Kid Vs Kat | ExpatWoman.com
 

Kid Vs Kat

Kid Vs Kat
232
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 31 January 2011 - 13:02
What a **** idea for a show... can just imagine the couch-dwelling, beer swilling audience... ewww.
Kid Vs Kat
232
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 31 January 2011 - 13:01
Yep Freckles, it's made it to the green community... and I just got the outdoor area cleaned after the last one... grrr
Kid Vs Kat
232
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 31 January 2011 - 11:39
... bump, this thread is hillarious
Kid Vs Kat
232
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 27 January 2011 - 12:13
Freckles, there is a fabulous book called 'Beginnings and endings with lifetimes in between' which is written by Robert Ingpen and Brian Mellony (I hope I got the spelling right...) which describes lifecycles in a wonderful way, not religious or anything, just simple and sweet. I personally think the way you handled it was great. Age appropriate and honest, you'll be surprised at how well children take this concept on, better than us actually.;)
Kid Vs Kat
232
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 27 January 2011 - 12:05
with you Claire, smiles... I would go further and say to your maid "I'll need you to move out until you are legally sponsored" she'll understand and take it from somebody who was once in your position, the sponsorship will move along sooo much quicker then. Don't worry about where she'll go, trust me, she will have access to a network of 'cousins' or whatever. Also, speak with immigration about maids 'hubby', like Claire says, he may not be her hubby. When mine wanted to have hers stay (and I think he was genuinely her hubby) immigration told me that I needed an attested marriage certificate for him to visit. They also told me that if he were to stay permanently, we would also need to sponsor him!:( Final words... do not be guilted into them staying until you are covered... you can get a fine of up to 100K and DH won't take kindly to having to front up in court to face the matter....
Kid Vs Kat
232
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 27 January 2011 - 11:59
Hi Pony, how old are your kids? If they are primary level, don't stress it. Our children were also 6 mnths behind but they assimilated fine and were able to catch up really quickly (within a few months actually). No need for extra tuition. You should speak with your school as they may be able to give you books etc which cover the work done to date. Also, have them working on sites such as abc reading eggs and math sites and you will find that they are fine. Enjoy the time off and focus on their social adaptation, the rest will fall into place;)
Kid Vs Kat
232
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 25 January 2011 - 16:29
Not for me ladies! I know a maid who is looking for a position. She has her own visa at the moment and is willing to change it over. She is very good. So this means somebody else is sponsoring her?... Is she overstaying her visa? Has she absconded? Why doesn't she work for her sponsor? Finally, how much money does her sponsor want for releasing her and will they guarantee that a ban will not be placed on her? GGP, this may be a huge bag of trouble for you.... you may want to steer clear of this one.
Kid Vs Kat
232
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 25 January 2011 - 15:54
No she doesn't mind the mix but does not value the mix, ideally more locals should be accepted into the private school system so they can have a greater selection to make best friends with. Mixed best friendships were not acceptable as expats are only here "for a few years". Doesn't seem racist to me. When our first DD started school back home, we encountered a similar issue with our nearest school. The school student body were primarily Army kids who were there for maybe 3 years and then they'd leave. I spoke to several mums who discussed the pitfalls of short friendships with children and their need for stability and security.
Kid Vs Kat
232
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 25 January 2011 - 08:33
Right, so say I was making sweets for the bake sale at school and labeling the product, I should add a clear warning that it contains coconut, just in case? I'd label it with all ingredients but those with serious allergies will most likely avoid bake sales anyway... You are a good mum to think this.. thanks ;)
Kid Vs Kat
232
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 24 January 2011 - 10:33
Is there an authority that can be contacted to report the request for a non refundable 10,000 dhs place re registration fee? Does anyone know if this is legal? I understood KHDA stated payment for a terms fees could only be cashed in the month of the term start. Does the MOE have a complaint number or email someone could share? Do schools in Dubai come under Dubai or Abu Dhabi? Where is the highest educational authority? Any advice most appreciated. TIA Physically go to the KHDA office in Knowledge city and lodge a complaint, they may even call thc school directly. good luck
Kid Vs Kat
232
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 24 January 2011 - 10:09
And in my quest for more "how does it work" knowledge...what happens to all the alcohol. How do you dispense of so much? Can't really just flush it down the drain! Municipality Staff party ?? PMSL... now, how does one get an invite????:cool:
Kid Vs Kat
232
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 24 January 2011 - 10:06
re allergies. Does your LO have an epipen? If so, bring a few more over with you as the ones here are sometimes either out of date or close to expiry. Bring an epipen trainer over with you too and test the staff. Watch the temperature as they can only usually tolerate temp variations of around 10 degrees so in summer, if not stored correctly, it may deactivate. As for the nanny. Could either of the companies hire yours as 'admin staff'? I know somebody who brought their nanny over this way and it was fantastic. Search other ew threads on 'nannies' and you'll see that it is hard (I think impossible?) to get a qualified nanny here and you can only hire a small range of nationalities. So if your nanny is British, she or he won't be able to come over as a nanny.. clear as mud? Other than that, you are going to love the weather, safe travels. ;)
Kid Vs Kat
232
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 24 January 2011 - 09:58
bicarb ... also another great trick is that whitening toothpaste
Kid Vs Kat
232
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 21 January 2011 - 14:40
Thanks Claire, no, I haven't looked at the Australian school. Is that the one in Sharjah or is there another one? If so, I think I have an Auntie whose friend is working there. I guess I really wanted the opportunity to give the boys a different experience that they couldn't get here and I thought it would be an opportunity to mix with other cultures from around the globe - broaden their perspective a bit. Also their school here in Oz said that their first preference would be to get them into an IB curriculum, so that's where I've focused my energies to start with. I didn't realise the school terms started on different dates for each school. Had better go and have closer look at some of the others. I found it so difficult to find the term start dates within Greenfields website it didn't occur to me that others would be different! 2 weeks is quite significant! Appreciate you mentioning that one! There are two Aussie schools in Sharjah, the first is the one based on the Vic Curric http://www.viss.ae/ the second is the Australian International school http://www.ais.ae/ perhaps you could make contact with Fiona Coutts (don't have her details anymore but I'm sure somebody here does), the ed consultant, we used her and were happy with her knowledge. ;)
Kid Vs Kat
232
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 21 January 2011 - 14:34
Unfortunately some people have to send their kids in school buses. I dont know how much the school or the bus company will do in really having women on the buses. My question is: Can the school get volunteer mums to be on the various buses like once a month. There are many mothers who are not working. They can be on the bus with the children once a month....School organises a schedule...i know this is a very tedious task...but is it still worth considering...i for one, am happy to volunteer to be on the bus once a month and look after these tired kids returning home from school.......... I love your idea. Perhaps take it up with your parents association or even your class parents group. Great thinking;) My mum was a volunteer lollypop lady for my school when I was young. I think parents just take more care and there is nothing cooler than having your mum or dad on duty;)
Kid Vs Kat
232
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 19 January 2011 - 10:32
she then tried to contact me on FB....cheeky mare perhaps you should reply with this link: http://news.ninemsn.com.au/national/8170929/australia-uae-extradition-treaty-passed
Kid Vs Kat
232
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 19 January 2011 - 10:31
And I thought I had communication problems with DEWA.... Its no wonder hairloss in Dubai is so prevalent. I did wonder at all those shampoos and got a filter and stepped up the vitamins- but the problem is bigger than just the entire city water supply- people must be literally pulling clumps out with all this cr*p to contend with!!! Thanks for the -er- heads-up. We were thinking of changing car too. How far do you think the knee jerking will go? If one asks to close an account to move funds to another bank- do you need to present a stamped letter of application from the other bank so they dont turn glacial? (we are not happy with our bank:)) Tell them nothing!!! At least until the IKEA sale is over;)
Kid Vs Kat
232
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 19 January 2011 - 09:40
... glad I'm not the only one a little miffed.... funny end note... got a call from them later to say that they have reviewed our accounts and we are eligible to move to the premier/premieum whatever account... from frozen to promoted, all in one day. go figure
Kid Vs Kat
232
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 19 January 2011 - 08:17
... so went to our 4 letter bank as we want to sell our Prado and needed to know what to do to release the loan. Nothing sinister, just thinking of leaving later this year and want to sort out stuff... (I did not mention our possible departure, just said we only needed one car) Asked them how to transfer a loan to a new person so we can put it on Dubizzle. Next thing I know, I'm asked to go to a branch and ask this question.. When I get there, a staff member grilled me like immigration. "We'll need a salary transfer certificate before you can access your accounts again... blah blah"...! WTF! It took me 5 phone calls and almost an hour to convince them that DH has not changed jobs. Moral of the story is if you need to ask the bank a general question... don't let them know who you are\ ps: didn't get my answer in the end as apparently I have to go to another branch for that:\:
Kid Vs Kat
232
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 19 January 2011 - 08:09
Hope you are feeling better today. Remain confident (do not doubt yourself) and be proud of the fact that when you spoke with DD, she gave you the truth. The lines of communication between you and your DD are are valuable tool in protecting her and preparing her for this world;) As for the boy, good luck.
Kid Vs Kat
232
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 18 January 2011 - 17:48
Ladies - what do you think is reasonable for a live-in helper - 6 days per week, boyfriend allowed to stay at weekends, 1 flight home per year ( however she has had 2 flights each year for the last 2 years!) I will buy some food, rice etc, otherwise she buys own. Visa obviously too and medical. I am very interested in your thoughts and what others pay to see if I am somehow below market rate as my helper is now saying this is not enough and she is spending so much on food etc etc. thanks! crikey!! If she ever absconds (cause clearly you are being abusive), give me a call and I'll take that gig;)
Kid Vs Kat
232
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 18 January 2011 - 17:43
You wern't wrong. You made a good decision to move to a villa on the park. If she remains in eyesight then what else can you do. In fact, your daughter has just proved herself to be independantly responsible beyond her years. For her to approach you with this issue is a real testimony to your parenting skills. I second the advise you have gotten so far. ps: when I read this thread I quickly asked my 7 yr old would do if a boy or man asked her to touch or look at his penis and she replied confidently "I'd kick his penis"... probably not the best answer but I smiled inwardly
Kid Vs Kat
232
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 14 January 2011 - 09:26
There is no facebook link from what i can gather but you can copy and paste this link to your own page, its heartbreaking i pray to god he is found safe and well i have checked all the newspapers and news channels but nothing, If there is anything we can do let us know, we can come and help search or distribute posters knock on doors anything XX Do you have the facebook link? You can email it to me on and I can post it on DLL then I can post a link to EW.... <em>edited by Kid Vs Kat on 14/01/2011</em>
Kid Vs Kat
232
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 14 January 2011 - 09:20
I hope we hear good news soon. In the meantime.. Do you know anybody who speaks the language of local workers? They are an important resource. Offer a huge financial reward and spread the word amongst gardeners, workmen, labourers. Put posters up EVERYWHERE with the cash reward advertised. Set up a hotline. If this boy was targeted and didn't just wonder off, these people move quickly. What is the facebook link? I must have missed it. I'll also post this on DLL.
Kid Vs Kat
232
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 14 January 2011 - 09:11
Bring it, you won’t regret it.. Also, on that list add: Quality steam mop (hard to come by here) Quality Vacuum Quality camping gear ‘Window sox’ for your car although there is a distributor here All the good Tupperware you can get your hands on ;)
Kid Vs Kat
232
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 12 January 2011 - 08:29
Now it seems according to his family that Dad wants to return home, but is too proud to admit his evil ways and are pressuring me to ask him to come home. I have lived in the Middle East for 30 years but can not for the life of me understand why the victim should pursue the perpetrator? Can anyone shed some light on this logic? I have no doubt that you have no intention of letting him back in. I think you sound incredibly strong and the fact that you recognise the fact "can not for the life of me understand why the victim should pursue the perpetrator?" suggests that you consciously recognise the flawed logic in his approach. I would say that his logic is based on power. I am assuming that he has felt the balance of power in his favour for a long, long time. Now, he thinks that if you ask him to come home that he is again in control. That's all I think this is about. He is about to feel his world turning and don’t be surprised if things get really dirty now... The man will be desperate and desperate people do desperate things... Keep being strong and proud of yourself. ;) <em>edited by Kid Vs Kat on 13/01/2011</em>
Kid Vs Kat
232
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 11 January 2011 - 19:45
It's not easy. If you know your bank manager, give them a call. You will need to SWIFT the money over and this cannot easily be done online. When you do anything online, the issue will be the SMS verification. They require an Australian mobile phone to send a code through before the transaction occurs... The way around this would be to send the money to a friend or family member in Oz then ask them to transfer it to you here.... sorry, it's a hassle..
Kid Vs Kat
232
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 05 January 2011 - 19:38
Please, if you see a blue boys bike (is a ten year old boys) Mongoose with fine red lightning bolt stripes laying around, it could possibly be one that was just stolen. It was left at the Green Community East Soccer grounds while the boy was playing. It was taken approximately 6:30 - 7pm tonight. It is in good condition and a ten year old boy is pretty upset right now. Please let security know and they will hold on to it. Hope you can help. :(
Kid Vs Kat
232
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 05 January 2011 - 17:38
Just interested if anyone would stay here is they weren't saving money each month? We are finding each month we have less and less to save as unforseen expenses keep cropping up as they do! Trying to weigh up the benefits of staying here over returning to the UK?? Interested in opinions. Is Dubai just a place to come to save money? We are here for the money. Would be on a plane in a heartbeat if we were not getting anywhere financially. We don't dislike the place but we have compromised our standard of living (loss of friends, fab schooling, environment etc) in coming here. I would recommend that you have a good place to go to first though (job etc) before making plans... hope things look up for you soon, I honestly feel your pain;) <em>edited by Kid Vs Kat on 05/01/2011</em>
Kid Vs Kat
232
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 05 January 2011 - 10:05
Ouch... I bet one of the next thread titles here will be ...."Wanting to start a homeschooling network?"...:(
Kid Vs Kat
232
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 05 January 2011 - 09:57
Actually in many places, as people sometimes look at an online degree and think it lesser although this is not the case. spot on. I would even go further to say that this is a fantastic opportunity to get a qual from a well-recognised institution without having to move there... with live chat rooms, video links etc, you will not feel alone. good luck op, have a ball.:cool:
Kid Vs Kat
232
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 05 January 2011 - 09:46
Your options are endless. Distance education has come on leaps and bounds over the years. There are so many great providers. When you choose your discipline, you could contact the Association that represents it and ask for their advice on the best external provider. (eg if you are interested in Accountancy, contact the Association of Accountants.. s) If you want to use these quals in the UAE though when you finish, my advice would be to ensure that your quals do not indicate that you studied externally as the UAE gov't may not recognise these quals. Unless your studies have 30%' face-to-face' integrated into the delivery of the programme, the qual may not be validated and attested in the UAE... (although I am unsure how they even know...) Anyway, my point is that get your qual but just don't mention that it was external if you want to use it here. ;) <em>edited by Kid Vs Kat on 05/01/2011</em>
 
 
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