All posts filed under: Parent Talk

Stay-at-home Mom

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SAHM (stay-at-home mama) is a label attached to my name since we moved in the UAE, that’s more than 10 years now. The choice to be one was mine.  Being one was certainly not a part of my 10yr plan back then. I’ve always imagined myself a career woman. When Coy left for work overseas, my Mama said ‘Go where your husband is if circumstances permit it’ and so I did.  Ohh how I blamed her that first year away living the life of an expat SAHM. Why? I was tired with domestic life – infinite dishes to wash, endless laundry to attend too and a house that always needed cleaning. Add to that even after a days work, the effort was left unnoticed! SAHM label often left me feel exhausted, lonely, angry, and worthless. I completely lost who I really is/was.  I, myself no longer know me. If you find yourself in that similar situation know that you are not alone and what you are feeling right now is VALID. *** In a world …

What’s inside our GO BAG?

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What is a ‘Go Bag’? A ‘Go Bag‘ is something that you would grab in situations that require immediate evacuation. It basically is an emergency-preparedness bag that you pack in advance but hope you never need. Contents of the bag should be sufficient for a 12-hour period. It is recommended to update contents of this bag every few months. You have to choose a bag that is large enough to carry the necessary items. I prefer to use a backpack so my hands are free to hold my children. What is inside a Go Bag? Travel and identification documents are the top most items that I make sure is updated and always inside our bag since we are living overseas. Make it a habit to scan important documents, then save it in a virtual drive and send copies to your relatives Passport Emirates ID (identification card for UAE residents) Health Insurance Card  Insurance Papers First Aid Kit – masks, bandAid, antiseptic wipes and important medication. Include a copy of your physician’s prescription. Flashlight and batteries. Ideally, a flashlight …

school memory keeper

School Memory Keeper

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Our kids have grown taller and so much wiser as we bid farewell to another school year. They also have to say goodbye to special people who have helped shaped their personality, the Teachers. I found the perfect way to preserve school memories and very special graduation gift as well! Mel of More Organised shared the idea of gathering messages from teachers and have them write it on your kid’s favorite book. You, the parent will do this each year at the end of school year. It will be ideal if you can start this as early as nursery or baby daycare. I completely forgot about it last term, thankfully Harkee of As They Grow posted about it on her IG stories at the last week of Chloe’s school.  Late at night, I crammed looking for a hard bound  book with a lot of blank pages. Luckily, I have a hard bound copy of  “Oh, The Thinks You Can Think!” by Dr. Suess. Still need to do this memorabilia for my eldest,  a reminder has …

essential oils dubai

Essential Oils – Fab or Fad?

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I consider myself skeptic to ways that claims to be the “solution” to everyday issues. Growing up, my mindset was if you have issues with your health, you should go see a doctor and have yourself examined then finally go home with medicines prescribed to you. However, this all changed when I became a mom, the instinct to protect my child from what could possibly hurt him kicked in. Enrolled myself to a Lamaze class to prepare my body for natural birth, consumed organic products and had my mind set to breastfeeding my child. Well, not everything went according to plan – both kids born via CS, I was on bed rest for a whole month, crazy nausea until the day I gave birth; breastfeeding was painful and I was only able to produce good amount of milk on the 3rd month; cloth diapers – which I still believe is economical and ecologically a sound choice; baby wearing and going all organic for the food my kids consume. Going “all natural” is not easy. I …

Hello 2017!

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I am always on the mood to make goals and get organize at the start of the year, but I only do so on my mind which like all of the marvelous ideas I’ve had, it all flew away with the wind. This year I am determined to be more organized and be thankful every day.  I am currently working on family calendar and blessings jar. Wishing you all a beautiful life story filled this 2017!

Family using devices

Technology: Friend or Foe in Family Life?

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Families around the world at one point or another have felt the disconnect between parents and children, and even between the adults, which is why we all felt the joy from the Dolmio Pepper Grinder advertisement when it shut off all the electronics in the house, leaving family members with no choice but to converse at the dinner table. Despite technology’s ability to connect others living in different parts of the globe, ironically enough of our devices have this ability to handicap people in social situations, directing our attention to keeping the whole world in the loop instead of focusing on the people right in front of us. But people often forget that there are two sides to every story. While mobile internet can distract us from family time, when used correctly our smartphones and tablets can benefit and even strengthen family bonds. Before the age of smartphones, we had to rely on phone calls, texting and refrigerator calendars to keep up with our kids lives. But thanks to all the developments in mobile technology, …

Pedestrian Friendly Dubai

A request for more pedestrian friendly Dubai

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Our area which consists mostly of residential building has 6 schools and two hospitals nearby. The traffic situation can be busy in the mornings during school week and scary during off hours. Ped Xing – means pedestrian crossing Pedestrian – a person walking LittleMiss C and I have been walking to and from school everyday since she started. Her nursery was just 5 minutes on foot from our old place and now the new school is just 10 minutes walk from our place. It’s convenient, healthy and economical to just walk specially during Dubai winter. On our walks we have only seen 2 Ped Xing lines and notice a lack of road signs that inform drivers a school is present. With 6 schools in the area motorists will encounter parents with children walking and trying to cross the street. Most of the drivers respect pedestrians and take time to stop even if Ped Xing is not available, sadly some do not stop. We need to cross 1 main road and 2 residential streets to get to school. On the main road a crossing …