Hello.Again.Kitty | ExpatWoman.com
 

Hello.Again.Kitty

Hello.Again.Kitty
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Latest post on 08 April 2011 - 13:45
There are things here that are simply so alien to my personal morals that I can't accept them - I've been here 2.5 years and don't think I'd accept them if I'd been here 250 years! My method of coping is to remain myself and to compartmentalise by saying that accepting that there are differences is not the same as embracing it and falling into line.
Hello.Again.Kitty
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Latest post on 08 April 2011 - 11:58
why not ask the hospital what they were using and get hold of some? I think for a preemie baby it's too important to get it right, so try to mimic what the hosptial was doing and if that doesn't work, take her to a Dr to see if there's nothing else that's upsetting her.
Hello.Again.Kitty
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Latest post on 08 April 2011 - 11:23
i knew someone would question why i wanted to use one! :) its a trial - if its works I'll be a happier mommy. and if doesnt, well, my arms will look great from all the cradling and feeding ive been doing. hehe - it's always worth asking! Some people seem to think that all babies need a dummy (or act as if it's the case) and I've seen some forcing the thing into their babies mouth and the baby spits it straight out, rince and repeat until the mum is actually holding it in despite the baby squirming and still trying to spit it out... at which point I can't help thinking "get the friggin' message!" Anyhow, as I said, neither of my two wanted dummies, but DS needed to suck in order to self-soothe, so we encouraged him to suck on the arms of a favourite toy. Far more gross than a dummy, tbh, but hey, whatever works! We now have 3 identical toys to get a decent rotation in the washer! ... and if all else fails, then yes, 3 weeks is still really, really young to expect them to be independent. You'll see over the next few months an enormous change anyway, so what you find yourself having to do now will almost certainly be different from what you'll be doing in 6 months. ... and you no longer need to go to the gym!
Hello.Again.Kitty
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Latest post on 07 April 2011 - 20:58
no, never managed with either of my two and in fact, it's not recommended for bf babies until breastfeeding is well established - so not for 6-8 weeks. May I ask why you are so set on using a dummy? They are by no means an obligatory baby item and it's a bit of a subtle hint that your DD doesn't want or need it! <em>edited by Hello.Again.Kitty on 07/04/2011</em>
Hello.Again.Kitty
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Latest post on 07 April 2011 - 20:25
People telling their horror stories used to REALLY irritate me when I was pregnant. I wanted to say WHY, WHY are you telling me this??! But since having DS, I realised I do it too now :D I guess it's just something you feel like sharing and possibly dramatising a bit ;) Don't worry, you'll be fine. And sharing your story before you know it. :) hehe - I only have lovely things to say about giving birth and don't hesitate to tell anyone who'll listen! lol I actually used to tell people to keep their stories of woe and "unbearable pain" to themselves and that I wasn't interested in surrounding myself with negativity.
Hello.Again.Kitty
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Latest post on 07 April 2011 - 20:22
thanks again HAK! that is what i've been doing so far, as i got the same bit of advice from my mum. i mix up rice and whatever's cooked at home, so it's essentially a solid food, but the consistency is a little easy for her. i'm confused about the next step though, when do i know it's time to give her proper food and proper food only? and nope, not had any effect on her speech, in fact, she had her 18 month checkup the other day and the doc was quite shocked to hear her happily singing the abc (well, upto g anyway :p:) and twinkle twinkle (more along the lines of tintintintin howayewowayewhawa, but she has the tune correct :p:) so no, not a problem there, in fact, she's better than the kids her age (first child, proud mum-boasting moment :D) that's really interesting about the speech - phew! Again, more honesty... by 12 months - if not before - they are physically ready for proper meals, so if you were to launch into it tomorrow, she'd probably be just fine, as long as she gets the adjustment. People who follow BLW give their 6 month olds "proper" food and pass on the purees completely... I didn't go down that route to a T, but my two were chomping, sucking and grinding their way through anything I gave to them in any form at 6-7 months... and they didn't even have teeth at the time! Your daughter will be just fine. Ramp it up and she'll step up to the mark. Oh, and don't panic if she gags - they have a very good reflex that will cough back up anything that's a bit too big. obviously, never let her eat unsupervised (the best way to get her eating a family meal is to eat it as a family anyway), just so that you can be there to reassure and/or give her a pat on the back if she does bite off more than she can chew. Choking is actually relatively rare.
Hello.Again.Kitty
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Latest post on 07 April 2011 - 19:06
the thing is, to be completely honest, most food can be eaten with minimal chewing - not the best, after all we're all told to chew everything 100 times, but hey, it can be done. It's also part of the learning curve - finding out what happens when you fill your mouth too much! Don't be afraid of the process. I would actually go for a slightly more extreme stance and dish out normal meals, albeit carefully calculated ones, so for example small pasta shells or rice in quite a bit of sauce and balance it with a pudding of a consistency that she is more comfortable with (so yoghurt, fruit purées, etc...). Basically so that you are offering her a challenge and reassurance at every single meal. Out of interest, has this affected her speech at all? I've often heard that refusal to chew can lead to speech problems as the chewing muscles are the ones that are used for speech too. It's just an "out of interest" question though...
Hello.Again.Kitty
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Latest post on 07 April 2011 - 18:20
mmm sounds yum! thanks a bunch, will definitely try this! : ) It's also good with broccoli... and hmmm, broccoli florets and pasta shells in a cheese and bacon sauce! hmmmm!
Hello.Again.Kitty
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Latest post on 07 April 2011 - 18:13
and HAK what's cauliflower cheese? haven't heard of it and sounds interesting ooo, you haven't lived! lol It's pretty mucha staple of British family meals (not too often though. Get 1 cauliflower, chop it up and steam the florets until they're not quite done (ie par-boil them), in between time, make a cheddar cheese sauce (easy as pie - melt a spoonful of butter in a saucepan, off the heat, add in a couple of spoonfuls of flour, mix well and then gradually add milk to make up the desired volume (about 200-300ml), bring to the boil, stirring constantly. If it's too runny, add some cornflour mixed into a paste with a little water. To make a cheese sauce, add cheese, to make a parsley sauce, add parsley... to make a really milk curry sauce, add some curry powder... the list is endless! Saeson to taste and hey presto!)... Anyhow, put the cauliflower in an oven dish, pour the sauce over it and stick it under the grill in a pre-heated oven until golden brown!
Hello.Again.Kitty
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Latest post on 07 April 2011 - 17:07
sausages, lamb kofta, fish fillets, fish fingers... homemade beef patties... then cauliflower cheese, rice (with a variety of sauces), couscous, mashed potato, fried eggs... and then the veg or fruit as pudding.
Hello.Again.Kitty
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Latest post on 07 April 2011 - 13:46
Is it true that Brits are taxed 50% (those that live in the country)? lol - no. Tax is on a sliding scale depending on how much you earn - nothing if you're earning less than approx 29k aed a year, then 20% if you're earning up to a certain amount (I think it's approx 200,000 aed/yr) and then 40%. The trouble is, most expat salaries are in the top bracket, and the taxman wouldn't take into account the high rents and other overheads here. It'd be enough to make it seriously not worthwhile for Brits to come out here.
Hello.Again.Kitty
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Latest post on 07 April 2011 - 12:06
Please don't assume that frequent feeding is automatically A Bad Habit ("snacking", "comfort feeding", etc...) that needs to be nipped in the bud... 4 weeks is so early and their tummies are so small and [i'>every baby is different.[/i'>, so it could just be him and what he needs at this point in time. As he grows, his needs will change and iron themselves out. Little babies have very basic needs - love, comfort, food and sleep - and will manipulate the important people in their lives to get these. Don't make the mistake of understanding "manipulate" in the grown-up way of "getting people to do what you want out of spite or ulterior motive"... for babies their only ulterior motive is "if I don't do this I will die", which is hardly malicious! I found that helped a lot when faced with endless crying or cuddles... kind of put some perspective on it (also remember that they have no notion of time yet - it's all now or never!) - "if I am not fed, I will die", "if mummy doesn't come when I cry, I have been abandoned and I will die".
Hello.Again.Kitty
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Latest post on 07 April 2011 - 11:50
I don't believe there's any such thing as a "harmless scam" - the perpetrators are invariably attempting to sell something to someone who doesn't want or need it and indeed mis-sell the item, so they aren't being honest from the start. It's not really even a case of caveat emptor because invariably it's unsolicited. The victim invariably parts with more money than they really want to and certainly more money than these rubbish items are worth. At the very least, these chaps are selling fake goods without a trade license.
Hello.Again.Kitty
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Latest post on 07 April 2011 - 11:44
Dubizzle or the small ads on this site tbh... just like Friday-ads in the UK.... collection-only type things. I wouldn't bother with ebay - you'd have a nightmare with postage.
Hello.Again.Kitty
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Latest post on 06 April 2011 - 22:29
I loved giving birth both times. My best advice to anyone who hasn't yet given birth is to not listen to the horror stories. Tell the person who's about to regale you with their tale of woe to STFU... after all, there are horror stories about virtually anything vaguely medical, but childbirth seems to be the only thing where people will actually actively try to stress you out - and seem to love doing so. If someone was about to have a heart bypass you wouldn't be so eager to tell them how many people die on the operating table or how your neighbours sister's friend was left with multiple organ failure (not that you can get that with a heart bypass, but I'm just illustrating) Your body is designed to give birth to babies and unless there is a proper complication, there is no reason why you can't do it all naturally... indeed, there's pretty much no reason to fear it at all, because nowadays, if anything were to not quite go to plan, the medical resources we have access to are incredible. Nature is incredible, and if you let it take its course, it provides all the pain relief and handy memory loss you could ever wish for. Your hormones take over and, well, it's incredible. I said it before to someone else, but you know how Bhuddist monks spend all their lives trying to reach Nirvana? My theory is that they have to because they don't have to option to experience birth. My experience of it was incredible - I've never felt so in tune with my body. ... and no, I'm not some kind of tree-hugging hippy Earth Mother.... just a normal woman who went "s0d it, I'm going to do it my way"
Hello.Again.Kitty
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Latest post on 06 April 2011 - 13:41
But the land that the zoo is on must be worth a fortune. only if someone's willing to buy it... and develop it. Plus the relocation costs... they'd have to invest and build the new zoo before selling the old site. Basically, it's only going to happen when development picks up again and well, there are plenty of easier sites to develop (no demolition, etc...) so it'll be quite far down the list.
Hello.Again.Kitty
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Latest post on 06 April 2011 - 13:23
yes, easier to ban the ones who are more vocal about their working conditions then to actually address the issues...
Hello.Again.Kitty
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Latest post on 06 April 2011 - 11:16
It must be difficult for them to understand. When it happens, I don't dwell on it and just say "daddy's gone to work"... it's a bit harder when we're doing holiday stints in the UK, but DD has understood that we have 2 houses and that Dh works in Dubai even when we're in the UK. I also find it important to use video-calling when we're apart for more than a few days - keeping in touch visually on a daily basis reassures the children (and me) and DH loves it too.
Hello.Again.Kitty
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Latest post on 06 April 2011 - 11:10
I've never had any blood tests in the UK or here, apart from the Triple Test at 16 weeks.
Hello.Again.Kitty
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Latest post on 06 April 2011 - 11:08
It's now quite common - we were threatened with it (denial of use of pool, gym and parking space) and so leapt on our LL who paid up pronto. It's interesting to note though that non-payment of the service charge (resulting in denial of services for the tenant) constitutes a breach of the tenancy agreement on the LL's part. In exchange for taking your rent, they are duty bound to provide you with full enjoyment of the property (as well as it being in good order, etc...) so if they do not, then strictly speaking, you should not have to pay them. Of course, here contract law is often theoretical anyway, but it's a good argument to tell your agent or LL to get things going again!
Hello.Again.Kitty
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Latest post on 06 April 2011 - 11:02
I have never understood what is the problem in relocating zoo. Dubai Marina was built in few years of time, new shopping malls are rising everywhere and Dubai can't relocate one zoo? It shouldn't be too difficult to build a new zoo somewhere in the city. Return on investment... that's the problem. Designing and building a zoo well takes a lot of investment and won't get much return at all. This is also why the plans for relocation were always put on hold because during boom time, they suddenly realised that the potential location would be better used (ie more profitable) as high density residential. I would even go so far as to venture that even Al Ain runs on very low margins - even if they get a few thousand visitors a day, there's a lot of maintenance, food costs, vet costs and other overheads to pay for daily too.
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Latest post on 05 April 2011 - 18:36
Im no expert but DD mentioned the lions were acting mental, pacing up and down, there was no water in the enclosure either. So very sad. Did I read a while ago they have cut the food allowance to the animals as they havent enough money. So the poor creatures are going hungry aswell. Really? That's terrible. I do wonder why no one does anything. There have been several attempts to do something, including a very public protest by PETA. The state of Dubai Zoo is an international scandal. For years the authorities fobbed off all complaints by promising a new facility by 2007 in Dubailand..............go figure. Please do not visit the h@llhole. As I said, you really can't blame the poor guy that runs it, he does his best with the little money he gets. I have no idea why the government don't do something - such a tragedy. Well, to be brutally honest, if whoever's in charge had an ounce of humanity, he'd be putting some of the most distressed animals down and focussing on providing better conditions for fewer specimens.
Hello.Again.Kitty
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Latest post on 05 April 2011 - 18:12
Im no expert but DD mentioned the lions were acting mental, pacing up and down, there was no water in the enclosure either. So very sad. Did I read a while ago they have cut the food allowance to the animals as they havent enough money. So the poor creatures are going hungry aswell. The brown bear int eh Abu Dhabi Children's park was just pacing round and round in very small circles too - always the same way, so much so that he's worn a path for himself. His enclosure was about the same size as my living room here and he just had a big rock in the middle (which he was pacing around). One of the ostriches also wasn't too happy and would bang his head repeatedly against the railings, following the spectators around.
Hello.Again.Kitty
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Latest post on 05 April 2011 - 18:09
Thats true, but my degree is 4 years as im doing a masters so have a little more time than most during this holiday. I also get a month off so thought I should work for some of it! hehe - you lucky thing... and wise too, to draw it out a bit. Hopefully in a couple of years things will have picked up enough for companies to be employing graduates again. Good luck!
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Latest post on 05 April 2011 - 17:38
Havent been to Dubai Zoo but DD has, she was appaulled. I wonder If there are any worldwide charities that would help and assist it getting the animals better treatment. apparently it's *just* a space issue - they're in a quite central location and can't expand, which leave the only humane solution of reducing the number of animals on show... but hey...
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Latest post on 05 April 2011 - 17:37
You're in your 3rd year and you have time to do other things during your Easter break?! Times must have changed, but when I was there, Easter was the "oh sh*t, time to up the pace" moment! Good luck in your studies though. Really wouldn't like to be a Part I architect in the current climate!
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Latest post on 05 April 2011 - 16:14
Also try the Children's zoo near Yas Island. Its brand new so not everything is open yet but most of it is Is that the "Childrens' Park/Zoo"? We went and it was kind of nice, but again, the enclosures were small and some of the animals were presenting very strange behaviour. Al Ain is by far the best and is the only one I actually feel comfortable about as the animals have great facilities and look really happy and well looked after.
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Latest post on 05 April 2011 - 15:16
Some woman took the toy out of my basket and raced off after her child shouting back, "Sorry! I'm in a hurry." WTF? :\: That is a smackable offense. Yup, I would have given her a huge earful too! Anyhow, in and out of lifts, metro, etc... I'm fortunate to generally be wielding a buggy that has a pointy bit at the front and a decent amount of momentum when it gets going, so if I need to get off/out and am being rugby tackled by in-coming people, they literally get run over, generally a milisecond after I say "excuse me". DH berates me for it, but hey. On the other hand, if I'm waiting to get in/on, I use it as a life lesson for my 3 year old and in a loud voice tell her that we have to let the people off first - now she knows to stand by the side and make room, so I don't need to tell her any more, but you'd be amazed at how some people think twice about their inconsiderate actions when a toddler is being more polite than they are. It also helps that DD plays the game, so to speak and generally says something like "are they naughty for pushing?!" in a very loud voice!
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Latest post on 05 April 2011 - 11:14
Telly. It's not going to hurt them, just make sure that what they're watching is appropriate and is going to remain appropriate (so not a channel which shows kid's TV and then switches to normal programming!)... and that they can't reach the remote. Make sure the room is safe and if you're feeling really ropey, lay out some snacks and a drink for them to help themselves to which you curl up on the sofa and doze. Things not to do are lay out felt tip pens and/or crayons for them to draw with. I've done so before, dozed off and awoken to find several items of furniture (and the floor) redecorated! When I've been really, really ill, I've "called in sick" and DH has had to take the day off his work to care for the children. It's maybe happened once or twice in 3.5 years, which isn't bad going really... you get more sick days in an office job!
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Latest post on 05 April 2011 - 10:55
unfortunately you have not embraced your situation yet. once you do that, all will be revealed. A haven of normality? what does this mean? my life is sooooo normal hmmm... Was it you who eats lobster several times a week? I think your idea of "normal" may be somewhat unique.
Hello.Again.Kitty
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Latest post on 05 April 2011 - 10:52
The average size in the UK are size 16's. So I wouldnt agree that most women are thin. The average British woman is fat too. I tend to agree, the average in a lot of countries these days has increased, probably due to bad lifestyle and food choices made by people now. It's also down to social perception. A few hundred years ago, the most desirable female figure was a voluptuous one, the idea being that she was well fed, healthy and fertile. Thin was considered a negative trait and really quite undesirable.
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Latest post on 05 April 2011 - 10:46
lets face it, those hangers-on are not addicted to EW, but Dubai. We know the truth, and that is it. I think you're wrong. Dubai itself isn't the be-all-and-end-all of life [shock horror'> but the ins and outs and insanity of this forum is better than any soap. Forums are real reality TV, without the picture. Lets face it, you couldn't invent some of the stories that crop up on here if you tried. When my time has come and I leave Dubai, I won't look back to the actual place, but I will check in to EW when there's nothing good on telly and check up on what's been happening - maybe giggle, certainly reminisce, but most definitely thank my lucky stars that I returned to a haven of normality!
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Latest post on 05 April 2011 - 10:31
I thought these were teenagers they were using yes, I was about to say "because they're about 16 years old!"... heck, even I was a size 10 when I was 16. Didn't have the cleavage I do now though! :cool: The average British woman is a size 14-16.
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Latest post on 05 April 2011 - 08:28
There was a poster on here who was a qualified nanny who provided this service, not sure if still here, Username of Trees. They are out there, just need to find them. ... but they aren't actually registered with a government body here and regulated or inspected, like in the UK. However, anyone with some kind of childcare qualification and a sense of responsibility is better than nothing! CC17 - most people here get their "maid/nanny" to do it if they can't be there themselves.
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Latest post on 04 April 2011 - 23:04
Hello.Again.kitty - I use Photobox too and I am a professional photographer!!! :) . hehe - [b'>[i'>shhhhhh![/i'>[/b'> Tricks of the trade and all that! ;)
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Latest post on 04 April 2011 - 22:50
Thank you hello.again.kitty. Some very valuable info and you have helped to make me feel less worried and I will get onto the insurance asap. Any advice on finding a good gp? hehe - no, not really! I don't hold ob/gyns here in high regard when it comes to modern childbirth philosophy, but you'll be needing an OB/gyn more than a GP (although GPs are useful too!). I use Dr Nicholas & Asp in the Marina, because I'm based here. Others will be able to recommend OB/gyns - some are hospital-based, others clinic-based. The trick is to shop around, so to speak, and find one that shares your outlook, is understanding of your needs and concerns and that you connect with. If the one you choose doesn't tick those boxes, walk away. It's so, so very important to be able to trust your medical professionals to respect your wishes when push comes to shove.
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Latest post on 04 April 2011 - 22:43
I have done the fingerprint cufflinks for DH from all of them and I have a necklace with all 3 kids fingerprints on. I like the idea of doing it for them though, it would be cute for them to see how tiny their fingerprints were when they're grown up! ! the pendants can be quite gender-neutral, so I think it'd be lovely actually - you son could wear it (if he wanted to) with a manly cord or chunky chain - hehe - and your daughter with a fine chain.
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Latest post on 04 April 2011 - 22:41
photo album of their first year with family tree and all that. I do photobooks quite regularly through Photobox (but everyone does them now!) and have done 1 for my two's first year... and second year... and am now on to year-books. They really are lovely - the templates are all set up, you upload your pictures and can choose how many photos per page, add pages if you run out os space and add captions too. Really, really lovely and there's no need to pay a professional to do it, because it's so easy and the quality is fantastic.
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Latest post on 04 April 2011 - 22:25
Look into the insurance asap, but don't hold out for it, because you now have a "pre-existing condition" (nice, I know)... you'll need to have access to around 12k (normal birth, no complications or extras) to 25k+ (c-section with the works)... BUT don't panic. Don't stress or worry. It's the most natural thing in the world and you have 9 months to appear to get organised... I say that, because no matter how much stressing, preparing, rushing around, buying, washing, ironing and sorting you may do in advance, [b'>nothing[/b'> will prepare you fully for the wonder that is motherhood! So long and short is that you may as well wing it and enjoy the ride - as long as you and bubs are safe and healthy, that's all that matters. Also take the "do this, don't do that" with a pinch of salt. Many of the food-related things are common sense (basically avoiding things that are know to be prone to harmful bugs - this doesn't mean to say, though that as soon as you have a prawn, you're going to keel over... the risk of catching these things is exactly the same as when you weren't pregnant, it's just the consequences that can be more harmful). Blue cheese is, for example, a case in point. The danger is listeria, but the risk of getting listeria is something really small like 1 in a million, BUT the risk of listeria having severe consequences on your baby *if* you were to get it are something like 20%. As with everything to do with pregnancy and birth, inform yourself. If you're worried or not happy, inform yourself and be confident in your capacity to know what is right for you and your baby... because you do know, already, deep down.
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Latest post on 04 April 2011 - 22:10
money in their trust fund! No... well, yes, it is a good idea... but how about something heirloomy that can me made identical. Next week might be pushing it for something like a hand-made quilt or how about a piece of jewellery? I used Impression47 to get DH some silver cufflinks with our children's fingerprints and names on them, but they also do charm bracelets, necklaces and whatnot. It might be quite nice for your children to both have identical pendants with both their fingerprints on... after all, they'll be showered with presents on the day, so it won't matter if they get one that they can't use immediately.
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Latest post on 04 April 2011 - 16:29
And you have people driving who are texting or talking on their phones (probably about 50% of drivers on the road use their phones at some time) rather than giving 100% attention to the road; or small children bouncing around the car; or IDIOTS who don't drive well at all no matter the circumstances - you can generally pick them out because their rearview mirrors are adjusted so that they can see themselves, not other cars. they should be made to watch [url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R0LCmStIw9E'>this[/url'> then. [nb, it's graphic, so please don't watch with small children present... but do watch it.'> I can't believe the number of people of all nationalities and both genders who attempt to steer their cars round corners whilst holding a phone clamped to their faces. They are so very obviously not in control of their cars, it'd be funny if it weren't so tragic. In my mind there is absolutely no phone call or text message so important as to risk my life to respond instantly.
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Latest post on 04 April 2011 - 16:13
Sorry to be blunt... but whoever in that accident was driving recklessly deserves to be in that accident! So sick and tired of the suicidal drivers on these roads! Yup, if anything, I commend their attempts to take their moronic selves out of the gene pool... it's just a shame that they feel the need to take out normal people with them. To be brutally honest, the government is in Cloud Cuckoo Land if they are hoping to get road fatalities down to 0 by such measures as limiting to 140kmph... the only way to do that would be to take almost all the drivers off the road.
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Latest post on 04 April 2011 - 00:06
hehe
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Latest post on 03 April 2011 - 23:45
Thank you, I don't know their exact name, I found their phone number on Internet and before going to visit the premises, I wanted to check if somebody knows this nursery here. In fact, I just need a nursery for few hours in a week. I'm looking for a job so sometimes when I have an interview, I need a babysitter for my baby. I don't want to disturb my friends so I decided to look for a nursery where I can send my baby for few hours. If I find a job, I don't know if I will continue with the nursery or find a nanny. But thank you for you list of questions, I'm sure I will use them. Fun& Play are probably your best and only option then, if you need flexible hours. Most nurseries require you to sign up for a set number of days/ hours per week for a whole term. Just quiz them on everything and make sure that you are totally happy with what they say. I used to leave DD with them when they first opened 2 years ago, and they were good, but then they changed for the worse... but maybe they've listened and learnt and have changed again for the better.
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Latest post on 03 April 2011 - 23:42
Yup, I like it there too. The food was great and the portion sizes were surprisingly generous (especially since the menu boasted that the concept was smaller portions!). They are also in the Entertainer (I think), so everyone's a winner! The only thing is, like so many Chinese restaurants here, "something" seems to happen to their food when it's delivered as a take-away - not half as nice as eat-in... but then again, my benchmark is very high on Chinese take-aways as I had an incredible one near us in the UK.
Hello.Again.Kitty
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EW EXPERT
Latest post on 03 April 2011 - 21:46
it sounds a bit like she's overtired when you put her down. Have you tried following her nap cues and put her down at the very first sign of tiredness (every child is different, but it could be a yawn, pulling ears, blinking slowly...)? When you get to know her special signs, you can kind of pre-empt them and it makes life sooo much easier. With DS, I had to put him down for a nap as soon as he yawned - he'd be out like a light within 5 minutes, BUT he would only do this in his cot. If he's in the buggy, he will fight it and then conk out suddenly. DD, on the other hand, would rub her eyes and get a bit fidgetty and I'd have to take her out in teh buggy - she wouldn't ever nap in her cot. Both children never had any problems falling asleep at night.
Hello.Again.Kitty
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EW EXPERT
Latest post on 03 April 2011 - 21:41
she was sleeping through the night by 2 months (although waking for 1-2 feeds). that's not reeeealy sleeping through the night then, is it?! ;) I'm another one for keeping daytime naps in daylight and have normal noise going on and then night-time is really toned down with all feeds in the dark (with a night light). Both my 2 "slept through the night" from birth (with 1-5 night-time feeds! :) ) but really slept through the night without waking me up at all from 9 and 11 months respectively. Just don't get into waking your baby during the day. They need to sleep to process everything that they've learned while they were awake. Their brains don't have the capacity to filter out unimportant details (they're literally like sponges) and so they conk out when they've reached saturation point.
Hello.Again.Kitty
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EW EXPERT
Latest post on 03 April 2011 - 21:24
Are you talking about Fun&Play or another? I haven't been in to Fun&Play in over a year since they told me that not one member of staff had a First Aid qualification. They could have changed policy on this since, of course, so it's worth asking. There's also the Jebel Ali/ Marina Village nursery in Bahar. Went to look at this one too nearly 2 years ago (so could have changed since) but I didn't like it because they didn't actually do anything apart from free play in the afternoons and the children were all in bucket swings being vaguely pushed when they lost momentum with a cassette player of rhymes on in the background. That's just my experience though. I have friends who liked it and others who didn't. We settled for Raffles in Marina Walk which I guess is more of a UK-style pre-school than a nursery, so only takes on from 18 months and is really quite structured, but still focussed on play. DD loves it and so do I. All the staff are completely on the ball and fabulous and classes are limited to 15-16 children. At the end of the day, it depends what you need. Absolutely though, give them a grilling on certain questions and don't stop until you are completely satisfied... points to cover would be: - are all your staff qualified in childcare-related subjects. Can you verify those qualifications? - what are the class sizes and staff to child ratios? - what activities to the children do and what is the overall philosophy behind the learning style? - how often and in what way (if at all) do you use televisions? What programmes do you show? - What is the procedure in case of emergency? Are staff trained in first aid? What happens in the event of a fire? - What is the procedure with security? - what are their policies on food with regards to allergy sufferers? If they provide food, where do they get it from and how do they store it? How do they store milk? - etc... <em>edited by Hello.Again.Kitty on 03/04/2011</em>
Hello.Again.Kitty
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EW EXPERT
Latest post on 03 April 2011 - 12:49
The ICandy Apple is lighter than the Pear. Of course it is, because the Apple is the single version of the Pear. I started off with the Apple (nice buggy) and then got the "pip" converter to transform it into the Pear. I wouldn't go for either of these if you're flying regularly though because they dismantle into bits and there's no carry bag, so you then have to strap them all together and hope they don't get lost or damaged (which mine did). The Cherry (single) is the lighter option and *I think* they've brought out a double coveter for it. There's also the "Peach" which may be a double. I'm now a great fan of the P&T, but this isn't good for twin newborns.
Hello.Again.Kitty
1861
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 03 April 2011 - 12:41
yup, home help or not, I think they should always be active in tidying up after themselves, be included in all the day-to-day activities (like helping you cook) and always, always be polite, good-mannered and punctual (punctuality is my Bugbear Of The Day today!). The result will invariably be young people who respect those around them (and themselves), recognise what work is and how much needs to go in to their daily lives and be grateful for what they have. I also don't like thinking of these things as chores that will get rewarded for being done. They are necessarily daily tasks that have to be done in order for us to live the lives we want and that in itself is recompense enough. ... but if anyone would like to give me something (nice) every time I pick up a toy or go grocery shopping and don't misbehave, then, feel free! ;)
 
 
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