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ISSUE 77| AUGUST 2017 | AED 15
NO STRESS!
SHOPPING
Simplify Your Family Life
HEALTHY KIDS Easy Steps to a
DINING OUT WITH LITTLE ONES
Mums’ Best Beauty Buys
Healthier Home Is Your Child Passive Smoking? Backpacks and Back Pain in Children
“YOU’RE BREASTFEEDING, RIGHT?”
New Mums 10Things DON’T Want to Hear
HERE COMES THE SUMMER HEAT…
Family Fun in Every Emirate Planning a Kid-Friendly Road Trip
SUMMER FASHION:
KIDS
50 WAYS
+
TO PREPARE FOR YOUR CHILD’S SCHOOL YEAR Supported by:
EDITORIAL
Editor: Dina Maaty
Editor’s Note
dina.maaty@cpimediagroup.com
Online Editor: Emma Hodgson emma.hodgson@cpimediagroup.com
ADVERTISING
Sales Director: Michael Phillips Sales Manager: Mathew Tharakan Sales Manager: Vanessa Linney mbc.sales@cpimediagroup.com
MARKETING
Isabelle Mills
marketing@cpimediagroup.com
DISTRIBUTION & SUBSCRIPTIONS Rajeesh Nair
rajeesh.nair@cpimediagroup.com
PRODUCTION
James Tharian
DESIGN
Sarah Radwan
ONLINE
Ramir Toyado
PHOTOGRAPHY
Maksym Poriechkin
FOR OTHER ENQUIRIES, PLEASE VISIT: motherbabychild.com
FOUNDER
Dominic De Sousa (1959 - 2015)
PRINTED BY
Emirates Printing Press LLC, Dubai
For the Mother, Baby & Child team, August is almost backto-school time. We start preparing for a bigger-thanever September issue and give you a sneak peek into the upcoming academic year through Education features, product picks, interviews and much more packed into our August Magazine. However, Summer keeps reminding us that it’s still here – and mothers are very aware of the fact that we all have more than one month to go until the annual school dash begins. With families returning to the UAE and the sun shining brighter than ever, indoor summer camps have been gaining popularity; catering to kids’ need for excitement, they offer parents some peace of mind with activities designed to keep little ones both entertained and engaged for a comprehensive edutainment experience. Mamas, it’s time to dine and enjoy the sunshine, for once Back to School is here, it’ll be chaos at home: saved by the bell? We think not…
EDITOR’S PICKS LOOTAH
C L I NT O N S T . B A K I N G
Elite Fragrant Oil
PUBLISHED BY
Head Office: Media City, Building 4, Office G-08 Dubai, United Arab Emirates, PO Box 13700 Tel: +971 4 440 9100 Fax: +971 4 447 2409 Email: info@cpimediagroup.com
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Publication licensed by Dubai Production City, DCCA © Copyright 2017 CPI Media Group FZLLC. All rights reserved.
While the publishers have made every effort to ensure the accuracy of all information in this magazine, they will not be held responsible for any errors therein.
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BARBIE®
The Fashion Collection MOTHER, BABY & CHILD | AUGUST 2017 | 03
AGU 2017
44
Mini Style Stars
in this issue
Things to Do ........................................................... Mummy & Baby ................................................... 08
Toddler & Child .................................................... 12 Older Child & Tween .......................................... 16 Parenting ................................................................ Family-friendly fun all over the UAE .................. 20
U St ool Back-to-Schk s ic P Product
60
70 The Best Beauty Buys for Mums
Competitions
86
04 | AUGUST 2017 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD
Family road trip ................................................... 22 Baby’s Closet.......................................................... 26 10 reasons babies cry.............................................. 28
Mums’ top 25 tips of all time................................ 30 5 ways to get your kids to listen ........................... 34 Tired of yelling? ...................................................... 36 The parenting battle............................................... 40
Is your tween ready to be home alone?............... 42 Education ...............................................................
Bilingual education for preschoolers................. 48 5 ways to keep your middle schooler organised.................................... 50 10 back-to-school shopping tips ......................... 52
20 ways to prepare for Back to School................ 54 Good Living ........................................................... I baby: marking the milestones..................... 62
O
10 things not to say to a new mum..................... 64
Dining out with little ones II............................. 66 Say no to stress! ..................................................... 72
Health ................................................................... Is your child passive smoking?.......................... 76 10 signs your new baby is healthy...................... 78
Summer safety ...................................................... 80
Watch your back! ................................................. 84
Thinker
Late Sleeper
Spend AED 250 and get a
Bluetooth speaker or headphones for only AED 10*.
*Limited stock available. Bluetooth speaker only available at Centrepoint stores.
We asked our readers: How was your labour experience and how long did it last?
er t t e L t S ar “I’m mum to a one-year-old. My birthing experience was fantastic and all natural. My water broke at 6 am on a rainy Friday and by 2:20 pm my lil’ one was in my arms. I didn’t even take epidural and the healing process was very quick too thanks to continuous walking, squatting and eating dates during the third trimester.” Tabinda, Dubai
“Two days of severe labour, epidural and emergency LSCS brought a bundle of joy into our life!” Aaziya Shafi, Sharjah “I’m a mother of four children, all of which were born with a C-section. The delivery took one hour, very easy and smooth; I felt relaxed and happy with a big smile on my face during the procedure.” Taghrid Abu Assi, Dubai “I’m a first-time mum. It was easy at the beginning, but the pain increased later. My water broke at 5 am and at 12:30 pm I gave birth. It was a natural delivery.”
One lucky mama will be pampered with three sessions of ‘LPG Endermologie’. Using a recently patented technology, this treatment helps the body eliminate localised fat and produce collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid naturally, making skin firmer while smoothing its orange peel aspect. Result: Younger, heathier skin – without the hassle! LPG treatments are available in salons, resorts, spas and aesthetic clinics across the UAE.
Heba, Sharjah
WORTH
AED
1,500
CONTRIBUTORS Lucy Holmes....................................................................................................................... is Mum to a 7-year-old boy and newborn baby girl. Lucy is a freelance marketing consultant, specialising in the baby and child industry across the region. She’s an expert on budgeting with baby!
Ebru Verimli Yuksel .........................................................................................................
is a writer, business consultant and, most importantly, mother to an 8-year-old son. She has dedicated herself to Parenting and Education after her son was born and writes for a Turkish publication on these topics; she also writes stories for children.
Pashmi Khare ................................................................................................................... Mother to a 1-year-old and a psychologist helping people find their way out of different tricky situations, Pashmi Khare enjoys helping mothers get the answers to the most confusing questions in order to breeze through motherhood – exactly the way it should be!
06 | AUGUST 2017 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD
BOOK A RIDE WITH THE KIDS
FOR LESS Careem, the Dubai-based private ride-hailing app, will offer lower pricing for their Kids service which provides a universal child car seat in every car. Careem Kids offers parents the security of having a pre-installed child car seat, suitable for infants up to 30 kilos, and a driver who’s trained on how to adjust the settings depending on every child’s age.
The average ride using Careem Kids will fall by approximately 10 –15%, with the offer applicable to both instant and scheduled bookings. The Kids offer is currently only available in Dubai, but there are plans to introduce the service in Abu Dhabi. The Kids service is typically used by families travelling to and from Dubai airport as well as for school runs where a nanny might accompany a child who’s under 12 years of age. To book a Careem Kids car, customers need to download the Careem app and select ‘Careem Kids’ as their preferred car type. Fares can be booked for immediate bookings or for a set time and can be settled via a linked credit card or in cash. As with all Careem trips, customers can track their ride before it arrives, and while the journey is taking place, particularly important for parents sending their children to and from school with a nanny.
CareemUAE
08 | AUGUST 2017 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD
ﺻﻮت !ﻟﺴﺒﺎرﻛﻴﺰ وارﺑﺢ
• Kids ' Entertainment Centre of the Year • Best Party Venue of the Year
VOTE HERE : www.motherbabychild.com /awards /2017/
1 2 3
Vote for Sparky’s. Send Screen shot of your voting to Sparkys _UAE Facebook page as a message or comment. you will get a chance to win iPhone 7 .
Sparkys UAE
infosparkysuae@alhokair.com +971 2 491 4445
THINGS TO DO
POSTNATAL AND MUM-TO-BE CLASSES
AT AL AIN LADIES CLUB Al Ain mums, and UAE mums visiting Al Ain, will be happy to know that a new club has opened where all their needs are met under one massive roof. Al Ain Ladies Club, established by the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, is the perfect place for mums-to-be to do sports, mum and baby to attend postnatal classes or mums to enjoy a café, salon, gym, pool, spa, pharmacy and more.
02 404 2222
StartYAS, TrainYAS and GoYAS,
WITH BABY!
More than 5000 health and fitness enthusiasts get active every week, for free, at Yas Marina Circuit through its StartYAS, TrainYAS and GoYAS programmes. Participants can walk, run or cycle around the world-famous Formula 1® track in a trafficfree, safe and friendly environment.
StartYAS encourages people of all ages and fitness levels to get activea and takes place every Sunday. Weekly TrainYAS sessions take place every Tuesday. At TrainYAS, families and friends are encouraged to train together, whatever their fitness level. GoYAS ladies can walk, cycle or run around Yas Marina Circuit or take part in a variety of group training sessions such as CrossFit or yoga.
All participants must register for a StartYAS, TrainYAS or GoYAS ID card before participating. This can be done online or on the night. StartYAS, Sunday 6 pm – 10 pm, TrainYAS, Tuesday 6 pm – 10 pm, GoYAS, Wednesday from 6 pm – 9 pm (ladies ONLY) yasmarinacircuit.com
10 | AUGUST 2017 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD
Back to
FASHION STROLLERS FURNITURE ACCESSORIES CAR SEATS
Nursery
OMY
Melissa & Doug
Melissa & Doug
Skip Hop
Magical Felt Pens & Large Coloring Poster London
See-Inside Alphabet Peg Puzzle
Classic ABC/123 Block Cart
Zoo Stainless Steel Straw Bottle
Skip Hop
MadPax
3 Sprouts
Monbento
Zoo Little Kid Backpacks
Spiketus Rex Half Backpack
Lunch Bag
Square Bento Box
CarGo
Kidsriver
mifold
Booster Seat
Booster Seat
Booster Seat JustKiddingMe
• QATAR • UAE • KSA VISIT US IN STORE AND ONLINE FOR MORE BACK TO NURSERY MUST HAVES!
@Justkidding_me Justkidding-me www.justkidding-me.com Al Safa 1, Dubai +971 4 346 6050 Gold & Diamond Park, Dubai +971 4 341 3922
JustKidding Outlet, Wafi Mall, Dubai +971 4 704 8311
Yas Mall, Abu Dhabi
Town Square, Al Forsan Village, Abu Dhabi +971 2 556 9935
Localizer Mall, Riyadh +966 11 217 0956
(Inside House of Fraser)
The Gate Mall, Doha +974 4 407 7174
+971 800 5878 Mall of Qatar, Doha +974 3331 3480
VISIT NEW MUM-AND-ME STORES
AT CITY CENTRE FUJAIRAH Adidas, Monsoon, Annabelle and Toys ‘R’ Us have all opened in City Centre Fujairah, the latest addition to the mall’s 100+ stores. Younger visitors will be thrilled to step inside Toys ‘R’ Us’ first branch in the emirate. Adidas is one of three fashion labels to make its Fujairah debut – the iconic sportswear brand has opened a 2,645-square-foot store on the West Wing, next to VOX Cinemas.
British ladieswear brand Monsoon now occupies a 1,192-square-foot unit in the mall’ s East Wing near the Food Court, as does loungewear label Annabelle.
citycentrefujairah.com
EAT, SHOP, PLAY
AND RELAX FOR LESS THIS SUMMER With temperatures rising and Dubai’s hot summer well on its way, Meraas has launched its ‘Sizzling Summer’ app for Dubai’s residents and visitors to make the most of the summer months in the city.
Sizzling Summer is packed with exciting deals and discounts which can be redeemed in participating outlets at Meraas destinations including City Walk, The Beach, BOXPARK, Last Exit, The Outlet Village and Kite Beach. You’ll be able to enjoy 20% off the total bill at places like Poco Loco and Pots and Pans & Boards, in addition to Hub Zero, Mattel Play! Town, The Green Planet and more. The Sizzling Summer campaign will run until September 31, and the app is free to download for iOS and Android via the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. 12 | AUGUST 2017 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD
sizzlingsummer.ae
THINGS TO DO
SHOP FOR THE KIDDIES’ BEDROOM Cherish your children’s wonder years. Home Centre, the largest home retailer in the Middle East, has launched its new ‘Kidit’ furniture system for kids’ rooms – offering every child a chance to make the most of their allocated space. The unique Kidit collection – exclusively designed by Home Centre to adapt to children’s needs as they grow – offers great value for money featuring flexible and versatile furniture which is easy to assemble and includes a 10-year warranty as a testament to its durability. Mums can choose from a wide range of exciting accessories in a variety of colours and themes such as ‘nautical’ or ‘butterfly’, which spark wonder and creativity in every child while enabling parents to keep up with their children’s changing needs.
The Kidit system will be available across all Home Centre stores in the region and online on homecentre.com
ERIC CARLE’S STORYBOOK
COMES TO LIFE AT BRITISH ORCHARD NURSERY Young children picture book writer Eric Carle’s storyland will come alive at the British Orchard Nursery Summer Camp as the little ones get to explore and engage in his beautiful stories. Running until September 7, this fun camp will introduce them to different life concepts, values and skills through Carle’s popular stories.
The camp will benefit children using all seven areas of learning which include communication and language, literacy, mathematical development, physical development, understanding of the world, personal-social-emotional development and expressive arts and designs. They’ll be role playing using props from the stories, recalling and narrating them with their own endings.
Sunday to Thursday half or full-day camps from 9 am to 2 pm or from 7:30 am to 5:30 pm (extended camp timings for working parents). Transportation available, British EYFS-based learning and development principles. Children one to five years old, children below one will be able to attend if already enrolled in BON or registered to start in September. British Orchard Nursery has branches across Dubai in Bur Dubai, Jumeirah, Deira, Al Twar, Dubai Media City, Mirdif and Dubai Silicon Oasis. In Abu Dhabi, they’re located in Al Bateen & Al Nahyan and Quran Rbt in Sharjah. britishorchardnursery.com 14 | AUGUST 2017 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD
EXPLORE SHARJAH BY BUS
UAE residents can now see more of Sharjah and take a real look into its unique history, culture and attractions. The 24-hour option from City Sightseeing Sharjah (CSS) is dedicated exclusively to sightseeing, providing families with the opportunity to appreciate the reasons behind the city’s titles of ‘Islamic Culture Capital’ and ‘Cultural Capital of the Arab World’. Passengers can enjoy cultural, leisure and night tours, and receive advice on discounts for restaurants, shopping and attractions.
The 48-hour (Explorer) ticket offers a similar package, but also includes a free entrance to Sharjah Aquarium and Maritime Museum, seven museums along the tour and Al Noor Island and Butterfly House.
The summer offer will run throughout August and September. Children below 12 ride for free, in all packages, with the exception of the Explorer package. city-sightseeing.com
AT THIS SUMMER CAMP,
FITNESS COMES FIRST Children will stay entertained with a variety of activities from arts and crafts and football, to basketball, Zumba, ballet and many more! Lunch packs are available to keep the little ones going until the afternoon.
Children ages 5 – 12 years old, daily from 8 am – 2:30 pm, Fitness First Meadows uae.fitnessfirstme.com
WIN BIG AT WAFI MALL
Throughout the month of August, you can win everything from electronics, jewellery and watches to home, living and kitchen products, sports accessories and children’s toys. The only thing you need to do is shop away and you’ll stand a chance to win at the raffle draw on a minimum spend of AED 200 per receipt at Wafi Mall, Khan Murjan Souk or Pyramids.
wafi.com 16 | AUGUST 2017 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD
THINGS TO DO
SPORTSMANSHIP AND TEAMWORK
WITH AN EQUESTRIAN TWIST IN ABU DHABI This summer, foster your child’s passion for all things equestrian with a dedicated summer camp at Al Forsan International Sports Resort designed to teach beginners how to ride or enhance their existing skills. Open Sunday to Thursday between 8 am and 12 pm with a registration fee of AED 150, your children are sure to experience something different.
Looking for an indoor camp? The kids’ summer camp has plenty to keep the little ones on their toes too. Running until August 31st with a full range of sports and games, the fullyindoor camp will be set within Al Forsan’s fully 3,200 square metre air-conditioned sports dome, run Sundays through Thursdays and target three age groups: Discoverers (4 – 5 years), Adventurers (6 – 7 years) and Knights (8 – 14 years).
Children can improve their sportsmanship and teamwork skills in a multicultural environment and will be recognised for their efforts with weekly sports awards; lunch can also be provided as an option. Camp prices start at AED 100 per day. 800-ALFORSAN (800 2536 7726)
INTERACTIVE WORKSHOPS AND A JOURNEY INTO THE UAE
AT WAREHOUSE421
Abu Dhabi-based Warehouse421’s four-week program tailored for children, young people and families will offer a wide range of interactive workshops and events spanning art and design, music and dance, lifestyle, board games and film.
The summer camp will be held daily, except for Mondays and Fridays, until August 10 at the gallery spaces of Warehouse421. The programme will offer more than 50 workshops and activities. Creative Mornings are for children ages 5 – 12 years, from 10 am to 12 pm, providing them with a fun, educational morning activity designed to spark their curiosity, expand their awareness of art and help develop their creative skills. The creative workshops are designed to explore different themes, such as the traditions and natural environment of the UAE, and will enable children to discover new methods of expression including henna, photograms and calligraphy.
warehouse421.ae
18 | AUGUST 2017 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD
WASHING YOUR FRUITS AND VEGETABLES IS USING VINEGAR THE RIGHT WAY TO GO OR SIMPLY AN OLD WIVES’ TALE?
Have you ever washed fruits or vegetables in a mixture of water and vinegar? The real question is: should you wash fresh produce with vinegar? You may have seen a Facebook post, heard it from a friend or tried it yourself. Vinegar-washed fruits and veggies may sparkle, but are they clean enough for your family to eat?
DOES YOUR FAMILY EAT THESE FRUITS AND VEGGIES? Not only are they covered in soil and mud, but potatoes are also coated with pesticides and wax.
Apples are very high-maintenance fruits. They require a lot of pesticides and are often waxed.
Root vegetables such as potatoes, carrots, radishes and beetroots are more prone to having some dirt on them.
Lettuce can be dirty, but may also contain some insects because of its many layers.
Oranges and lemons are among the most waxed fruits. Thanks to their thick skin, the wax doesn't seep through.
Strawberries have very thin skin, so pesticides do seep into the fruit.
Vinegar may disinfect, but:
• It leaves a sour aftertaste which affects flavour. A bitter fruit salad? A bland salad that doesn’t get any better with dressing? This usually happens with greens like lettuce, parsley, spinach and basil – not a yummy result!
• While you need to make fruits and veggies as pretty-looking as possible for the kids to eat, vinegar is very acidic: it darkens your veggies and leaves them looking not-so-fresh, which means more trouble from picky eaters (and we can’t even blame them for it).
Disinfect your fruits and vegetables with a natural and edible product; Oy! Fruit & Veggie Wash is the only product with the 'Emirates Quality Mark'. Now you can eat fruits and veggies, and add them to salads and smoothies, without having to worry about your family’s health. No more dirt, pesticides, wax or even insects (yikes!) in three simple steps:
oyproducts.com
oyproducts
oyproducts MOTHER, BABY & CHILD | AUGUST 2017 | 19
GS
FAMILY-FRIENDLY FUN All Over the UAE
With theme and water parks, malls, soft play areas and outdoor spaces, Dubai is known to be a hub for family fun, but how much do you know about wholesome, kidfriendly activities all over the UAE? Mother, Baby & Child’s got you covered!
ABU DHABI Umm Al Emarat Park is a hub for the Abu Dhabi community, supporting ‘education through recreation’. Whether it’s a family picnic, friendly football game or an outdoor yoga class, there’s something for all ages and lifestyles.
The park houses a dedicated Animal Barn with a selection of indigenous species, Wadi area, interactive fountains for youngsters and a Botanic Garden with an array of tropical plants. It also hosts weekly family movie screenings
ummalemaratpark.ae
Ferrari World Abu Dhabi is the first original Ferrari-branded theme park in the world. Super-charged, super-shareable Ferrari fun and excitement abounds with 37 rides and attractions for families and thrill-seekers.
Visitors are invited to switch on the engine and enjoy a mix of rides, live entertainment, unique dining and Ferrari shopping experiences. Kids can rush to Benno’s Great Race, climb the edges in the Junior Training Camp or race aboard Junior GP mini Ferraris and feel like true Ferrari champions.
ferrariworldabudhabi.com
Yas Waterworld Abu Dhabi is an Emirati-themed water park inspired by the rich heritage, hospitality and culture of the UAE. Home to more than 40 thrilling rides and attractions, there’s always something fun for everyone in the family. Every attraction and ride represents a part of the story: Dana and her friends are in search of a legendary pearl that once brought prosperity and fortune to the people of her village.
yaswaterworld.com
20 | AUGUST 2017 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD
RAS AL KHAIMAH TOP FIVE FOR FAMILY FUN
1. Iceland Water Park Adult admission: AED 175, first child plays for free with two paying adults, second child admission AED 115
4. Al Hamra Golf Club Your family can enjoy a footgolf open at night under the floodlights – ideal for summer!
2. Fly Fish Water Sports Located on the stunning Al Marjan Island, they offer jet skis, banana rides, parasailing and more. Kids will even see the big turtles that inhabit Al Marjan Island’s waters
5. RAK Track Go Karting from AED 115
icelandwaterpark.com
flyfish.ae
3. Bedouin Oasis Desert Camp From desert dinner with entertainment to dune-bashing safaris. AED 120 for dinner, dunebashing safari from AED 300
alhamragolf.com
raktrack.com
To find out more about what’s on offer this summer across Ras Al Khaimah, visit en.rasalkhaimah.ae/specialoffers/summer-feel-free
arabianincentive.com/ bedouin-oasis
SHARJAH
Sharjah Science Museum offers interactive presentations, designed to motivate young visitors and encourage them to adopt innovation and creation. The museum includes more than 50 interactive exhibits and features many attractive programmes and interesting events for children. It also offers them the opportunity to admire humanity's most creative and beautiful achievements in the fields of science and technology. Young visitors can enjoy a world of science and exploration including hands-on experiments on the laws of nature, thermal physics, physiology and aerodynamics. They can also take part in electricity demonstrations, explore space secrets and unravel mysteries.
sharjahmuseums.ae
AL AIN
Families and friends can head to Aloft Al Ain’s rooftop pool this summer to cool off and splish splash with the ‘Weekday Splash Pool Day Pass at The Rooftop’ for AED 150 for adults and AED 75 for kids.
aloftalain.com
STILL CRAZY ABOUT DUBAI…
A children’s ‘edutainment’ concept, KidZania® is located on Level 2 of The Dubai Mall. It combines play with learning through a fun approach, with most activities ideal for children ages 4 – 6. As in the real world, children perform ‘jobs’ and are either paid for their work (as a firefighter, police detective or journalist, for example) or pay to shop or be entertained. The indoor edutainment centre is built to scale for children, and accurately reflects the workings of a typical city through paved streets, vehicles, a functioning economy and recognisable destinations in the form of ‘establishments’.
kidzania.ae
MORE FUN IN THE UAE… It’s too much fun to fit into a few pages, so here are more must-visits: Al Ain Zoo
From animal feeding, animal rides, reptile encounters and a zoo train to a bird of prey and parrot show, this is the ultimate zoo. Fun City, Abu Dhabi
Located in Abu Dhabi Mall, Fun City has a ‘Fun n Learn’ area for children ages 0 to four and a soft play area for them to slide, run, climb, jump around and enjoy. They also do birthday parties, school trips and mum’s coffee mornings. Sparky’s, Abu Dhabi
Cutting edge rides and attractions are all set together in a magical arena of light, sound and fun at this popular kids’ spot in Abu Dhabi. MOTHER, BABY & CHILD | AUGUST 2017 | 21
PARENTING
FAMILY ROAD TRIP
YOUR SURVIVAL GUIDE
The summer holidays are almost over and UAE ‘staycations’ may be a better option for your family at this point. This means: ROAD TRIP! Okay, okay, it may sound a bit more exciting for the kids, but there’s no reason you can’t look forward to it too. Here are some tips to ensure you have the best road trip ever:
22 | AUGUST 2017 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD
Bring a backpack. Pick a cute one that your child can carry, and fill a backpack with snacks, crayons, colouring books and travel games. You can also pack a travel journal where they can log interesting sites they see along the way, or just scribble and doodle. Don’t forget comfort items such as blankets and teddy bears.
TRAVEL ESSENTIALS Al-Futtaim ACE AED 299
Come up with interesting projects. This is where creative ideas come in handy – well silly ideas that is. You know very well that anything more than five minutes with the children in the car means endless squabbling; come up with something entertaining, fuss-free for them to do. Making use of the most seemingly boring of items, you can keep the kids busy and quiet for some time. Figure the ‘rotation’ out. Rotating systems are a normal part of road trips. Think they won’t fight over who gets to sit next to the window? Think again! Figure these out before making a move: who sits where, who picks out the next DVD, who’ll pick the next snack, etc.
AED 349
It’s storytelling time. Stories aren’t just for bedtime: just ask mamas who are on a road trip to Ajman. You don’t even have to squeeze your brain for colourful tales, just tell them more about your road trips when you were a kid, or play some vintage songs and sing along. Healthy food is very important, especially on road trips. You don’t want the kids reaching out for gummy bears; pack fruits and veggies, mixed nuts, cheese and crackers and lots of water bottles. Important: Make sure the kids have access to these snacks. Otherwise, you’ll run the risk of stopping every 30 minutes to grab a snack from the cooler in your trunk. Stuff a handful of plastic grocery bags, somewhere handy. It may sound a bit ominous, but these will serve as a great solution for trash, damp clothes or even – yikes – vomit. Stock up on baby wipes. If you always read Mother, Baby & Child, you’ll know how much we LOVE baby wipes. They can pretty much be used for everything, including post-fast food fiascos, Pepsi-spill accidents and even mama’s eyeliner smudge emergency.
Homework AED 49
SOL Republic AED 205
Metal cookie sheets are your best friends. No, you won’t be making cookies on your way to Fujairah, but they serve as the perfect food tray, lap table and even magnet-holder for kids to enjoy while travelling. Bonus: the raised edges will keep anything from falling off the kids’ laps. Gather your gadgets. Ah, the joy of packing healthy snacks, toys and colouring books, only to find the kids reaching – once again – for the iPad. It’s inevitable, so make sure all your gadgets are powered up and ready for your road trip. Don’t forget some portable chargers; you never know what device may disconnect first, leaving you with nothing more than nonelectronic tools (shudders) to keep the kids entertained.
Little Things AED 99 each
When all else fails, buy some pipe cleaners. They come in blue, green and MOTHER, BABY & CHILD | AUGUST 2017 | 23
PARENTING even pink! Buy some pipe cleaners before you hit the road. For some reason, kids love using them to create shapes, swords, bracelets and towers. Ah, nothing like a kid’s imagination to make something out of nothing. Learn about your destinations. There’s no better time for the kids to learn about their destination than on the way there. Pick out some fun learning tools on Al Ain Zoo, or show them a map of Ferrari World. Apart from getting an idea on what they’re in for, they’ll have fun discussing what they’d like to do once they’re there. No worries, they’ll forget all about it once they get there, or will they?
A SUMMER DREAM STAYCATION
Allow every family member to plan half a day of activities, in the car. Kids love making plans. Kids also love making plans as they’re headed somewhere. Your road trip is the perfect place for them to get creative on what they’d like to do, and what they’d like for all of you to do, on the way there. Work learning into road trip games. Road trips need not be learning-free zones. The kids need to keep learning, even when on the road. Try to invent games which aid development, incorporating counting cars or their colours, or make use of readymade games which you’ll find at major bookstores and toy shops. Tip: Games with many tiny pieces are not very road trip or baby-friendly. Air fresheners make excellent road trip travel companions. Kids love the weirdest smells, and in the interest of not grossing you out, we’ll not mention them here. There are so many air fresheners in the market; so, whether you like jasmine or matcha-infused strawberry quinoa, there’s a product out there that’s bound to keep things fresh for you. Plan for lots of stops. There’s no reason for the journey not to be as exciting as the destination. Gas stations and rest houses can make for the most fun of family times. Did anyone say Slurpee? Don’t forget to take out your phones and take some cool snaps. Embrace the cool, silly and ridiculous. Not only are road trips meant to be the prelude for amazing times ahead, but they can be a hoot if you want them to be. Most importantly, plan, plan, plan – nobody wants to head anywhere with the kids unprepared, but always leave some room for spontaneous, crazy fun.
24 | AUGUST 2017 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD
With rates starting from AED 750 per room per night, ‘Live Your Summer Dream’ at Bab Al Shams Resort & Spa will offer a daily credit voucher per room worth AED 350, which you can spend at their spa or any dining outlets at the resort, which include ‘Al Hadeerah Desert’ restaurant, Indian restaurant ’Masala’, traditional Italian cuisine at ‘La Dune’, alldining international restaurant ‘Al Forsan, ‘Al Sarab’ Rooftop Lounge and more. Children between the ages of five and 12 can join in on the fun with entertaining and educational activities through three different programmes at the indoor ‘Aladdin’s Kids Club’. There’s also a wide selection of leisure and sports activities including two infinity temperature-controlled swimming pools, an open 4x4 desert drive, desert fat biking, archery, camel riding, falconry, volleyball and more.
meydanhotels.com/SummerDream
Le Petit Boulanger Eat Play Bake
For 27 AED ONLY your child can enjoy a 3 course kids menu while baking his own muffin, cookie or brioche with our bakery/pastry chefs Every Tuesday from 3:30 pm to 6 pm
PARENTING
baby’s closet
Available on Mumzworld.com AED 2,411
Cath Kidston AED 155
AED 70
ClevaMama AED 85 COÉGA AED 165
OshKosh B’gosh
AED 95 AED 70
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26 | AUGUST 2017 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD
Pottery Barn Kids Starting from AED 125
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PARENTING
AW, YOU POOR BABY! 10 REASONS BABIES CRY AND HOW TO SOOTHE THEM
As if being a new mum didn’t involve enough hard work and cries for help, it constantly seems as though baby is onto us. During the earlier years, there isn’t really that much babies can do, so crying always seems to be at the top of their task list. Here’s why baby might be crying and – most importantly – what to do about it: 28 | AUGUST 2017 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD
1
Hungry: This is the number one reason most of us adults cry (we think) and the first thing you think of when baby starts.
Solution? Recognise the signs of hunger before baby starts crying so you can feed them. Fussiness, lip smacking and putting their hands to their mouth can all indicate that baby wants to be fed.
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Tired: If a baby is too tired, they may have trouble sleeping.
Colic: It often feels like baby can cry for hours and hours for no particular reason. Colic is the persistent crying of an otherwise healthy baby.
Dirty Diaper: For some children, a dirty diaper doesn’t mean anything: they can wear it for hours and hours and not feel a thing. For others, they can’t stand the feeling of wearing a dirty diaper, even for two seconds. Solution? Whenever suspicious, a quick check would be best. For your own sanity, some diapers have invented a ‘wetness indicator’ which will tell you when things get dirty without you having to, well, check up on it.
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Stomach Pain: If your baby starts crying after being fed, that usually means there’s some sort of stomach problem. Most commonly, gas would be making baby feel uncomfortable.
Solution? If you’re not a fan of over-the counter antigas drops (as prescribed by your doctor), try putting baby on their back, grasping their feet and moving the legs in a gentle, bicycling motion. You could also pat on baby’s back for a burp.
Attention, please: Babies very often want to be held. Cuddling and physical contact offer reassurance and comfort for little ones.
Solution? For added comfort, sway your baby or sing to them. They’ll be comforted by the warmth of your body and smell.
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Solution? If overtired, they may stare blankly into space, go quiet or whine over the slightest thing. Help your child by teaching them how to soothe themselves to sleep.
Solution? Cuddling your baby, going for a drive or using white noise from a machine are some ways you can soothe colic.
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Too Hot (this is the UAE, Mum): Many mums think they need to overdress their baby as they would naturally be feeling colder. However, it may make them too hot, prompting baby tears. Solution? As a general rule, babies need only one more layer of clothing than we do in order to feel happy and warm, so dressing them like you’re in Antarctica will totally backfire.
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Too Cold: Your baby may not be used to the feeling of cold air on their skin. Especially after a bath or nappy change, you may find that baby starts to cry.
Solution? You’re probably dressing them up in enough layers, but until they put their clothes back on, they won’t stop crying if feeling cold. With time, you’ll master the art of a quick nappy – or clothes – change.
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Teething: The harshness of a tooth breaking into tender gums can be quite painful for a baby.
Solution? Feel their gums and you may feel their baby tooth coming out. Ease the pain by giving them something to chew on: if old enough for solids, they may get relief from eating cold foods like yogurt.
Not Feeling Well: You know best: you may feel like there’s something wrong with your baby or find that their crying is high-pitched, continuous or more urgent. Solution? Head to the paediatrician’s office as soon as you feel like something just isn’t right with your baby.
MOTHER, BABY & CHILD | AUGUST 2017 | 29
PARENTING
MUMS’ TOP 25 TIPS OF ALL TIME 1 2 3 4
When the rough gets going, pretend you’re a babysitter. Babysitters don’t feel guilty about letting the kids watch TV. They also don’t do the laundry or dishes. So, pretend you’re a happy babysitter, at least for a couple of hours.
Savour every moment, every single one of them. Make a mess with the kids, play with glitter and have a water balloon fight. The house can be cleaned later, but precious moments with the kids – now that’s something you’ll treasure forever. Motherhood is no walk in the park, at least 98% of the time it’s not. You can’t expect it to be easy. Kids will remember what you teach them, so always keep that in the back of your mind. Be a match for their imagination. Get down to their level and play like they do; think like they do. You’ll have so much fun and so will the kids, and you’ll learn tons of things about them.
5 6
Be in the now. The exact now, that is. What do you need to do in this precise moment? Do you need to soothe baby or prepare the bottle? Taking things just one step at a time will make life much easier. Follow your gut instinct. Mama knows best? She sure does! No matter what, listen to your intuition when making decisions. Mums are wired to be in constant connection with their kids. You know your child more than anybody else in the world. 30 | AUGUST 2017 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD
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It’s quite difficult, but try not to freak out when they get hurt. This will help them calm down faster. It’ll also help you think clearly and make the right decision regarding their treatment. Make time for yourself – no matter how hectic life gets. No clichés here, but taking care of yourself means taking care of everybody else better too, just in case you needed a bit of selfless encouragement. Don’t worry if you can’t fall asleep, it just means you’ll get some great sleep the following night. Stressing out about sleep will make your body even more reluctant to relax. Oh, and never underestimate the power of a nap.
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Expect a lack of sleep and accept being sleep deprived, at least until baby grows a bit older. Many new mums have no idea babies won’t sleep through the night like adults.
It’s going to be fun, so don’t listen to stressed-out mums. While motherhood can be a challenge, kids also bring more laughter to the house. You’ll be lighter, happier and giggling all the time.
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CHILDREN EAT, PLAY AND BAKE AT BERTIN BISTRO Bertin Bistro is one of the very few dining spots in Dubai which customise every experience with children in mind. The two-storey restaurant’s impressive dessert display showcases meticulously-crafted cakes, a mouth-watering boulangerie and colourful, animal and cartoonshaped eclairs for little ones. Located on Sheikh Zayed Road with its own free parking, Bertin’s cosy ambience is complemented by its French and fusion cuisine influences, inspired by little ‘Bertin’ – the young boy coming from a long line of master chefs and bakers, who started it all with a small bakery in Alsace where he wanted to impress his first love. The first Bertin restaurant overlooked the sea; based in Morocco, it specialised in tajjines, but Dubai’s first Bertin has so much more to offer.
With an extensive menu, a relaxed set-up and a beautiful summer-vibes playlist in the background, Bertin is as fantastic for breakfast as it is for lunch and dinner. The Flammekueche, a thin-crust rolled dough made with crème fraiche and sliced onions traditionally baked in a wood-burning oven, can be topped with all sorts of ingredients including avocado, veal bratwurst and honey. The chef’s specialty, a six-hour braised lamb with Mediterranean herbs, cherry tomatoes and potato mousseline, is a melt-in-your-mouth delight to the taste buds.
Their coffee is the perfect wake-me-up treat; if you love pink, their rose latte is a feminine take on the java-infused favourite. For dessert, you can go for the Pain Perdu, a French caramel-salt volcano of goodness guaranteed to satisfy every sweet tooth.
Meanwhile, children can enjoy their very own menu: from scrambled eggs and chicken strips to mini burgers, penne Bolognese and fruity bircher, no favourite is missing. On Tuesdays, they can go for ‘Le Petit Boulanger’ activities: eating, playing and baking for only AED 27 per child from 3:30 to 6 pm. Even the pancakes are made to look like cats with sugar whiskers, peach cheeks and strawberry ears, complete with sprinkles, Nutella, vanilla and maple syrup on the side. Now that’s a fun afternoon!
SHEIKH ZAYED ROAD, AL MANARA STREET
04 4 321 9239
bertinbistro.com
BertinBistro
MOTHER, BABY & CHILD | AUGUST 2017 | 31
PARENTING
12 13 14 15 16
There’s no such thing as the “perfect mother”. It’s all okay: whether you’re on your fourth takeout of the week or you don’t want visitors, just remember: everything will be just fine. Take more photos and videos. You may think you’re taking so many, but you’ll always wish you had more. Make sure you either print them out or burn them to a disc so the kids can watch them when they’re older. Make sure your kids are ‘real-world’ ready. You can read all the quotes you want on Instagram, but always remember to bring it back to reality: the potty training, eating with a fork, sleeping in their own bed, etc. Always know what’s important: a happy, well-cared for child is way more important than a spotless, Good Housekeeping-style
home.
Worst-case-thinking-first is unhealthy. This type of thinking is toxic for people who don’t have children, so imagine the problems it can cause for a mum. If you leave your child in the car while you pick something up in minutes (not in the heat, of course), the chances of them getting kidnapped are low.
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Kiss and hug your kids every day and tell them you love them, at morning and bedtime. Spoil your kids, there’s nothing wrong with that! Just make sure it’s not with material things, but rather love and attention.
It’s a learning curve, and every day you’ll learn something new. Being a mum doesn’t mean being good at everything. Every day will bring on a new challenge which you’ll need to embrace and face head-on.
laughter fit. 32 | AUGUST 2017 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD
Love your kids like crazy, but try not to put them ahead of your husband. He still needs your love too!
It all goes very fast. The more you realise this, the better you’ll be at embracing every hug, kiss, tear and
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The only advice you need to hear from those around you is: “You’re good enough.” A new mum is a magnet for unsolicited advice, but try to smile and wave – then do what you think is right anyway.
There’s no shame in asking for help. Friends and family are always there for you, so don’t hesitate to ask for their help when needed; make sure you tell them to be honest over what they’d be willing to help you with, and what’s just a bit too much. Start saving every penny you can. The older the kids get, the more expensive they’ll become.
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Never say never! Making generalised, sweeping statements about how you’ll be raising your child will only raise eyebrows later, when you fail to deliver. Your child will drink soda, watch TV, and exceed their screen time limit. Keep it as real as you can.
MAMA 'ME-TIME' AT THE ADDRESS DUBAI MARINA Getting pampered, looking beautiful and not having to worry about the kids? Every mother’s dream comes true at The Spa, a relaxed haven that blooms within the busy Dubai Marina. A sanctuary of serenity, tranquillity and gracious hospitality, the spa offers the ultimate experience to restore harmony and balance between your body and mind with the new Mum’s Rejuvenation Package. The Package offers a treatment at one of the spacious Dubai gem’s twelve tranquil treatment rooms, in addition to complimentary access to a luxurious en-suite shower, steam room and sauna facilities, the fitness centre, infinity pool and jacuzzi. Drop the kids off at their colourful 'Qix Club' at no extra charge and escape to a world of serenity while getting your youthful glow back. If pregnancy, hormonal changes, medications or sun exposure have left any blemishes on your skin, let their facial do the work.
The specialised treatment starts off with a ‘magic mirror’, where your glow-in-the-dark reflection highlights your blemishes, blackheads, oily patches and more. Not a pretty sight, but wait until they fix it all. The 50-minute Radiance Facial lightens the skin using citrus-infused exfoliation in addition to intensive clarifying ingredients. Undesirable spots will be considerably diminished and your skin tone will become noticeably even. The unparalleled benefits of an oxygenating massage, coupled with the clarifying power of pure oxygen, results in a fresh face – and happier mama.
Alternatively, as part of the Mum’s Rejuvenation Package, you can go for a 50-minute Aromatherapy Massage. If you’re expecting, you could also explore a range of treatments which address mum-to-be concerns including muscle strain, heaviness in the legs, an aching back and expanding skin. They may not be part of the package, but they’re definitely worth a try.
Weekdays, 10 am until 7 pm. AED 299 per person, prior reservation required. Qix Club access valid for kids between the ages of four and 12 years old. The Spa is located on Level 3, adjacent to the Fitness Centre and hair salon. 04 436 7424
theaddress.com/en/hotels/the-address-dubai-marina
Qix Club
MOTHER, BABY & CHILD | AUGUST 2017 | 33
PARENTING
5 WAYS TO GET YOUR KIDS TO LISTEN
Getting the kids to listen is a parenting battle only few know how to win. Mastering the art of communicating with kids no matter their age requires careful attention and a know-how which follows the simplest rules in the book. Here are five ways to get your kids to listen:
34 | AUGUST 2017 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD
Keep in mind they may not be ignoring you on purpose. Kids, especially those who are under 14, lack what we know as ‘peripheral awareness’. Hence, they’re easily distracted and often don’t notice what’s happening around them – even if it’s quite noticeable to an adult. That’s why you’ll often need to work very hard to make sure they pay attention to what you’re trying to tell them. It may seem rather frustrating when they ‘ignore’ you at first, but losing it will only make the situation worse. Keep calm, mama!
Be present. It’s easier for your kid to ignore what you say, rather than what you do. Sometimes, physically placing yourself in front of them, or between them and the object/task they’re focused on, does the trick. You could also try saying something silly, which usually gets kids’ attention rather quickly, but make sure you always set some boundaries: they should be very aware of the fact that these do exist.
Say it with one word. When the kids are acting out, it can be tempting to go into a 30-minute lecture on how disappointed you are. However, if you think they would listen, you clearly don’t speak their language. With kids, the clearer it is, the more likely they are to listen. Not only that, but not knowing how you’ll react to any form of rebellion serves a purpose – it makes them wonder what will happen if they don’t. So, rather than detailing why you’d like them to listen, shorten it all to one word which describes the full instructions given beforehand. ‘Shoes’ is enough to get them to understand that they must take off their shoes once they get home and ‘plates’ is more than enough to make them listen, understand and take their plates to the kitchen after eating lunch.
Explain the request. You may feel like a kid would never really understand what you’re asking for, even after you’ve explained it a million times. However, sometimes finding out the reason behind the request – which may have sounded strange to them (why are we in a hurry?) – and understanding its impact on others shows them how reasonable it is. Additionally, it’s good to model such behaviour. Let natural consequences be their punishment. When all else fails, the natural consequences resulting from anything irresponsible they do will teach them not to do it again. For example, the clothes weren’t sent to the laundry because they’d left them on the floor.
However, we often find ourselves in situations where that doesn’t apply – or where the kids have no sense of reality whatsoever. In that case, it would be time for mama to intervene (see above) and make sure they listen to every.single.word. Happy parenting! MOTHER, BABY & CHILD | AUGUST 2017 | 35
PARENTING
TIRED OF YELLING?
HELPING CHILDREN RESOLVE CONFLICT Conflict is a normal part of our lives, but it’s very common among children as they’re unable to resolve it on their own. Having different needs or wants, or wanting the same thing when only one is available, can easily lead children into conflict with one another. Commonly, children respond to conflict either by arguing, physical aggression or more passive responses such as backing off and avoiding one other. Pashmi Khare Such situations need to be handled with care because, if mismanaged, they can have a negative impact on children’s relationships, self-esteem and learning. Teaching them the right skills to resolve conflict can help them significantly. By learning to manage conflict, children can improve the way they deal with others. They’re more confident, have better friendships and are better learners at school when they know how to manage conflict well. Many children (and adults) think of conflict as a competition which can only end by having a winner and loser. The problem with thinking about conflict this way is that it promotes win-lose behaviour. Children who want to win try to dominate others and little ones who think they can’t win try to avoid conflict: this doesn’t result in effective conflict resolution.
CONFLICT RESOLUTION AT DIFFERENT AGES At this age, babies see each other (and everything around them) as interesting objects to explore. What looks like conflict – pulling hair, throwing, grabbing, poking or pinching is common exploratory behaviour. Two-year-olds start to feel powerful while simultaneously realising how little control they have over their own lives and, thus, dig in their heels during conflict.
0-2
What should mama do?
• Stay near the baby and physically model how you’d like them to behave. • Make sure that the baby can make choices about important things, such as which activity they’ll do. 36 | AUGUST 2017 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD
3-4
Children at this age are most prone to quarrelling over possessions such as toys and playthings. They see conflict solely from their own perspective and it's difficult for them to understand how others are feeling.
With a good enough command of vocabulary, they understand the power of language. When there’s conflict, they use tactics such as yelling at each other, name calling and making threats. Although these verbal strategies may make those who use them feel powerful, the recipient frequently ends up with bruised feelings. Another way that children deal with conflict is to back off from it or run away to tell their teacher or parents. What should mama do?
• Demonstrate problem solving in positive and kind ways.
• Help children define their problems. As you interpret children's feelings, help them give names to them.
• When a child has been refused entry to a group, show them techniques which may help them gain access to play or other options.
5-6
At this age, children become more and more aware of ways to manage conflict. Instead of reacting with hitting or pushing, they’re aware of the power of their words and may be willing to talk about a problem before it escalates.
They may even try working things out with peers before asking an adult for help. At the same time, they know that the adult in charge is a resource during conflict and that they can ask for help when they can't negotiate a problem. Children at this age know they’re not supposed to fight with each other and like to organise other children’s behaviour, activities and things. They like to be first, best and right. At the same time, their cognitive and linguistic development gives them the ability to consider others’ opinions and discuss them. What should mama do?
• Help them see the bigger picture by considering more options.
• It's helpful to let children work out these situations, as long as interactions proceed peacefully. They’ll learn to express their feelings and listen to others.
• Talk about the conflict. By identifying what it is and discussing it together, children gain a deeper understanding of feelings that arise during these difficult times.
• Brainstorm a general list of ways to positively handle conflict. Children may want to illustrate the list with drawings and magazine images. You can also post the list in their room for quick reference in case of conflict.
MOTHER, BABY & CHILD | AUGUST 2017 | 37
PARENTING
6+
Beyond the age of six, children develop a good capacity to name their feelings and understand other perspectives. To help them resolve conflict, you can do the following: Step 1. Distract yourself and calm down
Take a break and do something to refresh the mind such as taking a walk, listening to music, playing with pets, etc. You can even make a wheel with different activities and have them roll it to decide on the activity or even chits to pick and choose. This is easier when they’re too mad to decide on what they want to do to calm down. Step 2. Talk about your feelings
Help the child point out the emotions they’re feeling in regards to the conflict and what’s making them feel that way. Try to start the sentence with what or how instead of why. Why is more intimidating and less explorative a word. Encourage the child to start sentences with “I” or “I feel”. This will keep them from heading towards criticism or blaming. Ask the listener to take notes when the first is sharing their perspective. This will ensure they don't get busy thinking about counter statements while the other child is speaking and, in the process, help them understand their feelings better. Step 3. Acknowledge the other child’s feelings
Help the child understand what it means to do things the way they want and respect their thoughts and feelings. Apologise if they’re hurt. Help them accurately paraphrase each other’s words. This will help them relate with other child and make it easier for them to respect their perspective. Step 4. Find a solution
Let the children brainstorm to identify what can be done to find a solution where everyone feels good. Coming up with the decision by themselves will also encourage them to work on the plan. Step 5. Follow up
When helping resolve conflict between children, it’s important to follow up on the progress of the resolution. If the solution doesn't seem to work and the children appear to need a prolonged break from one another, they’ll still be required to speak kindly and respectfully when they’re interacting. All the best!
BUBBLE BLASTS AND ROCK CLIMBING AT BURJUMAN Open daily between 4 pm and 10 pm until August 12, BurJuman Mall’s main areas will become a summer paradise, with plenty of complimentary activities to entertain the youngest members of your family.
Designed for children ages three to 12 years old, Summer Fun at BurJuman will have a range of complimentary activities from sand play, rock climbing and arts and crafts, to bubble blasts every 20 minutes to keep little ones busy.
burjuman.com
38 | AUGUST 2017 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD
TEACHING CHILDREN LIFE AND LEADERSHIP SKILLS FROM GENEROSITY, ORGANISATION AND THE VALUE OF SAVING TO FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, BUDGETING AND THE IMPORTANCE OF CHARITY
At Mother, Baby & Child, we’re always on the lookout for educational establishments which bring something new to the academic arena. New Generation School (NGS) provides the ultimate 21st century educational experience: one that is innovative, creative and bold. In addition to an exceptional curriculum, one of the most exciting Life Skills/Leadership programmes at NGS is the ‘School Economy System’. Through this programme, NGS staff teach children financial responsibility through fun and experiential learning.
The system is the first of its kind in Dubai, enhancing children’s 21st century financial skills and connecting them to the real world. The NGS Economy System’s purpose is to teach students valuable life skills such as generosity, organisation, the value of saving, financial responsibility, budgeting and the importance of charity. The programme has been so successful that, within 15 weeks, NGS has been recognised as a Leadership School by the Franklin Covey ’Leader in Me’ programme.
“At Next Generation School, our goal is to inspire students to make meaning of the world in which they live based on their experiences, and discover worlds beyond that with which they’re familiar. One of our primary responsibilities is to construct a school environment that supports the accomplishment of these goals,” says Dr Sheryl Steinberg Abukar, principal at Next Generation School.
Moreover, students are inspired to achieve excellence as they engage in exciting academic, sporting, leadership and entrepreneurial programmes which are rigorous, but never rigid. Exceptional educators live and breathe the NGS philosophy and motivate students to excel as they develop confidence, independence, curiosity, respect and a genuine concern for others. NGS’ campus provides students with facilities which include state-of-theart classrooms, academic facilities, prayer halls, libraries, a botanical garden, labs, spacious indoor and outdoor sporting facilities and playgrounds.
Digital and educational technologies are an integral feature of NGS’ learning environment. The very latest technology is integrated to assist students, and the building is fully equipped with stateof-the-art IT systems including virtual and augmented reality, Access Control, Wi-Fi, CCTV, Public Address, laser projectors and interactive smart boards for learning.
At full capacity, the 30,000 square metre NGS campus in the heart of Al Barsha 3 will cater to over 2,900 students from Pre-K to Grade 12. NGS adopts a fully-integrated model of education that combines life skills, Arabic language, Islamic values and cultural identity, and is currently accepting registration for students levels KG1 to Grade 6.
Parents can register their children for September 2017 on the Next Generation School website: www.ngsdubai.ae or by emailing: registrar@nextgenerationschool.ae For additional information, please call: 600 569 008 MOTHER, BABY & CHILD | AUGUST 2017 | 39
PARENTING
THE PARENTING BATTLE MUM VS. DAD FINDING YOUR COMPATIBLE PARENTING STYLE Mum or dad, who does all the work? This never-ending debate has got us thinking. Mother, Baby & Child has decided to help you find an answer. Well, not really, but at least you’ll eventually find some common ground. Is safety an issue?
It seems like dad always has a ‘wider bracket’ of criteria when it comes to kids’ safety. So, what if they feed the monkeys using their bare hands? It’s fun. Mum, we’ll give him that, it’s not like he’s dangling them to feed the crocodiles (unless he asks for that too). 40 | AUGUST 2017 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD
Feeding baby
You may think baby food is cute, but dad has other plans. Please don’t let him experiment with falafel. The last Instagram shot of baby pretending to be eating a pizza did garner a few giggles, but we don’t want them to crave pepperoni as soon as they can start having solid foods.
Full-on entertainment
Mum’s ideas are always very educational: let’s build, read, draw or even sing together! As for dad, he just wants to be entertained. If you come home to a baby with a drawnon moustache, let’s hope the marker wasn’t waterproof. Quality time
Mum will always try to involve her baby in everything she does, be that going grocery shopping, gardening, bird-watching or even going shopping together. As for dad, simply being in the same room with the kids is enough. Isn’t that what ‘quality time’ is all about anyway?
A HANDS-ON PIZZA PARTY
Mini chef
Mum’s little chef will help with safe tasks around the kitchen, and then it’s mealtime! As for dad, barbequing while the kids are watching may count as a big achievement. Hey, they won’t be on ‘Iron Chef’ anyway.
HOW DO WE MAKE IT WORK?
Support each other. Kids can easily learn how to pit one parent against the other, don’t give them the opportunity to do so! Never, ever disagree on parenting in front of the kids.
Negotiate parenting styles. Communication is key. Discuss any situation, talk about the differences, cooperate and compromise. Give way…to the stricter parent. In cases where one parent is stricter, kids will always try to manipulate the other one. Agree to let the stricter parent win whenever there’s traction, just to avoid future manipulation. If it’s not working, get help. If all else fails, speak to a family therapist, close friend or family member. As a parent, you know best, but an outsider’s perspective is often all you need to better evaluate a situation. This is meant to be a humorous take on parenting. We love dads, and know that – when it comes to the kids – they would never, ever compromise.
PizzaExpress has launched a new ‘Hands-On Pizza Party’ concept, giving kids the chance to put on their chef’s hat and try their hand at pizza-making this summer. The restaurant will offer all participants a chef’s hat, a junior certificate to take home as well as refreshing drinks with their homemade pizza, the perfect activity if you’re stuck for fun ideas in the scorching heat.
Every Saturday from 10 am to 12 pm at all PizzaExpress restaurants in the UAE. AED 30 per person, all ages welcome pizzaexpress.ae
MOTHER, BABY & CHILD | AUGUST 2017 | 41
PARENTING
IS YOUR TWEEN READY TO BE HOME ALONE?
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Whether it’s an unexpected business appointment, a day home from school or childcare gone wrong (happens more often than we’d like it to), situations are likely to arise where leaving your child alone would be the only option. A 5-year-old may not be ready to stay home alone just yet, but even though The American Academy of Pediatrics lists 11 or 12 as an appropriate age at which to leave children at home during the day (for no more than about three hours), your tween may not be ready to stay home alone. Here’s how to know if they are:
Make sure you ask them first. You may think your tween would jump at the idea of being home alone, but it’s important to know if they’re ready for that kind of responsibility at this stage, or simply need more time. They should feel comfortable and it’s preferable that they be the ones who are seeking more independence. Think about the area where you live: would a tween feel comfortable taking a walk there? Put yourself in their shoes. While most UAE residential areas are safe, you need to keep in mind how much traffic there is and whether you live in a ‘communitystyle’ area where people know each other or more of an urban jungle.
Do they know how to answer when the phone rings? “My mum’s not able to come to the phone right now; can I take your number and have her get back to you?” This would be the right way to speak to a stranger on the other line as nobody should know that your tween is home alone.
Would they know what to do in an emergency? Emergencies can be anything from a suspicious stranger at the door to a fire or medical crisis. Leave a list of important phone numbers somewhere accessible and make sure they would know who to dial. Can they be trusted? Tweens will always have a need to rebel. Make sure you have some ground rules in place: no video games until homework is done, no friends over until mum comes back, etc. Selective snacking is something you’ll need to set some guidelines on. Make it clear which snacks your child would be allowed to eat.
Set some rules on potentially-dangerous activities. Would they be allowed to play outside or use the microwave, for example? Evaluating such activities would totally depend on how well you think they can handle themselves while alone. Tell them to keep the door locked. It doesn’t have to be triplelocked, but it should impossible to open from the outside. You also need to make sure they know how to avoid getting accidentally locked out. Will your child be watching a sibling? Sibling rivalry is very much real. Would your tween be able to take care of their sibling and do they get along?
Consider how physically capable and healthy they are to be home alone. This means that if your tween is ill, or has any sort of disability which would make it harder for them to stay alone, then you should completely dismiss this idea.
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With summer family road trips and days out planning underway for the last days of vacation, it’s time to curate a wardrobe for your little ones which matches the exciting sunny days they’re gearing up for and help them bid farewell to the summer holidays in true – UAE – style!
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Desigual Kids 1 AED 189 2 AED 189 3 AED 139 | Monsoon Children 4 AED 55 5 AED 49 6 AED 65 7 AED 145 | Cath Kidston 8 AED 185 9 AED 125 | Kids Point 10 AED 190 11 AED 160 12 AED 140 13 AED 210 14 AED 295 15 AED 210 | Desert Roses 16,17 | Okaidi Obaibi 18 t-shirt AED 89 Skirt AED 139 19 Shirt AED 139 Short AED 139 20 AED 89 21 AED 49 | Scotch & Soda Kids 22 AED 119 23 AED 199 24 AED 199
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Recognising the best products and servic FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES ACROSS THE UA
Cast your votes now for the Mother, Baby & Child Awards and you could be jetting off to the Maldives with your family on a luxury holiday worth over AED 17,000! The 6th annual Mother, Baby & Child Awards recognise the best products and services for children and families across the UAE as voted by parents. We have 45 categories this year including new, exciting awards for Car Seat of the Year, Babymoon Destination of the Year and Must-Have Home Appliance. Vote now and stand a chance to win an amazing three-night stay for a family of four at The Sun Siyam Iru Fushi Resort, Maldives – including a snorkeling excursion and spa treatments worth over AED 17,000. All you need to do is hit the ‘share’ button after you’ve cast your votes!
www.motherbabychild.com/awards/2017/ #MBCAWARDS Supporting Partner
Prize Partners
Community Partners
Official Publication
Voting Prize Partner
Media Partner
Organiser
EDUCATION
Alpha School
Identity, Family and Innovation An Alpha education draws from the best elements of all leading international curricula to deliver the British Curriculum through exceptionally-personal learning experiences for The school’s Principal, Rachel Cashin, has extensive experience. She is an Apple Education Trainer, Linguist and Early Years Specialist, and Alpha School’s vision is very much moulded by her expertise. Alpha’s vision is founded in three major tenants, namely ‘The Pillars of Alpha’:
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Identity The Alpha Identity is shaped by their multicultural environment and appreciation of UAE culture and heritage: international-mindedness and respect are key.
Family
As a moderately small school, Alpha’s uniqueness lies in its intimate community feel. Every student is known and cared for by each staff member. Parents are partners at Alpha, where regular communication with them is encouraged to help strengthen the bond between School and Home.
Alpha invests in quality digital systems and communication platforms to provide parents with daily updates on all aspects of school life. Parentteacher conferences are held regularly throughout the year.
Innovation
Innovation at Alpha is not just about their 1:1 iPad programme or state-of-the-art technology infrastructure, but also about modelling and encouraging creative and critical thinking. Their students have access to the most current technologies and applications to facilitate independence, personalisation and relevance of learning.
Alpha’s Teachers
Alpha School’s teachers are highly qualified practitioners selected for their specific expertise and skills. Alpha acknowledges the importance of correct models of the language of instruction and, as such, all Homeroom Teachers are native English speakers. As an inclusive school, Alpha has dedicated Learning Support and EAL departments. Where children are identified as Gifted and Talented or having an additional need, their team will work with the child, their parents and any outside agencies involved to develop an Individual Education Plan (IEP). The Alpha School Enrichment and Extension (extracurricular) Programme is broad and varied, offering activities across a range of interests including Sports, Arts, Coding/Robotics, STEM, Languages and much more. Parents are encouraged to be a part of this wherever possible. Internal activities are included in the Tuition Fee; external expert coaches and providers will offer specialised activities at an additional, optional cost.
Alpha School is set to open in September; the school is still accepting admissions for all year groups and the Principal is more than happy to make herself personally available to meet with interested parents. The School will be holding an Open Day on August 26 from 10 am to 2 pm where parents and children can tour the facility and meet management and teaching faculty.
MOTHER, BABY & CHILD | AUGUST 2017 | 47
EDUCATION
Bilingual Education for Preschoolers The Path to Success?
Ebru Verimli
Studies have shown that the early years of brain development are of critical importance. “How early is early childhood?” The answer is alarming! By the age of three, about 85 per cent of the wiring in children’s brains would have already been formed. So, the question isn’t: “is it too early to start a bilingual education?” anymore, because you can be late, but never too early! 48 | AUGUST 2017 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD
Look at some bilingual, even multilingual families, many of which reside in Dubai: the mother is a native English speaker, father is French and grandmother is Spanish, German or Italian. The children grow up to speak two or even three languages fluently as the bilingual family structure gives them an advantage when paired with a bilingual academic life.
The advantages of a bilingual education Being bilingual leads to greater opportunities throughout life. Dual language programmes provide children with a broader world view and the opportunity to integrate with different cultures. It also equips them with great adaptation skills.
Research has shown that bilinguals score higher on tests involving creative thinking, abstract reasoning skills and problem solving. Early reading skills tend to come more easily to bilingual children: they develop a better understanding of language usage. Additionally, early bilingual training increases a child’s ability to focus on mental tasks. Children who start learning a second language in pre-school can benefit from a dual-language curriculum. Some studies have also found that the aging of the brain becomes slower later in life.
Are there really no disadvantages to being a bilingual child?
Research backs me up regarding the advantages of starting a bilingual education during the early years, but when we consider looking at the other side, personal experience says it all…
We’re a Turkish family that moved to Dubai two years ago. My son was six years old back then, coming from a Turkish education system with English as a foreign language. He began reading at the age of four and started primary school at five. It came as a shock for the school administration in Dubai that he had already finished Grade 1 (Year 2) when he was just six years old. Being a family who likes and seeks challenges, we selected the Swiss International Scientific School of Dubai and registered him for Grade 2 in the FrenchEnglish bilingual program two years ago (he didn’t know a word of French back then).
And here come the lessons learnt…
Learning a language and using that same language in an academic setting are two completely different things. It’s like throwing your child, who can’t swim, into an ocean without a life jacket and asking them to swim. Unfortunately, by the time a child reaches the primary years, almost all of the brain wiring would have been completed. After the age of three, new language acquisition doesn’t just come by being present in the right environment.
On the other hand, you need to learn the language quickly and catch up with academics, which is the “silent” or “non-verbal” period when a child is first exposed to a second language. With the demands of an academic programme, this period can last even longer than expected. You need to provide emotional support for your child and extra support for the language.
Resilience is key!
Studies have shown that the advantages of studying in a bilingual system only become measurable in children with steady and advanced development in two languages.
In our case, it was a brand new, truly multilingual setting. We always speak Turkish at home and have encouraged him not to lose his proficiency in Turkish. On one hand, he’s studying at a Swiss School, in a French-English bilingual system with a vigorous academic programme. On the other hand, six hours of Arabic have been quite challenging for him and the whole family as well. Fortunately, he loved the challenge and his school. A bilingual, multilingual education requires dedication and commitment, but all the hard work is worth it in the end.
Children should play, they must play, so why not start bilingual when they’re just playing? This is the only time when, just by being in the environment, they can learn the language – before the pressures of academic life begin. I’m witnessing a research centre in our school and I am fascinated by what I see.
It’s never too early for children to be bilingual, but it can easily become too late… MOTHER, BABY & CHILD | AUGUST 2017 | 49
EDUCATION
5 WAYS TO KEEP YOUR MIDDLE SCHOOLER ORGANISED Middle School years bring about plenty of changes to the school environment. Rather than receiving constant guidance as was the case in Elementary School, students are now expected to be more independent. From their side, children will shift from trying to please parents to focusing more on their peers, mimicking behaviour which will help them become popular rather than thrive academically. To ensure your child stays on track, you’ll need to help them keep their eyes on the goal and here are five ways through which you can do this:
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Don’t be a 'helicopter'
You’ve probably heard of ‘helicopter parenting’, where intervention is key to keeping your child on the right track. If you’re looking to help your middle schooler in this crucial stage, you’ll want to ease up on that technique and let them take partial ownership of their schedule. Start early and easy by asking them to plan their activity, then trying to figure out how much time they’ll need to complete it.
Help them adapt to the changes
Many schools shift to a completely different approach in Middle School: children start using lockers and classes become varied, often divided into different types. Make sure your child is aware of these changes and prepared to take them on without lagging.
One of the most important factors when it comes to transitioning to middle school is an increased focus on rote learning or more repetitive tasks. Your child will feel like they’re asked to memorise more than understand and, while this may be positive for some, other children will feel bored. Ensure your child can continue doing what they love and enjoy through extra-curricular activities, and read with them at home. You could also enrol them in arts and crafts classes or anything that would foster their creativity and imagination.
Manage the logistics
Something that many parents fail to understand is how much children would prefer to succeed rather than fail. They may be lazy or hesitant at times, but they would rather not get into trouble or spend more time than they need to on tasks like their homework assignments and preparing for group projects.
While helping them with their homework is valid, you should also pay attention to logistics, or the process of doing their schoolwork. They may feel overwhelmed by the sheer amount of such work or how long they think it’ll take them to complete it, so try to also focus on how they get on with such tasks and helping them organise themselves.
'Automate' their school life
Experts can’t stress this enough: children need some sort of routine to avoid falling through the cracks. Don’t keep things random; help your child get into the habit of doing certain tasks at certain times. For example, every day they’ll walk into the classroom, open their notebooks, hand in their homework and review the assignments for the day.
Keep everything in one place
The list of school supplies can be endless. While during the earlier years all they needed were a few notebooks and scented pens, the supply list will jump as subjects and responsibilities increase. Try to find ways to keep everything in one place through binding or filing. Bookstores now offer many products which serve as good solutions for clutter. The less physical clutter, the less the brain clutter. Remember that Middle School is a phase which provides your child with more and more options. While they may embrace this, it can also make them feel confused and lost as they feel like they must choose a path. Reassure them and remind them that – while new – is also exciting and that you’ll be with them every step of the way.
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EDUCATION
10 BACK-TO-SCHOOL SHOPPING TIPS
Did you know that back-to-school is the second biggest shopping season of the year (seriously, what’s first…maybe Christmas)? Here are ten ways to save dirhams ahead of the much-anticipated school season: 52 | AUGUST 2017 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD
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Create supply lists. Does your back-to-school shopping always leave you surprised? To avoid that, gather any supply lists you receive from your kids’ school, add the extras in, then look through the calendar and make some realistic predictions.
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Keep track of big sales. Retailers are experts when it comes to capitalising on shopping seasons and Back to School is no exception. Keep an eye out for big sales and not-so-secret supermarket promotions (seriously, there’s no way you’ll miss these, they’re even by the dairy aisle). Check social media. Your favourite stores will announce everything beforehand, so make sure you keep track so you can pop in and stock up on supplies. With more and more malls offering delivery services, you can even receive them at the comfort of your own home. Keep lunches green. When it comes to packing lunch, make sure it’s all reusable. Come to think of it, would you rather save on washing or money? Yep, we thought so…
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Hold off from buying trendy gear. You’ll find tons of merchandise based on the latest movies or kids’ crazes, but buying these beforehand will only result in disappointment later – when Elsa from ‘Frozen’ gets a new hairdo.
Summer surprises for the years to come. One of the advantages of living in very hot weather is that fashion doesn’t change much. Your stylish tots will keep wearing that t-shirt you got them during the last big summer sale for ages – it’s a win-win when it comes to sales in Dubai. Arrange a clothing swap. Gently-used clothes can help you save tons of money. Arrange a clothes swap with friends: ask them to bring the kids’ uniforms if they go to the same school too.
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Choose quality when it comes to backpacks. A cheap backpack will fall apart before you can say “school’s out!” You can find quality backpacks for less at discount stores. Never, ever compromise on quality when it comes to school staples.
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Stand your ground on not buying that item they absolutely ‘must’ have. Kids will whine, stomp and do anything to make your life a living hell when they want something, but they must learn that a “no” is final: if they’d like to pay the difference from their own savings, they can do so: this will teach them a bit more about the value of money.
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Budget for extra-curricular activities. Don’t spend all your budget on the typical school supplies; you’ll need to wait and see what extracurricular activities the kids will be signing up for: you’ll then start looking, and paying for, music books, sports equipment and more. MOTHER, BABY & CHILD | AUGUST 2017 | 53
EDUCATION
20 WAYS TO PREPARE FOR BACK TO SCHOOL
As August begins, mums start preparing their kids for back-to-school season; preparations may vary from one family to another, but the basics are usually quite similar in most homes. Here are 20 ways to help you prepare for Back to School:
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Read with your kids. The kids will be better prepared for school if they read throughout the summer. You can encourage them by choosing fun books which are of interest to them, and making bookstore visits a family activity. Involve them in school shopping. Kids love picking out their own clothes and supplies, so involve them and always make them feel like they have a choice as this makes all the difference once school starts. Prepare yourself for early mornings, early school mornings. We all know a bit more than we’d like to about chaos and stress, which are characteristic of school mornings. Prepare and make sure you have everything ready the night before to avoid early-morning fiascos. Make sure your anxious child is prepared. The best way to do this is to familiarise them with the school. Practice pick-up and drop-off, tour the school and meet the teachers before school starts. Celebrate Back to School. Throw a party and celebrate the upcoming season with some balloons, pizza and school goodies.
Start getting the supplies they’ll need. It’s time for the school-supply shopping madness! We don’t just mean the basic kids’ school supply list, but also materials they may need throughout the year including markers, highlighters, crayons and more. Do a wardrobe check. Instead of heading out and buying everything brand new, look at their wardrobe: see what’s still fashionable and wearable, and check for ‘holes’ or missing pieces they may need this year. Create a ‘homework station’. We’re not talking about a desk, as this can be a place to do ANYTHING (in kids’ book, this means eating spaghetti while playing on their iPad). The homework station is for just that, homework. Build a ‘launch pad’. Just like the above, this is a designated spot at home where they can find, and place, all their school stuff: from backpacks to a list of must-haves, this will help you avoid last-minute scrambles by the door. Make sure the uniforms are ready. They need to be washed, ironed, dry cleaned, whatever it is that you’re planning to do with them. Don’t forget any tailoring or adjustments that need to be made to the uniforms too.
EDUCATION
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If it’s a new school, check for friends and neighbours who may be in the same class. A good ‘buddy system’ will help relieve tons of anxiety.
Go over your kid’s schedule with them. Plan by slotting in extra-curricular activities and figuring out when the school day will start and end; they need to have a clear vision of how things will be going throughout the year. Get them ready for bedtime. Kids tend to go off schedule during the holidays. Get them into the routine of doing the 10 hours. Just like we do, kids need their sleep; remember, they don’t have our coping skills.
Summer School for Written Expression Skills
Start your own ‘safety first’ campaign. Teach kids the basics of safety ahead of school days. Make sure they know how to spell their name, their telephone number and that of a responsible adult who’s delegated by you. Ensure they know everything about dealing with bullies without making them think they’re stepping into a war zone. Make a ‘sick-day game plan’. We know the struggle: you get a call from the school nurse saying that your kid is sick and you need to pick them up. If you’re a working mama, and dad is also busy, this can be a problem. Make sure you, your kids and the school know what would happen in that case. Make sure they understand that all children get nervous on the first day of school. This will help kids justify any nervousness they feel and approach school season with more confidence. Point out the positive aspects of starting school. And yes, those do exist: they get to make new friends and have fun. You’d be surprised at how much kids can love school. Plan their success. What worked last year may not work for this one. Sit with the kids (as much as they let you) and think of ways through which you can make the new school year a more successful one; be open to their ideas. Nurture independence. Discuss with your kid the steps to approaching a new school year with a more mature mentality, unless of course they’re still too tiny. They need to understand how to organise themselves and manage their basic needs without relying on the help of an adult. Attend the school orientation. These are the perfect ‘meet and greets’, a good opportunity to meet your kid’s teachers, other parents, the principal and front-desk staff. 56 | AUGUST 2017 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD
Lexicon Reading Center is supporting children with learning difficulties this summer through a summer school on written expression skills by Terrill Jennings in Dubai. Founding teacher of the Landmark School in Boston, USA, and cofounder of its renowned Expressive Language Program, Jennings has taught and directed language arts programmes for children with dyslexia for more than 40 years.
Kicking off on August 6 at the centre’s premises in Jumeirah Lakes Towers, the intensive threeweek programme with workshops conducted by Jennings herself targets students from grades three to eight with dyslexia, dysgraphia and other language-based learning difficulties. Each school day will include two sessions of three hours, starting at 9 am and 1:30 pm, respectively. The Summer School on Written Expression Skills is priced at AED 180 per hour for Lexicon students and AED 220 per hour for non-Lexicon students. Upon enrolment, participants will undergo a simple screening to determine their capabilities.
lexiconreadingcenter.org
DRAFT Summer Camp
At Hummingbird Pre-School, DIFC and Business Bay | 1 June till 31 August 2017
Staying in Dubai over the summer break and looking to escape the heat? We have a program of activities designed with a learning outcome in mind. Sports, dance, music, arts and crafts, messy play activities and much, much more! Ensure that your little ones are stimulated, engaged and developing, even during the summer months!
Register to avoid disappointment: info@hummingbird.ae or 800-HUMMIN (486 646)
EDUCATION
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The Alpha School
“Succeeding to Learn, Learning to Succeed”
OPEN DAY
Saturday 26th August 2017 10am - 2pm Join us for a tour in our brand new facility and meet our teachers and leadership team. Get 25% founding families discount on tuition fees*
Al Qusais 3, Dubai T: 04 225 5586 / 056 910 6454 E: info@alphaschool.ae www.alphaschool.ae *Terms and conditions apply
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HELPiNG HELPING CHiLDREN CHILDREN START SCHOOL
Darren Gale
Principal, Kings' School Nad Al Sheba
Starting school is a significant milestone: it can be an emotional time for many parents and children. It’s natural to feel both nervous and excited, but with a little preparation both you and your child will be able to cope with the transition more smoothly. Here are top five tips to support you:
1. Talk about school Start talking about school and ask your child how they’re feeling. What are they most looking forward to? Are they worried about anything? Read books about starting school, look at your child’s school prospectus and/or website, and talk about the pictures together.
2. Stay positive – keep calm and smile It’s natural to feel nervous about your child starting school or a new school, but remember that they can easily pick up on your emotions. Ensure that you’re always positive when talking about school. If you’re enthusiastic and confident that all will be well, then your child will feel the same way too. Try to avoid using any negative language such as: “your teacher won't like that behaviour at school.''
3. Help them develop their independence It’s important for a child to experience an element of control: children must be able to do things for themselves. They’ll feel happier and settle at school more quickly. There are many useful skills you can practise to support your child with becoming independent and confident at school, including sitting up at a table, tidying up after themselves, being fully
toilet-trained during the day, and putting on their uniform and PE kit.
4. Make a date If you already know some other children who will be in your child’s class, why not organise a playdate or outing together before school starts?
5. Start a routine We all know getting out of the house in the morning with a child in tow can be a challenge, especially if you need to be somewhere at a specific time! As the start of term approaches, try to get into the school routine so that your child gets used to getting up, going to bed, and having meals and snacks at the times they will on school days. Practise the morning routine, including getting dressed and eating breakfast in time to leave. It’s also a good idea to practise the school run so that you’re both prepared for the journey.
There are many ways in which you can support your child while they’re settling in at school, but always remember that Communication is key. Your child’s teacher will be an expert in helping children settle in, learn and thrive at school. However, you know your child best, so if there’s anything you think might help your child feel more settled, suggest it to the class teacher during the first few weeks.
kings-edu.com/nadalsheba
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GOOD LIVING
I Baby
MARKING YOUR BABY’S MILESTONES As your baby is growing up, there’s just so much to swoon over: from their first smile to the way they said “mama”, nothing even comes close on the cuteness meter than witnessing every milestone.
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KID CAPSULE
This is the new generation of memory-treasuring. Rather than only keeping certain types of memories, you can create a time capsule of baby photos, scrapbook with some memorabilia, baby journal and more. You can either use an app or create your own using DIY tools if you’re more of a pen-and-paper mum.
DIGITAL BABY ALBUM
While the good old photo album is still a good way to document special moments, many mums are keeping up with the digital revolution and using digital albums and frames. You may choose to record little snippets to go with the photos – a luxury only offered by the digital world – or play the entire album in a slideshow.
MOMENT TREE
Collecting your baby’s most precious moments only gets better with time. Your family will always want to be involved, and the best thing about everything going digital is that you can share every moment in all its glory. Why not create a shareable online album or send weekly emails with some updates? Just make sure they sync with your laptop so you can keep a backup!
LOVE NOTES
This is an idea which has inspired plenty of books and movies. You can write your baby a love note for every day in their life. They can read these once they learn how to read, or when they’re all grown up. It’s a beautiful, personal way of staying connected with your baby and marking every milestone.
BABY HANDPRINT
Take your baby’s handprint every month and put the canvas side by side for a magnificent – and instant – look at their journey. You can even frame this piece of art and hang it on the wall!
THE SHOE CLOSET
This way of marking the milestones is especially of interest to mums of baby girls: save their shoes and booties and place them side by side with the month on top for a very fashionable – and cute – baby trip down memory lane. Just make sure to get them cleaned first so they’re fresh enough to cherish and showcase.
BABY TRACKER
If you’re a data junkie, then this is the app for you! Some mums want to go beyond marking the milestones, they want the numbers and statistics behind every stage (which is valid, we must say). If this is what you’re looking to do, then it’s best to download an app which would help you: it should connect automatically and keep track of information including height, weight, temperatures, feedings and more.
MILESTONES ARE EVERYTHING
From cards and notes to stickers and blankets, there are so many options out there when it comes to marking a milestone for photo purposes. Whether it’s a sticky on baby’s belly or them posing with their favourite toy, there are some fantastic props and ‘trackers’ out there for you to use. MOTHER, BABY & CHILD | AUGUST 2017 | 63
GOOD LIVING
10 THINGS NOT TO SAY TO A NEW MUM
Ah, the joys of new motherhood! Baby is crying day and night, your sleep cycle is a mess and that carpet stain just won’t come off. The only thing that’s missing is unsolicited advice from complete strangers, or friends and family, on how to deal with this new phase. Here are the 10 things new mamas don’t want to hear:
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1. “It only gets worse.”
Seriously, who would even want to hear that? New mamas are still getting used to having baby at home, so explaining that things are only bound to get worse is just plain ridiculous. As baby grows older, so does your love for them, along with your ability to handle anything that comes your way.
2. “Sleep when the baby sleeps.”
Oh, that sounds very easy, doesn’t it? Truth is, a sleeping baby means more time to get things done. Did you forget the pile of laundry?
3. “Are you going back to work?”
Not in a place to assume here, but you’re probably not her boss. You may mean well, but this is a loaded question which is full of hidden assumptions. If there’s one thing a new mum hates, it’s assumptions. Well, that and the next question.
4. “Is he/she a good baby?”
There are no good or bad babies. Babies are babies, they don’t turn into werewolves at night.
5. “He’s so cute!”
So “he” is wearing a dress and sitting in a pink car seat. Just because they don’t have a bow on their head doesn’t mean baby is a boy. Stick to more general statements: “What a gorgeous child!”
6. “Are you ready for another one?”
Not only do you run the risk of asking such a question to a mum who’s having trouble getting pregnant, but you also put additional pressure on the new mum that way. Let’s get both kids into the car first and then start planning, shall we?
7. “He/she doesn’t look like you at all!”
Um, I’m pretty sure the hospital didn’t make any mistake here, this is my baby. New mum wants to hear that her baby is the cutest things you’ve ever seen, so stick with that. Can New Mama get any credit around here?
8. “You have to breastfeed.”
Whether mum chooses to breastfeed, supplement with formula or even entirely bottle feed is her own business. Many mums struggle with breastfeeding, or nurse for a bit less than six months. It’s her call after all…
9. “When are you due?”
Due? I’m carrying my two-month-old! Anything and everything about a new mum’s weight is considered dangerous territory. Even if you make it sound overly positive, it may seem like you’re just trying to be nice.
10. “You look so tired.”
Do I? I mean, do I? Pointing out the obvious, even out of sympathy, isn’t welcome. Mum looks gorgeous, and look at that new mama glow!
MUMS' CHOICE
NO TENSION, NO STRESS
Tips & Toes’ Signature Massage is a combination of acupressure point stimulation and stroking techniques accompanied by a light bending procedure, trigger stones which trace the meridians and hot compresses reducing tension and muscle pain to enhance the body’s system.
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MOTHER, BABY & CHILD | AUGUST 2017 | 65
GOOD LIVING
Dining Out
with Little Ones Pick Our s!
Part II
All Over the UAE
DUBAI At Couqley, ‘Etch-a-sketches’ replace iPads, over a hundred hardback books engulf the room with their earthy scent and hearty, slow-cooked meals are the stars of ‘Petit Couqley’, the signature kids’ menu.
Their chefs looked for items which kids would enjoy, from pasta shapes all the way to cups that don’t spill. Everything on offer is bite-sized or hand-held, promoting independence during mealtime. Food is created with nutritional value in mind, incorporating less salt, diced hidden vegetables and fresh ingredients rather than the usual frozen pre-made meals typically served to children.
CouqleyUAE
Fume Neighbourhood Eatery, located at Pier 7, Dubai Marina, hosts a kids’ brunch every weekend and on public holidays from 12 pm – 4 pm. The buffetstyle kids’ meals include a wide variety of small bites, healthy snacks and desserts.
The brunch also features a large play area and is priced at AED 30 per child, while adults dine a la carte. Fumedubai
Eggspectation, The Beach, knows that kids can be among the most demanding of customers. The family-friendly restaurant welcomes children with open arms with a menu specifically designed to have even the fussiest of eaters licking their fingers with happiness. Served with a glass of fresh juice, milk or water, options include The Protein Combo, Baked Bolognaise, Quesadilla Craze and more.
EggspectationDubaiJBR
66 | AUGUST 2017 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD
Kids can enjoy a selection of mini dishes in the quaint French Bistro Des Arts overlooking the waters of Dubai Marina. The kids’ menu offers a choice of three or four courses such as a ‘Tomato Gazpacho’, ‘Cream Cheese Royans Ravioles’ and ‘Tagliatelle Meatballs’.
Daily Times: Sunday – Saturday, 7.30 am –11 pm, two courses for AED 40, three courses for AED 50. Location: Marina Promenade, The Address Hotel Dubai Marina BistroDesArtes
Emaar Business Park will be the kids’ new favourite place! Arrows and Sparrows has launched a new kids’ menu and a ‘kids eat free’ promotion. Kids dine free of charge from the kids’ menu when accompanied by adults ordering from the main Arrows & Sparrows menu.
Big on taste, the kids’ menu offers homemade favourites like chicken nuggets and mashed potatoes, penne pasta with tomato sauce, toast with peanut butter and banana slices, cheesy toasted sandwiches and lots more. The promotion is valid weekdays from 2 pm to 7 pm.
Arrowsparrows
ABU DHABI Carluccio’s boasts three venues in Abu Dhabi catering to Italian feast fans. Located at Eastern Mangroves, The Galleria and Yas Mall, the Italian restaurant serves up traditional pizzas, pastas, main courses and desserts plus some of Antonio Carluccio’s favourites from his original 1999 menu.
Families can dine in booth-style seating or on the terraces and little ones have their very own menu to choose from including ravioli, lasagne, chicken Milanese and a range of yummy desserts. Carluccio’s also offer kids’ pizza-making parties at AED 50 per child CarlucciosME
MOTHER, BABY & CHILD | AUGUST 2017 | 67
GOOD LIVING Dusit Thani Abu Dhabi offers special menus for children. The hotel’s restaurants serve a diverse range of both traditional and modern cuisines, from authentic Thai fare to succulent steaks and gourmet international specialties.
Dusit’s signature Thai restaurant, Benjarong, serves authentic Thai cuisine. The Capital Grill is a lifestyle steakhouse and Urban Kitchen is a contemporary dining venue specialising in international cuisine, offering a buffet with live cooking stations and themed dinners.
DusitThaniAD
At Yas Viceroy Abu Dhabi, it’s a full-board stay for the kids
Looking for a way to amuse the little ones? This summer, you can take them for a one-of-a-kind experience at Yas Viceroy Abu Dhabi where you take a back seat while they lead the way. From a tailor-made check-in to the fantastic kids’ zone ‘Generation V’, there are plenty of ways to keep them entertained this summer. With a set of steps on standby, children can check-in with their own registration cards which entitle them to some special treats during their stay before the family is escorted to their stylish yet child-friendly room.
From there, you can start the day by enjoying the beautiful, breezy weather at the family pool, followed by a delicious family lunch, full of favourites. At Generation V, you’ll get to watch the kids as they learn and enjoy for an exciting couple of hours. Featuring a multitude of wall cut-outs and tunnels that interlink the different spaces, the Zone includes sound-tubing, wall-climbing, play stations, play houses and a soft play area. Offering an entertaining and educational experience for children ages four to 12, the kids’ zone has been designed to boost children’s creativity by letting them explore, play, learn, make friends and – most importantly – have fun! That's not all – children who visit Generation V will also receive a unique ‘charge card’ which entitles each one of them to four different fun foods during their stay including milkshakes and ice cream. The in-room dining menu also makes for great camping snacks while other treats for children include a milk-and-cookie turndown service and dedicated kids’ menus. With attractions such as Yas Waterworld and Ferrari World Abu Dhabi at the doorstep, what more would the family need in the capital?
Yaswaterworld
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AJMAN The New York-style Italian Brunch is back at Kempinski Hotel Ajman. Every Friday, the brunch offers a variety of sweet and savoury mouthwatering New York and Italian delicacies, live-cooking stations and entertainment.
The restaurant is bright and airy and the ambience warm and inviting, as natural light shines through the large windows, while Sabella’s terrace offers delightful views of lush green gardens and the shimmering Arabian Gulf. The atmosphere is unhurried, staff are attentive, and food plentiful – so make sure you arrive hungry!
AED 290 Beach/Pool and Brunch with selected alcoholic beverages, AED 250 Beach/Pool and Brunch with soft beverages, AED 185 Brunch with soft beverages. Children: AED 92.5 (6 – 12 years old). Fridays from 1 pm to 4 pm, until September 30 Kempinskihotelajman
RAS AL KHAIMAH Rixos Ras Al Khaimah’s Toast N Burger offers around-the-clock service, 24/7. Start the day with a continental breakfast or indulge in a selection of sandwiches, hot dogs, burgers, bagels, soups, salads and pasta; their menu offers something to suit every taste including little guests’, thanks to a special kids’ menu.
RixosBabAlBahr
Al Wadi Resort by Ritz Carlton is perfect for families seeking a true Bedouin experience. Set amid the desert with 360-degree views, this customised dining experience features a traditional setting and selection of menus ranging from light picnic to seafood feast.
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1
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ASK DR SANJAY
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T S E B THETY BUYS BEAOUR MUMS F 6
EVIE
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1 Filorga body detox AED 240 2 Johnson's Vitarich nourishing body lotion cocoa butter AED 14.10 3 Kocostar home salon hair pack AED 29 4 Lottie hair ties AED 36 each 5 label.m mini protein spray AED 17 6 Uban Veda purifying body lotion AED 95 7 GOLD Collagen starting from AED 299
HSR Anti-Ageing and Lifting Treatment at Tips & Toes
Basically 75 minutes in skin heaven, this treatment is the next generation of facelift for improved tone and elasticity: It works on deeply rejuvenating and firming the skin and is especially effective on women aged 40+. tipsandtoes.com 70 | AUGUST 2017 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD
Dr Sanjay Parashar
International Plastic Surgeon, Cocoona Centre for Aesthetic Transformation, Dubai and India I thought silicone breast implants were in danger of leaking, so why are they still being used? Cosmetic surgery procedures are for people who are looking to improve their body’s proportions, correct defects or deformities and restore youthfulness: they’re commonly divided into facial aesthetic, breast, body and genital procedures. The most common procedures performed in the UAE include liposculpturing, tummy tucks, ‘mummy makeovers’, breast enhancement, face and neck lifts, rhinoplasties and hair transplants. Recovery after any cosmetic procedure depends on the person’s age, health, area of surgery and nature of the procedure. Facial procedures tend to require a longer recovery period for appearance and social acceptance purposes. However, body procedures may require a longer recovery for comfort reasons.
The aim of modern cosmetic surgery practice is to ensure safety, an early recovery and a satisfactory outcome. For instance, a patient with a facelift may be able to get back to work in 7 – 10 days’ time whereas in the past it required 4 – 8 weeks. On the other hand, a mini facelift may require less downtime. Liposuction and body reshaping have evolved significantly, and many patients may be able to return to work in 2 – 3 days’ time after liposuction. A surgical procedure, like the mummy makeover which is a combination procedure involving the breast and tummy or tummy and face, may have a downtime of 4 – 6 weeks. Due to the modern lifestyle and busy schedules of people nowadays, it’s important for us to ensure that patients undergo a safe surgery with an early recovery. To achieve that, it’s important to follow a strict pre and post-operative protocol...
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GOOD LIVING
SAY NO TO STRESS! 10 WAYS TO SIMPLIFY FAMILY LIFE 1
Say “no” to more and more, more places to go to, more things to do: if you don’t feel like adding that extra pressure and would like to enjoy peace at home, then go ahead and do just that. You may even find that the kids love it too.
2
Stop buying and start focusing. Of course, you’ll need to buy your kids anything they would need, but make sure to keep things reasonable. Sometimes, mothers can go overboard thinking buying them more stuff is a good thing. Apart from creating more clutter, it leaves less room for creativity, imagination and movement – all very important factors for their development.
3
Pay off debt. Easier said than done, especially in Dubai where luxury prevails, debt robs you of freedom and gives you more responsibility: as a mum, you don’t need any more of that. Paying off debt takes time and patience, but it’s worth it.
4
Unplug. From the TV to computers, there’s always a screen that’s ‘on’ at home. While taking it all away for good is impossible, reducing screen time is beneficial for the whole family.
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5
Declutter your home. The more space you have, the more you get to enjoy being home. The more clutter you have, the more you must clean, re-arrange, move and store.
6
7
Teach selfsufficiency. If the kids always rely on you, it’s more work and stress it is for everyone. Teach them how to do things on their own depending on their age, this includes getting ready in the morning, making their beds and brushing their teeth. Older kids can also learn how to cook basics and babysit the younger ones.
Keep a well-stocked pantry. The dinnertime mad dash is so common, it’s almost a tradition. If your pantry has the essentials, you can pretty much cook anything up in no time.
8
The toy purge. This is something you’ll need to commit to if you’re serious about keeping your kids’ room tidy. All it takes is one playdate for even the most organised of rooms to look like a play area, so schedule a time to store, toss or donate.
9
There’s nothing wrong with admitting you’re too busy. A sign-up sheet can be tempting for a supermum, but there really is a limit to how much you can do in a day.
10
Make time for people who matter, and only those. We all have that one friend (or more than one?) who just make life more difficult by constantly criticising every little thing you do. Spend time with people who matter, it’ll make life easier for you.
A Polynesian Kids’ ‘Ke Kau’ Summer Camp
Enthralling little explorers in the heart of Dubai Parks and Resorts, this South-Pacific themed, adventurepacked summer camp is sure to capture children’s imagination with Hawaiian fitness routines, Polynesian arts & crafts, culinary workshops and explorer journeys aplenty!
Held Sunday – Thursday from 9:00 am – 5:00 pm in August, 4 to 12-yearold explorers will dive into the mystifying surrounds of the South Pacific. Accompanied by Lapita Hotel ambassadors who are keen to stimulate adventurers’ imaginations, they’ll embark on Polynesian explorer journeys and scavenger hunts, create sea creature-themed cupcakes and Hawaiian pizzas and delve into Polynesian culture through stick dancing, designing Tiki masks and ‘Hula Hula’ fun.
Priced at AED 200 per child for the Day Camp or AED 850 per child for the Week Camp – including lunch – the Ke Kau Summer Camp is a treasure trove that every young explorer will want to unearth. 04 810 9680
MOTHER, BABY & CHILD | AUGUST 2017 | 73
PREMIER FOOTBALL ACADEMY
Encouraging beginners of football, to young players with budding potential.
Premier Football Academy dedicated team are on hand to provide all players the same care and dedication, whilst supporting them all the way as they PLAY, DEVELOP, ACHIEVE & ENJOY in an inspirational professional environment. Headed by FA qualified Mark McCarrick, ex-professional footballer with WBA, Lincoln City, Birmingham City, Tranmere Rovers. With an expert eye when it comes to developing emerging talent, you can trust Mark and his PFA team, to have the insight, knowledge, honesty and professional experience to focus and improve players of all abilities 90 minute football coaching sessions, designed to reflect the ability and development for players of all abilities and ages Training sessions work on fitness, technical ability, awareness of positioning during games, positive attitude, discipline and confidence The football sessions provide players, the opportunity to develop/improve their skills and fitness, building on knowledge gained throughout the training sessions Open to boys and girls aged 4 – 18 years
FOR MORE INFORMATION AND REGISTER: Contact: Mark McCarrick – 0529382830 Email: mark.premierfootballacademy@outlook.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/Premier-Football-Academy
FOCUS ON YOUR SUCCESS, NOT ON YOUR BACK PAIN A DRUG-FREE PAIN RELIEF EXPERIENCE
Mobility and an active lifestyle are among the most important elements for our sense of well-being, but pain is one of the biggest challenges to staying active: it can really limit what you can do. Fact: PAIN is a prevalent issue
Did you know that the OMRON drug-free pain reliever is:
OMRON PAIN RELIEF DEVICES
1 out of 3 adults experience pain that affects their daily activities1.
In addition to that, around one in five adults have chronic pain (which lasts for at least six months2). Most people with chronic pain realise that pain will never be out of their lives completely. They’re looking for ways to manage their pain in the best way possible. Even though most chronic pain sufferers take medications, two-thirds of them are using ways to manage their pain without using them2.
Regardless of all the treatments people are using, 40% of chronic pain sufferers say that they can’t adequately manage their pain2. Omron’s pain relievers help you reduce and relieve pain symptoms.
OMRON’s pain relief devices are based on TENS (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulator) technology, a clinically-proven technology which helps relieve mild to moderate musculoskeletal pain3.
• Powerful • Specially programmed for multiple body areas • Adjustable in intensity • Equipped with washable long-life pads which can be re-used up to 150 times • Easy to use • Based on Omron’s 20 years of expertise in pain relief technology
Since the 1970s, pain relief based on TENS has been widely used by many healthcare professionals such as physiotherapists and pain specialists. Pain relief devices based on TENS may offer a drug-free alternative to relieve pain with hardly any side effects.
Small electric pulses comparable to natural bioelectricity stimulate the body’s pain-relieving mechanisms. This process helps block the pain message and triggers the release of endorphins (natural painkillers)4. OMRON’s powerful pain relievers are developed for the treatment of mild to moderate (chronic) musculoskeletal pain.
TIP :
Drug-free pain relievers help improve the quality of your life*: • Targeted treatment for your back, shoulders, joints and muscles
OMRON offers a drug-free solution based on clinically-proven TENS technology.
REFERENCES: 1 European Commission health report, 2007, 2 Breivik et al, European Journal of Pain – Survey of chronic pain in Europe, May 2006, p 287-333, 3 trials. Pain 130, 2007, p157-165, 4 Melzack et al. Pain mechanisms: a new theory, Science vol. 150, Nov 1965, p971-979; K. A Sluka, D. Walsh. Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation: Basic Science Mechanisms and Clinical effectiveness. Journal of Pain. No. 3.02003. p.109-121 MOTHER, BABY & CHILD | AUGUST 2017 | 75
H E A LT H
IS YOUR CHILD PASSIVE SMOKING? THE DANGERS OF SECOND-HAND SMOKE
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Millions of children around the world are breathing in second-hand smoke at their own homes. Is your home one of these places? If you, or your husband, smoke cigarettes or shisha, you may not even be aware of the dangerous effects this can have on your children.
Second-hand, or passive smoking, can be especially harmful to your children's health because their lungs still are developing. Children whose parents smoke only outside are still exposed to the chemicals through second-hand smoke. The best way to eliminate this exposure is to quit smoking altogether. “Second-hand smoking is breathing in smoke from other people’s cigarettes, cigars and even shisha. If you’re around smokers, you’re smoking as well. One cigarette contains more than 250 active carcinogenic chemicals including formaldehyde, benzene, vinyl chloride, arsenic, ammonia and hydrogen cyanide,” says Dr Mohamed Berer, medical director at Medeor 24x7 Hospital, Dubai.
“Irrespective of whether you smoke or not, inhaling someone else’s smoke can be equally dangerous, increasing the risk of cancer and other health problems. Second-hand smoke is particularly harmful to children as their lungs are smaller than adults; children also breathe faster, and hence are more susceptible to illnesses like cough, pneumonia, asthma and even bronchitis. It can also make asthma symptoms worse in children who already suffer from it and trigger asthma attacks,” he adds. Scientific studies show that there can be around 4000 chemicals in cigarette smoke, at least 250 of which are known to cause diseases and can be breathed in by anybody who’s near a smoker. One of these chemicals is tar, which contains many chemicals, some of which cause cancer.
In addition to tar, cigarette smoke also contains carbon monoxide, which reduces the amount of oxygen in blood leading to heart disease for smokers. While the amount of carbon monoxide in cigarettes isn’t high enough to cause any
immediate effects in passive smokers, it can increase the risk of heart disease over time. Cigarette smoke also contains poisonous substances including arsenic, ammonia and cyanide.
“Second-hand smoking can cause chronic respiratory problems including asthma and chest infections in children. One should seldom smoke in front of their children, be it cigarettes or shisha. Sending your kids to another room when you want to smoke isn’t a great alternative either. One should have a smoke-free house and even car,” explains Dr Berer.
Children who grow up with a parent or family member who smokes are three times more likely to start smoking too. Passive smoking leads to an increased risk of serious respiratory problems such as asthma, bronchitis and pneumonia. Studies have also shown that children whose parents smoke get sick more often, have more lung infections and are more likely to cough, wheeze and have shortness of breath. Dr Mohammed recommends: “I would urge parents to educate their children on the harmful effects of passive smoking. Awareness about the adverse effects of smoking tobacco, whether active or passive, should start during early childhood so that they’re aware of them before stepping into something which can be life-threatening later.” “Remember, children learn most of what they know from their parents, so it’s every parent’s duty to inculcate healthy habits in their children. By doing so, not only are you helping your children, but other family members as well.”
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H E A LT H
10 SIGNS YOUR NEW BABY IS HEALTHY Lucy Holmes
Finally, you’re home with the new baby. You waved goodbye to the hospital, dealt with the first car journey and now you’re settled in at home gazing at your beautiful bundle of joy, ready to go it alone as a new mum.
It’s a learning journey, and every day you become a more confident parent, hear the difference in their cries, grapple with feeding, establish a routine and start to enjoy the night-time bath, but all it takes are some paranoid thoughts: “is this crying unusual? is my baby eating enough?” and “is this normal?”, for you to easily fall into a spiral of anxious concern. You seek out family and friends and ask, but still, you can't help but worry. 78 | AUGUST 2017 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD
I have a 5-month-old and have been on a learning journey myself, so I spoke to the team at the Dubai-based Babies & Beyond, the maternity and parenting experts, to assemble a list of indicators that your newborn is doing just fine…
1
LOTS OF WET NAPPIES:
If you’re changing eight to 10 diapers a day, you know that your baby is utilising the nutrients from their daily feeds: this is a trusted indicator of their health.
2
REGULAR WEIGHT GAIN:
Having your baby weighed regularly will reassure you that they’re growing and developing, which proves that they’re getting the right nutritional intake. If your baby is not gaining weight at the required rate, or is losing it, speak to your midwife or paediatrician.
A LITTLE LESS AND 3 CRIES SLEEPS A LITTLE MORE:
Do you feel that barely-perceptible tiny shift in your baby's routine? That's a result of their nervous system learning the ropes. Look for the emergence of several naps a day and stretches of four or more hours between feedings at night.
4 MAKES EYE CONTACT:
The first moment of eye contact with your newborn usually comes when they’re a month old.
5
SMILES, LAUGHS AND GIGGLES:
The first smile by about six weeks, cooing at three months, and laughing by four months: these interactions show that your baby is connecting with you and becoming more aware of their surroundings.
6 RESPONDS TO SOUNDS:
Babies can hear from birth, but it takes a few weeks for them to be able to filter out the white noise. The idea that some sounds are more
interesting than others (the dull roar of the air conditioner isn’t as important as a big sister's sudden shrieks of laughter) develops over time.
AND TOUCH 7 VOICE CALMS THEM DOWN:
When your child is calmed by your presence, that's their first step in bonding with you and a clear sign that they’ve developing emotionally.
LOOKS AT COLOURS, 8 BABY MOVEMENTS AND PATTERNS:
Babies are born with eyesight that's about 20/100, and they can see between eight and 12 inches away: that’s around the distance between your baby's face and yours when you're feeding them. By the time they’re one month old, they can see up to 18 inches away. By two months, most babies start tracking patterns, bright colours, and objects that spin, such as a mobile phone or fan.
9
BEGINS TO SUPPORT THEIR OWN BODY WEIGHT:
Lots of babies hold their heads up briefly – so briefly – by the time they’re one month old. By the time they're three months old, they're typically doing so more regularly and with greater skill. If your baby can hold their head up or shift around in your arms, you know they’re flexing their growing muscles.
10 TALKS TO YOU:
From about four months, baby starts to chatter away, this is a crucial step in the way they communicate. You can start to have conversations with them, listen to their gurgles and coos, and respond.
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H E A LT H
SUMMER SAFETY PROTECTING YOUR KIDS WHEN ACTIVITIES HEAT UP
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There’s something about this season that makes children want to play harder, run faster and generally drive you even crazier (we suspect it’s the heat and endless supply of ice cream). Summer is the longest season in the UAE. During the summer break, children are prone to allergies, infections, dehydration, heat stroke, dry skin, fungal infections in the foot and sunburn.
“Dehydration and heat exhaustion can happen very quickly during the summer and it’s very important to drink lots of water and electrolytes to stay hydrated at all times. Fresh fruit juices with no additional sugar are a great source of electrolytes. Schoolchildren need plenty of fluids because they may play outside in the heat,” says Dr Janki Mayur, specialist paediatrician at Aster Clinic, Al Barsha.
HEAT STROKE? OH, MY!
A heat stroke results in high body temperature, rapid increased breathing and a fast pulse. To avoid it, your children must stay out of direct sun rays and the heat. During the summer, it’s best to avoid being outside during peak sunny hours.
MY BABY’S SKIN
Dry skin, rashes and sunburn are among some of the common skin problems seen in children during the summer. Dry skin is due to dehydration, so they must drink lots of water. Keeping the skin moisturised is also important to avoid dryness. “Rashes are caused by excessive sweating and heat. Sunburn is generally seen in children with less melanin or a lighter skin colour, although this doesn’t rule out the probability that those with darker skin can develop sunburn too,” adds Dr Janki.
THE MUNCHIES AND BREATHING EASY
Food poisoning is also rather common during the summer. Food must always be covered if kept outside. Infections like the cold and flu, respiratory allergies etc. are also commonly seen in children once they return to school after summer vacation, particularly they’re travelling from a very different climate.
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H E A LT H
FUN IN THE SUN
The sun can have negative and positive effects on the body. Too much exposure can cause skin cancer and too little can cause a vitamin D deficiency, which can cause rickets in children. However, children don’t need to be by the pool or beach to get too much sun.
“Spending too much time in the heat can cause heat exhaustion and a sun stroke. Sunburn in children is very risky as even a little of it puts them at a potential risk of developing skin cancer at later stages in life. Children have sensitive skin and it can be damaged by UV rays in 15 minutes. If you notice your child’s skin turning pink under the sun, make sure to get them out immediately,” explains the specialist paediatrician.
Children’s skin needs protection from the harmful UV rays of the sun when they’re outdoors. UV rays are strongest and most harmful during the day and it’s best to keep them indoors during that time. Schoolchildren need to seek shade or carry an umbrella to prevent exposure to direct sunlight when outdoors. Wearing the right type of clothing is also important to protect the skin: tightly-woven fabrics, in addition to loose-fitting cotton and long-sleeved clothes, provide the best protection.
Sunscreen is an essential, but an often-ignored product as people are unaware of the need for it. Children must apply it whenever they go outside and it should be re-applied during the day. However, applying sunscreen doesn’t mean there’s no harm whatsoever to your child’s skin. Sunscreen can also be mixed with other products which protect the skin from UV rays. If the child suffers from severe symptoms like unconsciousness, confusion or seizures, one must call 999 for an ambulance and professional treatment. Children are more prone to sun strokes than adults. Before suffering from a heat stroke, the child will have symptoms including excessive sweating, clammy skin, dizziness, tiredness and high body temperature. In such cases, they should be brought to a cooler place with air conditioning or sat in front of a fan and wet with cold water while drinking fluids whether it’s water, rehydration fluids or fruit juices.
PLAY-RELATED INJURIES
Children react to injuries depending on their age and the severity. They’re at an inquisitive age where everything fascinates them and they’re curious about most things. It’s common for children to fall and hurt themselves while playing. “A lot of times, injuries sustained while playing aren’t too serious as sometimes there’s just a minor bruise. Otherwise, children cry when they see your reaction. If they fall, but there’s no blood loss involved, you could probably comment on it by asking them if they’re fine or need help. If the child is bruised, you’ll need to treat the wound with an antiseptic or BAND-AID and talk to them about how brave enough they were while handling the injury,” says Dr Janki. Indoors or outdoors, this is a sure-fire way of childproof your summer!
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H E A LT H
WATCH YOUR BACK! CHILDREN’S MOST COMMON SPINE COMPLAINTS
Musculoskeletal screenings are now taking place across schools in Dubai. Parents are becoming increasingly aware of the importance of keeping their children’s backs healthy and monitoring their posture. According to the World Health Organization, child injuries are a global public health problem. “Sports-related Injuries are a global health problem. We believe that, while it’s imperative for parents to know how to prevent musculoskeletal injuries, it’s equally important that children are aware of know how these injuries can be prevented and treated,” says Dr Zaid Al Aubaidi, Consultant Paediatric Orthopaedic and Paediatric Spine Surgeon at Burjeel Hospital for Advanced Surgery (BHAS), Dubai.
There has been a significant increase in sportsrelated injuries over the last few years. The US-based Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has revealed that more than 2.6 million children ages zero to 19 years old are treated in the emergency department every year for sports and recreation-related injuries. These injuries are by far the most common cause of musculoskeletal injuries in children treated in these departments.
“Broken bones can be a lot more painful and inconvenient for children. Sometimes, they can even have a permanent impact on the child’s health. While I would strongly urge parents to encourage their children to participate in sports-related activities, I would also advise them to also make them aware of the injuries which may take place while playing sports and hence undertake preventative measures such as stretching and flexibility exercises before every session to avoid such injuries,” added Dr Al Aubaidi.
86 | AUGUST 2017 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD
THE KIDS ARE SET FOR SUMMER
ASK THE DOCTOR
What causes back pain in children and what are the most common problems?
The most common cause of lower back pain among children is muscle weakness. There are other less common causes including infections, tumours and fractures, but these are among the rare causes of back pain. How can mothers protect their children from back pain?
Children should play sports. I would also suggest that children, starting from infancy, are trained to strengthen their lower back muscles, which can be achieved with ‘tummy time’ by placing the child on their tummy: this way, they’ll automatically lift their head which will train their back muscles.
CrossFit Yas has begun running its annual Summer Kids Camp. Learning from the best trainers in Abu Dhabi, children from four to 13 years old will learn CrossFit skills, play various games and be kept busy and entertained with fun arts and crafts while making new friends.
Week 1: Sunday 27th August Wednesday 30th August
Week 2: Sunday 3rd September Wednesday 6th September Camp sessions run from 10 am to 2 pm Sunday to Wednesday. AED 700 per week or AED 200 per day, with a 10% discount for the second child 02 583 2380
MOTHER, BABY & CHILD | AUGUST 2017 | 87
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Win a Gift Voucher from Champion Cleaners Worth AED 500
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Win a voucher worth AED 500 from Champion Cleaners, the cleaning centre where they use full-automatic washing and dry cleaning systems, the most innovative green technologies and some of the best spotting agents in the industry for the treatment of fragile and expensive fibres and textiles.
To stand a chance to win these prizes*, please visit our competitions page on motherbabychild.com/competitions, or simply scan this QR code with your mobile to go directly to our website, answer the questions, and win! *Terms and conditions apply. CPI Media Group employees not eligible to enter. Winners will be selected at random from correct entries.
86 | AUGUST 2017 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD