mum2girls | ExpatWoman.com
 

mum2girls

mum2girls
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 10 October 2013 - 21:40
Arborio or Carnaroli for us, unless we are having a Curry and then it is Basmati. I cannot cook rice on the stovetop, so I use a rice cooker which gives perfect results. I add a stock cube to the liquid. <em>edited by mum2girls on 10/10/2013</em>
mum2girls
1097
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 10 October 2013 - 20:28
Marblelife, (sorry don't have their contact details to hand) a bit on the pricey side, but they do a great job
mum2girls
1097
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 10 October 2013 - 19:44
So sorry Houmous, it does look like you are being targeted and likely because of your pregnancy. Particularly if all this has only started since your pregnancy. Personally, if it was me, I would stick it out for the maternity leave and then after the baby I would resign rather than return. Do keep a good diary of who said what and when it was said etc. I don't know what labour laws are like here in the UAE, but I worked for a boss who was targeted and he was so diligent about keeping a diary and copies of everything and putting everything into writing, they could never fire him because he was always able to refute their accusations. When it eventually suited him, he left with a very handsome payoff and was laughing all the way to the bank. Good Luck, sorry you have this stress at what should be such a happy time <em>edited by mum2girls on 10/10/2013</em>
mum2girls
1097
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 10 October 2013 - 17:22
Yes, Arancher you are right, and my DH is of the opinion that the real reason we hired her was so we had the flexibility to go out when we wanted to and yet we (me) don't take advantage of that. He thinks that her hours need to fit our schedule, he compares it to him having to attend meetings in Europe on a Friday, travel home on a Saturday to be back into work on a Sunday. Both my kids are at school, I am not working, so I don't need a fulltime house cleaner and she doesn't have work that consumes 8 hours per day, so she has a lot of downtime during the day. Basically, he sees it that we are spending all this money on something that is not quite fitting the bill and he just doesn't want to hear that "we don't have a babysitter". When we hired her a few years ago, I did tell her that we would be requiring 2 nights babysitting as part of her job, but I have set precedents now with her so it's hard to go back.
mum2girls
1097
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 10 October 2013 - 16:52
haha, Arancher, exactly. I can tell her that, a late night babysitting will be to her advantage LOL
mum2girls
1097
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 10 October 2013 - 16:22
Ours also has access to it and doesn't seem to be abusing it !
mum2girls
1097
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 10 October 2013 - 16:05
gosh, thanks so much for all the input ladies. Midweek date nights don't do it for me, the early morning school start kill's me, all I would be thinking about is getting home to my bed ! Plus hubby travels quite a bit during the week. She has a relatively easy job, with a long break during the day, earns an above average salary and is paid a lot of extras on top of it. I could easily give her a day off during the week or Saturday as compensation for working Friday evening, but I know that option does not fly with her. I always offer her time of in lieu of babysitting, but she prefers to take the babysitting money. Babysitting is sitting in our living room and watching TV, so it's not in her room, as her room is outside. I have given her the option of sleeping in our guest room on those rare nights that we knew we would be late and she refuses as she says she prefers her own bed Realistically, I am sure we will not go out every Friday evening, but that is our aim. I will talk to her about it and see how she reacts, but at the same time, I really don't want the hassle of trying to find another helper. Thanks again.
mum2girls
1097
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 09 October 2013 - 07:42
Thank you Plum, I have heard great things about her. I hope she has availability.
mum2girls
1097
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 03 October 2013 - 07:23
Khan Academy is amazing and it is free, it's constantly being updated. Our kids school used it last year. Mathwhizz is also really good, although it is a fee paying account, don't think it is too expensive, but it has a very personalised online assesments and then programme is then built around the childs weaknesses, there are very good updated reports on the childs progress. It is fun because the kids earn points which they can then 'spend' in a virtual petshop and then they have to keep gaining points to buy food for their pets.
mum2girls
1097
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 02 October 2013 - 19:50
What about IQ in MOE, they are a registered Apple store and maybe also do repairs.
mum2girls
1097
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 02 October 2013 - 16:13
Jumeriah Beach, Westin, Meridien and Hilton are all nice, cost around AED300. If you want a treat and have money to burn, One & Only, Al Qasr and Mina A Salem are all lovely.
mum2girls
1097
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 02 October 2013 - 07:12
Second Dubai American Academy, it has a big Korean student body. One of my DD's Korean friends Mom told me that there are more than 80 Korean families at DAA.
mum2girls
1097
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 01 October 2013 - 10:31
I have the number for the supplier for Kangaroo somewhere, I will try to find it for you. But I got the contact details from Toystore in MOE. I have a 12ft and needed to replace the netting and the foam padding and I think it was almost 900AED, which I thought was too expensive, so I ended up replacing the whole trampoline in the end, (for AED1500 I think) . <em>edited by mum2girls on 01/10/2013</em>
mum2girls
1097
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 30 September 2013 - 21:13
maybe not even donating them, but a little sideline business in selling cut-price goodies ! <em>edited by mum2girls on 30/09/2013</em>
mum2girls
1097
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 26 September 2013 - 09:07
Yes, I think it is reasonable, that in a country where modesty is a legal obligation, the schools try to ensure anyone on their premises (parents, teachers, staff, kids) complies with that.
mum2girls
1097
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 26 September 2013 - 08:59
TBD, Oh the sleep thing is such a worry ! and at 9 months she is also going through the teething stage too. Our first one was just a poor sleeper, she didn't sleep through the night until she was 3, and it was a nightmare and a long process to even get her to fall asleep, we tried CIO and like you it just wasn't for us. All my friends had kids who slept straight 12 hours and I was really blaming myself being too soft. Second kids came along and without any effort on our part, we had the kid who slept a straight 13 hours, however by 18 months she was not taking any naps during the day at all, which also was pretty rough. Sleep issues were the biggest stress of my early parenting life, I have to say it consumed me for a long time and in hindsight, I should have just allowed her sleep in our bed with us and we all would have gotten a great nights sleep. By the time she had turned 3, she was sleeping through the night in her own bed without any intervention from us. I also remember the paeditrician telling me that when the kids are going through different developmental stages, (sitting up, solids, crawling, walking etc) their sleep pattern can also be disturbed. You have gotten good advice here, although I know it must be difficult to see it through when both you and your husband are on a different page. I can relate to your hubby though, as I am also in the camp of being too soft, and it did/does often cause discord with my DH. Good luck and hopefully she will get into a rhythm soon, sorry you are dealing with morning sickness on top of the broken sleep. <em>edited by mum2girls on 26/09/2013</em>
mum2girls
1097
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 23 September 2013 - 07:53
DIA is a very good school. Better to move him now rather than later when he is more settled .
mum2girls
1097
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 20 September 2013 - 13:39
Yeah, I finally did it, but it took over an hour to download.
mum2girls
1097
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 19 September 2013 - 10:11
Probably a huge amount of their frustration is the 'blank wall' they are met with when they try to find out what is going on. One comment is that they were told to get their own individual water tanks, a comment like that must make them very concerned about how the problem is being handled.
mum2girls
1097
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 19 September 2013 - 10:07
maybe space is my problem, but I only have a few personal things and some kids games, nothing massive that I can think of. Re-started the download again and it is taking forever. Thanks.
mum2girls
1097
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 18 September 2013 - 22:26
That is awful, poor kids, hope they are doing ok now. Thanks for the warning and good on you for finding a solution, I would never have thought of the glue idea. BTW, the other hospital Al Zahara (I think) which is close to Saudi German is apparently much better to go to. Had bad experience at Saudi German with my DD and our Paeditrician told me to avoid the place.
mum2girls
1097
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 18 September 2013 - 13:27
Thank you for your reviews ladies, will definitely book it now !
mum2girls
1097
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 18 September 2013 - 12:09
These two companies do fine dining at home. http://www.yeschef.ae/fine-dining/ http://www.chezcharles.ae (website does not mention their home chef option, but they do it) I have eaten at a 2 dinner parties which were catered by ChezCharles and the food was absolutely outstanding, top notch restaurant quality fare. Have not tried YesChef. <em>edited by mum2girls on 18/09/2013</em>
mum2girls
1097
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 18 September 2013 - 07:53
Anyone have personal experience of this hotel ? I am not sure if it is a brand new hotel or a re-branded hotel. What are the beach, facilities, restaurants like. Thank you
mum2girls
1097
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 17 September 2013 - 10:23
Really ! ours was reduced during the crises and then increased last year, before the crises the allowance was revised annually and increased according to the market. That is not going to happen anymore. There is going to be a huge demand for smaller places and communities a lot further out. The bigger places will be left sitting empty. It's utterly ridiculous.
mum2girls
1097
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 17 September 2013 - 10:16
Thanks TDB, I didn't know about Cebu Pacific. I checked it out and the 'quoted' prices looked amazing,(600AED return) but it's a Ryanair type pricing .... what you see is nothing like what you get LOL. taxes are then added, meals and baggage and it works out to be slightly more expensive. It's so much less expensive than the other airlines, and it's great to finally have low cost options.
mum2girls
1097
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 17 September 2013 - 10:01
Prices are going up, but apparently all the multi-nationals who pay for housing are not increasing the allowances. Normally they increase according to the market rate. They are all making a decision not to 'feed' the market. In our case, the company is paying for the cost of moving us should we need to move if the landlord is increasing our rent above our allowance. Normally they would be a bit 'flexible', but now even if it costs the same or more to pay for our move, they will move us rather than increase the allowance. Some of us have decided to move, others of us have decided to pay the difference out of our pocket, although the majority have decided to move at the company's expense.
mum2girls
1097
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 16 September 2013 - 13:12
One of the very worst home deliveries I have had in Dubai was from Bateel Cafe, it was horrendous and expensive. I love their cafe and have always only had great food, but home delivery is atrocious. I find that most of the Lebanese home deliveries are good, Royal Bakery and Al Safadi are not bad at all. Royal Bakery are so unreliable with their deliveries though.
mum2girls
1097
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 16 September 2013 - 13:01
I found them last year in M&S, but it was later in the year as it was for a skiing trip. Can you order online.
mum2girls
1097
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 16 September 2013 - 12:45
Try Market & Platters near The Marina.
mum2girls
1097
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 15 September 2013 - 10:26
Her job search is futile. If she finds someone who wants her, she cannot go to work for them unless she has your agreement to transfer her visa to the new employer. There are two options when it comes to her end of contract and cancelling her visa. 1) you agree to transfer her visa to a new sponsor (she needs your goodwill for that one) or 2) you send her home on a one way ticket. She cannot accept employment from anyone else until you cancel or transfer her visa. If you chose to not transfer her visa, you will have to arrange to send her back to her home country and her new employer will have to make all the necessary arrangements to bring her back to Dubai as her new sponsor. Falsifying your husbands name on an official document is wrong and shows her cheating character. Just make sure you have all your documentation correct, make sure you get her to sign for her monthly salary payments, make her sign that she has had her holidays and was paid for them, that her flight home was paid for her, and any extras you have paid her ...... she could be one of the ones who will claim that they were 'never paid' during their employment, especially if she is not happy that you don't agree to transfer her visa and send her home instead. edited by mum2girls on 15/09/2013 <em>edited by mum2girls on 15/09/2013</em>
mum2girls
1097
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 14 September 2013 - 08:52
She cannot take employment with anyone else unless you agree to transfer her visa. Even at the end of her contract you still don't have to agree to transfer to another employer, your obligations are to pay for a one way ticket back to her home country on expiration of her sponsorship with you. As far as I know, flight does not come out of last salary, but if she has already had her annual flight home than I don't know what the rules are there. If she has not already taken holidays than she is due 4 weeks holiday pay. Good luck <em>edited by mum2girls on 14/09/2013</em>
mum2girls
1097
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 12 September 2013 - 10:44
OMG, I hadn't read that before, it's hysterical. Agree with Alaingirl about Pam Ayers voice and that half grin she always has when reciting her poems. LOL
mum2girls
1097
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 10 September 2013 - 17:15
My DD and several of the kids in her nursery all caught chicken pox despite having the vaccine. The vaccine is not 100% effective. I used Betadine on the blisters too. Hope it clears up quickly.
mum2girls
1097
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 09 September 2013 - 07:44
Le Creuset ...... but they really are so heavy, they do last a lifetime though!
mum2girls
1097
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 07 September 2013 - 20:56
Tavola have a good range, also Galeries Lafayette, and I think Crate and Barrell do the Cephalon brand, maybe you could order online? I purchased the WMF brand and I am really happy with them.
mum2girls
1097
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 06 September 2013 - 11:12
Opposite here, several friends moved back and regretted it. None of them made the decision to move back themselves though, I think that is the difference in how well you settle back, all were happy here but were either moved by their company or had to move due to circumstances. All of them, without exception, are trying their best to find opportunities back in Dubai.
mum2girls
1097
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 06 September 2013 - 10:35
Didn't notice any difference in our electricity running costs, TBH.
mum2girls
1097
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 06 September 2013 - 10:20
Homework can be such a struggle. I feel guilty that immediately she gets in after a long day and I am nagging her to get started on her homework, but if she doesn't do it then, I know the problem will just escalate as the evening goes on and we will argue until bed time and homework is still not done. I really scraped the barrel trying to find solutions, bribery, threats, cajoling, nothing worked in the long term. One of the things which did work was to break the homework up into short timeframes, so she could do her math, then take a break for a bit and start her spelling etc. She ended up getting fed up with that option, because during that time she could not go out to play and could not use her electronics, and before she knew it, it was dinnertime and there was no opportunity to play at all, so she decided herself to do it all in one go. Last resort could be to let HER make the decision and if she doesn't want to do her homework then she doesn't, agree with her teachers in advance that they would support you trying his approach, then she may feel some guilt at not handing in her homework daily. So far this school year for us, (still early days yet though) things appear to be different (she is now 10), has come in and started her homework immediately without any prompting from me, so maybe it is a question of maturity and a sense of responsibility. Good Luck ! <em>edited by mum2girls on 06/09/2013</em>
mum2girls
1097
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 06 September 2013 - 09:51
Congratulations ! I wouldn't travel either, but I know lots of people who do fly until the 36wk limit. The point about if your insurance would cover you is a very valid point. My first pregnancy was a text book perfect pregnancy, with my second pregnancy (and a week before I was due to travel within Europe) at 28w, I ended up in hospital for weeks until the baby was born, she stayed in NICU for almost 6 weeks. Was very glad it had not happened when I was away from home and that we were in a country with fantastic medical care. I know that is an extreme case, but it does happen, personally I would err on the side of caution. <em>edited by mum2girls on 06/09/2013</em>
mum2girls
1097
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 05 September 2013 - 09:30
I also buy the Tregor Organic, I once bought local eggs and there was such a strong smell of FISH from then, it was disgusting, never again !
mum2girls
1097
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 03 September 2013 - 12:08
I was told the opposite to Talia, that you could order but they could not confirm a delivery date. I ordered a rug there, they told me it would take 12 weeks minimum, 2 weeks later they called me to say it had arrived LOL. There is a lovely, very well informed American lady working in Pottery Barn in Dubai Mall, maybe search her out and I think you will get good info from her. There is also a lovely Indian lady in Mirdiff, she also is really well informed. I don't trust too many of the other's there, a lot of them just make 'guesses' and are not always accurate.
mum2girls
1097
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 03 September 2013 - 08:33
I have a Miele induction hob, it really is a revelation. Instant heat and immediate cool down. It's a good excuse to buy new pots and pans too. I didn't miss cooking on gas at all.
mum2girls
1097
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 02 September 2013 - 16:34
If you hold an EU passport now, you can work in Switzerland, as a result of the bilateral agreement the Swiss signed with the EU a few years ago, no need for Swiss or Frontalier permits anymore for EU citizens. Ferney Voltaire has a huge ex-pat population, a lot of people working in Cern, live in Ferney-Voltaire. If English is your mother tongue, you will find it relatively easy to find work in Geneva, lots of the big multi-nationals have their HQ's between Geneva and Lausanne and you have all the Organisations and NGO etc. in that area. Gems have just opened a new school in Etoy this year ,(about 20 mins from Ferney on the highway) so I would say there might be opportunities there. http://www.gemsworldacademy-etoy.com/contents.php?pageid=3874&parentid=989. There are lots of International schools and nurseries in the area. <em>edited by mum2girls on 02/09/2013</em>
mum2girls
1097
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 02 September 2013 - 10:12
Not every ex-pat likes living in France. Personally I would love to live in Paris for a few years, but a friend of mine who moved there really didn't like it it, so she moved back to the UK and her husband commuted. Under the circumstances you explain, i.e. you don't particularly want to move to France, that you will be left to deal with all the administration, (which is a LOT in France), the kids transition, no support from your husband in settling in, living in an apartment owned by your in-laws, then NO, I would not want to move either ! Is your husband quitting a job to move back to France ? Would you / he consider moving to another country where you are both 'new' ?
mum2girls
1097
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 02 September 2013 - 10:00
If you have household contents insurance, check that out first before you have them cleaned. The household insurance will cover the cost of cleaning and If the cleaning does not work, they will then cover the cost of replacement. If you send them to the cleaners first and it doesn't work, you will have voided your opportunity to claim for the damages.
mum2girls
1097
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 01 September 2013 - 17:17
Oh I am sorry, it sounds like she has absconded. You need to report it ! If she does return you will have to terminate her employment anyway because of her conduct. So sorry for you that this has happened and you have missed out on your interview.
mum2girls
1097
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 14 August 2013 - 15:42
Bubbalicious for a family brunch gets my vote.
mum2girls
1097
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 14 August 2013 - 15:40
I totally agree with scribs here. The first priority your friend should be focusing on, is to hire a maid / babysitter who has experience and references from a previous employer rather than a family friend recommendation. I would already be very wary of that. I would not hire someone to babysit my child who I could not communicate with, that being said, I have found that even those who have 'good' english skills still manage to have communication and comprehension difficulties. I think your friend should rethink her criteria for hiring a maid/babysitter. <em>edited by mum2girls on 14/08/2013</em>
mum2girls
1097
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 30 July 2013 - 19:54
I think it's called Creative Minds in Umm Suqueim. But there is also one in the beach road shopping mall , the one with the Zaks shop.
 
 
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