Mother, Baby & Child December 2018

ISSUE 93 | DECEMBER 2018 | DHS15

«WIN«

WORTH OVER

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MOTHER, BABY & CHILD AWARDS 2018 WINNERS

MEET

FOUNDER OF SEASHELLS ON THE PALM AND MOTHER OF FOUR ADORABLE CHILDREN

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EDITORIAL

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EDITOR’S LETTER

H

ello Mom, It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Festive markets are on, DSF (Dubai Shopping Festival) is around the corner – from December 26th – and we’re looking forward to NYE celebrations. End of 2018, how did that happen so quickly? The end of the year also marks a close for the Mother, Baby & Child Awards. Turn to page 47 to find out if your favourite brand took home gold.

With the month starting off with a long weekend, I’m aiming to get a head-start on gift shopping. Doing the same? Turn to page 35 for our festive gift guide. You can find ideas for other moms, husband/dads, and the children. If the kids are keen on inviting friends over, throw a festive themed party or let them get creative with gingerbread house decorating (page 42). If you tend to feel a bit overwhelmed this season, turn to page 32 for tips from our relationship expert, Nicola Beer. For advice from a mother of four, read our cover story on page 20, or discover 24 hours in the life of a mumpreneur on page 16, and shop where this mom does (page 18).

Don’t forget to pamper yourself (page 61), go shopping (from page 57) and spend quality time with family and friends – turn to page 62 for inspiration.

Happy Holidays!

MOTHER, BABY & CHILD | DECEMBER 2018 | 03

CONTENTS

DECEMBER 2018

20 26 35 45

20 30 A MOTHER’S MANY ROLES

ON THE HUNT FOR UNTAPPED TALENT

Editor’s Letter.................................................................. 03 On Our Radar................................................................. 06 Things To Do ................................................................. 07

A W A R D S

2 0 1 8

A W A R D S 2 0 1 8

THE ULTIMATE FESTIVE GUIDE

THE MOTHER, BABY & CHILD AWARDS 2018 WINNERS REVEALED

For Dad.......................................................................... 37 For Boys.......................................................................... 38 For Girls.......................................................................... 41

Parenting .......................................................................12

Host A Festive Party For Children................................... 42

What to Expect When You’re Expecting.........................14

Good Living................................................................... 51

24 Hours in The Life of a Mumpreneur........................... 16 Mom’s Little Black Book..................................................18

What’s in Store?.............................................................. 54 Cosy Cover-ups.............................................................. 56

Education ......................................................................24

Get Ready to Meet Santa............................................... 58

Raising a Bilingual child................................................. 27

The Beauty Edit...............................................................59

Health ............................................................................29 Wellbeing Talk................................................................ 30 From Me to We: How to survive the holidays with your family?..................................................................... 32 Festive Guide................................................................ 35 For Mum.......................................................................... 36 04 | DECEMBER 2018 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD

Tried & Tested Spas....................................................... 61 Dining in The City............................................................62 The Holidays in Paris...................................................... 65 Hilton Dubai Al Habtoor City........................................... 69 Competitions...................................................................72

VISIT THE NEWLY LAUNCHED

Stroller.Park StrollerPark is a unique retail concept for baby strollers. At StrollerPark you can choose from the full range of all leading stroller brands. We guarantee the best prices, great promotions and the best service.

StrollerPark is located in the Gold & Diamond Park, Dubai.

Give your home that festive cheer with this Xmas tree Coca Cola sleigh ornament and adorable cushion cover (Dhs79 at ACE) and printed dog cushion (Dhs90 at M&S)

This Plaid Hanapark shawl will become my winter essential. I’ll be packing it in a carry-on, throwing it on top of a few layers, and wearing it beneath a coat to keep warm.

Dhs650 at American Vintage

I’ll be making the most of this weather by spending days by the beach, with these glamorous Roberto Cavalli sunglasses on.

Dhs1,450 at leading Roberto Cavalli kiosks and outlets

While I stringently apply serum and moisturiser daily, I still feel my skin lacks radiance. I’ll be using Rodial’s Glycolic Booster Drops 10% to increase cell turnover, target uneven skin tone and pigmentation, and give my complexion a healthy glow.

Dhs415 at Harvey Nichols, Bloomingdales and beautysolutions-me.com

ON OUR

Editor’s RADAR

I love an all-inone balm. To soothe your lips, moisturize elbows and dry skin patches and keep cuticles in place and hydrated, try the Paw Paw ointment

by Sukin. It boasts a blend of natural oils, Vitamin E and papaya fruit extract. Dhs35 at Life Pharmacy

The only portable cup I want to sip from.

December is all about indulging, or so I like to tell myself. I’ll be snacking on these hand-crafted Belgian chocolate and liquorice treats that are free from additives.

Dhs155 for a set of three jars at Lakrids outlets in Marina Mall, Atlantis Palm Jumeirah and Dubai Mall I’m aiming to eat clean and healthy before the indulgent festive week kicks in. And of course, apart from a trip to the market for fruit and veggies, and spending at least an hour on Instagram and Pinterest for inspiration, the most important element of a lunch is the box. Here’s hoping I fill this bentostyle Citron lunchbox with a wholesome meal.

Dhs59 at Women’s Secret

From Dhs119 for four compartments, available at Caboodle, Petit Palais, Baby Boutique, Pandaboo and online at Souq, Sprii and Mumzworld

06 | DECEMBER 2018 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD

‘Tis the season to bake.

Unfortunately, this adorable Vinter Chef’s Hat won’t fit my head, but I’ll be sure to get it for my little nephew.

Now, to pick between baking gingerbread cookies and peppermint biscotti (decisions, decisions).

Dhs15 at IKEA

things to do IN DECEMBER

MARK YOUR CALENDARS Elite Babies & Tots, the leading Babycare company for new parents across the UAE, is back with Elite Mama Mornings; their educational morning workshops.

Head to their upcoming festive session, ‘Baby Music and Development Workshop Christmas edition’ by Rachelle Ghafary and Laura Cole on December 11th. The event is in collaboration with Healthbay clinic, and is great for picking up new tips from industry experts, meeting other parents and having all your childrelated questions answered. Looking for someone to care for your kids while you head out to events and workshops?

Hire a qualified Pediatric First Aid trained Babycare assistant from Elite Babies & Tots. They offer 24-hour service, seven days a week, and each Babycare assistant holds a degree in Midwifery / a Bachelor of Science in Nursing so you can have peace of mind knowing that your little ones are in expert hands.

The workshops are free of charge and take place 10-11:30 am at Villa 20-A, Verve Villas, Al Wasl Road.

To RSVP or request further information contact +971 56 900 9118 or email info@elitebabiesandtots.com.

WATCH LOST AT SEA STARRING MAGIC PHIL

Magic Phil is back for his fifth pantomime production, ready to take children and adults on a fun adventure as he gets lost at sea. The fun-filled show at The Junction Theatre, Alserkal Avenue, features characters including Captain Sue, Sailor Jerry and King Ratty, and was created by

Magic Phil himself. The songs have been custom-written and composed in the UK

by Music Director Richard Lamming from Pantomime Songs Limited. Costumes have been hand crafted by local women employed by Everkind, a social enterprise in Jordan that Magic Phil has supported

since 2013. The 90-minute traditional British humour, slapstick pantomime is on for three nights, and you don’t want to miss it.

December 6-8. Tickets are priced at Dhs150 per person and Dhs550 for four.

Visit platinumlist.net

MOTHER, BABY & CHILD | DECEMBER 2018 | 07

things to do IN DECEMBER

SEE THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS IN THE UAE

Let your children get into the festive spirit with this family show produced by Big Wooden Horse Theatre Company and written

by Adam Bampton-Smith. The story begins with Emily staring out of her bedroom window on Christmas eve, making a wish as she holds on to her teddy. Meanwhile Eddie, a little mouse wonders why only humans receive gifts, and sets out on a hunt to find

Father Christmas to get his questions answered. This 50-minute show is a real festive treat for the family, with songs, and a magical surprise at the end.

The show takes place on December 7th and 8th at Madinat Theatre. Dhs55 per person, contact +9714 304 2340 or email info@artforall.ae

POP INTO THE BACKYARD City Centre Me’aisem’s annual attraction is back with a new look and classes. The Backyard is a space where you and your children can head to for a calming yoga class, cake decorating session, movie sessions, puppet shows, pizza making, and a plethora of educational and fun activities.

You can also shop for fresh produce from RIPE Market on Tuesdays, and tuck into poke bowls, salads, wraps, and more from the food section.

The Backyard has also teamed up with Maison du Monde and American Girl for exciting collaborations, so do view the schedule before heading there.

Until December 15th, visit citycentremeaisem.com.

08 | DECEMBER 2018 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD

We provide newborn and toddler care in the comfort of your own home, for any length of time and at any time of day or night. Each of our Babycare assistants holds a degree in Midwifery / a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, and is trained in Pediatric First Aid and certified by Highfield U.K. Our private drivers pick up and drop off the Babycare assistants to and from duty.

IDEAL FOR: ∫ New parents or first-time parents ∫ Those who are ready to go back to work post delivery ∫ Parents in need of an extra pair of hands ∫ Anyone who wishes to get a good night’s sleep

Highly recommended by HEALTHBAY CLINIC For more information, please contact us: +971569009118 @elitebabiesandtots info@elitebabiesandtots.com

things to do IN DECEMBER

TRY A STARGAZING MASTERCLASS

Guest astronomer Mike Dalley is coming to Alila Jabal Akhdar, the luxury hotel perched 2,000 metres above sea level. If you and your children love anything to do with stars, head to this hotel located in the Al Hajar Mountains, for stargazing masterclasses and the Geminids meteor shower. Mike, the CEO, Founder and Principal Astronomy Consultant of Inspiring Skies, has mapped the stars with Hollywood icons such as Will Smith, and will lead the experience here, as guests witness over 100+ shooting stars per hour.

December 4-16, email jabalakhdar@alilahotels.com

WALK INTO WINTER WONDERLAND

Al Maryah Island’s waterfront promenade will transform into a magical winter landscape this festive season. Families can enjoy a visit to Santa’s Grotto, the cosy winter cottages covered in frosty snowflakes, children’s activities including snow globe making, cookie decorating, face painting, a sliding slope park, snow zone, immersive snow globe, winter ballet performances, and plenty more. Kids can also meet and greet their favourite princesses from Disney classics.

From December 13-26. Visit www.almaryahisland.ae 10 | DECEMBER 2018 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD

N A T U R E

|

Find out how modern women, and pregnant mums, manage work-life balance.

Our cover star discloses her journey and tips

12 | DECEMBER 2018 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD

N U R T U R E

|

L I F E

W O O D E N C H A I R T H AT

G R O W S A LO N G F O R A L I F E T I M E

max .

90 kg

parenting

WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN YOU’RE

Expecting About to become a mother for the first time? Here’s an honest month-by-month experience from a gorgeous mum-to-be April 2018

Being a mum of a two-year-old girl already, I was desperate to get pregnant again, to give her a sibling, and hopefully a best friend. As my first was a huge surprise, it was nice that this time around we got to discuss it and plan as a couple.

It took around three months to find out that we were expecting. I was doing the weekly shop in Spinneys and as I walked past the meat section, an overwhelming feeling of nausea came over me. I knew then and there, “I’m pregnant”. I left my shopping due to sheer excitement and bought three pregnancy tests from the pharmacy (just to be sure). I rushed home and after what felt like the longest three minutes, there it was, the little red plus. I waited until my husband got home from work to tell him, but was as nervous as a little schoolgirl, and kept giggling, barely getting myself to say it out loud. My husband started talking about going home for Christmas and booking flights, to which I casually replied, “I won’t be able to fly in December, we’ll have to stay here”. His face lit up and he said, “you’re pregnant, aren’t you?”

May 2018

Sian Abraham Founder of @MummyForYou

14 | DECEMBER 2018 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD

We told our families straight away but decided not to tell anyone else until a little later, just to make sure everything was on track. We made it to eight weeks before I couldn’t keep it a secret anymore. I was at breakfast with friends, one of whom was already pregnant and the other was trying.

We all usually order coffee and have a

A toddler, working full-time and being pregnant is a pretty exhausting combination, and I’ve found it really hard to balance everything good old chitchat, but my friend that was trying to get pregnant ordered a chamomile tea, piquing my suspicions. She informed us that she was six weeks pregnant, to which I happily broke the news that I was eight weeks pregnant. The ensuing screams had the whole restaurant questioning our sanity.

June 2018

Two words, morning sickness! With my first I had an amazing pregnancy and didn’t experience any nausea, so I never really empathized when women said they had a really hard pregnancy. However, this time around, I can proudly say, “Hats off ladies, this pregnancy stuff can be exhausting.” I had horrendous morning sickness up until week 14, which left me throwing up in the fire exit at work because I wasn’t ready to tell my boss yet, and even had to take days off, because I physically couldn’t get out of bed.

July 2018

My pregnancy so far was so different from my first, that my husband and I were convinced we were having a boy. We had our 13-week scan and asked if the doctor if he could tell us what we we’re having but the baby was moving too much to tell. We were told we had to wait until next time, which was a whole month away.

Being as impatient as I am, I couldn’t wait and booked another appointment a week later, where we found we’re having a little girl. Couples always say, “We’re happy either way, as long as the baby is healthy”, which is true, but there is always a preferred sex, especially with your second. I wouldn’t go as far to say we were a little disappointed, but I think

because we were so convinced it was a boy, we took a few days to get excited about having two little girls. Now we’re so excited and feel so lucky, plus girls rule!

August 2018

My bump and ever growing breasts were becoming harder to hide from work, so I decided to tell my bosses. However, during the monthly meeting they revealed someone was pregnant in the office and asked my colleagues to guess who it was, to which I nearly fell off my chair. I thought they had known for months and were calling me out, but it turned out another girl in our Abu Dhabi office was also expecting.

September 2018

A toddler, working full-time and being pregnant is a pretty exhausting

combination, and I’ve found it really hard to balance everything. The mix of interrupted sleep and terrible two tantrums has left me crying into my latte on many a morning, but I’ve learnt to slow down and ask for help from family and friends when needed.

October 2018

I’ve now reached the third trimester and although I’m not due until January the countdown and baby shopping has officially started. I’ve been really anxious about my two-year-old handling having a sibling, so I’ve been including her in everything, from building the cot to buying new items. I explain to her that these are for baby, and she knows there is a baby in my tummy, telling me “Baby happy”, which just makes me melt. I’m still waiting to see how she reacts when the baby arrives.

MOTHER, BABY & CHILD | DECEMBER 2018 | 15

parenting

24 HOURS

in the life of a Mumpreneur 4:30AM

7:00AM

One of my three-months’ old twins wakes me up before the alarm goes off.. Time for the first feed of the day. At this time, I’m usually nursing one, putting him back to bed and then the same with the other one.

Sometimes I get few minutes to lay down on the bed and think about the rest of the day.

Nawaf and I head towards the nursery while I grab a cup of coffee on our way. The twins stay at home with dad..

8:00 AM

6:00AM

SANA JAMSHED Academic Support Officer at Canadian University Dubai and a mother to three little boys

The day officially starts. A quick shower and then to the kitchen to prepare meals for my two-year old Nawaf. I make sure the feeding bottles for the little ones are sterilised, their formula milk and water are all in place.

Prepare my sons bag and change his clothes while he is half asleep.

16 | DECEMBER 2018 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD

Go shopping to grab essentials for the kids - diapers and stuff. This is the only time I have to shop!.

9:00AM

My position requires a lot of energy and attention as I deal with students all day long. Attending meetings, resolving issues, dealing with faculty and lots of emails.

12:30PM

nursery and back home to reunite with the little ones.

9:00PM

5:00PM

As I arrive home, one of the twins is asleep while the other one welcomes us with a big smile. I feed both the kids, put them to bed and now ready to attend to the third one.

Nawaf and I eat together at this time of the day.

Time to cook and clean! I usually cook for the next day and for my husband who comes home at mid-night. I then clean the mess and do the laundry. I make sure that Nawaf is in bed with his milk bottle while he watches rhymes before he falls asleep.

Baby shark doo-doo doo-doo doo-doo plays in my head all night long!

10:00-12:00PM

7:00PM

I am usually very busy with work and do not take a break for lunch. I grab a salad and eat while working at my desk.

Putting the twins to bed is not easy.

Sometimes they sleep right away and sometimes they play around. If they sleep early, this is the only time I have to work on my research paper and read.

4:30PM

12:00AM

Out of the professional world and back to the mom’s life. Time to pick Nawaf from his

Daddy usually bathes the twins in the morning, if he doesn’t, then I give them a bath, so they sleep well at night. My oldest is already in his little pool with dozens of balls, water toys and bubbles. I make sure that I spend some time with the elder one as he is growing and learning. I give him space, so he can explore things by his own and we play games together like hide and seek, clay models or building blocks.

It all depends on his mood.

My husband comes home. He is a doctor and works the whole day. We sit together for a while with a cup of coffee and chat (with no kids around) before we go to bed.

This is the only time we have together during the day.

MOTHER, BABY & CHILD | DECEMBER 2018 | 17

parenting

MY LITTLE

BlackBook Moira Sue Tsiolas

Mother to four-months old Nefeli

Favourite coffee-shop

Her favourite play area

The Coffee Club, Springs Souk. The Springs Souk has proven to be one of the most child-friendly hubs for me and my mama friends. I love the breakfast here and it is a very happy place to start my day as they have a mini play area and loads of cute kids and babies.

My daughter loves being outdoors, be it on a carpet of lush green grass under the sun or sand by the beach.

Décor store I keep returning to

The gadget/ accessory I can’t live without…

My cell phone, it’s the only most easily accessible and portable companion that rescues me at all times with the click of a button.

Elli junior. They have the cutest and most adorable products be it toys or accessories for the nursery. My favourite is the rocking unicorn which I am waiting to add to Nefeli’s room. Only hope she adores it as much as I do.

When I relax, I head to…

Best kidswear brand

Date-night venue

Babyshop for daily essentials. I have always been super happy with the price and quality at all times. For occasions and celebrations, Children’s Salon has gorgeous, unique and uber-stylish dresses.

The Maine Oyster Bar & Grill. I absolutely love oysters. Post pregnancy I couldn’t wait to devour them. I recently got to know that the Maine has special offers on Oysters throughout the week, so I guess it will become a frequent family-favourite.

A book I’m reading to my child...

Advice for expecting moms

That’s not my bunny - it’s one of those textured books and she loves touching the furry tail and fuzzy nose. When she’s in the mood for some bright colours and pop-up fun I switch to Alice in Wonderland.

If it’s your first child don’t miss a moment of how your baby will surprise you each passing day.

Spend as much time as you can with your baby.

Your bundle of joy loves to be loved and all she/ he needs is you and more love.

18 | DECEMBER 2018 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD

My bathtub for a warm bath or call the Nail Boutique to pamper me at home.

parenting

20 | DECEMBER 2018 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD

A MOTHER’S

Many Roles Edwina Viel takes us through her various responsibilities, as head of operations for her husband’s clinic, founder of Seashells on The Palm, and mother to four children all below the age of ten Words by Nicola Monteath Photography by Charls Thomas

W

hen Edwina Viel moved to Dubai in 2009, after the birth of her eldest son Luca, little did she know she would be calling Dubai home for the next ten years. “My husband, Maurizio and his twin brother had opened a branch of their clinic in Dubai Healthcare City. We came here initially to run it for just a few years,” she tells me. The Singaporean-national was raised in the UK where she attended boarding school from the age of ten.

She graduated in Economics and Politics at Edinburgh University, and returned to London to work for financial institutions such as Coutts and UBS, where at the latter she qualified as a fund manager, and looked after the private wealth of individuals, charities and small corporations.

MOTHER, BABY & CHILD | DECEMBER 2018 | 21

parenting

Similar to our yummy mummy from the November issue, Edwina left the world of finance to pursue a career in another field. Although, it wasn’t intentional.

“I don’t think it was a deliberate and thoughtful switch. When I first moved to the UAE, there was very little on the subject of motherhood. I had so many opinions and cultures thrown at me, it was all very confusing for a new mother, and still can be. After reading some parenting books, I was shocked by how they made me feel. They had strict guidelines on child-rearing and after speaking to many women, these books made us feel like ‘failures.’ That’s the last thing a new mother should be made to feel,” she says. “There are also women in Dubai who have faced difficult situations such as miscarriages

“

I have tried to filter how I spend my time, and block it out for work,

family and time out

22 | DECEMBER 2018 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD

“

The couple’s move to Dubai saw them immediately looking for a home on The Palm. “We love the water – it can be such a tranquil environment to come home to after a busy day in the city. There is something to be said about a having beachfront property especially for a family. My children love fishing everyday out front, and over the weekends, might sail up and down the frond,” she tells me, as we watch Sophia (7) swing, while the boys Luca (9), Lorenzo (6) and Leonardo (4) race on the shore. Her address also happens to be a part of her parenting and lifestyle blog title, Seashells on The Palm. “When I became a mother, I started researching a lot and always have had a love for learning. It all started when I first had Luca, and the BPA chemical scandal in plastic bottles was in the news. It made me think about what I was putting into or exposing my children to,” says Edwina. She has long been a fan of Prince Charles’ Duchy products too, that came from his farming operations.

“Prince Charles has been fighting a crusade for organic food for decades, since the 80s. I then realised that I also loved researching about education and schools, and just had a love for reading and understanding more about parenting and lifestyle. I was approached by many people over the years who asked my advice, so I decided to share my research online.”

Edwina soon intertwined her passion for writing and researching with her childhood passion for photography.

understanding that as mothers, we can’t always respond to emails, What’s App messages, and all other forms of communication readily because of our schedules.” To give you an idea of Edwina’s day, it begins at 5:30am after which she leaves the house at 6am to drop Luca for swimming, heads to the office at 8am and works until 10am or 1pm. School picks ups are from 2-4pm, after which she sits down with the kids for homework and piano practice from 5-7:30pm, puts the children to bed, and then finally has a bit of time for Netflix and/or social engagements from 8:30pm. Her children are quite busy most days too, with swim squad, piano and violin lessons, coding, football, sailing, arts and crafts, martial arts, and Mandarin classes being a part of the mix. They also learn Italian at home.

“All my children are so different in their interests and I am just exposing them to various activities, so they can figure out which ones they are keen to pursue.”

When it comes to managing work life balance, Edwina tells me she tries to live an intentional life. It isn’t easy in Dubai though, where you are invited to several events and need to socialize for work almost every day of the week.

“This year, I have tried to filter much more how I spend my time, and block it out for work, family and time out too.

It is not ideal, as there are friends and people I want to support, but I realise this is a season of my life when my children and family really need me most. Otherwise, I get overwhelmed and exhausted, and I have to be careful where I spend my energy.”

or women who struggle to have children – they are not alone. I have had women share their struggles in the hope of reaching other women who have gone through the same experiences. I hope to let them, through the blog, realise that there is no right way to raise a family. Each pregnancy, childbirth and family unit is a unique thumb print, but together we can support and learn from each other.”

Motherhood has helped Edwina evolve too. She now finds herself

being very efficient with her time and tells me that flexibility is key.

“When you are a mother, you learn that on most days, a spanner is typically thrown into the works and you have to adjust your whole day very quickly without getting stressed out. Children do get sick, or they end up keeping you up all night, or you find out or remember that they have an activity or a birthday party that you have forgotten about. You just need to be surrounded with people/colleagues/friends who are

As for a motto she lives by, Edwina says, as a mother it is important to learn to forgive yourself, learn from your experiences, and move on. I try hard not to let the mummy guilt weigh me down. Our children are incredibly resilient, capable and very adaptable to change. I also try to champion women as mothers, career woman and entrepreneurs. For advice on starting a blog, she says “blog for the right reasons. Be authentic and true to yourself and don’t worry about the numbers. It means more to people that you are doing it well, because they can hear your voice in your story/blog.

This will have much more of an impact than someone that hopes for overnight ‘instafame’.”

MOTHER, BABY & CHILD | DECEMBER 2018 | 23

education

L E A R N I N G

|

D E V E L O P M E N T

Take your child's education in your hands with advice from these professionals

24 | DECEMBER 2018 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD

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P E R F O R M A N C E

OUTSTANDING A-LEVEL AND GCSE RESULTS since our opening in 2016

*Introducing the IBDP & IBCP from Sep 2019. *Only schools authorised by the International Baccalaureate can offer any of its academic programmes. Candidate status gives no guarantee that authorisation will be granted. For further information about the IB and its programmes, visit www.ibo.org

sunmarkedubai.com admissions.sms@forteseducation.com

education

ADVERTORIAL

ON THE HUNT forUNTAPPED

TALENT

An interest in media and marketing as a possible future career pathway was the catalyst for a fledgling student initiative from Year 8 Kings’ School Al Barsha student, Nour Mahmoud.

Nour Mahmoud Year 8 student, Nour Mahmoud, is on the hunt to discover untapped talent at Kings’ School Al Barsha with an exciting new school-wide initiative

“There are plenty of talented students from FS1 to Sixth Form, who have never shared their abilities or showcased their skills; and I wanted to find a different way to do that here at Kings’,” she explains.

Nour’s talent hunt concept is a work in progress, and will be based on a talk show style series of filmed interviews where students will get to share their secret passion, hobby or skills with a wider audience.

A ‘one woman show’, Nour plans to oversee the series from concept through to camera (with the help of a willing videographer) and is gearing up to seek out on-campus talent with the help of the Kings’ community, as she explains: “From asking people for recommendations to possibly having a suggestion box, this will be the starting point. And it isn’t only for students; I’m also looking for staff and parent talent as well!”

“I really want to encourage anyone who is perhaps a little shy to step outside of their comfort zone, as well as help develop the talent of those people who love to perform.”

Her overarching goal is to spread the message that we all have something to offer and that everyone has a talent to share. “They just need to dig deep and, in the process, find out more about themselves and what makes them different,” she adds.

It’s an open call as far as the types of talent are concerned, with Nour’s only criteria that it is something that makes an individual different or stand out.

“They say that experience is the best school and we have all had different life experiences that shape our personalities, attitude and talents. This series will be an opportunity to find out things we don’t know about the people we see every day, and knowing more about our friends, other students, teachers, staff and parents will further unite our community and spread positivity.”

“Our unique gifts or talent also benefit everyone around us in the same way that we have benefited from Edison’s light bulb, Henry Ford’s automobiles, Steve Jobs’ Apple creations and our mom’s cooking.

We should share our gifts with others as a way to help us reach our full potential as no one else can be the person you were intended to become.”

Twitter:@KingsAlBarsha Instagram:@Kings_education Facebook:@KingsSchoolAlBarsha 26 | DECEMBER 2018 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD

RAISING A Bilingual CHILD

Is it important to teach your child a second language? Nicola Monteath speaks to two experts to explore further

I

grew up learning one language fluently. However, I can read and write Arabic – it used to be mandatory for schools in Dubai – read, write and speak in broken Hindi, and can successfully order food at a café in Portuguese, a language I am currently learning. The reason I don’t speak any of the other languages fluently is simply because I could never practice it. My parents always spoke English and so did my friends and people from the neighbourhood. While I didn’t think much of it when I was younger, fast forward to present day and I wish I knew another language fluently.

Parents are always trying to find ways to improve their children’s future in an evercompetitive world, whether it’s placing them in early music classes, sending them to elite sports camps or going to academic summer schools. But have you considered language lessons for your child? From improved social skills to deeper family and cultural connections, learning a foreign language affords children an infinite amount of benefits that can make the world a far smaller and interesting place than ever imagined. Here, Waseem AlHanbali, Regional Director for Cambridge International in Middle East and North Africa, and James Lynch, the Principal of Dubai International Academy - Emirates Hills answer a few questions:

At what age should children start learning a second language?

James Lynch: Researchers disagree over just how long the window is for when a child should learn a second language, some say that it ends by age six or seven, while others say that it extends all the way through to the start of adulthood. I think that there should be no age limit on when a child starts to learn a second language as long as they are happy and comfortable with it. Indeed, making things fun at an early age is so important.

MOTHER, BABY & CHILD | DECEMBER 2018 | 27

education Waseem Al-Hanbali: Agree, an age criterion should not come into play. Early learning can yield quicker results, as learners tend to be a lot more receptive at a younger age and have more flexible learning abilities.

It is easy to introduce a new language to children through means of play, with the use of pictures, movement and repetition.

That being said, young learners need to be supported by skilled bilingual teachers systematically over a period of five to ten years in order to develop proficient use of the academic language.

perspective of things, no. Research shows that there can be a very slight delay of about two to three months at the age of 12 months. That is, monolingual children generally start talking at the age of 12 months, while the average age for bilingual children is closer to 14 months. However, there are many cases of monolingual children who say their first word at 14 months of age, and other monolingual and bilingual children who say their first word at just nine months.

If a parent is mono-lingual, what methods can they take to help their child?

Should a child’s second language be their mother tongue?

James Lynch: Many education specialists have for many years promoted the advantages of mother-tongue instruction in the early stages of children’s education.

The benefits of learning English or indeed any language as a second language are vast. However, so are the benefits of the second language being the mother tongue.

It is also worth mentioning that a child being educated in their mother-tongue can create a huge sense of pride for that child in their identity and heritage.

Waseem Al-Hanbali: English has become a world language. It is also the medium of instruction and assessment for Cambridge programmes. In a cosmopolitan city like Dubai, most schools are English-medium schools. Many of the children are exposed to their native tongue at home in addition to their exposure to English and Arabic at school. We define a ‘bilingual learner’ as someone who routinely uses two or more languages for communication in varying contexts. The student’s first language (L1) is the one used at home/in the community and their second language (L2) is the one used in an educational context (in this case, English). This is not to imply that either language should be considered secondary to the other. This is why we encourage using the term ‘bilingual learner’ instead of ‘second language learner’ as it truly highlights the value of both languages and the students’ functional proficiency in both.

Are there any benefits to being bilingual?

James Lynch: Bilingual children perhaps do better in education seemingly due to their enhanced ability to concentrate and when switching language enhances the brain’s ability to focus and ignore irrelevant information. Knowing two languages also promotes all areas of cognitive functioning,

helps children solve logic problems quicker, and enables them to be better listeners.

Let’s not forget that speaking more than one language from an early age introduces the idea that the world is a diverse place with different languages and cultures to explore.

Waseem Al-Hanbali: Children who are bilingual or multilingual tend to be more open to change than monolingual children.

There is a growing body of evidence which suggests that bilingual children have increased mental flexibility, improved intercultural skills, and are better equipped to understand, interpret and interact with the outside world. That it is not to mention that bilingual education has also been proven to increase opportunities for global exchange and trade.

Can bilingualism cause speech delay?

James Lynch: Some children raised bilingual may take a little longer to start talking than those raised in monolingual households. However, in most cases the delay is said to be temporary. In the past, bilingualism was considered the culprit in problems with language development. However, research indicates that bilingualism does not cause delays in either speech or language acquisition.

Studies have found that children with language delays who are in dual language environments gain language at the same rate as those in monolingual environments.

There is a lot of evidence out there to support this view.

Waseem Al-Hanbali: In the larger

28 | DECEMBER 2018 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD

James Lynch: Excitement and anxiety about how to help your child when you do not speak or understand one of those languages is totally understandable.

However, you can still be an influential part of the program and your participation is key to your child’s learning. Always ensure that you are working closely together with your child and their teacher. Emotionally accept that you are enrolled in the program too. I also suggest reading to your child in your strongest language in order to develop a home language and model fluent reading - particularly as language skills transfer across languages. Trust your teacher and build a positive dialogue with them. You can then use this dialogue to congratulate your child on the progress that they are making and reinforce how proud you are of them.

It’s important to investigate the books in your child’s second language library and also try out the amazing apps that are available.

Lastly, don’t forget to travel to places where the language is spoken and if you can’t travel then try and attend cultural events or participate in music and dancing reflective of countries where they can practice their language skills.

Waseem Al-Hanbali: Monolingual parents can support their bilingual children by enrolling them in schools with a bilingual education curriculum model - one that uses two (or more) languages as mediums of instruction. For example, some nonlanguage subjects such as geography and history are taught in one language (L1) while other non-language subjects such as maths and science are taught in another (L2). This is very useful, as schools can plan which subjects will be taught and learnt through which language over a specified period of time. This also enables learners to build up their proficiency in L2 (the language they do not use at home with their parents).

N U T R I T I O N

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W E L L B E I N G

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V I T A L I T Y

Everything parents need to know about healthy eating habits and current trends.

Turn over for wellbeing advice

MOTHER, BABY & CHILD | DECEMBER 2018 | 29

health

WELLBEING TALK

The latest in health and fitness trends

#HEALTHTREND

ORGANIC CELERY JUICE This green juice has been popping up all over Instagram and has received the seal of approval from celebrities and cookbook authors including Ella Woodward from Deliciously Ella. Why are people drinking this freshly squeezed juice first thing in the morning? It heals the gut and soothes the digestive tract, strengthens the bones as it’s high in calcium and silicon, purifies the blood stream due to compounds called coumarins which promote the activity of white blood cells and assists the vascular system, and has antiinflammatory properties.

GEAR UP Keep yourself warm, on the way to the gym, with this stylish Missguided colour block padded jacket, Dhs255 at Namshi

Spiritual Gangster Moon Child icon tee, Dhs344 at yapparel.com

Put a spring in your step with these You-Soul sneakers, Dhs290 at Skechers stores

CREATIVE TWIST

Hala Organic, an Arabic-inspired concept that offers contemporary dishes made with organic ingredients and superfoods, has just launched in Dubai. Expect a creative twist to Lebanese meals, with a menu featuring dishes such as quinoa lentil tabbouleh and beetroot falafel poke bowl, carotene-rich glazed-carrot hummus, warming soups, meat cooked with charcoal grilled heirloom vegetables, rustic sourdough and plenty more. The brand has tied up with Essentially cold pressed juices to pack in extra antioxidants, vitamins, minerals and enzymes.

Visit halaorganic.com to order your meals.

30 | DECEMBER 2018 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD

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You want only the best for your child.

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From Me to We:

HOW TO SURVIVE THE HOLIDAYS WITH YOUR FAMILY?

Nicola Beer, individual and couple counsellor in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, helps moms cope with the stress of this season 32 | DECEMBER 2018 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD

T

here’s been a magical build up for months, the kids have been waiting all year and now the holidays are finally here. As the kids finish off the school term with another heart-melting Christmas performance and your husband finishes work for the year, there is a much hoped for dream that the holidays will be different, that it will be amazing and even better than last year. Sadly, for many families this will not be the case as the supposed happiest time of the year often ends up being the most frustrating time of year.

To help you survive the holidays, Nicola Beer helps you maximise your chances of a great festive season.

IT’S US NOT ME

This is a very important thing to remember during the holidays. Mothers tend to go through the school term on autopilot, particularly stay-at-home moms as it’s their job to make sure

everything runs smoothly. Moms make the decisions because they know what jobs need to be done on a daily and weekly basis and are often the ones who have to do them. The problem is that whilst you are in ‘job mode’ all year round, your husband is likely not going to be in job mode during the holidays.

Just like you, he’s worked hard and now he just wants to relax. Whilst you want to relax and have fun with family and friends too, the reality is that you know that the holidays coexist with an even longer list of jobs that need to be done, alongside entertaining the kids 24/7. So, before the end of term beings and your life spins into a whirlwind, start by making a list of all the jobs that need to be done and include one off jobs and daily jobs, put the to-do list on the fridge and then when the time is right sit down and talk through what needs to be done with your other half. Remember that simple things like phrasing ‘we need to, rather than you need to’ will help ease your husband into the reality of day-to-day life with kids. Decide together who will do what and when and remember to schedule in ‘alone time’ for the two of you, even if it’s just one fun night out. Problems with jobs and to-do lists can arise when either one of you is a perfectionist and is too judgemental, or when one partner is nagging. If your list and calendar are on the fridge and your partner knows what he has to do, don’t remind him, don’t nag, just let him get on with it. If problems do arise in your relationship and you find tensions rising, then look at your own expectations first, were they unrealistic, too high? If things go from bad to worse, try not to make any rash decisions, simply note down what’s not working and what you would like from your partner and consider discussing any issues post festive season, when things have calmed down and you are not in the heat of the moment.

PLAN AHEAD

If the sheer thought of getting your other half to do jobs over the holidays sends shivers down your spine and you know it’ll end in arguments, then look at some of the following alternatives to make your lives that little bit easier this holiday.

The Festive Lunch

If you are hosting lunch at home and know it’s going to be too stressful,

MOTHER, BABY & CHILD | DECEMBER 2018 | 33

health particularly if you have additional children and extra guests, look at preparing as much as possible a month before hand and freezing it. Just about everything, except the turkey and a few vegetables can be pre-cooked and put in the freezer a month in advance when the kids are still in school. Otherwise, it might be time to think about ordering in or eating out.

Shopping

Taking kids to busy shopping malls is stressful even on a good day.

Instead of dragging them along with you, either do all the shopping before they finish school or consider hiring a babysitter and going out Christmas shopping together one evening with your husband. Remember to go with a list in hand so that you can get it done as quickly and hassle free as possible and also to give you time for a postshopping meal and catch-up together.

Children are so busy that sometimes all they want to do is relax and stay at home. To make life easier, think ahead of fun activities and games they can do at home, take any toys or games out the night before and leave them out.

Too often children forget about all the things they have and just leaving one box of different toys out each night will be enough to entertain them for a few hours - hopefully. Another idea is just to write a long list of all the potential things they could do, then when they say they are bored, you have instant options for them. For many families iPads and screens have become just another source of arguments. Consider starting the holidays with a screen plan.

Perhaps it’s screen time when the baby is napping or one hour from 7.30 to 8.30 a.m. and TV for an hour after lunch.

Whatever it is, stick to it every day so that your children have some kind of structure and know what to expect.

Children thrive when they know what the boundaries are. Remember to hide screens away when they are not in use and try not to use your phones in front of them. Alternatively look at free apps that lock iPads after a set time. Star sheets on the fridge are also good ways to reward your child and encourage good behaviour and listening.

A Realistic Plan

Kids Activities

Aiming for a stress-free holiday would be great but in reality, it’s so unrealistic. Holidays come with ups and downs; things burn in the oven, partners annoy us, children fall over and end up at the doctor, spillages can ruin your new dress and someone will always be unhappy about the gift they received. What can make or break your holidays will inevitably come down to your attitude. If you can roll with the punches, be flexible when needed and remember what and who is important in your life, then day-today mishaps will be less likely to raise your blood pressure and your temper.

When things do get heated, opt for a few minutes alone time. Take yourself off somewhere quiet, the bathroom is ideal, lock the door and take a few deep breaths until you have calmed down. If you are the sort of person who gets angry and irritated by your partner or certain guests, it’s worth considering some anxiety calming, positive thinking or anger management hypnotherapy. This is what I create and do for my clients to help them have a positive peaceful holiday. I give them a recording and they listen to it whenever they feel stressed. Learn a few breathing techniques to calm yourself down too, research shows it takes 20 minutes for the body to cool down after you get angry.

If you can remember one thing, it would be to enjoy the moment. Problems generally come and go and what was a big deal today will likely be ok in the morning. However, if things do get out of control and you notice cracks forming in your relationship then do voice your concerns, rather than let resentment fester. Serious issues should never be pushed aside, it should be discussed in the right place and at the right time, so that the issues at hand can be resolved and a solution put in place for the new year ahead.

For free marriage e-books, podcasts and online marriage courses, visit nicolabeer.com

34 | DECEMBER 2018 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD

T O P

P I C K S

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T R E N D S

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F O R

E V E R Y

O N E

Finding the perfect gift isn't always easy. To take the stress out of shopping this year, we've rounded up products your family will love. Time to hit the stores!

MOTHER, BABY & CHILD | DECEMBER 2018 | 35

Festive Fun

The Enchanted Advent Calendar, Dhs299 at The Body Shop

Wedgwood Wonderlust Yellow Tonquin Teacup & Saucer, Dhs270 at Bloomingdales, Dubai Mall Dyson Supersonic hair dryer in 23.75 karat gold, Dhs1,993 at Dyson outlets

Purse, Dhs399 at Charles & Keith

Mellinda chopping board, Dhs120-150 at BOXXT.

Anton Heunis Necklace, Dhs1,780 at Robinsons

Throw, Dhs169 at Women’s Secret

Guess Sunglasses, Dhs605 across major optical stores

NuFACE Trinity Facial Toning Device, Dhs1,500 at Beautysolutions-me.com

D1 Milano Polycarbon strap watch, Dhs642 at CityWalk 2, Galleria Mall and Harvey Nichols Dubai, and Marina Mall Abu Dhabi

Rock it cluster studs, Dhs250 at Kate Spade

36 | DECEMBER 2018 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD

Splendour Green chocolate set, from Dhs710 (42 dates) at Bateel

Tom Ford Sunglasses, Dhs1,930 across major optical stores

Ultimate Ears BOOM 3 speakers, Dhs599 at Virgin Megastores and Souq.com Essential Lite Cabin size 42 luggage, Dhs1,690 at Rimowa

Gabru Geramrin & TeaTree Beard Oil, Dhs21 at Glambeaute.com

Canon EOS M50 Black camera,

Dhs2,189 at uaestore.canon-me.com

Space Grill (indoor approved set), Dhs3,799 at ae.space-grill.com (Use discount code, LAUNCHOFFER, for 25 per cent off before December 31st)

Saffiano Effect Briefcase, Dhs299 at Mango Man

Curious Connection set with Geranium Leaf Body Cleanser and Rind Concentrate Body Balm, Dhs180 at Aesop Gilmore Monk British tan leather shoes, Dhs595 at Clarks

MOTHER, BABY & CHILD | DECEMBER 2018 | 37

Festive Fun Animal Stool Bird, Dhs3,470 at Circu Magical Furniture

LeapFrog Hug & Learn Bears Book, at Babyshop, Toys R Us Superman Eau de toilette, Dhs29

at Glambeaute.com Dolce & Gabbana Kids embroidered Velvet Slippers, Dhs962 at net-a-porter.com

Mickey Mouse Swatch Watch by Damien Hirst, Staring Dhs475

Baby Bodysuite,

at rivolishop.com

Dhs135

at BOXXT.

Playgro Ball Playnest Activity Gym, at Sprii.com, Babyshop and amazon.com

JEXPRESSIT Customizable Nameplate,

TOMY Toomies Foam Cone Factory, Dhs129 at The Toy Store, Babyshop, Hamleys, Mumzworld.com, ELC, Borders, Souq.com, Noon and Sprii

Starting Dhs100

at jexpressit.com

Crocs Clogs,Dhs169 at 6thstreet.com

PJ Masks Deluxe Gekko-Mobile, Dhs159

at Babyshop Nelly Elephant, Dhs120

at BOXXT.

Toothless Dragon, Dhs115

at Build-a-Bear

38 | DECEMBER 2018 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD

T U O H T I W BAT HTIMES R E H T O B E TH fu ll OF natu ral ou r bu bble bath is packed y nasties. An d, th an ks to ingr ed ients an d fr ee of an it sm ells go rg eo us to o. , ls oi ial nt se es ly ve lo r ou e for sensitive skin It’s so mild, it’s even suitabl ON E TO ecze ma.

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Perfectly portioned, it can be consumed as a post-workout refresher, or as your child’s midday snack. The fruit and veggie ice pops come in a variety of combinations and pack sizes for every taste and lifestyle.

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By blending seasonal sweet mangoes, tart passionfruit and a squeeze of lemon, we tried to ensure you taste the exotic Tropics without feeling the humidity!

A Barakat favorite - fresh strawberries and ripe bananas are mushed together until we create the perfect puree. We add a dash of lemon juice to enhance the tartness and voilà, we have a guiltless summer pop!

Available in 4 Pack & 1 Pack at all Gas Stations, Spinneys, Waitrose and Hypermarkets around you

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Twee Chalk, Dhs79

Juicy Couture Silver Polka Dot Necklace, Dhs299 at 6thstreet.com

at Five Little Ducks

Barbie Eau de toilette,Dhs59 at Glambeaute.com

Fairy Enchanted Unicorn, Dhs135

at Build-a-Bear

Finchitua Jacket, Dhs683

at BEYOU boutique

Duvet cover set, Bugged Black Belt Bag, Dhs199 at Steve Madden

Dhs349

at ZARA HOME

Hatchimals Hatchibabies,

Dhs419

Biom Vojage Shoes, Dhs499 at Ecco

at Babyshop

Lanej Dubai Pink Crocodile Iphone Case, Dhs1050 at BEYOU boutique

Kings and Queens Castle Bed, Dhs75,560

at Circu Magical Furniture Grumblies Scorch, Dhs149 at ELC, Toys R Us, Toystore, Souq.com, Noon.com, Mumzworld and Sprii

Tin with lidmusic box, Dhs35 at Ikea

MOTHER, BABY & CHILD | DECEMBER 2018 | 41

Festive Fun

HOST A FESTIVE PARTY

FOR CHILDREN Throwing the ultimate end-of-year party for your children and their friends is a big responsibility. Here are a few fun ideas and ways to start planning ahead

THREE PARTY IDEAS • Gingerbread house making: Stock up on royal icing to use as glue, graham crackers and gingerbread cookie ingredients, candy, shredded coconut and a plastic sandwich bag to fill the icing in.

It’s best to bake your gingerbread squares before the children arrive.

They can use shredded coconut for snow, candy for the windows and décor, and get as creative as they can. Let them take it home to indulge, as soon as the icing has dried off.

• Festive movie afternoon: Lay out bean bags, cushions, and blankets, so that your children and their friends can watch Polar Express, Home Alone, or The Grinch while sipping on hot chocolate and cookies. You could take it up a notch by creating edibles that resemble characters or significant scenes from the movie. For example, trainshaped cookies or brownies while watching Polar Express, or green and red cookies to resemble the Grinch.

• Elf themed party: The possibilities are endless with a theme. You could create printable menus and serve angel hair pasta with north pole sauce (passata) and snow (parmesan cheese); fire-roasted winter vegetables; and hot chocolate for “The World’s Best Coffee” as seen in The Elf. Make sure your disposable plates and cutlery are green and red too.

42 | DECEMBER 2018 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD

HOW TO GET STARTED? Prepare the invitations

Deliveroo are some of the restaurants and services you could look into for mouthwatering bites.

to think about the décor. Visit Dragon Mart, Daiso, or Party Centre for colourful accessories, party bags and knick knacks.

Stock up on plenty of arts and crafts for any decorating activities and make sure you have enough seating and tables. If you do need more, and prefer not to buy, rent it from Desert River or Party Social.

Organise the entertainment

Once you have picked a theme, it’s time to send out the invites. “If parents are keen on sticking to the traditional paper invites, make it as fun as possible and get the children involved. Personalised invites are easy to create, you can recycle wrapping paper or gift bags, or make your own designs on Canva and print it at home.

Another option, which may be slightly less economical than the first, is to buy a set of invitations from Party Centre or Dinodrops. com,” says Mohammed Salem, Chief Operations Officer of Faby Land (part of Al Othaim Leisure & Tourism)

Shop for décor

Plan the menu It’s important to find out beforehand if children have any dietary requirements.

Accordingly, plan your menu. If you are serving a themed sit-down menu, it’s always best to cook at home. Prefer a light menu? Have plenty of nutritious snacks for children to munch on during games and activities. The Lime Tree Café, Jones The Grocer, Friend’s Avenue, Pinza and

Once the invites have been sent out and menu has been confirmed, it’s time

Festive tunes or soundtracks from the movie theme will liven up the party mood, and you can also have a sing-along session with the children for a barrel of laughs.

MOTHER, BABY & CHILD | DECEMBER 2018 | 43

ADVERTORIAL

AN ESSENTIAL FOR FESTIVE GATHERINGS The Dyson Pure Cool will become an integral element of your parties. Here are three scenarios for you to understand how

Scenario 1: Hosting a party at home If friends and family are coming over, you will be opening up your space to people from all sorts of environments. You may have guests travelling from another country who have just hopped off a flight, coming from the shopping mall, suffering from a cold, or maybe those with pets at home. Everyone is exposed to bacteria and germs, and there’s no way of avoiding it. However, you could purify the space the minute they enter, so that you and your children breathe in clean air constantly and protect yourselves from potential allergic reactions. The Dyson Pure Cool gets rid of 99.95 per cent of dust particles and pollutants in the room, as the gadgets’ Air Multiplier technology boasts a 360-degrees vacuum-sealed HEPA filter to capture ultra-fine particles, exterminating contaminants as little as 0.1 microns. With this purifier, the air you breathe in will be as sanitary as before.

Scenario 2: Cooking turkey, trimmings and cookies While the aroma of cookies baking, and a turkey roasting in the oven is absolutely sublime, it can be 44 | DECEMBER 2018 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD

quite overpowering at the dinner table. Before you light holiday-scented candles around your home and at the dinner table, switch on the purifier to eliminate odours and toxic fumes from the kitchen.

The Pure Cool features a layer of activated carbon granules to get rid of scents around the home, banishing harmful toxins simultaneously.

Scenario 3: Entertaining too many guests at once Whether you have a large or compact space, a home can sometimes get slightly warm when packed with guests. Not to forget the heat from the oven, food on the table, and candles all around. If you do feel like your space is getting a bit too hot and stuffy, switch on the Dyson Pure Cool. The fan provides cool longrange circulation ‒ while purifying the space ‒ and you can choose to set it low (at one) or high (ten). Additionally, you can have it still, or set it to rotate from 45-350 degrees.

From Dhs2,309 at shop.dyson.ae

The Mother, Baby & Child Awards acknowledge the enormous contribution that brands, educational establishments, healthcare providers and other entities make towards shaping the future for families in the UAE, through their role in helping mothers and nurturing children.

A W A R D S 2 0 1 8 Now in its seventh year, we are highlighting mom's favourite products and services that excel at serving both families and the community.

The Awards feature 47 categories, with winners voted by UAE mothers themselves.

MOTHER, BABY & CHILD | DECEMBER 2018 | 45

A W A R D S 2 0 1 8

Nursery of the Year

Nursery of the Year

Nursery of the Year

Happy Home Nursery

British Orchard Nursery

Toddler Town British Nursery

British Orchard Nursery

Red Wood Nurseries

Jebel Ali Village Nursery

Chubby Cheeks Nursery

Stepping stones nursery

Jumeirah Intl Nursery

Primary School of the Year

Secondary School of the Year

Arcadia Preparatory School

Kings' School Al Barsha

Riverston Children's Center

Regent International School

Sunmarke School

Dubai Autism Center

Kings' School Al Barsha

Uptown School

Child Early Intervention Center

Educational After-School Activity Centre of the Year

New School of the Year

Little Explorer

Sunmarke School

Fun City

The Green Planet Dubai

The Arbor School

Creakids

Arithletics Brain Development Center

Dubai Heights Academy

Mattel Play! Town

Abu Dhabi

Northern Emirates

46 | DECEMBER 2018 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD

Dubai

Special Needs Education Centre of the Year

Soft Play Venue of the Year

A W A R D S 2 0 1 8

Kids' Entertainment Centre of the Year

Best Party Venue of the Year

Theme Park of the Year

Splash N' Party

Sparkys

Global Village

Adventure Land Sharjah

We Rock Kids Gym

Legoland Dubai

Sparkys Abu Dhabi

Splash N' Party

Ferrari World AbuDhabi

Water Park of the Year

Dental Care Provider of the Year

Asthetic Clinic of the Year

Aquaventure Water Park

Dubai London Clinic

Cosmesurge

Splash N' Party

Canadian Specialist Hospital Dental Care

Aster Beauty Clinic Bur Dubai

Wild Wadi

GMC Medical and Dental

American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery Hospital

Women's Health Clinic of the Year

Medical Clinic of the Year

Maternity Department of the Year

Fakih IVF

Health Plus Family Health Center

Mediclinic City Hospital

Mediclinic Middle East

Aster Clinics

Aster Hospital

Medcare Fertility Center

Mediclinic Dubai Mall

American Hospital

MOTHER, BABY & CHILD | DECEMBER 2018 | 47

A W A R D S 2 0 1 8

Paediatrics Clinic of the Year

Hospital of the Year

Formula Brand of the Year

GMC Clinics

American Hospital Dubai

Aptamil Junior

Somerset Clinic

Mediclinic City Hospital

PediaSure

The Children Medical Center

Zulekha Hospital

Nan

Baby Food Range of the Year

Family-Friendly Restaurant of the Year

Heinz Baby

Chili's

Atlantis The Palm

Hipp Organic

Carluccios

Le Royal Méridien Beach Resort & Spa

Nestlé Cerelac

The Cheesecake Factory

The Cove Rotana Resort Ras Al Khaimah

Family-Friendly Airline of the Year

Family Car of the Year

Emirates Airline

Nissan Patrol

Spinneys

Etihad Airways

BMW X5

Carrefour

Air Arabia

Volkswagon Touareg

Lulu

48 | DECEMBER 2018 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD

Family-Friendly Hotel of the Year

Supermarket of the Year

A W A R D S 2 0 1 8

Homestore of the Year

Baby & Child Clothing Retailer of the Year

Baby & Child Footwear Retailer of the Year

Home Centre

Babyshop

Clarks

Ikea

Okaidi Obaibi

Shoe Mart

Homes R Us

Zippy Kids Store

Sketchers

Maternity Retailer of the Year

Maternity Skincare Brand of the Year

Baby & Child Skincare Brand of the Year

Marks & Spencer

Mustela

Cetaphil Baby

Destination Maternity

Palmer's

Childs Farm

Mums and Bumps

Cetaphil

Johnsons Baby

Baby Wipe Brand of the Year

Disposable Nappy Brand of the Year

Baby Monitor Brand of the Year

WaterWipes

Huggies

Philips Avent

Johnsons Baby Wipes

Fine

Vtech

Chubs

Goon

iBaby MOTHER, BABY & CHILD | DECEMBER 2018 | 49

A W A R D S 2 0 1 8

Car Seat of the Year

Stroller Brand of the Year

Toy Brand of the Year

Chicco

Stokke Xplory

Little Tikes

Stokke iZi Go Modular

By Besafe

Just Essential Flyer

Hape Toys

Juniors

Bugaboo

Barbie (Mattel)

One-Stop Parenting Shop of the Year

Must-Have Home Appliance of the Year

Babyshop

Panasonic 3in1 Juicer

Cetaphil Baby Gentle Wash and Shampoo

JustKidding

NutriBullet

Vaseline

Mamas and Papas

Tefal 8in1 Multi Cooker

Medela Freestyle Double Electric Breast Pump

Mother, Baby and Child commitment to education and enviornment Award

Mother, Baby and Child Innovative Product of the year

Brand of the Year Sunmarke School

Al Rawabi

Mums' Must-Have Item of the Year

Bio-Oil Dry Skin Gel

Mother, Baby and Child Outstanding Early Years Foundation Education Provider

Mother, Baby Child Editors Choice - Highly Recommended Abu Dhabi Nursery

Regent International Private School

Chubby Cheeks Nursery

50 | DECEMBER 2018 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD

F A M I L Y

|

F A S H I O N

|

L I F E S T Y L E

Read through for the latest in dining, spas, beauty and fashion. This section is all about catering to mums, and modern women, so we've highlighted only the best

MOTHER, BABY & CHILD | DECEMBER 2018 | 51

v POWERED BY:

WATERWIPES:

A HANDBAG ESSENTIAL

for Moms

Discover why moms love these baby wipes - a must-have for seasons to come ‘Tis the season for festive markets, play dates, alfresco barbecue parties, and plenty of trips to the mall for shopping sprees. If you are taking your baby or toddler along, it’s important to carry the cleaning essentials. To make trips to the toilet quick and convenient, when they do need a nappy change, look no further than WaterWipes ‒– which contain 99.9% water and a drop of grapefruit seed extract. And if they love playing with sand, rolling around on grass, or tend to be messy eaters, these wipes will surely come in handy too, as they are suitable for sensitive skin. Here are some reasons why mommy bloggers in the region vouch for WaterWipes.

delicate skin. Whether I am using them to clean dirty faces and hands or changing their diapers, I have peace of mind knowing that they are chemical free and made from 99.9% water. My newborns nursery is stocked with WaterWipes, as she has very sensitive skin and cannot use any products with strong chemicals or perfume. I am also never without their travel size packs in my handbag to wipe down baby chairs in restaurants or changing tables on airplanes. I love that the wipes are made of soft material and are very moist, making it very gentle on their skin.”

one's sensitive and delicate skin.”

- @Modamaj (Majori)

- @MummaBeeDubai (Donne Hany Nafad)

Testimonials

Photo Credit: Monjenique Borrageiro

“When it comes to choosing products for my girls, only the best will do for their soft,

“WaterWipes are with us everywhere we go. I’m worry-free when using it as it’s so pure. I even use it to wipe makeup sometimes. They are great for my little

“I‘ve been using WaterWipes since my son was born. He is six months now, and to be honest I wish I had known about them when I had my first daughter. I just love how natural and super moist they are, no matter where I keep it. I use it on my baby’s diaper area, face and hands.

It saves me time when I am outside and with no place to wash. I just wipe with it and it’s all done. I also use it to clean my own hands! Sometimes my son chews on it to soothe his gum as he is teething. The tissue is one of the best at it can wipe the whole area, so I am saving money in the long run by using less wipes each time.

I can’t ask for a better brand and I am so happy with my choice that I’ll never change to another brand.”

- @MommyJournal (Malak Mansour)

MOTHER, BABY & CHILD | DECEMBER 2018 | 53

good living

WHAT'S

THOROUGH CLEANSE

IN STORE

A skin-cleansing routine can be a tedious process. Not if you are equipped with the right gadget though. While we love a good scrub and deep cleansing face wash, it isn’t always effective when it comes to removing every trace of makeup. We tried the FOREO LUNA Mini 2 to see if it does the job, and have to admit, we’ve noticed a remarkable difference in skin within two weeks. The compact handheld device features a nonabrasive silicone brush that lasts up to five months from one full charge. It’s completely waterproof and has eight speed settings to customise your cleansing routine to your preferences. Slow it down for a calming experience near the under-eye area, and increase the speed to cleanse your cheeks, chin and forehead with T-Sonic pulsations – it removes 99.5 per cent of oil, dirt and dead skin cells. The device features three cleansing brushes for various areas of your face and neck. We prefer using ours in circular motions on the face and upward strokes on the neck – convinced it works for lymphatic drainage. It’s available in various colours, so choose one to suit your personality – it makes a great gift too.

Dhs690 at Namshi.com

Revolutionise YOUR LAUNDRY EXPERIENCE Panasonic have unveiled their latest range of washing machines designed to wash abayas. Five machines boast fully automatic front loaders, while the other two from the range are top loaders.

Though the machine is ideal for all types of garments, it features a wide variety of features in each model, from a wave-shaped drum to dual pulsator, and pause and add – for those moments when you need to add something in, without interrupting the wash cycle.

Certain models also comprise a built-in gentle hand wash net foam through which water flows on the clothes via the dual pulsator – this prevents wear and tear from friction in the machine.

From Dhs1,299 at Al Futtaim Panatech showroom and all major retailers across the UAE

54 | DECEMBER 2018 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD

good living

STYLE

Etro FW 18/19 Geola Coat, Dhs2,570

at Maje

Louping Coat in the Colour Pepper, Dhs1,350

at American Vintage

Camel Coat,

COSY

Dhs2,500

Cover-ups Keep warm with these stylish pieces

Coat,Dhs199 at Stradivarius

Gilet, Dhs2,595 at Gerard Darel

Gilles Gris Chine coat, Dhs2,830

at Claudie Perlot

Sfera

Mango Lapels Structured Coat, Dhs399 at Namshi

Long Cardigan,

Dhs289

at Zara

56 | DECEMBER 2018 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD

at Ba&sh

good living

STYLE Avengers T-shirt, Dhs199

at Desigual

Eligo Beaded Dress, Dhs125

Fur Coat, Dhs145,

at Babyshop

Z Generation Striped Shirt Dhs69

at 6thstreet.com

GET READY...

Glitter Shoes, Dhs800

at Il Gufo

T-shirt,

To Meet Santa ...and keep warm this season

Dhs800

Dress, Dhs149 at Okaidi Obaibi

at Chloé

Into the Woods Kids Jacket, Dhs49 at Max

Deer Pom Pom Jumper, Dhs90 at Marks & Spencer

Padded jacket, Dhs92 at next.com

Shoes, Dhs499 at Ecco

Shirt, Dhs485 at HUGO BOSS

58 | DECEMBER 2018 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD

Shower Three to try favourites

Desperate for an island getaway?

If you can’t travel just yet, Fa’s latest collection with tropical scents of exotic fruits and vibrant coloured packaging will transport you in mind and spirit. The Bali Kiss shower cream, featuring a delightful mango and vanilla scent will have you dreaming of paradise as you lather up.

Dhs11.20 at leading stores.

Deep clean and hydrate your scalp with Harklinikken’s latest launch, the Restorative Shampoo. The product has been in the making for 12 years and features active ingredients from homegrown burdock root and a proprietary extract to increase hair mass by about 30-60 per cent.

The shampoo is free from perfume, essential oils, colour, silicone and parabens.

Dhs198 for 250ml, available at Harklinikken, Jumeirah

VANITY

ESSENTIALS

Keep your locks soft and hydrated with this Leave-in Conditioner by SHOW Beauty. The Luxurious Moisture Collection features shampoo and conditioner and this sulfate-and parabenfree treatment – with ingredients such as caviar, white truffle, shea butter and Pro Vitamin B5 - is apt for those looking to nourish their tresses without weighing it down.

Dhs205 at Harvey Nichols Dubai, Bloomingdales Dubai Mall and online at beautysolutions-me.com.

THE BEAUTY BEAUTY EDIT Skin-saviours and lust-worthy buys

Top Shelf

New make-up releases on the market

SKIN HERO

Set your make up and give skin a natural glow – courtesy of pearl pigments – with this lightweight 12-hour wear Laura Mercier Translucent loose setting powder.

Dhs184 at Sephora Middle East Dolcissimo, the oil-concentrated formula that is lightweight yet incredibly pigmented has just launched in sixteen gorgeous shades, from nudes to classic reds and a dark plum.

Soon to become a handbag essential, this lipstick glides on as liquid and turns into a velvety matte finish on the lips.

Dhs200 at all Dolce & Gabbana Beauty counters Erborian's CC Crème High Definition Radiance Face Cream is great for all skin types, and contains broad-spectrum SPF 25 to protect skin from harmful UVA/UVB rays.

Apply it like foundation to even out skin tone, uneven texture and get that desirable radiant finish.

Dhs95 for 15ml and Dhs195 for 45ml at Sephora

Developed by geneticists, the HydroPeptide Nimni Cream improves the appearance of skin’s fullness and elasticity from the inside out. The patented collagen support complex that rejuvenates skin works by turning on your body’s collagen-producing genes and feeding cells with physical materials needed for collagen synthesis. The cream comprises a blend of specific amino acids and sulfur donors with timerelease retinol and collagen supporting antioxidants, making it essentials for those with expression lines, wrinkles, hyperpigmentation and/or uneven texture.

Available from Dhs500 at Cleopatra's Spa, Eastern Mangroves, Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi and Rossanno Feretti.

MOTHER, BABY & CHILD | DECEMBER 2018 | 59

Tried & Tested Pamper yourself and enjoy ‘me-time’ at the spa

The Smile Bar Tucked inside the California-esque open-air mall, Palm Strip Jumeirah, this outpost from Bangkok is about to make a lot of Dubai residents smile from ear to ear. And trust me, you won’t mind showing off your teeth after a session here. As soon as you enter, you’re greeted by the staff and taken to a calm space filled with egg-shaped chairs. This is where your teeth whitening session takes place. Not on a reclined dental chair in a horrific-looking office.

I was asked to quickly rinse my teeth and brush it gently to take off anything that will interfere with my teeth whitening process. My teeth were then judged by the shade they were, and I was recommended one session – each being 20 minutes long – to begin with. I sat in my chair, put my headphones on and chose a YouTube playlist from the iPad handed over to me. Sinatra it was, to calm my nerves a bit. Gel was applied on a mouthguard before being placed on my teeth. For some reason I assumed it would hurt or tingle a little, especially when the UV light was placed on. It didn’t, not even for a second.

After 20 minutes, I rinsed my mouth, and was recommended a second session to make my teeth brighter. The end result was a shade eight times lighter than my previous shade – unbelievable. My teeth were slightly sensitive for a few hours after, but I was allowed to eat and drink whatever I wanted as a protective film was rubbed onto my teeth soon after the session was complete.

If you want quick, painless teeth whitening in an unintimidating setting, we highly recommend The Smile Bar. Details: Dhs290 for one session. Visit the-smile-bar.ae

The Ritz-Carlton Dubai Spa, JBR This lavish spa has been an institution for spa-goers for years. We walked into the tranquil space for a relaxing 90-minute massage, a signature treatment from their menu. The calm passageway to the treatment room sets the tone for the massage, with water trickling down a fountain, and oils burning in the lounge as you walk through.

My Balinese masseuse commenced the treatment with a splash of rose water on my palms, to refresh my face with, followed by a camel milk footbath. The Arabia Felix treatment comprises seven natural ingredients sourced across the seven seas of the South Arabian Peninsula. Once feet are softened with camel milk, they are scrubbed with locally sourced sand and dead sea salt.

The scent of bukhoor lends a musky wood aroma to the room, which the therapist tells me is burnt to dispel negative energies from the body. I lay face down on the bed and wait for the warm, rich and thick argan oil to sink into my skin as the therapist massages

my body with medium to firm strokes – my preferred pressure. Knots and tension are relieved from the muscles, and I could feel my neck and shoulders becoming flexible again – almost like a load was instantly lifted off. It ends with an incredible head massage after which I slip back into my robe and head

to the lounge for a cup of freshly brewed hibiscus tea and dates. I left the spa relaxed with super supple, moisturised skin, and hit the bed as soon as I got home.

Details: Dhs710 for 60-minutes and Dhs910 for the 90-minutes Arabia Felix treatment.

MOTHER, BABY & CHILD | DECEMBER 2018 | 61

good living

Dining In The City Hotspots ideal for all ages

PICNIC PANTRY FAMILY BRUNCH CROWNE PLAZA DUBAI FESTIVAL CITY Treat the family to a fun alfresco brunch where you sit on the floor or bean bags and tuck into your picnic basket while the children swim and have fun at the kids’ corner. Live entertainment gives this brunch a fun vibe, and we guarantee your children will be kept occupied with arts and crafts, the bow-and-arrow game, face painting, bouncy castle and at the photo both. When the hunger pangs kick in, they can help themselves to hot dogs, spaghetti, candy floss and ice cream.

Parents can pick up their basket and head to the pantry to pick up a baguette – in true Picnic style – dips, salads, quiche, vegetarian sushi, smoked salmon bagel and fresh juices. Head back to your table, enjoy the tunes and views of the Burj Khalifa, and head to the BBQ station for round two. You can feast on tender, juicy grilled prawns, chicken, and protein including ribs, cheese-filled sausages, and sliders. Quench your thirst with a variety of drinks served at

the table. For desserts, head back to the pantry and sweeten your palate with tiramisu, a decadent chocolate dessert, lemon meringue tart, ice cream, and a

FEAST

SHERATON GRAND Take a seat, order your chosen concoction, and commence your brunch journey at the oyster bar, followed by salads, 12-spice cured salmon, and sushi.

The brunch is split into various sections; head to the Mexican stand for made-toorder tacos with a generous helping of queso; the Asian corner for Thai curries, noodles, papaya salad, and ramen bowls and the Indian station featuring mouthwatering butter chicken and rice.

Once you’ve tried a little bit of everything, it’s time to feast on signature dishes including a succulent beef wellington, prime rib, Yorkshire puddings, salmon, and fresh fish and lobster cooked to your liking. The vibrant dessert counter beckons, and you can’t miss the fresh gelato, hot chocolate-filled crepes, crumble and fruit cakes.

Details: Friday, 1-4pm. Packages start from Dhs325-595 per person. Contact +9714 503 4444

62 | DECEMBER 2018 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD

selection of cakes and cookies.

Details: Friday, 12:30-4pm. Packages from Dhs245-345, and children under 12 dine free. Contact +9714 701 1127

SEVILLE’S, WAFI

This renowned Spanish eatery has launched a Thursday evening brunch, so that you can kick off your weekend with a bang and some seriously delish traditional fare. Making use of the great weather, the brunch takes place out in the garden, where you can choose a wide selection of tapas from the menu after helping yourself to salad from the dedicated bar. We began with my all-time favourite, batatas bravas (potato cubes that are crisp on the outside and soft on the inside, with aioli); followed by succulent oxtail, prawns marinated in a garlic sauce, crisp calamari, and bruschetta. For mains, the flavoursome paella is not to be missed, along with a side of juicy meat and roasted vegetables.

Your meal will be interrupted, but for good reasons such as a sing-along session to

tunes from the live DJ, performances by fire eaters, singers, dancers and magicians.

The Latino-themed night brunch ends with desserts such as panna cotta, carrot cake

and chocolate brownies.

Details: Thursday evenings from 8pm to 12am. Packages start from Dhs250-450, contact +9714 324 4100.

THE GALLIARD Replacing the renowned Calabar at Address Downtown Dubai is this fine-dining eatery that boasts stunning interiors with a large tree as the focal point, burgundy couches with marble and gold décor, and a sprawling terrace with uninterrupted views of Burj Khalifa.

The contemporary Turkish-Mediterranean menu features a wide selection of delicacies, and one to begin with is the stuffed mussel, which tastes similar to dolma (rice wrapped in grape leaves). The mushy rice is stuffed into the mussel, with a drizzle of lemon juice on top.

We highly suggest sharing this meal, starting with the Lahamcun that is cooked and plated by the table. Juicy minced meat is mixed with spices in a hot bowl, spooned onto flatbread and topped with salsa and arugula. The mouthwatering truffles and burrata pizette is great for cheese-lovers, with balsamic reduction and microgreens adding in texture and sweet-tart notes to the crispy pizza. For mains, the menu features seafood, meat dishes, and manti (bite-sized pasta), but we opted for the extra large meat sandwich. The crisp baguette is served on a large platter and created in front of you. Lamb is sliced and placed in with a mild-spicy chilli sauce, cherry tomatoes, herb dressing and labneh. To be honest, this sandwich is good enough for four to share – we barely made a dent in it. Dessert time is always exciting, and we were served the highly-recommended banana pudding. Presented in a jar, the fruit is mixed with cream, with flavours akin to bubblegum and banoffee.

Details: Contact +971524899982 MOTHER, BABY & CHILD | DECEMBER 2018 | 63

TRAVEL

Paris is always a good idea, even if it does get a bad rap for not being child friendly. The City of Light and romance turns over a familyfriendly leaf with plenty of fabulous attractions - a real winter wonderland for the entire family. Rowena Carr-Allinson gives us 12 reasons to visit Paris over the festive break

THE HOLIDAYS

IN PARIS MOTHER, BABY & CHILD | DECEMBER 2018 | 65

good living

Go Skating

Wrap up and hit the ice. Skating rinks pop up in Paris in the run up to Christmas.

The most beautiful? The one at the Grand Palais, one of the city’s finest buildings. Set under the giant glass dome, right on the Champs Elysees, it’s hard to find a more Parisian hotspot. Glide around France’s biggest rink from December 16th to January 9th.

Indulge in chocolate

Chomp on chestnuts on the Champs

When in Paris, a stroll down the Champs Elysees is compulsory. Make it fun for the kids with a bag of roasted chestnuts in hand.

Amble down the capital’s most famous avenue admiring the twinkling Christmas lights and enjoy those warm roasted goodies. Want to spoil them? There’s always the Disney store for the youngest, and a wide selection of clothing and music stores for the teens.

It’s not Paris without a hot ‘crepe au Nutella’. A right of passage, especially at Christmas time, grab one from one of the many street corner vendors. For the finest hot chocolate in town, make a beeline for Angelina’s tea-rooms on Rue de Rivoli. It’s decadent, sweet and the luxurious setting will get you into the festive spirit in seconds.

Stroll the parks

Head out for a vintage car spin

Although Paris is a walking city, getting wheels can help check off some of the sights without over exhaustion and the never ending ‘are we there yet?’. TukTuk Paris have a great solution: a hop on hop off service that takes you from landmark to landmark. paris-by-tuktuk.com

For the ultimate in stylish transport, try La Traction Parisienne where you are driven around the city in an old vintage Citroen Traction car, drawing much admiration!

The whole family will love seeing the sights from the backseat, and being the centre of attention, as the locals’ wave and peek at the lucky people inside this very glamorous old school car. latractionparisienne.fr

See sharks

If the weather is awful, it’s always good to have a back up plan. In the event your family do want to be indoors, visit the Paris Aquarium near the Trocadero, the perfect place to spend a wet afternoon. The mesmerizing jellyfish, lobsters, Nemo-like clownfish and of course, the star attraction: the hammerhead sharks, will make the family ooh and ahh upon spotting each.

The Aquarium also puts on skits and shows daily to entertain the kids. cineaqua.com

Parisian parks are special. On a crisp sunny day, the Parc Monceau is the ideal spot for a traffic-free run around. Little ones will love the Victorian-style carousel, while the older kids will enjoy the street magicians and sweet pink candy-floss.

Jump on a Tuk Tuk

Do Disney

Until January 6th Disneyland Paris is packed with festive celebrations. Catch the fairy-tale illuminations throughout the parks, the Disney Dreams show, giant sparkling Christmas tree, and of course the traditional holiday parade with Mickey and friends. Elsa and Father Christmas will be in town for the festivities too. disneylandparis.com

Sleep in style

Hotels put on special festive activities for their younger guests. Check into the Intercontinental Paris Le Grand (ihg. com) if you want a Christmas tree in your

66 | DECEMBER 2018 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD

suite, or head to the very chic Peninsula where kids will love the cool igloos on the Terrace Kleber. You can cosy up with a hot chocolate there or admire the oversized advent calendar. Already booked your room? Pop in for a posh afternoon tea, festive cooking lessons, or just to take a look at their gorgeous Christmas tree (thepeninsula.grandluxuryhotels.com).

Souvenir shopping

Head to the Champs de Mars, just below the Eiffel Tower, for the Christmas Village. You can pick up everything from souvenirs to arts and crafts, not to mention a hot chocolate or some gingerbread. There’s also a skating rink on hand and a playground around the corner. Other centrally located markets take place near Notre Dame, the Hotel de Ville and in Les Halles.

Go window shopping on Boulevard Haussmann

A real tradition in Paris is spending a little time admiring the window displays at ‘Les Grands Magasins’ - the Printemps and Galleries Lafayette stores. Whimsical, intricate and amazing, each window tells a story. Toys are brought to life in front of little eyes – guaranteed entertainment and wonder. What’s more in December? The stores have indoor animations showcasing toys like playmobiles, slime factories, unicorns and more, so kids can get hands on fun too.

NEED TO KNOW

Fly Dubai to Paris via Emirates (from Dhs4,105) or Air France (from Dhs3,605).

For more on events and activities in France, visit atout-france.fr

A baby comfortable in his own little delicate skin is mom’s ultimate baby skin care goal.

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STAYCATION

HILTON DUBAI AL HABTOOR CITY

Got family coming in from out of town for the festive season? Treat them, and yourselves, to a stay at this centrally-located hotel MOTHER, BABY & CHILD | DECEMBER 2018 | 69

good living

The Habtoor City area is the one of the most lavish neighbourhoods to indulge in a stay, especially this time of year. The festive market is on at Habtoor Palace, you can walk around the Dubai Canal and enjoy the weather, treat yourself to a rejuvenating spa treatment, and catch up with friends and family over afternoon tea or dinner. To get a taste of one of the Habtoor City hotels and explore why it’s great for visitors from out of town, we stayed at the King Executive suite.

ACCOMODATION

The spacious one-bedroom suite is apt for couples and families and can easily fit a couple with two young children. It opens into the spacious living room fitted with mashrabiya-style sliding doors, a guest bathroom, L-shaped couch to cosy up on while watching TV, a small dining table, and views of the gorgeous Dubai Canal and Sheikh Zayed road. The living room leads you to the private bedroom with a plush king size bed and en-suite bathroom that also boasts views of the surrounding neighbourhood. When you’re done with your spa treatment, using the facilities and dining at the restaurants, relax with Newby teas or an espresso in the room – part of the amenities on offer.

FACILITIES

Leave your little ones in the hands of trusted babysitters, and at the child care

centre where they can get creative. Adults can head off to the gym, Elixir spa, tennis academy on site, or sunbathe by the four outdoor pools – a dedicated kids’ pool is located nearby too. If you do want to leave the premises, head to La Perle by Dragone water theatre, attached to the hotel, or catch the complimentary bus shuttle to the beach or The Dubai Mall.

CULINARY OFFERINGS

The hotel is home to Firefly (an urban poolside lounge), Ribs and Brews for American gastropub nosh, The Café, and The Market. We dined at the latter for their incredible brunch that is split into live cooking stations and cuisines, spread across the restaurant. First stop was the salad bar and station kitted out with an expansive selection of tomatoes – from green to heirloom – and cheese (we picked burrata) with herb oil dressing. This was followed by fresh sushi and sashimi, a quick-stop at the Indian chaat counter for pani puri (an Indian street snack), and hand-pulled noodles for a bowl of warming coconut laksa. Grills, roast (prime rib, slow cooked ribs, salmon, chicken, lamb), a section for potatoes (wedges, fries, roasted, and baked), mustard and sauce, curries and rice, Arabian specialites and kebabs, and cold seafood and crustacean are also on offer. The dessert bar showcases everything from homemade ice cream to cakes, sticky

70 | DECEMBER 2018 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD

toffee pudding, crumble and Umm Ali. For dinner, the setup is similar, with the addition of mouthwatering chicken dumplings and dim sum to tuck into. At breakfast, the room is buzzing yet the service is impeccable, and staff attend to every need swiftly. Stop by the egg station, Indian stall for authentic breakfast specialties such as pav bhaji (bread with potato and vegetable curry), waffles and pancakes, freshly baked breads, muffins and quiche, or the Asian station where you can start your day with dim sum and noodles.

NEED TO KNOW

Rooms and suites are available from Dhs800 per night, with special offers for Hilton Honors members.

Contact +9714 437 3333 or visit Hilton.com for more information

COMPETITIONS motherbabychild.com/competitions

WIN!

AC System & Duct clean from Ipurity, worth DHS3,000

Your AC system needs to be cleaned thoroughly to ensure you and your family breathe in clean air. Air condition systems comprise two sections, the air condition unit and air duct. It is

WIN!

imperative that both are completely cleaned as cool air passes through both before exiting the vents into your room. A thorough clean is also vital if you have pets, children, and anyone in

the family who suffers from allergies. To improve indoor air quality, Ipurity are giving one lucky winner the chance to get their AC & Ducts cleaned for the entire home.

Day Pool Passes and brunch at Elements restaurant for two, at Hili Rayhaan by Rotana, worth DHS650 Take your partner or a friend along to Hili Rayhaan by Rotana in Al Ain to enjoy a pool day and meal at Elements. The all-day dining restaurant offers an international spread, and one lucky winner and a guest can indulge in a buffet brunch experience here. Once done, head to the pool for a quick dip, or to just soak in the rays and relax back with a good read.

The hotel is linked to Hili Mall, so recoup before you head to the stores for a shopping spree.

*Terms and conditions apply. CPI Media Group employees are not eligible to enter. Winners will be selected at random from correct entries.

72 | DECEMBER 2018 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD

Open w o n is l o o P w e N r Ou

from

99 aed/child

OUR THEMED PARTY AREAS:

Pirate Mermaid Under The Sea Super Heroes Jungle Themed Pool Side Party

BOOK NOW ! www.splashnparty.ae

043883008

info@splashnparty.ae

COMPETITIONS

Gift voucher for VK Beauty WIN! ALounge & Bar,worth Dhs500

This stunning hair and beauty salon at Rimal Walk Plaza, Jumeirah Beach Residence, focuses on everything you need to pamper yourself. One lucky winner can choose to spend their voucher on their hair, nails, or get their make-up done before a big party. The salon boasts a colour bar where you can get a thorough hair consultation and recommendations from the in-house celebrity hair stylist, Katerina Kostoni. We highly suggest the cold iron mask treatment to keep your locks hydrated and glossy for weeks after.

toy hamper from PINCA worth DHS500 WIN! ATrading,

This Dubai-based children’s products distribution company is giving one lucky winner a chance to get a hamper filled with their bestselling toys. Your little one will love this year’s must-have, Pomsies (wearable plush pets that react to touch and have giant eyes to reveal their emotions). There are six to choose from, along with Grumblies; an interactive toy that has its own personality, sound and design. British brand TOMY Toomies will keep your children entertained while allowing their creativity to shine through.

These toys are ideal in stimulation of your child’s development.

WIN!

Play House Kids Brunch for two adults and two kids at Liwan, Swissotel Al Ghurair, worth DHS500

Your little ones will love the play house area where they can jump around the bouncy castle, get their faces painted, swing, and mingle with other children. The extensive buffet spread features Indian, Arabic, Mexican, and Thai specialties, to name a few, and adults can tuck into everything from Vietnamese spring rolls to fresh seafood, sushi, quiche, pizza, grills, succulent roast and curries. Kids can tuck into their own mini buffet too, featuring hot dogs, sandwiches, smoothies and candy floss.

WIN!

A voucher for Treat Gourmet, worth DHS500

Known for their creative and sustainable creations, Treat Gourmet are the caterers you need to call in for your next party. One winner can bring in the experts to cater delish food and make use of their in-house styling and equipment rental – they are the first catering company in the market to offer these services.

*Terms and conditions apply. CPI Media Group employees are not eligible to enter. Winners will be selected at random from correct entries.

74 | DECEMBER 2018 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD

A NEW MIRACLE FOR MUM Miracle® 360º Trainer Cup Lip activated I Leak proof I Dentist recommended Available in various designs

Shop at:

*www.munchkin.com/claims