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rawla

rawla
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Latest post on 20 November 2015 - 16:52
A professorship with a PGCE?!?!?! :confused:
rawla
405
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 19 November 2015 - 10:52
Wind777, that sounds like a fair price to me for the hours you mentioned. I don't think you are overpaying because the maid has to pay for her own rent, food and travel expenses. Most live in maids will earn close to that and not have to pay for the other stuff. Even if you are using an agency maid, who has the above provided, you are still getting a good deal (works out to approx Dhs 15 per hour vs Dhs 30/35/40 that most agencies charge).
rawla
405
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 19 November 2015 - 10:47
Agreed hiccups! I'm now 100% convinced this is a "wind up" too! First of all, no one is head hunted for a three day associate professor's position, not to mention that a part time associate professor role doesn't exist in any university in the UAE! Take it from someone who has worked in universities for more than 15 years. Associate professor roles are full time and only professors with world class research profiles are head hunted! Secondly, Tessa21 always posts on a Thursday or Friday - traditionally the slowest days on the forum. Finally, admin need to find better ways to get people talking again (like not deleting every thread with a whiff of controversy, for example!) and if they delete this post, I'll take it as a sure sign that Tessa21, is indeed, a figment of someone's imagination at EW's head office :)
rawla
405
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 14 November 2015 - 12:47
Have a look here for some info: [url=http://gulfnews.com/news/uae/health/health-insurance-mandatory-to-enter-uae-residency-department-1.1146864'>link[/url'> Hope your Mum enjoys her stay :)
rawla
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 09 November 2015 - 14:32
I have heard a couple of similar stories about delivering at Al Zahra Hospital from friends recently, too. It's absolutely ridiculous to charge for the bassinet! Where are you expected to keep the baby??? And their timing is horrendous! Not to mention their attitude ("if you had twins...")! It's really unfortunate that the Dubai Health Authority do not have a process to handle these types of complaints from patients (they will only look into medical negligence cases), because it allows hospitals and clinics to do as they please without any accountability whatsoever!
rawla
405
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 08 November 2015 - 22:16
I would ask the company to renew your visa before you travel. It's the safest and easiest option in your case, I think. The visa can be renewed early.
rawla
405
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 05 November 2015 - 15:59
I heard this show live and I agree that the nursery teacher went a bit overboard with her rant. She could have made her point more rationally and calmly, but unfortunately, she was all fired up. I don't think anyone would disagree that there are parents who don't want to deal with the hardships of parenthood and take the easy way out by just handing this responsibility over to nurseries and nannies. But these parents are a minority. The vast majority of parents genuinely want to be with their kids and raise them, but circumstances simply don't allow it. The lady kept saying "why have kids if you don't want to raise them?" but I don't think she has kids of her own or she would understand (as a working mum, herself, ironically!!). We all start a family in the hopes that we can live up to the "Hollywood ideal" of cosy family dinners, picnics in the park, days at the beach, etc. but the reality is very different and everyone has to find ways to manage and keep it together. Maybe there was no need for mum (or dad!) to work when the kids were born, but now there is because of commitments and obligations, financial and otherwise. Everyone has their own issues and problems, and it's not her place to judge how families raise their kids. Parents already feel guilty for leaving their kids with carers, without someone telling you they're doing your job for you. I'm afraid, you're not because you're not there when they wake up at 3am crying, or need to be potty trained, taken to the doctor, etc. Your role is limited to about 2-3 years of a child's life for 5 days a week, 40 weeks a year, so you're hardly [u'>[b'>raising[/b'>[/u'> the kids. BTW I don't want to sound ungrateful towards all of the lovely nursery teachers out there who do such a fantastic job with engaging kids in play and learning, and looking after them. We couldn't do it with you! Whatever bee this woman has in her bonnet, her resentment is totally misplaced. I'd like to hear her views when she has to drop off her kids at nursery one day, for someone else to "raise"!
rawla
405
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 04 November 2015 - 17:15
Spot on, FairyDust!
rawla
405
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 04 November 2015 - 17:13
I always put both my PO box and home address in the shipping address form. I usually put the PO box in the Address 1 field and the home address in the Address 2 field below it. That way you are covered for both courier and post office! If it's a courier delivery, they will call you anyway when the package arrives to confirm the delivery address.
rawla
405
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 04 November 2015 - 17:10
I have now tried most of the breakfast menu items at Common Grounds and I'm struggling to decide which one I love the most! Possibly the smashed avocado on soy & linseed bread with ricotta and poached egg... YUM! The place isn't cheap but totally worth the splurge! Eat Greek and Dean & Deluca are the only ones that haven't opened yet. Full list here: [url=http://whatson.ae/dubai/knowledge/32562/first-look-whats-inside-new-wing-mall-emirates'>link[/url'>/ and add Yo Sushi!
rawla
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 31 October 2015 - 18:24
A very interesting article about this: [url=http://www.thenational.ae/uae/uae-national-dress-is-a-living-tradition'>link[/url'>
rawla
405
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 26 October 2015 - 11:50
Very happy to hear that, bingo12 :) He's done quite a few things for us at home and we always gladly recommend him.
rawla
405
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 26 October 2015 - 11:45
Here's a recent view from a real estate expert in The National on this issue: [url=http://www.thenational.ae/business/the-life/does-landlord-or-tenant-pay-to-repair-leak-in-dubai-and-abu-dhabi-property'>link[/url'> Unfortunately, some landlords have a very short term view of their valuable assets and aren't prepared to spend any money maintaining them. I can understand having the tenant deal with minor/day-to-day issues such as a leaky tap being fixed or a light bulb being changed, but would you risk mould and other nasties ruining your investment by not having the ACs thoroughly cleaned once a year, including ducts? If a landlord simply put aside 5% of the annual rent each year into a separate account for maintenance, it would pay off many times over as the property ages. Not too hard on the finances + good for the property + a happy tenant = win/win/win!
rawla
405
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 26 October 2015 - 11:27
Could this article provide you with some leads, including Dubai Municipality: [url=http://www.thenational.ae/news/uae-news/heard-the-buzz-its-the-latest-hobby-in-dubai'>link[/url'>
rawla
405
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 26 October 2015 - 11:21
Didn't they do this recently for the Hijri new year holiday? The new year started on October 14 (Wed), but they moved the holiday to October 15 (Thur) to give everyone a long weekend. Personally, I prefer this to random days off during the week.
rawla
405
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 26 October 2015 - 11:15
Every career comes with it's own set of privileges and challenges. Hopefully, when you decide on a profession, you do so with an understanding of everything that's involved - the good, the bad and the ugly. Doctors are on call at all hours of the day. Pilots miss holidays and family occasions. Teachers have loads of work outside the classroom (prep, marking, admin, etc.). So, no one is disputing that teachers work hard and carry a big burden. All professionals also have to undergo training and professional development. These things have to be scheduled and organised around normal work hours. I know that 2 hours per week doesn't seem like a lot and sounds like we're making a big deal over nothing, but as I said earlier, over the course of the academic year it adds up to a substantial amount that can be utilised by students to learn or engage in some other useful activity (community work, etc.).
rawla
405
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 25 October 2015 - 21:55
I haven't done it myself, but I've heard that the one at the Dubai Herbal and Treatment Centre is good. Time Out did a review of the test a couple of years ago. Good luck!
rawla
405
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 25 October 2015 - 16:44
It's right next door to the new airport so I imagine there will be a lot of noise pollution!
rawla
405
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 21 October 2015 - 13:02
Believe me, children miss absolutely nothing by having their week shortened. I used to be a teacher and on Thursdays we would just do things like decorate the classroom, watch a movie (an educational one, of course!), and do some gardening. Yes, first three hours would still be language arts and math, but nothing would really happen in the afternoon, anyway. For many parents, in fact, it was sort of a free baby-sitting service. I honestly do not understand why are some parents so upset that their children get to spend a few more hours at home. It's not about children spending more time at home, Berberis. It's about a significant portion of weekly hours being cut. School time is measured in contact hours (not days!), so by shaving off 2 hours of teaching time on Thursdays, the school is effectively cutting out almost 10% of the total time spent in class during a week. Curricula are designed around a specific number of hours so I don't understand how a school can cut 2 hours per week (which works out to almost 80 hours per academic year on average) without this having an impact on learning. Maybe it doesn't make too much of a difference to the little ones who spend most of their time learning through play, but it does make a huge difference to older kids. Imagine what you can learn in an 80 hour course! You could easily master the basics of a new language! I am shocked that KHDA and the Ministry of Education would allow schools to do this, knowing well that contact hours are one of the main indicators used for assessing learning outcomes (along with marks/grades). Schools need to make provisions for their teacher training outside regular school hours. There are lunch breaks, all teachers have free hours/periods during the day and there's always online learning so there's plenty of time for their professional development. If my child's 80 hours are being used to train his teachers, I for one would like to see the benefits of this expansive training programme!
rawla
405
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 21 October 2015 - 12:03
mplus have completely lost the plot. They used to be good but now they're up to their ears in silly rules and so much paperwork (quotes, invoices for ghost jobs, etc.), that the work which needs to be done just ends up being bottom of the list, which is all the customer wants. They have lost at least two major jobs with me because of their newly found bureaucracy! "Someone will phone you to give you a quote, someone will come to inspect, someone will follow up, etc. etc." but no one phones and no one turns up. Then you get these weird random bills a month later through their online system :confused: I just ignore them since they haven't done the work. You need to sign off on a job before you hand over any cash, so if you haven't done that, just hit the delete button. As for their ridiculous charges, you have so many other options. I have used JWFI, Must Have Maintenance, Smashing Clean, etc. Not to mention the hundreds of handymen out there. If you need carpentry work, try Farhad (don't have his number to hand but he's been recommended many times on this forum).
rawla
405
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 19 October 2015 - 12:12
Try Lifestyle. They seem to have loads of options, ranging from the "kitschy" and faux leather to plain acrylic. You can buy a jewellery box or individual stands/storage for necklaces, earrings, etc.
rawla
405
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 18 October 2015 - 14:13
Dr Khan is excellent but it can be hard to get an appointment with him. If you do not require surgery, you can also see Dr Carol Lecart at Belgium Medical Centre in Healthcare City (Bldg 27, phone 04 3624711). She is very, very good and will refer you to Dr Khan if you need to do a full surgical procedure.
rawla
405
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 17 October 2015 - 14:58
There was a thread about this earlier in the summer ([url=http://www.expatwoman.com/forum/topic233722-oven-cleaning.aspx'>link[/url'>) with a recommendation for a company, now that Shaun has left Dubai :(
rawla
405
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 16 October 2015 - 21:28
I think your only option is to renew your residence visa early. You can renew up to three months prior to expiry (possibly six because some countries require a six month validity on residence visas for travel so people renew earlier than the expiry date). The only thing is that your new residence visa will be valid for three years from the date of renewal (i.e. until October 2018) so you "lose" two months' worth of your residency.
rawla
405
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 15 October 2015 - 18:21
Had to dig deep but I finally found the info that someone posted on here ages ago about the Springs villas paint. Here goes (copied verbatim so I have no idea which one is which, but hopefully National Paints will know): "I was given the following codes: Fiem 14 Fiem 15 Marone 15 (all outdoor paints) I can only assume that these are national as wasn't told anything otherwise." Another poster wrote: "... the paint used for this wall is CAPAROL and the color code is Marone 15.... CAPAROL has an office in Al Quoz with phone number 04 3473538" So this was ages ago (maybe 5-6 years ago??) but may give you some leads. Good luck! ETA: Forgot to add that this could be for a completely different Springs villa to yours as they are different colours depending on the phase! Not sure which phase this was for.
rawla
405
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 14 October 2015 - 10:54
The attestation process doesn't vouch for the contents of a document. It is done simply to ensure (attest) that the documents are not fake, so the appostille stamp that you have doesn't count, unfortunately. Since the marriage certificate was issued by the Czech authorities, they have to vouch for the authenticity of the document. Normally, this is done by the country's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA). They will stamp the document and state that it is genuine. Since you probably don't fancy a trip to Prague to do this (or do you? ;) ), you can approach their Embassy in the UK. An embassy is a representative office of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. They may be able to stamp this document (for a fee), or send it to the MOFA in Prague on your behalf. If they can't do this for you, then unfortunately, you will have to either go and do it in person in Prague or send it through courier. All of this is a standard procedure that countries have for attestation of documents, but in your case, you may find that there is not a lot of information available in English. I suggest you call the Czech Embassy in the UK and ask them what you need to do to get your marriage certificate attested. Once that's done, the next step is to do the UAE bit, which can be easy or not so easy depending on whether your marriage certificate is ONLY in Czech or has English translation as well. If the document is in Czech AND English (i.e. does not need to be translated), once it has been stamped by the Czech authorities, all you have to do is take it to the UAE Embassy in the UK, have them stamp it as well (for a fee) and you're done... until you get to the UAE. When you arrive in Dubai, your final step is to take the document to the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs for it's final stamp! Phew, right? If the marriage certificate is only in Czech and has no English translation, then, unfortunately, there is an additional step before you take it to the UAE Embassy. That step involves getting it translated by a registered translator (can't just be any translator off the street) and then having it stamped by the Ministry of Justice as well (this ensures that the translator is bona fide). You then take your original and translated marriage certificates together, to the UAE Embassy for their stamp, followed by the UAE MOFA stamp when you arrive in Dubai. Makes you wish you just got married in the UK, doesn't it? Good luck and I hope it all gets sorted quickly.
rawla
405
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 12 October 2015 - 14:45
The information on the website sarahlou123 gave you is current and correct. Take all of the documents listed and go to a "big" police station which has all of the services (e.g. the one next to Gold & Diamond Park on SZR). You will submit the paperwork and pay the fees, and they will issue you with the Good Conduct Certificate. It's a painless procedure if you have your Emirates ID. Otherwise, they have to take your fingerprints.
rawla
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 12 October 2015 - 13:53
Whilst I agree that the OP should allow her gardener and pool service man to use the toilet, I feel that they are completely taking advantage of her kindness, which is not acceptable. They need to be there two days a week but they are knocking on her door every day just to go to the toilet. I am sure they work in other homes and can ask to use the toilet elsewhere too. It can't possibly be that they "have to go" every time they arrive at OP's house. I would be upset too if I were allowing them free use of my toilet and in return having it broken, soiled, etc. I would certainly expect them to leave it clean after using it. The second issue here is about strangers in the house. Some women (or even their husbands!) would not be comfortable having a man in the house while they are alone or with kids. Allowing workmen to use your toilet on the odd occasion is perfectly fine. Having them knock on your door every day and treating your home like a public loo is NOT fine. There are plenty of workers, like cab drivers, who sort out their own bathroom needs and the OP's gardener and pool cleaner are no different. They are adults, not children!
rawla
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 11 October 2015 - 14:25
If your husband has to appear in person it could be because he has to present his license so that black points can be applied as some violations incur a fine and black points, which are given to whoever was driving the car when the violation occurred (hence the need to go in person, because it doesn't necessarily have to be the car owner). This needs to be done at the police station, which is just next door to the RTA registration centre (opposite Mall of the Emirates). He can also settle all of his fines at the police station and then go do the car registration.
rawla
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Latest post on 10 October 2015 - 16:51
Agree with you NewbieD re extra vaccinations, and according to our pediatrician, if the booster has already been administered, you don't need to do the school one. Apparently, the Ministry launches these campaigns when there are increased cases of measles. DS hasn't had his booster yet but she says that she will bring it forward because of the campaign to as a protective measure. She also said that he could either have the booster at their clinic or do the free one in school (but not both!). So as far as I understand, it's still first + booster. The only thing I'm not sure about is that the measles one is given together with mumps and rubella (MMR) at one year. So if they get only the measles booster at school during this campaign, they're still missing the mumps and rubella booster and will need that later (4-6 years usually), or will they actually get the MMR as part of the campaign?
rawla
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Latest post on 10 October 2015 - 16:37
We have an L shaped sofa bed from IKEA which we are happy with. It is comfortable to sit and sleep on, and has storage as well. However, the downside with the L shape is that if you use the sofa ALL the time, it will "sink" in some spots from usage so when you convert it into a bed it ends up being uneven and you need to "pad" the areas that have sunk with a blanket or something. Hard to explain, but if you go to IKEA and try their L shaped sofa beds you will understand what I mean. If you don't intend to use the sofa on a daily basis, it's great and not too expensive.
rawla
405
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 10 October 2015 - 16:29
Mediclinic have a promotion at the moment with 40% off on all their health check ups at all of their hospitals and clinics. It ends on October 31. Had the Well Woman Review done and it was excellent. Thorough and efficient, done in less than 2.5 hours, including a consultation and many tests (blood, urine, PAP, abdominal and pelvic ultrasound, mammogram, ECG, chest x ray, eye sight). Their website has all the details. They also give you a breakfast at the end. It was reduced from Dhs 4,200 to Dhs 2,600. Definitely worth it!
rawla
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 06 October 2015 - 21:23
Cecile de Scally from BabySenses does home visits. She is very good and I only needed one visit after DS was born for her to "show me the ropes". Once she showed me what to do, BF became a breeze. She used to charge Dhs 500 per visit a few years ago, but I'm not sure if that's still the case. They also have BF support at their centre in JLT (www.babysenses.me). All the best with your delivery :)
rawla
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 04 October 2015 - 18:55
Your friend should be able to collect the returned cheque from her bank. I'm not sure if she can deposit it again, but the bank should be able to tell her. She may need to get a new cheque from the tenants and if they are not co-operative she can remind them about the eviction due to non payment clause in the law, as well as the bounced cheque law. The tenants will also have incurred a bounced cheque fee with their bank.
rawla
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 03 October 2015 - 21:25
Sorry, can't help with your query, but just wanted to say great user name, grannieyoda! Love it :) Hope you enjoy your time in Dubai.
rawla
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 29 September 2015 - 22:44
IMHO, the prices of the Springs townhouses are now much more realistic, and will probably come down a bit more. The development was way overpriced before! I'm not sure I would have invested more than US$ 1 million into a three bedroom townhouse which is on the smaller side and more than 12 years old, especially if it hasn't been maintained properly. I would probably go for a newer development which is larger and detached if I had that kind of money to invest. However, property prices are a function of supply, demand and location so the price won't necessarily reflect the actual physical value of the property. Emaar sold the 2 bedroom Springs townhouses off the plan from Dhs 450,000 to Dhs 550,000 in 2001/2002. The 3 beds were going for Dhs 850,000 on average. So if you are buying now, you will be paying at least 3 times the original prices.
rawla
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 18 September 2015 - 11:23
You need to take the attested fingerprints, along with the person's passport copy (and possibly a few passport photos!) to the police station, and fill in a form to request the Good Conduct Certificate. You will need to pay the fee (less than Dhs 100 from memory) and the certificate is normally issued for collection within a few days. In the past, you also had to provide information about the reason you need the certificate, but I'm not sure if this is still the case. I used to go to the Police HQ in Al Qusais but I think other police stations do it now as well, so you can try the one in Barsha (next to G&D Park) if that's closer. Good luck!
rawla
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Latest post on 18 September 2015 - 11:15
We have flown on all sorts of airlines and planes with our Babyzen Yoyo. It always fits into the overhead luggage compartments (and ironically, even better on the older planes which have more spacious compartments!). The trick, as Msquared17 says, is to put it in its bag at check in and during boarding so that the staff don't give you any hassles about it. If its in the bag, they have no idea that it's a stroller! Most airline/airport staff are still unaware that the Yoyo is compliant with IATA cabin baggage guidelines!
rawla
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Latest post on 17 September 2015 - 09:22
The OP and Amelia are correct. A law that requires all companies to provide health insurance is being phased in depending on the size of the company: "Whilst the Law came into effect on 1 January 2014, the provision of health insurance cover will only become mandatory for: - companies with more than 1,000 employees, from 31 October 2014; - companies with 100-999 employees, from 31 July 2015; and - companies with less than 100 employees, from 30 June 2016. The roll out phase also provides that dependents of sponsors, including domestic workers, must also be covered for the basic health coverage by 30 June 2016. - See more at: http://www.tamimi.com/en/magazine/law-update/section-8/february-6/compulsory-health-insurance-touches-down-in-dubai.html#.dpuf" If the OP's husband works for a company with less than 100 employees, he must have health insurance provided by June 30, 2016. If the company is bigger than 100 employees, then the OP is correct. They are breaking the law. Going back to the original question, there is a government body that regulates insurance in the UAE - the Insurance Authority (ia.gov.ae). You can check with them about your insurance, however, as dentro said, it probably comes down to what you signed up for. Read your insurance policy carefully to check about your entitlements and limits. The amount you paid is quite high and should get you policy with 100% cover, but it depends on many factors, including your age, pre-existing conditions, etc. A good insurance broker should be able to get you the best deal and coverage for the lowest premium. All the best!
rawla
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Latest post on 17 September 2015 - 09:08
CP, does the person have an Emirates ID? If yes, you can take it to the main police HQ opposite Mulla Plaza and apply for the certificate there. There could be other police stations where you can apply too, but I'm not sure. If the person doesn't have an Emirates ID, it's more complicated because you need their fingerprints. They will have to go and get fingerprinted at their local police station (wherever they are), have the fingerprints attested by their equivalent of MoFA, followed by an attestation at the UAE embassy in their country. They can then send you this document and you can use it to apply for the police clearance certificate.
rawla
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 17 September 2015 - 09:00
I second the Springs and Dubai British School, if you are a nervous driver. The Springs is more compact than Sports City. If you get a villa in Springs 2 or Springs 3, DBS will almost be at your doorstep. Have a look on Google Earth to see which streets in these two communities are closest to DBS and get a villa in one of those streets. Your budget is more than enough for a 2 bedroom villa in the Springs and if the property prices keep going down the way they have been in the last 6 months, you may even be able to get a 3 bedroom for that price by January 2016! All the best with your move :)
rawla
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Latest post on 14 September 2015 - 14:01
Has there been any change/disruption to your DD's routine? A new person in the house, potty training, etc. It could be related. My DS did this when he started nursery, when we would come back home after a long holiday, and similar. It never lasted for more than a week, and the only thing that worked for me was to give him lots of cuddles and tell him repeatedly how much I love him during his bedtime routine. It was as if he was seeking reassurance that even though things were different, Mum was still there for him. It was bad the first night, with lots of waking up and crying, but gradually it got better until he was sleeping through the night again after 5-7 days. Hope your little one settles soon and you get some badly needed rest :)
rawla
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Latest post on 13 September 2015 - 15:12
How about the colorful camel prints they have at Gallery One? They have lots of other interesting and quirky things in addition to the skyline prints. Littlemajlis.com also has loads of cute stuff.
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Latest post on 13 September 2015 - 15:06
Mediclinic has a promotion on at the moment, offering 40% off on all their women's and men's health check up packages. I had a well woman check done recently at City Hospital and they were very good. Thorough, well organized and no waiting times in between doctors/departments. Took 2.5 hours and you get breakfast at the end (since you have to fast for the blood tests). You go back a week later to get the results. Details are on their website.
rawla
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Latest post on 12 September 2015 - 15:07
First of all, congratulations! :) You have a couple of options to consider. You can register yourself for a maternity/prenatal package with a government (recommend Latifa) or private (American, City, Zahra, Medcare) hospital. This will include screenings as well as doctors appointments and a normal delivery. Many of these hospitals (and their associated doctors) have been discussed on the forum so you will get lots of up to date information about the hospital facilities, as well as the OBs at those hospitals. In any case, it's always a good idea to go and have a tour so that you can decide what you are comfortable with. Traffic is usually a consideration in choosing a hospital as most people want something closer to home in case there needs to be a mad dash! The government hospital (Latifa) has an excellent reputation and is probably a bit cheaper than the private ones. It is also the "go to" hospital in case of severe complications as it is fully equipped to handle all sorts of antenatal issues. I'm not sure if you need to have a government health card to register with them. City hospital seems to be the preferred choice if you're going private. The second option is to choose an OB first and then check with them where they deliver. Most of them will deliver at City, Medcare, Zahra, Garhoud Private, etc. There are also lots of OBs to choose from and they have their own clinics. Some offer packages but most don't so you will pay for every appointment, ultrasound, blood test, etc. separately. Also check which insurance they accept as some don't accept any for direct billing. There are lots of recommendations on the forum and choosing an OB is ultimately down to your personal preference. Some ladies like a "no nonsense/matter of fact" approach, while others prefer a more "hands on/involved/sensitive" approach. In any case, most OBs will provide you with their personal mobile number so that you can contact them in case of emergencies or problems. Something to keep in mind if you go with this option is that you will pay the OB separately for delivery (normal delivery is usually around Dhs 5,000 but can vary) and you will pay the hospital separately (for the room, facilities, medications, epidural, etc.) If you do a search on the forum, you will find lots of feedback and discussions about both of the above options, as well as doctors and hospitals. Good luck with your decision and all the best with your pregnancy!
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Latest post on 12 September 2015 - 11:38
Sorry to hear about your DD, Eisha. I hope things improve. The advice above is very useful so the only thing I can add is perhaps you can go and see Cecile De Scally at BabySense in JLT. She may be able to give you some more information. All the best.
rawla
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 11 September 2015 - 09:41
We have always been amazed by the fact that so many check in and ground staff of various airlines have no clue that the Babyzen Yoyo can go on board! Every time we check in, they insist on giving us a luggage tag so that we can hand it over when we get to the gate, despite showing them how it folds, etc. So now, we pack the pram into its bag as we approach the check in counter, then after check in we open it up again and use it to get to the gate. Before we board, we put it in the bag and we have never had anyone stop us. They just assume its a carry on bag because of the compact size. It has fit perfectly into the overhead compartment of every plane we have been on. Definitely a great pram for travel!
rawla
405
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 10 September 2015 - 09:24
Not sure about non-toxic, but Ace has some large ones. They're not cheap (Dhs 60 or 70 per tile). Carrefour has the smaller ones and you get 4 in a pack for roughly the same price. Also check the Early Learning Centre. They may have them too.
rawla
405
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 10 September 2015 - 09:15
It's not your conventional parenting book, but I loved From The Hips by Rebecca Odes and Ceridwen Morris. I got it locally, in Borders I think, but you can order it from Amazon.
rawla
405
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 09 September 2015 - 22:03
Rosie, the Mamzar beach is free and the parking all the way along it is free. The entry fee is for the Mamzar park, which is next to Mamzar beach. You can drive to Mamzar park, park outside for free and then walk into the park paying the Dhs 5 entry fee. Otherwise, if you want to drive into the park (they have chalets that you can rent so some families bring their car in with all their gear) then it's Dhs 40 for the car. Mamzar beach is a public beach and it's closer to Sharjah, which is more conservative than Dubai, so I would dress accordingly. There are lots of families as well as single men there on the weekend. Mamzar park also has a beach and since you pay to enter the park, it tends to attract more families. HTH
 
 
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