mum2girls | ExpatWoman.com
 

mum2girls

mum2girls
1097
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 05 January 2014 - 12:29
I agree, you made the right decision. It would be a huge financial risk should anything go wrong with her pregnancy.
mum2girls
1097
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 01 January 2014 - 16:32
We didn't use Uber last night, we used another chauffeur company who charged us the normal rate. You should complain to Uber, that is really disgraceful if they were ripping people off. Bad publicity for them as they are doing really well.
mum2girls
1097
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 31 December 2013 - 16:13
well, I was looking at reserving Bice in the HIlton for tonight, and they said that the guests would go out to the terrace at 11pm to watch the 1 hour fireworks, I also heard elsewhere that it will be 1 hour starting at 11pm and finishing at midnight. DH said he heard starting at midnight and finishing at 1am.
mum2girls
1097
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 30 December 2013 - 12:54
Dr. Milicent Grimm
mum2girls
1097
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 30 December 2013 - 11:32
Personally, I would have to terminate her contract immediately and send her home, especially that she is uninsured. Unfortunately, we have learned the hard way when (in another country) our single uninsured housecleaner had serious complications with her pregnancy, while we were not legally obliged to cover her medical costs, we felt morally obliged and it cost us an absolute fortune. Then she delivered a very sick baby and it was a nightmare for everyone involved. It's a difficult situation, and chances are her pregnancy will go okay, but it is probably better for both of you if she goes home now, from your side you will have to replace her anyway in the coming months, so it's just a matter of doing it now or later.
mum2girls
1097
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 28 December 2013 - 14:47
Having to teach your maid how to cook so she can feed herself is pushing the boat a bit, I find that a bit extreme. I wouldn't view that as a solution to her issues. I have taught my housekeeper a few family favourite recipes to cook for the kids if I am unavailable to cook for them, but that is the extent of my teaching her to cook. I certainly would not be cooking something specially for her if she didn't like our food, I don't think I am the exception to the rule. I don't know anyone who cooks food specifically for their housekeeper. She either eats what we eat or she can cook herself. I give her a monthly food allowance and she can spend it on her own choice of food, or she can save it and eat what we are eating for breakfast or dinner. I do not take her grocery shopping with me, she has her days off every week and she can do her own shopping. Eating our food does not mean that she can stockpile our food in her fridge or store cupboard. If a jar of coffee is depleted in a week, I too would be wondering what happened to it ...... don't think the OP is doing anything wrong by questioning that. OP, I think you fell on a very naive houskeeper. She has worked in other gulf countries and has arrivied in Dubai with very skewed expectations, probably fuelled by the stories of how better life in Dubai is for housemaids and she doesn't know where the limits are. If you think she could be good and you could salvage your relationship , you could sit down with her and explain the ground rules, even write them down for her. You should not be embarassed to do this, I learned the hard way, that it is better to be clear about what is acceptable and what is not. The minute the boundaries are blurred, some of them can take advantage to an extreme degree. That is being fair and reasonable to her, she needs to know what are the limits in your household, otherwise she will unwittingly keep crossing them and you will be full of resentment. Some will continue to cross the lines, and that is when you say 'enough is enough' and you fire her.
mum2girls
1097
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 26 December 2013 - 22:04
I considered going to Sleeping Beauty at Ductac, but then discovered how antiquated their ticket booking system is, such a pain, so I couldn't be bothered ! Decided to to take the easy route and book my tickets online and choose my own seats at the Madinat for the Beauty and the Beast Pantomime, which was only okay, but not the greatest ! Kids seemed to enjoy it though.
mum2girls
1097
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 18 December 2013 - 10:04
Yes, no problem bring in any Christmas items at all. Agree with Plum2, the christmas decorations in the Malls, hotels and restaurants are great.
mum2girls
1097
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 18 December 2013 - 10:02
Have tried a few places over the years and Counter Culture at the Marriott in the Marina is the one we are going back to, it was the best, but they don't deliver unfortunately. Their stuffing is excellent and it comes with all the sides (potato's, brussels sprouts, gravy etc)
mum2girls
1097
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 15 December 2013 - 13:54
Wow, is it a new teacher this year ? DAA lost a lot of teachers last year, so there are quite a few new teachers there. I have 2 kids at the school and we have been there for 4 years now and I can honestly say that we have NEVER experienced anything like this. Both my kids have blossomed there and we have always had a good experience with the teachers, it has always been an open door policy. My little one had a great year in KG1 last year. Our experience of the teachers and how they treat the kids, is at the completely opposite end of the spectrum to your experience. Regarding the academic side of the school, I really think the school has a good mix of academic and non-academic focus. We chose this school over a British Curriculum school specifically for that reason, so I do find it strange that in KG1 you think it is overly academic, even in KG2 it's not overly academic. Although we have really lucked out with 2 fantastic teachers this year, I do feel something is lacking in the school this year, and I hear other's complaining about it also. However the grumbling I am hearing is more to do with the management of the school, which may be attributed to the split of the elementary school into Primary and Elementary schools in Sept 2013. As the term is progressing, I am getting the feel that they may have weak management in both those schools. On top of that, the superintendent has announced her resignation, and while she is remaining at the school until June, maybe it is kind of a ship without any real direction. The Winter concert this year was an utter disgrace, not even a half-hearted effort to put on an organised entertaining show, don't know if you felt the same about it ! The after school activities are just to tick the boxes and badly managed and their swimming programme is terrible. If it was last year, I would absolutely say that you should go and talk to the head teacher, but this year not so sure how effective that would be. But I still think you should make your concerns known to either the head teacher or even the counsellor, Ms. Mira, who is adorable and has been at the school a long time. It just is not part of the ethos of the school to ridicule kids, or any of the other negative things you have noted. I bet if you are experiencing this in your classroom, there are others who do also ! It is certainly contrary to the very nurturing experience we have had at the school over the past 4 years.
mum2girls
1097
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 11 December 2013 - 16:07
Creative Minds on Umm Suqueim road for sure !
mum2girls
1097
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 10 December 2013 - 23:38
It would be really difficult, maybe even impossible, to get work visas for either of those countries and a lot of other countries also. Is she intending to work there as an illegal? Does she speak the language ? The unfortunate reality is, there are only a few countries where domestic workers are given a valid work visa, those being Gulf countries, Singapore, HKG etc. Most other countries will only give work visas for very skilled professions. Does she realise that ? Personally, I wouldn't allow her to hold you to ransom, but if you really don't want her to leave, you could find some way to incentivise her to stay.
mum2girls
1097
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 09 December 2013 - 22:02
Choc'O'a (near MOE) do an amazing one! (alcohol free, obviously)
mum2girls
1097
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 05 December 2013 - 21:30
Thanks ladies, I will try Montexa in Satwa, I just googled them and there are also other recommendations for them as being good for bridal and evening wear.
mum2girls
1097
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 30 November 2013 - 08:59
Apparently yes ! We have looked at a few houses there and friends have forewarned us about the mozzies and rats !!! The houses are very nice though. ETA, and friends also complain of the 24hr noise from all the building works. <em>edited by mum2girls on 30/11/2013</em>
mum2girls
1097
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 22 November 2013 - 15:56
There is a lovely Swedish lady dermatologist at Healthbay Polyclinic, she comes highly recommended. I can't remember her name now though.
mum2girls
1097
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 22 November 2013 - 15:53
LOL, I can really see the comparison. How sad that she was tricked into signing custody away, and how naive of her to sign a document that she didn't understand. She obviously never even considered they could be planning something on that scale. I hope for the boy's sake he is back with his Mom in a loving family home, where people really care for him. WT, as IF she would sign away custody freely !
mum2girls
1097
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 21 November 2013 - 15:00
LOL, it really is too funny. As an aside, does anybody follow the plight of the British mom living Bahrain whose 10yo son was taken by his late father's Qatari family. It is such an injustice and shocking that no one can help her.
mum2girls
1097
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 21 November 2013 - 12:28
Well done to the dog owners for exposing this awful act. I have also heard stories about this facility that are none too pleasant. If the dog owners story is true, they were actually trying to pay and had already paid quite a bit of the fees and had plans to continue paying. It was clear these were well loved animals, who were going to be welcomed back home. If the owner of the dog shelter had any compassion or love of animals he would never have done that to those dogs. There are plenty of places he could have found that would have taken in those animals if their euthanisation was imminent. He did it purely out of spite, without any consideration to the animals. Disgraceful.
mum2girls
1097
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 21 November 2013 - 11:31
Gosh, wonder how bad the storm is going to be ! It's looking fine and only a bit cloudy in the Springs. I can even see a bit of blue sky.
mum2girls
1097
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 18 November 2013 - 10:17
my laptop is barely chugging with all the photos I have in iPhoto, and I fear an imminent crash. I need to move my 30,000 photos elsewhere and bought heaps of extra space on dropbox so I could move them there. But now I realise that when I export them to dropbox I lose all the relevant info of the photo, date, type etc. I have googled it to find a solution and everything I find seems complicated and it is also info from 2012. Would anyone know if there is any updated info / easy solution on how to move the files without losing the metadata. Thanks
mum2girls
1097
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 15 November 2013 - 07:53
Thank you for sharing LadyBee, that is an excellent article, it is also a message I have heard several times before.
mum2girls
1097
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 13 November 2013 - 13:56
Thanks Izzy and Kezzler, I have it in my head to try to make Bearnaise Sauce and the recipes for the classic Bearnaise call for Tarragon Vinegar plus the tarragon herb. I want to make the Rachel Allen recipe, as everything I make from her recipes turns out great.
mum2girls
1097
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 13 November 2013 - 13:45
Hi Dinks, thanks for the recipe, need it in the next few days though if possible, so having to wait a few weeks won't work Ginnee, thanks, never thought of Jones the Grocer, will pass by there and see if they have it. <em>edited by mum2girls on 13/11/2013</em>
mum2girls
1097
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 11 November 2013 - 20:11
Philippine embassy is her best bet, and they don't answer their phones, she/you will have to go there in person.
mum2girls
1097
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 11 November 2013 - 19:23
GM, no, that was not me !
mum2girls
1097
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 11 November 2013 - 17:50
Thanks everyone ! bumblebee I will check to see if it is as interesting outside of the summer months.
mum2girls
1097
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 11 November 2013 - 17:49
Did you try Ethiad ? there has got to be better options than Saudi Air ..... via Qatar, Amsterdam, London ?
mum2girls
1097
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 11 November 2013 - 13:35
Its a 2 hour flight, AED2000 for two people, so not too bad. Much better option than driving when it is a boring uneventful drive. I will look into car hire for them, as they will want to drive around, and also the Marriott to base themselves (thanks Geordie) Gosh, I am embarrassed to say I had never heard of the place, it is the second biggest city in Oman, on the Indian Ocean and the scenery looks amazing, from the photo's I googled, so lush and green. Is that what the whole region looks like or is it just the typical 'hot spot' tourist photo ? edited by mum2girls on 11/11/2013 edited by mum2girls on 11/11/2013 <em>edited by mum2girls on 11/11/2013</em>
mum2girls
1097
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 11 November 2013 - 13:08
Yikes, Genie, thanks for that info. I never expected it to be that far from Muscat, so 5 hours to Muscat and then 10 hours to Sallala. I would have said I would tell them to go by plane, but if Geordie is having trouble than I don't have the time / experience to try to find suitable travel itinerary for them. Maybe I will tell them to try to organise it through a UK specialist operator if they are really serious about going there. Any idea about Musandam and where to take a drive, and difference between full day and half day Dhow trip? Thanks edited by mum2girls on 11/11/2013 ETA found this, seems you can fly direct to Salalah from Dubai with fly Dubai. Flight Information Flights to Salalah operate three times a week on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. FZ039 departs Dubai Terminal 2 at 1620hrs, landing in Salalah Airport at 1820hrs local time. The return flight, FZ040, departs at 1920hrs, arriving in Dubai at 2130hrs local time. <em>edited by mum2girls on 11/11/2013</em>
mum2girls
1097
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 11 November 2013 - 10:09
wow, that is a very different 2nd opinion ! Glad your friend didn't jump straight in to surgery and had the wisdom to have it verified You really have to be so careful here, so many of these private clinics really do over-diagnose and over-prescribe.
mum2girls
1097
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 06 November 2013 - 07:39
It's such a shame that it can be so heavily censored, while I can understand the need for sensitivities in some areas, it just goes too far in deleting threads arbitrarily, they need to rethink their method of moderating. And like most other active forums, remove a post and add a note that 'post has been removed by moderator' etc. There are so many interesting people here and it is the posters who keep the website alive. It needs to be current, relevant and fresh. <em>edited by mum2girls on 06/11/2013</em>
mum2girls
1097
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 27 October 2013 - 14:30
Have only been to Westin Bubbalicious which is a great family brunch, we always end up going back there. Would like to try something different, brunch with kids !
mum2girls
1097
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 26 October 2013 - 07:07
Would totally agree with KathyT, we had terrible food there on 2 occasions now, would not recommend it. I don't know how you can go wrong with chicken fajitas, but it was tasteless. The outdoor terrace is really nice. We tried Loca in Marine Beach Hotel, in Jumeriah and it was good, it's very casual and is also a bar, if you like that kind of thing. They don't have an outdoor terrace unfortunately. Rosa Mexicano, in Dubai Mall was surprisingly good, but it is a mall restaurant, so really not too suitable for a night out, no alcohol of course.
mum2girls
1097
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 23 October 2013 - 15:14
If the child has access to Youtube, then it could be from that. A friend of mine heard her 10yo son discussing some things that shocked her and it turned out he had been watching CSI and picked it up from there. In your friends daughters situation though, I think the combination of the behavioural issues along with the age inappropriate discussions and the 'history' you mention, makes it a bit more concerning.
mum2girls
1097
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 23 October 2013 - 15:01
Maybe they are targeting a specific demographic, a Mom with young kids. It is the announcement that caught my attention, a young child looking for their Mom in a store. As I am a Mom with young kids, I immediately tuned in to that. But it then leads on to the "some kids never find their Mom " because they have passed away from Breast cancer ". That is followed by the suggestion to regularly self check. (I am para-phrasing here) It just feels like it is almost a finger-wagging at their target audience. I am a cancer survivor, thankfully! A result of a combination of early detection, a proactive attentive Dr. and luck being on my side. I guess the whole concept of a kid searching for their dead mother is very close to home for me, it was my biggest torment and torture during my illness.
mum2girls
1097
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 21 October 2013 - 21:28
So sorry about your Mum. I have had my colonoscopies done by Dr. Klein, I can highly recommend him.
mum2girls
1097
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 20 October 2013 - 08:54
I have heard good things about Center Parks too, a friend of mine went to one recently and they really enjoyed it. Have not been to one myself though.
mum2girls
1097
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 20 October 2013 - 08:52
One of the universities here does an interior design course, can't think of which one though ! Ductac also do lots of short term courses, photography etc
mum2girls
1097
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 20 October 2013 - 08:50
I remember that brand from my days in France .... I found this online "Caudalie will be available in Dubai from October 5th onwards at Bin Sina Pharmacy branches in The Dubai Mall and Mall of the Emirates. They are launching in Kuwait and Qatar next year too and will be available in Sephora Middle East at some point in the future. You can also order online from Look Fantastic who ship worldwide for free." Maybe Galleries Lafayette also.
mum2girls
1097
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 17 October 2013 - 15:44
I didn't realise it was news since August, I was reading about the missing British school teacher in Qatar and this popped up on the side bar.
mum2girls
1097
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 15 October 2013 - 08:42
Arabian Nights also, and the food at the camp is surprisingly good! BTW, you can complain to the voucher company about them and also complain to the consumer standards office in Dubai. There is a website where you can post anonymous reviews, can't think of the name of it now. <em>edited by mum2girls on 15/10/2013</em>
mum2girls
1097
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 15 October 2013 - 07:36
Look under my name and you will find a really bad experience a friend had. Unfortunately we cannot give any negative warnings here with specific names. <em>edited by mum2girls on 15/10/2013</em>
mum2girls
1097
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 14 October 2013 - 15:33
I just got a quote for a similar job. I was quoted AED3,000 for the 8 chairs and AED2,000 for the table, Mine does not need to be stripped. I thought it was an outrageous quote so I didn't go ahead with it.
mum2girls
1097
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 14 October 2013 - 15:14
it's so sad that all the beautiful coastline has been destroyed.
mum2girls
1097
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 14 October 2013 - 15:08
try the party supply shops. The one in Meadows Town centre sells them.
mum2girls
1097
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 14 October 2013 - 15:05
I was at C4 a few weeks ago, in the morning, and they had to close loads of the checkouts because they did not have bags, they were being inventory counted......... I couldn't believe it ! I can't stand the smell in C4, but there are a few things that I can only get there, so I do end up going there from time to time.
mum2girls
1097
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 12 October 2013 - 11:48
Thank you PinkBuddah, I have already been in touch with her via email.
mum2girls
1097
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 11 October 2013 - 16:36
Try Richard at Smartfitness in JLT SMART Training Centre HDS Business Centre Cluster M1 Jumeirah Lake Towers Dubai United Arab Emirates +971 4 438 5055 [email protected]
mum2girls
1097
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 11 October 2013 - 09:55
I don't think it is fair to pick holes in the OP's comments. It is fair to say she had a very unsavoury relationship with her Dr., in hindsight, she should have found herself a new practitioner. I also don't agree with the 'please always trust your doctor' stance, I have learned from experience that they don't always know best ! If I had trusted my Dr.'s, it is unlikely I would be here now. Same with a high risk pregnancy, if I had trusted the doctor my DD might not be here. My Mom is not here now because she trusted her Dr. That being said, in both of my cases I got 2nd and 3rd opinions and did follow the advice of the medical profession. I didn't just make a decision based on my own 'instinct' or google diagnosis, that would have been foolhardy, in my opinion. By the way, I also had a Dr. tell me, post surgery, that I had given him and the surgery team, a huge scare during surgery and that the atmosphere during the surgery became very high-charged and he didn't sleep that night, so you don't have to be awake to know what happened, obviously her Dr. told her what went on. OP, I am sorry you have had such a poor experience, I hope you can move on now and enjoy your baby and put all this behind you.
 
 
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