- Author Nicola Prentis faced legal challenges after getting pregnant in Spain and wanting to move back to the UK with her children after her relationship ended.
- The Hague Convention, an international agreement, prevents Prentis from moving her children without the other parent’s permission.
- Prentis makes the most of her time in Spain but longs for the support of her family in the UK.
Additional Coverage:
- My partner and I moved to Spain, had 2 kids, and then separated. Now, I’m not allowed to move my kids home. (businessinsider.com)
Author Nicola Prentis found herself in a complicated situation when she got pregnant while living in Spain with her London-based partner. Despite initially planning to raise their family in Spain, Prentis faced challenges as a new mother in a foreign country. After her relationship ended, she discovered that she wasn’t legally allowed to move back to the UK with her children. Despite this, Prentis has made peace with her situation.
Prentis had been living in Spain and had finally found a sense of belonging in a community of writers. She enjoyed the vibrant lifestyle and sunny weather, as well as the spontaneous plans and longer days in Spain compared to her hometown in England. However, as her baby grew and her partner continued traveling for work, Prentis found it increasingly difficult to maintain her social life and pursue her interests.
When Prentis and her partner decided to move to Girona, Spain, she didn’t think it would matter that she had no friends there and that her partner was often away. However, after the birth of their second child and their subsequent split, Prentis realized the importance of having a support system and decided to move to the UK near her family.
It was then that Prentis discovered The Hague Convention, an international agreement that governs child custody arrangements. Under the convention, custody decisions are made based on the country where the children are habitually resident, and neither parent can move the children without the other parent’s permission. Prentis learned that moving back to the UK would be considered child abduction, and she would be returned to Girona by the UK courts.
Although there have been advantages to raising her children in Spain, such as state-paid childcare and a community-oriented approach to parenting, Prentis often longs for the support of her family in the UK. However, her shared custody agreement with her ex-partner keeps her tied to Girona. Despite her longing to leave, Prentis tries to make the most of her time in Spain.
In conclusion, Nicola Prentis found herself in a complex situation when she got pregnant in Spain and faced legal restrictions when she wanted to move back to the UK with her children after her relationship ended. Despite the challenges, she tries to embrace her life in Spain and make the most of her time there.