Anyone living in Dubai/Abu Dhabi/Gulf States? - Page 6

[LauraN]

ljooj: Welcome to the UAE! Are you in Fujairah or Dubai after all?

Brooke: There's a good group of homeschoolers in Al Ain... let me know if that's the sort of group you'd be interested in contacting. Lots of baby-wearing mamas when our Abu Dhabi group met up with them at the Al Ain zoo!

[expat-mama]

Kick-starting this thread again!

I'm back in Al Ain after a long and wonderful summer in Toronto. My son is almost 14 months old and I am desperately looking for ways to keep him engaged and active after our busy summer in Canada. He developed so much and really enjoyed lots of new experiences and I'd really like to continue that for him. It just seems so hard here- with the weather and lack of organized activities for toddlers. Last year we stayed at home a lot and hung out with a couple friends and that was enough to meet his (and my) needs for social activity and outings- but this year I think we both want more!

I'm going to try the playgroup (Mums and Tots) again, even though I wasn't too thrilled with the way they meet outdoors (soo hot, even under a shade cover) at the Sunflower school and the way the "big kids" from the school burst onto the playground during the playgroup time. I think there is also one or two moms that host a group at their homes during the week.

We signed up for a kindermusic class too so I'll see how that goes. We also go to the pool at a local resort 2-3 times a week- we both love swimming, it's a great way to cool off and there is a grassy area and playground there too.

My son enjoyed story time at our local public library in Toronto soooo much that I'm considering trying to start one up here.

Anyway... is anyone in Al Ain? Did those that were planning to move to Al Ain ever get here? Let's meet up!

Looking forward to hearing from you!

[expat-mama]

Back again...

I heard that the Al Ain zoo now has a petting zoo and a giraffe feeding station! We're going to check it out this weekend.

The local playgroup has been meeting in a mall. Not my idea of fun or something that I think my son would enjoy...

Contemplating a move back to Dubai this winter- my husband will have a long commute, but at least we will have more access to interesting experiences and social activities for my son and I during the day...more interesting than a mall! Or at least the malls will be better!

[1jooj]

My dh is dropping the car off to be serviced over the weekend, so I am staying home, I guess! All weekend. We're right close to the beach in Dubai and near enough to Safa Park and other stuff that we can walk or bike where we might need to go, and of course there is always the taxi, but that's kind of a pain.

My 2 kids just started school this week at DAA. School started Sunday and dd came home with a cold night before last. She may even stay home today. Of course they always exchanged colds in the US, but just think of a classroom with 24 little vectors carrying viruses from all over the world. We'll probably spend months going through this initial round. A place like Dubai must be a real worry spot for places like WHO and CDC.

I'd like to venture out and try the new Green Line on the metro, but I think I will still wait for cooler temps. Our car thermometer read 50C in the parking lot of the immigration building yesterday. Still too hot to drag around the city. 

expat-mama, I see a lot of meetups here for moms and tots, and of course, it's Dubai so they go to indoor soft play areas. I personally have always been grossed out by those in the US, and my kids are too old for them now, but I'd assume they keep them a good bit cleaner here. I have started to wonder what it must be like to have a baby here. 

I've also tried a book club here, and it was fun. There's a writer's meetup, but I missed that this week. I've met two people who I think may be nice friends. Don't need too many more, right?

And my sister is coming to visit us next week! Very excited.

[craftymum]

Hello everyone,

I haven't checked this thread in a long time  We're in Dubai so big hello to everyone else that lives here too. 1jooj, it sounds as if you have settled in nicely to life in Dubai. Give me a shout if there's anything I can do to help or to meet up for a coffee. 

Crafty x

[Brooke Bauer]

Haven't checked this for a while now.  We've moved to Al Ain and have found a pretty good group of natural mothers.  I'm a doula in Al Ain (www.sweetlilydoula.com).  Another doula (www.alaindoula.com) and I have started a nursing mamas group.  If you're interested we've started a Facebook group here: http://www.facebook.com/groups/147871908633388/ .  There is also a Human Milk for Human Babies site (www.facebook.com/hm4hbuae).  Hope that helps anyone who is in Al Ain and wants to meet up with some like-minded mamas or in case anyone is thinking of moving to Al Ain and wants a place to start.  :)

[1jooj]

Oh, crafty, I am the furthest thing from settled in. Kids have started school, and I have a few things I do to keep me busy, but I don't feel at all at home here, and tbh we're counting down to summer vacay back home with the family. I'd lived abroad before, but never with kids, and my kids are as attached to the extended family as I am. They miss everyone from home terribly, and it's been almost 5 months already.

Of course, just surviving summer (and Ramadan!) here has been a feat, and I think the wear of that experience is still with us. But we're all outdoorsy people, farm people, and I can't imagine a place further removed from the natural environment than this. And the lack of a coherent culture makes it hard to know what to expect from day to day. It exhausts me. I'm on the lookout for when Ripe starts its farm visit program, just to get to see people interacting with such things as plants, soil and livestock, if I can.

Meantime, I'm working out, writing, going to the beach and trying to take the opportunity to focus on myself while I can. This is a long-term assignment, but it's not forever, and I have set some goals for the time.

[craftymum]

I'm sorry to hear that 1jooj, it does take time to get into the swing of things here. We go away for nearly the entire summer and it seems to get harder and harder to come back each time. My eldest has had a difficult time settling back into life here this time as he misses his grandparents, uncles and aunts terribly - there's only so much that phone calls and emails can do to bridge the gap. I find September to be my hardest month and do admit to shedding a tear or two in the last few days. Luckily, October is just around the corner and it'll bring the cooler weather with it. 

I've been compiling a list of outdoorsy things to do this year to make the most of the 'winter' months. This has cheered me up no end!

I'm glad to hear that you're spending some time on yourself while you have the chance and writing too. I'm busy with my writing projects as well as working on my little business. It helps pass the time and keep my mind active. 

[1jooj]

crafty, where are you in town? I'm in Jumeirah, kids go to school in Al Barsha. Dh works in JAFZA. And what's the business?

[craftymum]

Not too far from you, we're in Jebel Ali. The children go to school here and DH works just up the road. It works really well as everyone has a short commute although a bit longer to school for us in the morning because of the traffic but the afternoons are a breeze.

[1jooj]

Thanks, crafty. My dd rides in Jebel Ali on Saturday mornings, and I'm going to be starting a job soon in JA Ind Zone.

I know the weather is a big part of it, but I think I have something more going on. I have been just a mess. I mean, I hide it pretty well. I've been chatting people up, meeting up with a few women here and there, even maybe making friends (?). But I am constantly on the verge of tears and can blow anytime (and I do). The smell of the riding stables made me cry last weekend. My dh has been gone the last 2 weeks. He's home for the weekend and then leaves again for another week, and I have no one here. I don't want a coffee morning or brunch at Paul. I want my best friend or my sisters to sit on my couch and drink coffee with me and just hang out and laugh. And I'm having weather withdrawal, knowing there are falling leaves and sweaters and boots at home, and here it's more of the same. Kids are hating their bus ride, but we're a one-car family, so I can't drive them. We miss our farm immensely.

So anyway, I've picked up this part time job, and as of now, dh and I are considering sending me and kids back next year for him to finish out his contract on his own. We'll miss him, but we're missing him here, and with no support system. At home, at least we have family and friends to lean on.

I know I sound like a downer. On the bright side, we're trying to plan a Christmas vacation to Turkey, and my parents will be coming in January. I'm also going to try and fly a friend here in February. I do stuff--I don't just sit around and mope. I write, and I run, and I go to the beach, and I'm in a book club, and will be meeting up with a writer's group this week. Like I said, I'm functioning, but I am really, really homesick.

[Heba]

Hello again, UAE mamas.

Just wanted to let you know about the National Breastfeeding week seminar organised by peer group Breastfeeding Q&A.  We have some fab guest speakers and I'm very excited about it.  Topics include milk-sharing, weaning from the breast, babywearing, breastfeeding with reflux and colic, and we'll also be showing the new Biological Nurturing DVD ("Laid-back breastfeeding for mothers").

I'ts going to be held at Al Wasl Hospital in Dubai on the morning of 12th November.

Please pass this info onto anyone who may be interested (expectant / breastfeeding mums/dads, or breastfeeding supporters).  For more information or to register, please e-mail me on [e-mail] (or drop me a line here!).

xx

[1jooj]

Thanks Heba. I've passed the info along to my book club organizer, since she's a nursing mom and likely knows a lot more people than I do (which is almost none). 

Anyone got plans for Eid?

[RomanGoddess]

Anyone else in Kuwait?

[Heba]

Thank you very mum, 1jooj!

I'm hoping for a nice quiet Eid week :).  Anyone planning anything exciting?

[1jooj]

Well, my dh just got called away to Cairo for the week, but should be back for the holiday. We wired money to the ILs to have someone slaughter on our behalf this year, but we have since been invited to join our Arabic tutor's family for their celebration in a park somewhere Creekside, so maybe we will have it both ways. Will probably just try to get out and enjoy the weather. It is nice to get out on the bike now that it's not extraordinarily hot.

Dh seems to think Cairo might be perfect for winter break. I wanted Turkey, but it looks like that won't happen. Dh thinks it will be too cold and wet. And I think Cairo will be cheaper than Istanbul.

[Heba]

Does anyone have details of an IBCLC in Al Ain who will take outside patients (i.e. not only attached to a maternity ward)?  I've e-mailed Cromwell but had no response :(.

I have IBCLC details in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah; AD, Dubai and Fujairah also have registered breastfeeding counsellors in the voluntary sector (LLL and ABM), but who is there in Al Ain? I only know of the Al Ain Nursing Mamas group Brooke mentioned above.

Would be grateful for any leads.  Many thanks.

xx

[Heba]

Hello all!  Just wanted to let you know that peer group Breastfeeding Q&A is running an ante-natal breastfeeding workshop in Dubai on 14th January.  More info here: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Breastfeeding-QA-UAE/150974098253197?sk=events#!/events/305238879515368/ or e-mail sian.breastfeedingqa at gmail.com .   Please do pass this onto anyone who may be interested. 

We are also resuming monthly meet-ups on the 3rd Saturday of the month, 12 noon at the Organic Cafe in Dubai Mall (which coincides with the Organic Supermarket 20% off day).  La Leche League took over this slot when we stopped a while ago, but now that the leader is sadly leaving Dubai, Breastfeeding Q&A is picking it up again.  All expectant and breastfeeding mums and breastfeeding supporters welcome!

Thanks!

[Brooke Bauer]

Hi all.  Just wanted to let you know that I've started up a UAE Natural Family Living Network on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/groups/244138918988067/

The UAE Natural Family Living Network was started so that parents in the UAE can provide support to each other based on our natural parenting instincts.  Thought that you all might be interested.  We're hoping to have meet-ups and such at some point soon.  :)

[LauraN]

Cool! Just asked to join :)