Daza | ExpatWoman.com
 

Daza

Daza
4062
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 16 August 2014 - 08:08
I drive past them regularly, there is is still a LOT work to do. Safa appears to be closer to completion than Kings. They were putting the roof on Kings last week.
Daza
4062
Posts
EW MASTER
Latest post on 14 August 2014 - 17:33
I've always prepared baby meals at home. The rest of the family doesn't eat only canned or ready meals so it makes no sense for the baby to. I did always keep an Ella pouch in my handbag in case of emergencies though.
Daza
4062
Posts
EW MASTER
Latest post on 14 August 2014 - 15:30
No you may not!!! Typlicall ozzie, see stars and things *uck!!!! Hahaha! Beebers is right though, I'm a Kiwi. We're like Aussies but more refined. Or not ;)
Daza
4062
Posts
EW MASTER
Latest post on 14 August 2014 - 14:47
Wahey Izzy! Saw the title and was wondering what five letter word was banned, most of them are three or four. Dare I wonder if this is an example of quantity over quality ;) ?
Daza
4062
Posts
EW MASTER
Latest post on 14 August 2014 - 14:44
Why don't you turn around and go back to where you were happy and glowing? And I don't mean this in a nasty way, why are you here? edited by cushion on 14/08/2014 Come on cushion, have you never had that back to reality post holiday slump? All that anticipation and excitement of going on holiday then it's over in a flash and you're back to the daily grind. I've had it no matter where I've been living. It doesn't mean I don't like where I'm living or want to live where I've been, it just means holidays are a nice refreshing break and it can be a bit deflating when they are over. edited by Daza on 14/08/2014 <em>edited by Daza on 14/08/2014</em>
Daza
4062
Posts
EW MASTER
Latest post on 14 August 2014 - 12:21
We've just processed our new maid's visa. Got it last week. She exited the Philippines before the ban on a tourist visa then flew to Oman to change to an employment visa. Wasn't a problem to process this end but she couldn't have gotten an employment visa to exit from the Phillipines.
Daza
4062
Posts
EW MASTER
Latest post on 14 August 2014 - 11:46
I have one in the trolley and three hanging off the sides, we're like something from Mad Max. Hate shopping on my own, it just seems so......easy :D <em>edited by Daza on 14/08/2014</em>
Daza
4062
Posts
EW MASTER
Latest post on 13 August 2014 - 08:08
I think it's a dispute over the standard contracts for Filapina domestic staff. It will be resolved eventually.
Daza
4062
Posts
EW MASTER
Latest post on 12 August 2014 - 19:43
Sorry to digress, but are you an expat man or an expat in oman?
Daza
4062
Posts
EW MASTER
Latest post on 12 August 2014 - 19:41
That wasn't really my point, but it does lead on to another question...how many of us as first time mothers had any previous training in childcare? I know it wasn't LT, the first part of my answer was in answer to your question, the second just a comment in general - hard to convey via text only :) I have zero training in childcare, nor did I have any experience with young babies unless you count helping with my little brother's nappies when I was six. I had my first baby away from my home country with no family around and no friends around with children. Didn't have a clue what to do, thank goodness for my NCT group to all blunder through it together! Still feel like I don't have a clue some days :)
Daza
4062
Posts
EW MASTER
Latest post on 12 August 2014 - 19:34
We've just been to the UK and rented a house so people could come to us. It worked perfectly but my husband and I were in agreement about it, he didn't want to travel to his hometown. We normally have one family holiday per year and we don't want to spend it travelling about living out of a suitcase. It makes it trickier if your husband thinks you should go to see them. Could you spend a couple of nights with your in laws first them rent someone and all your family can come to you? Maybe get your husband to suggest to his parents that next year they could visit you? It is something you need to resolve and have a plan for going forward. You don't want it to ruin your holidays and if you are planning a family it will get a lot worse once you are also dragging small children and ten tonnes of luggage with you :)
Daza
4062
Posts
EW MASTER
Latest post on 12 August 2014 - 19:21
Do any of the maid/nannies have any training in UAE? I only ask because to the best of my knowledge they are merely cleaners with benefits, any childcare experience seems to to from previous employment or their own family experiences. I've met a few maids/nannies who are trained teachers or nurses. They can get higher salaries here working as a maid than in their profession in their home country. They have been on higher salaries than your average maid but nowhere near what a western qualified nanny gets. More like 3-4k per month. It's not exclusive to Dubai having someone with no professional qualifications look after your child. I know a number of working couples in the UK and my home country who use unqualified nannies or childminders. They have grown up children of their own or experience from previous employment. They aren't expected to do any cleaning either. No-one assumes that just because they are unqualified means that they are completely incapable of looking after a child responsibly.
Daza
4062
Posts
EW MASTER
Latest post on 12 August 2014 - 16:03
I can't help with the process or if it's possible but there is a ban on Filipina maids at the moment. They can enter if coming from other countries but won't be able to exit the Philippines on a new employment visa. So whatever you do make sure she comes straight from HK and doesn't come via the Philippines. I hope that makes sense.
Daza
4062
Posts
EW MASTER
Latest post on 12 August 2014 - 14:13
A breastfed baby's diaper does not smell at that age. So if the baby is only breastfed, then there cannot be a smell. I don't know if formula-fed babies have stinky diapers. Does anyone on here know? After introducing formula to my first baby I remember thinking 'Ewww gross, what a stink'. It's worse than a EBF baby but not as bad as when they are on solids. It would be enough to alert neighbouring tables though.
Daza
4062
Posts
EW MASTER
Latest post on 12 August 2014 - 13:49
It's not nearly as bad but there is still an odour with a breastfed baby. As the mother, you are immune to it, other people aren't. It's not just the smell anyway, it's unsanitary to have an open dirty nappy around food.
Daza
4062
Posts
EW MASTER
Latest post on 12 August 2014 - 13:28
Chair or table, I wouldn't change my baby's nappy at the dining table when the family was eating so why she thinks it is acceptable to do it in a public restaurant surrounded by strangers is beyond me.
Daza
4062
Posts
EW MASTER
Latest post on 12 August 2014 - 13:11
Gross. So what if there isn't a changing table available, it doesn't mean you should change a nappy at the table, yuck! I've changed many a nappy on a bathroom floor, it's not ideal but with a changing mat down they don't touch the floor. The floor probably gets cleaned more often than a change table anyway. If the bathroom was too grubby I wouldn't eat there so it wouldn't be a problem. A baby that size is easy to change on your lap sitting down on the loo so you wouldn't even have to do the floor if you didn't want to.
Daza
4062
Posts
EW MASTER
Latest post on 11 August 2014 - 19:41
The OP has said she thinks the maid will pay more attention in a training course. Which makes sense, I focus better during proper training courses than when someone is just rabbiting on at me. The OP has said the maid won't be left alone with the baby and I think it is a great idea for the OP to have her maid gain some extra skills. The more capable the helping hands are the better. Plus it's good for the maid, training courses and extra skills are good to have on your CV for anyone, regardless of job.
Daza
4062
Posts
EW MASTER
Latest post on 11 August 2014 - 13:33
You could give them a scrub in the bath then shower them off. They would dry outside in this heat in no time.
Daza
4062
Posts
EW MASTER
Latest post on 11 August 2014 - 12:08
I always wash my children's soft toys in the washing machine on a short wash. Even large teddies, as long as they can squish in. Use fabric softener if you want them really soft. I also put them in the dryer and haven't had any problems.
Daza
4062
Posts
EW MASTER
Latest post on 11 August 2014 - 08:51
A full time is when the nanny lives in, that s why it s called part time. Then just to clarify, I dont need a maid, I need a nanny :) Does your nanny need to be a qualified midwife or are you looking for someone with qualifications in child care? Just trying to clarify as a midwife qualification is very different from a child care one. What is your budget? If it is high then the link the Oopsiedaisy suggested is good. I also know someone who found their qualified nanny in London themselves then brought her over. If your budget is less I know of a couple of people who have hired nursery assistants at the end of their contracts. Not qualified but with childcare experience. You'd need to pay more than a maid but a lot less than a western nanny. I think one of them paid 4k per month although it was live in, if it was live out you would also need to pay for accommodation. They found them as they had an older child at the nursery and knew the assistant was looking to leave.
Daza
4062
Posts
EW MASTER
Latest post on 10 August 2014 - 19:15
My daughter and her friends were all madly looming at school in the final term. I couldn't find stock anywhere in Dubai despite spending ages looking. Stocked up on thousands of bands in the UK......and she hasn't touched them for weeks. I'm hoping the craze will return when school starts. If not, I'll offload them on EW :D I must say, it's quite addictive. I sat up late one night doing tutorials by a smug tween on youtube. Was feeling pretty happy with my looming prowess until she said 'Now that we've done the easy bits......'
Daza
4062
Posts
EW MASTER
Latest post on 10 August 2014 - 19:08
I know a couple of people who have had children by surrogacy and it's been wonderful for them. However, it was done in a country where there are strict rules in place and it was a level playing field, not a situation where a poverty stricken young woman was being exploited. The scenario with Gammy is just awful. The biological parents are vile people and don't deserve to have a child, ever. They aren't fit to be parents. I can't help but think (with disgust) that if it had been the girl with Down's they would have taken her anyway.
Daza
4062
Posts
EW MASTER
Latest post on 08 July 2014 - 13:04
If you really want to treat yourself get a Thermomix. I use it for everything. It chops, beats, blends, mills, the lot. What makes it different is it also cooks. So for instance if you are making soup you can chop, cook and blend, all in one. Today the things we are eating that I have made in it are porridge, bread (made in the thermomix then baked in the oven), almond milk, jam, pesto, hommous, raw seed bars, thai green curry, caramel slice and banana and chocolate 'ice cream' made with frozen bananas and home made Nutella (dates, cocoa, hazelnuts and almond milk). Right now I'm having a beetroot, cucumber, orange, lime and ginger juice, also made it it. It's amazing, I love it :)
Daza
4062
Posts
EW MASTER
Latest post on 08 July 2014 - 11:20
What a fa recipe! I adore Deliciouslyella. This brownie recipe with a tasty salted caramel sauce will be my mission for the weekend! Since you mentioned it......I love making the brownie recipe and pressing out to about 1cm thick in a tray or tin. Make the salted caramel and add 100g of melted cocoa butter when you blend it. Pour the caramel over the brownie, pop in the fridge until cool then top with dark melted chocolate. I make my own, melt 100g of cocoa butter and whisk in 50g of cocoa powder and 2 tablespoons of syrup (I use either date, agave or maple). Set until firm in the fridge then slice in to squares. Yum. <em>edited by Daza on 08/07/2014</em>
Daza
4062
Posts
EW MASTER
Latest post on 08 July 2014 - 09:26
Our maid is live in but we give her an all in one covers all salary, I find it much easier than allowances for this and that. For a live out maid you will need to take in consideration the cost of transport for her.
Daza
4062
Posts
EW MASTER
Latest post on 08 July 2014 - 09:22
Have a look at deliciouslyella.com she uses dates a lot in her recipes. One of my favourite date recipes is for raw brownies, seriously amazing. http://www.mynewroots.org/site/2011/04/the-raw-brownie-2/ Also, good call on the date caramel Izzy. Soak 2 cups of cashew nuts in water overnight. Drain, rinse and blend or process with 2 cups of fresh dates. Add 1/2 tsp of salt if you want salted caramel. Delish. It freezes well too.
Daza
4062
Posts
EW MASTER
Latest post on 08 July 2014 - 08:56
If you can afford it then taking unpaid leave seems the most simple solution. You need a plan B if your work turns you down though. How old are your children? If they are school age could you come to an agreement with another mother at the school to have them after school for the time needed? Otherwise an agency maid would be the only legal solution. You don't want to be in the position of having an illegal part time maid in sole charge of your children. If getting an agency maid I would install cameras for piece of mind. As for leaving a seven year old in charge of a five year old, if the the very least that happened was getting caught and prosecuted for negligence then I'd consider that getting off lightly. The possible consequences don't bear thinking about.
Daza
4062
Posts
EW MASTER
Latest post on 07 July 2014 - 12:03
Think that might just be limescale - depending on where in the UK he is /was! Yorkshire folk say they have the best, cleanest and yummiest water in the world! He's from Yorkshire! If anything was going to give him moobs it would be eating too many kebabs, not the water :D
Daza
4062
Posts
EW MASTER
Latest post on 07 July 2014 - 11:58
Another myth was about the pill getting to the water and effecting women's fertility, even if it there were an issue else where its unlikely here as all water is either desalinated or is spring water. My husband refused to drink tap water in the UK because he was convinced that all the estrogen from the pill in the water would give him moobs *rolls eyes*.
Daza
4062
Posts
EW MASTER
Latest post on 07 July 2014 - 11:08
I drink looooads of water and get pregnant if my husband looks at me sideways ;) I wouldn't worry about it.
Daza
4062
Posts
EW MASTER
Latest post on 07 July 2014 - 09:54
I have glass soap dispenser type bottles from Ikea in my bathrooms with oil in them. You can get just a few drops pressing the top gently. I also have oils in those small spray bottles from Sephora, they are plastic though, not glass. I use various oils in them and they all spray no problems.
Daza
4062
Posts
EW MASTER
Latest post on 06 July 2014 - 11:20
you make them scrub the loo? If any of them pull out the B word (bored) then yes, any job is fair game. It just depends on how wicked I'm feeling. Pre coffee, scrubbing the loo is most definitely on the table :D Honestly, I can't remember the last time any of them moaned about being bored, it's an effective deterrent.
Daza
4062
Posts
EW MASTER
Latest post on 06 July 2014 - 11:03
Oh I am all for free play at home............if they actually play. My kids prefer the electronic things or TV. Yes I do take them away and take a wire off the TV so they can't put it back on- then they spend the time moaning at me.................. there are countless board games at home, colouring things, lego bricks etc.................... If they moan give them chores do to. Lego, games and colouring are much more fun than having to scrub the loo or clean the windows :)
Daza
4062
Posts
EW MASTER
Latest post on 05 July 2014 - 14:55
I saw all of them at Hamley's the other day. Borders also normally stocks them.
Daza
4062
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 04 July 2014 - 11:59
Mabrook DR, what a wonderful blessing for your family at this special time of year :)
Daza
4062
Posts
EW MASTER
Latest post on 04 July 2014 - 11:57
I really dislike the negative feel the thumbs down give the board and some days the negativity of it all puts me off coming on here. I'm not bothered about my posts getting thumbed down for my opinions but I don't like it when someone posts a totally reasonable question and they get thumbed down. Especially if they are a newbie and are then left wondering what they have done/said wrong. It doesn't exactly make this board the welcoming friendly place it is meant to be. I'd like to think that this board is predominantly helpful, supportive women all just getting on with things but some days with the amount if ridiculous thumbs downs it feels like it's just full of petty, sad, nasty trolls revelling in the chance to take people down a peg if two behind a cloak of anonymity. I suspect the thumbs down would be used a lot less if it was possible to see who was doing it.
Daza
4062
Posts
EW MASTER
Latest post on 03 July 2014 - 15:25
slightly off topic but can anyone recommend a good allergist here in dubai? DH suffers terribly with runny nose and sneezing specially during the night. Is the skin test usually covered by insurance? if not how much does it cost? It's not for an allergist but this thread might help the night sniffles. http://www.expatwoman.com/forum/topic223914-healthy-home.aspx
Daza
4062
Posts
EW MASTER
Latest post on 03 July 2014 - 11:18
Are you eating with your daughter? It's really important that your children see you eating and enjoying food and they tend to eat so much better if you sit with them, also eating rather than just trying to shove food in their mouths. Meal times really don't need to be such a battle, sit with her, eat with her, chat to her. Give her a selection of finger food for her to try feeding herself, a bowl of food with a spoon for her to try to eat herself and you also have a spoon to see if you can get the occasional mouthful in. If she closes her mouth or turns her head, listen to what she is telling you and don't push it. My 16 month old hates me feeding him but happily eats loads feeding himself, he's been like that for a few months. Don't worry about mess and don't keep fussing over her and wiping her. Let her explore the food and have fun with it, hopefully some will go in her mouth too. With regards to the iPad or TV, you are the parent, you make the rules. I've never allowed my children to have TV, iPad or toys at meal times, therefore they don't expect it. Take it away, she's young enough that she'll soon forget she was ever allowed them at mealtimes.
Daza
4062
Posts
EW MASTER
Latest post on 02 July 2014 - 13:16
Summer is peak burning car time on SMBZ road, one year I remember thinking it was like driving through the ghetto, there were three burnt out cars on my drive from AR to Mirdif. White mini vans seem especially prone to it.
Daza
4062
Posts
EW MASTER
Latest post on 02 July 2014 - 13:12
I've just been at Dubai Mall, no alarms going off.
Daza
4062
Posts
EW MASTER
Latest post on 01 July 2014 - 14:29
Is it just me or this year does it seem that there are a lot more ladies who arent respecting modesty for Ramadan? I work in the DIFC and this week I have seen [b'>many [/b'>short skirts, see through tops and a load of cleavage. Even more than usual for the DIFC. I dont have a good poker face so I usually raise my eyebrows which is then follwed by me giving a [b'>disapproving look which isnt subtle[/b'>. I'm not Muslim and not local but my understanding of Ramadan (mainly from reading Ask Ali) is that it is also about showing kindness, tolerance and patience. Which showing unsubtle disapproving looks is not. If you really have a problem, why don't you speak to whomever has upset you? Or even better, just ignore it and focus on being respectful yourself.
Daza
4062
Posts
EW MASTER
Latest post on 01 July 2014 - 11:55
My goodness - what was wrong with your maid? Personally, i would just send her home - it's really not worth the headache, especially if she doens't take personal responsibility. Re-occuring ovarian cysts. The most recent problems meant a month in hospital, we sent her home after that. I hated doing it and it felt so wrong but adding at least another 20k on to the yearly cost of her employment was just too much. ETA: It wasn't just the financial cost either. In just over a year she had 11 weeks of sick leave (for which we paid her in full) so there was also the inconvenience of being without help during that time. Plus all the trips to the hospital to try to sort things out. <em>edited by Daza on 01/07/2014</em>
Daza
4062
Posts
EW MASTER
Latest post on 01 July 2014 - 11:43
Do you still sleep with electronics like the laptop in your bedroom? edited by Geordie expat on 01/07/2014 Good point GE. I don't have phones, laptops, TV or anything like that in the bedroom. And the wireless is turned off at night. Sleep so much better for it.
Daza
4062
Posts
EW MASTER
Latest post on 01 July 2014 - 11:38
Under the new domestic contract the employer has the obligation to provide health insurance for their maid, so you don't have a choice, unless you decide not to renew her contract. but you can always get the basic insurance that [b'>doesn't cover pre-existing conditions[/b'>. [i'>Please[/i'> don't do this OP. We decided to hope it would be ok and ended up about 50k out of pocket in just over a year. Either pay for a good insurance that covers her pre-existing condition or end her employment. It was a costly mistake to make and one I won't be making again.
Daza
4062
Posts
EW MASTER
Latest post on 01 July 2014 - 11:12
This is ringing bells about a thread on here a while back, does anyone else remember it? I can't remember enough detail to search for it. ETA: Found it http://www.expatwoman.com/forum/topic206030-something-weird-happened-during-my-sleep.aspx?Page=1 <em>edited by Daza on 01/07/2014</em>
Daza
4062
Posts
EW MASTER
Latest post on 01 July 2014 - 10:49
The cheapest insurance I've seen for domestic staff has been with Noor Takaful. From memory, they cover up to 2500 for pre existing conditions. I have no idea if this covers diabetes and in any case, 2500 will not get you far if any problems arise. I recently looked in to insurance for our maid covering a pre existing condition (not diabetes) and the couple of quotes I got online were in the region of 20k per year. We sent her home :(
Daza
4062
Posts
EW MASTER
Latest post on 30 June 2014 - 20:14
but if your belief is that animals should not be eaten how can you then cook it for someone else? what is the difference between cooking it and eating it? I believe that humans bodies have evolved to suit an omnivorous diet. If people want to, they should eat animals. I have no issue with eating animals at all, I do have a big issue with some farming practices so I put my money where my mouth is and spend a lot more on buying meat from responsibly farmed animals. I have a responsibility to the animals I am cooking for others. I personally choose not to eat meat but like Tattie also says, I don't impose my personal beliefs about what is good for me on others.
Daza
4062
Posts
EW MASTER
Latest post on 30 June 2014 - 19:25
Whomever wrote that needs a bit of a wop around the chops themselves!
Daza
4062
Posts
EW MASTER
Latest post on 30 June 2014 - 19:23
I'm all about the free play, it gives me a chance to go on EW :D
 
 
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