nicolemodesti

We are moving to Dubai! My husband is already out there and I'm here tidying up the house etc as well as our 4 year old son for an end of May move! Oh and our cat is relocating too! I met a lovely couple, who came to buy a piece of furniture lastnight, who had positive stories of their own time in Dubai and Middle East and got me thinking if any other forumites might be able to share? I've joined an expat forum out there which has been really helpful but maybe some stories closer to home...... It shall be a complete change of life for us and a brilliant experience for our son in a culturally diverse environment and a good school. Plus a bit closer to my home country of Oz before my husband finally convinces me that we really 'must' move there! After 19 years in London I'm looking forward to the sun on my back and sand between my toes and have no misconceptions about the scorching heat! If anyone has experienced Dubai and its many 'wonders' or 'not so' then it would be good to hear! (Apologies in advance if there are posts to this and I don't respond as I'm just about keeping my head above water with work, child, packing and selling!) Thanks!

An 8ft trampoline was good in our garden and recently sold it due to moving. Easily held 3 children. We had the net as we got it when our son was 2 and have a long garden so I felt safer when he was bouncing away down the back and I could watch from the kitchen window. Regardless of the size, it always looks like it takes up more of your garden - when we took ours down the other weekend it felt like our garden was HUGE again! Have to say the BBQs we had over the last two years accommodated too many adults bouncing on it and it still retained its shape and spring! Well worth the investment. Look on Amazon as they have good deals and reviews!

We bought a single bed for our son after we had converted his cot into a cot bed and he wouldn't sleep in it. Once the single bed was put up with guard rails on he loved it! We invested in a really good mattress too. There is a shop in Streatham called A-Z Furniture, where we got ours, who were really helpful and had some good designs. Their delivery charge us quite reasonable. And agree with above with cost of bedding etc for cot bed - costs a fortune for something used for short period! Good luck - a grown up stage for your child!

Watching grown up TV while eating breakfast sounds like a pretty good start! And just think, same again after work without anyone to dictate the channel! Recharge your batteries as they soon return quick enough for the missed cuddles you're craving and the madness continues!

Westburys in Streatham is 24 hours and not too far from ED

Beyrouths on Streatham High Road - Lebanese, share platters and good with children. Our 4 year old loves it there!

Just wondering if anyone could recommend a good aupair website or agency? Toying with the option of an aupair when my son starts Reception in mid September. A very late idea but my husband has not been offered the reduced working hours he requested and I'm starting my Headship in a school that requires a huge demand in raising standards, so no doubt long hours! We are not in East Dulwich but in Norbury. Any advice would be appreciated, recommendations and how it all works? Also any good childminder sites? Although, we had a rather nasty experience with a childminder this year which left our son feeling a bit vulnerable.

Is it from 3 years or does it have to be 3 years 4 months? Various information!!

Aww bless you all!! Hello sailor, know what you mean about a parent breaking down from a nervous breakdown as my mother did too while my father would work in different and weird places, such as Iran and Sudan, in the 80s while caring for 4 children on her own. Sanity Girl - baby 2 off the boob and on your own - hat off again!! And Jessie even co parenting is still effectively single. Say it again - well done ladies, you are made of strong stuff!!

This is not intended to start any debate or divide the role of any mothers/fathers but just wanted to say that I am in total awe of any single mother/father or one whose partner works away a lot! My partner has just returned from a 2 week working stint in Dubai and while he has had the odd times of a few days abroad, in Paris or Belgium, this was the longest and least expected (night before departure he found out) that I have experienced. So it was a constant round of childcare for my 3 year old, nursery drop off (yes fortunately at Breakfast club at my school),pick up from childminder, household chores and my full time role as an Assistant Head Teacher (as well as 2.5 days teaching time), late nights on the computer playing catch up, weekend lessons for my son and no family here as all in Australia and mother in law holidaying in Barbados!! And let's not forget entertaining the kitten......I am fortunate that my partner is very hands on and totally appreciates my career but knackered I was after this 2 weeks!!And possibly wept tears of joy upon his return or were they relief? So I take my hat off to you, who manage it on your own, and salute you completely!! As well, I salute any mother/father in these times!!

Thank you micro scooters and my part arrived this afternoon!!

Nikki, that is terrible for you. Really feel for you as it sounds like the nursery was convenient for your location. Why are they not allowing you to continue with a discount but with a 20% rise? Surely your discount shouldn't be affected? Know what you mean about family not in country, as my family live i Australia, and my mother in law flits between here and Barbados. Whine away as it is really hard and especially as you have arrival no 2 due soon. Not sure what you could do besides discussing it with the nursery.

Yes significant investment is an understatement!! Really didn't need a miserable nearly 3 yr old over my 6 weeks off as his scooter was broken!! Thanks for your advice.

Did they give you any notice before they increased? Just that my son was in a council run nursery, in Balham, and they notified us before they increased the fees and the reasons why. 60% is a huge amount!! I think ours was increased by 17%. Thankfully now at the stage where my son starts full time school nursery in September. Good luck.

Thanks for your reply. Think I'll stick with what we have and keep the ?25 for his swim lessons in September!! We love going to Cyprus and first went last year, after visiting Menorca and Gran Canaria. We found Cyprus to be the most ideal holiday spot for families(well us at least!). We stay in Protaras, overlooking Fig Tree Bay, which is absolutely gorgeous and Fig Tree Bay is so safe for children swimming. The area is full of activities but night club activity is further away. Still there is loads to do and we went on a glass bottom boat, water activities as well as long walks along the golden sandy beaches. The restaurants are great too with most offering a safe play area for children and staff very accommodating for children. Last year our son was 2 and my stepson 11 and found that there was a variety of activities that catered both of them. Fly into Larnaca and it's about a 45 minute transfer (depending on where your hotel is situated). Last year we stayed at the Sandra Hotel, which was unfortunately booked out when we booked through a travel company, so this year we are staying at the Melini Apartments (which I think is next door). Convenience of these hotels is that Fig Tree Bay is just across the road and a 150 yard walk. All the shops and restaurants are on your doorstep but not noisy!! Hope you find a lovely holiday away and if you want anymore information then do PM me.

Success!! Contacted Jojomamanbebe who were so helpful and found my order number. All I had to do was email them photos which they forwarded to Micro Scooter who are now sending me a replacement deck!! All within 24 hours. Just wanted to let people know in case anyone else is in a similar situation.

We are off to Cyprus in a couple of weeks and wondering if anyone had used arm bands rather than arm floats for their children? My son is nearly 3 and quite confident in the water using arm floats, blowing bubbles, swimming along etc. They are a bit expensive and as he is going to be having swim lessons when we are back wondering if worth it. Like these: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Delphin-0034914-Arm-Bands/dp/B0002GTK9Y/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1312493043&sr=8-2

Yes thanks Fuschia I did pay by card and what I'm looking at from bank statements too!!

Thank you. They would need to replace the whole board if they would. I ordered from Jojomamanbebe so am going to see if they have a copy of my original order and delivery and what they can do/suggest.If they can't help then shall look at the website. I do have photos of when he first received it as well - Christmas Day opening of presents!It's just very annoying as am off from school for the 6 weeks and the scooter is preferred mode of transport than balance bike at the moment.

My sons micro mini scooter has a long crack above the front right wheel which happened this morning as he was riding to the swimming pool. He did bump against a pole but not at a fast speed so really do not think it should have caused this much damage! Where it is situated I'm concerned that it will not be strong enough to hold. As it was only bought at Christmas and used occasionally on the weekend I want to return it but can't find the receipt or warranty(if it even comes with one). Has anyone else experienced a similar problem? What do you think the chances are of an exchange? I just feel it's an expensive 'crack' for 7 months minimal use!!

Quinny Zapp has been brilliant for us as a general stroller and when we travel. We got it when our boy was 9 months old and he's still using it at nearly 3(well when he decides he doesn't want to walk or scoot!). It didn't bother us that it didn't recline and it didn't seem to bother him either if he fell asleep. It's been brilliant on various trips abroad as well as long trips to Australia. The folding part isn't one handed but it is still quick and easy. Very lightweight and folds small.

They do pull up night pants in a size smaller than 4-7 years and are a Huggies brand. To be honest we are using the 4-7 years pull ups for our nearly 3 year old as they seem roomier for him and he prefers them. Have also resorted to using the girls ones on occasion when no boys ones on the shelf! Alternatively you could try Bambino Mio training pants which is made from a cloth material which we also use at night.My son has been dry for awhile but occasionally has the odd accident and these hold the urine. good luck.

Thank you all and shall check out the valuable web sites provided. Need to get a move on with booking!!

Thank you both for your responses! Still looking and trying to decide. Always hard not to go with the airline you know (as well as pay top money for) although do need to save some money for the wedding extravaganza!And 3 seats works out cheaper with Korean. Great tips re food and whichever BBB it may be plus the rooms.

We are planning our trip home to Australia for December and looking at flights. Usually we fly with Emirates or Singapore Airlines but am shopping around this time as we are also organising our wedding while there with family,so need to save a few pennies to have a big knees up. Korean Air is offering good deals and the reviews are mixed. Plus you have an included stopover, in Seoul, on the way back. Our boy shall be 3 when we fly. My parents have just been here with us and flew with Royal Brunei but found the 2 stops a bit of a drag, which we did with Emirates too and a small child. Another option is Malaysian Airlines who I flew with years ago but am unsure what they are like now, especially with small child. Also used to fly with JAL. Just wondering if anyone has used this airline? Or any other alternative airlines?