the constant demands of parenting and work. This realization allowed her to embrace her new life and reclaim a part of her identity that had been lost in the demands of motherhood.
Fueled by a determination to succeed both academically and as a parent, Benavidez established a routine that balanced research, work, and childcare. Her children thrived, learning Spanish, making friends, and embracing the local culture. The family explored Spain together, creating lasting memories.
When the time came to return to the United States, Benavidez was heartbroken. Spain had become a second home, an integral part of her children’s development, and a place of personal rediscovery for her. While their time in Spain ended, the experience left an indelible mark on the family.