By Lauren Stone
So what's it like being a full time parent in Bermuda? I wanted to provide some insight on what it’s really like living here with kids (my daughters are now 3 and 5) and general mum life in Bermuda (or should I say ‘mom’?)… the highs, the lows and everything in between.
We moved here from London for my partner’s job in 2021 with one baby, and my second daughter was born here in 2022. Life now is almost incomparable to our London life before… Being on this 21sq mile rock is extremely different to city life, but you get used to it I promise.
For the avoidance of doubt, I truly believe that Bermuda is an excellent place to bring up small children.
Being a Stay At Home Parent is something that I never considered before moving here, and whilst most days I feel very lucky, it does take a while to get used to, especially as lots of us are living away from family and friends.
I honestly would have struggled way more without MAMA; the meet ups and events were an absolute lifeline in those early days on the island and it’s how I have made most of my friends here. This is why I now volunteer for MAMA in my spare time.
Here are some of my rambling thoughts in no particular order, things I think it would have been useful to know in the early days of parenting on the island…
Outdoor life
The best of the Bermuda activities are, of course, outside. So firstly, the beaches are SPECTACULAR.
My kids favourite beach is Horseshoe Bay ‘baby beach’ - a little cove off of the main beach which is very shallow and enclosed and stunning. There are lots of little coves dotted around the island - Jobson Cove is another great one for littles.
The beaches up at Coopers Island are also unbelievably beautiful, often pretty calm and shallow for the little ones - and great for spotting parrot fish. (Just be warned that not all the beaches have a cafe or bar and if they do, sometimes they are just closed for no apparent reason, so it’s worth being prepared by always bringing your own drinks and snacks.)
There are loads of playgrounds dotted round the island, just bear in mind that most of these don’t have shade and are often too hot to play on in the height of summer.
Boat trips are a great way to explore the island - there are lots of family friendly options that run from Hamilton or Dockyard (such as glass bottom boats) and you can also hire a small boat for the day from multiple places, which is ALWAYS a special day out.
Botanical Gardens is another outdoor place we hang out in - there’s trails for scooters and bikes, a sand pit, huge banyan trees for climbing, a maze and now thank goodness a coffee shop.
There are stunning nature reserves, parks and forts dotted all over the island, perfect places for little feet to explore.
Indoor ideas
It rains LOTS in Bermuda, so it would be great if there were more indoor activities but here are a few ideas:
The Aquarium is a solid staple in our schedule - it’s pretty small but the kids love it. As well as the fish, there are lots of animals to see (flamingos, lemurs, peacocks, parrots, giant tortoises and seals) plus the kids love the playground and sandpit there.
BUIE is great for slightly older kids - explores the underwater world a little further and includes a simulator submarine experience.
There are a couple of options for gymnastics, a cinema, a kids library and a bounce park on the island in Dockyard; always a big hit with the kids.
The MAMA Playgroups are incredibly helpful if you have littles ones 0-4 - these run every Monday and Friday morning. I have been attending the Friday playgroup in Smiths for about 4 years - my girls love the free play and vast array of toys as well as the art table. It’s a great indoor staple, providing a break from the rain/ humidity - oh, and there’s always coffee there.
Clubs and classes
You’ll find a whole load of regular classes and clubs to suit your kids’ preferences - there are multiple dance schools, sports clubs, art classes and swimming schools that you can sign your child up to for weekends and after school.
There are also a huge variety of camps which run during every school holiday - typically you pay per week and they’ll take your children from 9am until 3pm.
School holidays - thank you MAMA!
School holidays are long here- and this is where MAMA becomes truly invaluable.
You’ll find that the MAMA team book up loads of fun activities for the school breaks, from the bounce park to pony rides, pizza making, mini train rides to picnic playdates, making it easier to fill the days.
Check out the Stroller email that is sent out every Sunday morning for all the details of what is coming up.
The tough bits
Raising kids away from home can be tough, there’s no getting away from it. There will be moments when you miss home but, honestly, the good parts outweigh the hard parts, in my experience anyway.
I have found that ex-pats make friends hard and fast here - especially with kids. You’ll bump into the same people again and again, soon you’ll be having coffee with them or arranging a playdate.
There is a feeling of support for each other and a strong community here. It’s common for parents to drive newbies home from a playgroup before they’ve got a car sorted, or to lend toys to a new parent who’s shipping boxes haven’t arrived yet… I’ve certainly done both.
Getting your head around schooling here can be a bit challenging, but you’ll find once you start chatting to other parents there are lots of options for both nurseries and schools. I advise getting on waitlists early, although spaces always become available throughout the year as people leave the island etc.
In summary: Mum life in Bermuda
I’d like to finish by saying that for us, the great thing about our move to Bermuda is the work-life balance.
The commute time is short, so my husband gets home earlier in the evenings to see the kids than he would do if we were in London.
Also, I find that having access to pools, beaches as well as booking the occasional boat trip equates to a wonderful way of life for young kids. We wouldn’t be doing these activities so much if we lived elsewhere - just bring plenty of swimwear!
I hope this has helped you understand a bit more about island life.
If you have any questions then please contact Ali on contactmum@mama.bm. She holds monthly coffee mornings for new parents to the island, which is a great first step in your Bermuda journey.
Find out more about what MAMA can offer you and your small people at our website and via the Stroller email every Sunday. Also follow us on Instagram for more details on our events and activities.
And lastly, good luck! x
