LumpySpacePrincess | ExpatWoman.com
 

LumpySpacePrincess

LumpySpacePrincess
18
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 21 August 2014 - 10:28
Thank you Polly, I will pick up a copy! It just makes me laugh that nursery fees are actually higher than some school fees, and the quality is just pants a lot of the time. As for affording to have children here - not at the current rate! I think it becomes impossible to be a working mum if you have any more than 2 children who are not yet of school age.
LumpySpacePrincess
18
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 21 August 2014 - 10:13
Hi ladies I am searching for a nursery for my daughter who is almost 2. I am a working mum and my criteria are: * Full day (8am - 6pm) 5 days a week * New Dubai (none of the Jumeirah nurseries) * EYFS and ideally British teachers * Outdoor play area * Not eye wateringly expensive I have searched high and low and many are just prohibitively expensive, charge if you are 5 mins late, close at 3pm etc. Am I asking too much? She is currently in what I would loosely call a nursery but it's more like a daycare for working parents - no real curriculum, telly on all day, lots of nice toys etc but no real structure. this was fine when she was a baby, but she is now an inquisitive toddler who needs more stimulation and definitely needs outdoor play. I am at my wits end! Help! Thanks
LumpySpacePrincess
18
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 03 July 2014 - 14:11
They send different people every time. I know I am stupid for just leaving the key and letting them get on with it but I cannot stay in all day and supervise them cleaning. Really fed up :(
LumpySpacePrincess
18
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 03 July 2014 - 14:07
We use an agency maid who comes weekly. Recently I purchased a 1000aed pair of Prada sunglasses which were in my handbag. I swap handbags regularly and have a habit of leaving them out sometimes and shifting my stuff to the new handbag, I also have several pairs of sunglasses which move from bag to bag. I now cannot find said sunglasses. Maid was left by herself last time she visited. I have searched high and low and cannot find them anywhere. I am positive they were in my other handbag (I would not have moved them). Should I write it off as a lost pair, or complain to the maid company? I know I cannot accuse without hard evidence but it is also pretty gutting to have them go missing when I never move them from my handbags. Is there anything I can do? What would you do?
LumpySpacePrincess
18
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 03 July 2014 - 10:00
Thanks ladies. Sweetsugar I've heard good things about the Ibn Movenpick. Is it just Arabic food tho? I enjoy kousa and ouzi as much as the next person but it's not my favourite food. Some variety is nice. Do they have international dishes too? Thanks!
LumpySpacePrincess
18
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 03 July 2014 - 09:49
Never stayed at the Hyatt but MBS is amazing - it's like the Atlantis of Singapore. Absolutely huge, and coming from Dubai which has very high hotel standards, you won't be disappointed. Rooms large, bathrooms great, ask for a harbour view. Rooftop swimming pool and Ku De Ta bar are fabulous. Casino in the basement if you're into that. It would suit businessmen, couples, families. There are about 30 restaurants onsite and you're very close to the Merlion, Singapore flyer, botanical gardens and easy bus ride to Sentosa. I would not stay anywhere else.
LumpySpacePrincess
18
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 02 July 2014 - 14:25
Umm al Sheif
LumpySpacePrincess
18
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 24 June 2014 - 14:45
I think this is a wind up. No way you can survive on that income with 3 lots of school fees. Do you need the maid to look after the kids after they come home from school? How old are the kids? Why does everyone here feel entitled to a maid? Most other countries people just get on with things themselves, and if you can't afford or house one, then you can't get one! Clearly this is the case! If things are so tight money-wise then what's the need for a maid? Unless the kids finish school and you require childcare til you and your hubby finish work.
LumpySpacePrincess
18
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 24 June 2014 - 13:25
OP you are talking about the basic salary to sponsor a maid right? If you are on 20k then surely your basic would be higher than 10k hence you can sponsor a maid. Agree with all that the others have said - it is downright harsh to put a maid in with your 3 kids and frankly disgusting that you would have her switch lights on and off / watch TV etc while they sleep whether it disturbs them or not. Surely you and your husband can afford a 2 bed or even 3 bed + maid with your combined salaries - there are large apartments in Remraam and other communities that would give you far more space and provide legal and nicer working conditions for your maid.
LumpySpacePrincess
18
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 22 June 2014 - 11:37
You'll probably find that the shopping in Dubai is better than the junk you'll find at an outlet store. Not true - I visited one outside Milan and picked up some great designer finds. The Italians have style like no other nation.
LumpySpacePrincess
18
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 22 June 2014 - 10:25
The park is small and I cannot imagine you wanting to spend more than a day there. It is also very easily accessible by MRT so there's no real reason to stay there, especially as you are then forced to dine in all their overpriced FnB outlets. Much better to stay in Central itself then you have the option of doing other stuff besides Disneyland. Also check out Ocean Park.
LumpySpacePrincess
18
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 22 June 2014 - 10:06
I wish our lifeguards would pay more attention. Down at the pool the other day he was sat on a lounger smoking while reading his ipad! There were several kids in the pool!
LumpySpacePrincess
18
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 17 June 2014 - 11:10
Not personally, but I know several friends who moved back to the UK and regretted it, and were back within a year. I think people don't realise how good it is out here til they leave, and the weather certainly makes a difference. Agree with "once an expat always an expat" - I don't think if we went "home" I would ever feel truly settled.
LumpySpacePrincess
18
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 17 June 2014 - 11:07
I've never worked standard hours during Ramadan, always finished early and nothing was frowned upon as no one was in the office to do any frowning! Our office timings are 9:30-3:30 :)
LumpySpacePrincess
18
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 15 June 2014 - 15:17
DH and I just had a very lovely stay at the Anantara Mangroves in Abu Dhabi, very reasonable rates now as well due to it being summer.
LumpySpacePrincess
18
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 15 June 2014 - 13:38
I am guess in you mean like a nursery teaching assistant. In my experience 1600 at the lowest end and 2500 at the highest (working 7:30-3:00) in my nursery. I would guess those working in Jumeirah are likely to earn considerably more and those working until 5/6pm more again. Thanks Elmpark Really quite shocking considering the fees they charge!
LumpySpacePrincess
18
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 15 June 2014 - 13:37
Thanks SarahLou I'm actually looking to take her on as a nanny so wanted to see what would be a fair rate. I'm guessing the 4k salary wouldn't include transport or accommodation. Thanks :)
LumpySpacePrincess
18
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 14 May 2014 - 17:04
Definitely buy your stroller and car seat in the UK - the mark ups here are obscene, especially for certain brands which are only sold through Just Kidding as they have the monopoly in this region on Bugaboo, Maxicosi, Uppababy, Icandy etc. Clothes are also significantly cheaper (Mothercare prices here are eyewatering), as well as things like sleeping bags, Ewan the sleep sheep (not available here), Lansinoh nipple cream (also not available) and muslins (no one has heard of them in any baby stores I visited)
 
 
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