Mother Baby & Child - July 2017

SUMMER IN DUBAI

10

Things Your Kids Must Do This Summer

BEAT THE BABY BLUES Keep Your Child Healthy Tips from the Emirate’s Top Nutritionists

20 THINGS

ONLY DUBAI MUMS WILL UNDERSTAND

N! WI

O

ION AT YC RTH Y STA 0 WO D BAB ILY 10,00OU AN AM AED FOR Y A F OVEFRGIFTS

ISSUE 76| JULY 2017 | AED 15

WHAT’S ‘NEW’ ABOUT DUBAI’S NEW SCHOOLS? EW! MUM, I WON’T EAT THAT.” How to Take Your Kids to

FANCY

RESTAURANTS

Meeting Other Mums

#WELOVEDUBAI!

from play areas and mama mornings to dining and family days out Supported by:

EDITORIAL

Editor: Dina Maaty

Editor’s Note

dina.maaty@cpimediagroup.com

Online Editor: Emma Hodgson emma.hodgson@cpimediagroup.com

ADVERTISING

There’s nothing quite like a Dubai summer! Long gone are the days of mall-bound vacations, parents are now embracing the scorch and making the most out of sunny mornings, humid afternoons and starry nights.

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

Come July, we celebrate the surprises that summer – the Dubai Summer to be precise – brings along. Dubai Summer Surprises (DSS), Dubai’s annual citywide summer celebration, will return from July 1 to August 12, offering a six-week extravaganza of sales, retail experiences and events. I’m personally looking forward to the Six-Week Sale, weekly 72-Hour Sale, weekly Friday Surprise and Grand Finale Sale.

With only two months ahead of us until it’s officially back-to-school time, the Ministry of Education is cracking down on anything – or anyone – who may pose a threat to our children’s safety. Starting November of this academic year, a student’s identification card will be used to ensure parents can track their children while on the bus, in addition to smart devices tracking vehicle status and bus journey coordinates. The new smart system will service the 100,000 students in 383 government schools in Dubai and the northern areas.

Plenty of happy news? Well, that’s what ‘Dubai Living’ is all about…

(1959 - 2015)

PRINTED BY

Emirates Printing Press LLC, Dubai

PUBLISHED BY

EDITOR’S PICKS

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 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.

cpimediagroup.com

SH O P B O P . C OM Books with Style

JOHN ADAMS

Chocolate Lolly Maker MOTHER, BABY & CHILD | JULY 2017 | 03

J UL 2017

23

Mini Style Stars

y Bookworm

48

In the Kitchen

63

Competitions

04 | JULY 2017 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD

80

in this issue

Things to Do ...........................................................

Mummy & Baby ................................................... 08

Toddler & Child .................................................... 12 Older Child & Tween .......................................... 16 Parenting ................................................................

Top family days out............................................. . 18 Dining out with little ones.................................. 20 Meeting other mums............................................ 24 Amazing Dubai play areas.................................... 28

Very Dubai!............................................................... 32 10 pregnancy tips that will save you thousands......................................................... 36

Baby’s Closet......................................................... 38 Family portrait do’s and don’ts............................ 39 Education ...............................................................

School and extracurricular activities................. 44 Get kids in shape for school................................. 47 10 ways to track your child’s educational progress............................................. 49 Raising creative children .................................... 50

Good Living .........................................................

15 things only Dubai mums will understand... 56

Gourmet food and your kids .............................. 60 The search for handyman services..................... 64

Health ...................................................................

Unstructured free play........................................ 66 Common neurological disorders in children ... 70

15 ways to keep kids healthy .............................. 74 Healthy eating habits for your children ........... 76

Summer skin problems ....................................... 78

Also available at

We asked our readers: “What were your first thoughts when you saw your baby?”

e Star Lett

r

“She looks like me!”

Malak, Dubai

“Honestly speaking, I was wondering where was that feeling described as the ‘whole world turns upside down and you instantly fall in love’. I didn’t: it came the next day, maybe because of the caesarean my hormones acted later than if I’d undergone a natural delivery.”

Haya, Dubai

Juvy, Dubai

“My life is just beginning.”

Sarah, Bahrain

“I can’t believe I made him!”

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.

WORTH

500 AED

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.

THAT’S VERY DUBAI! Our July issue is dedicated to the sunny, luxurious Emirate! Here's what we loved this month: Gold-dusted, multi-layered, Billionaire Burger at At.mosphere, Burj Khalifa AED 375

Keira Langman...................................................... is a UK-based mother-of-one, who started her very own blog ‘Cake Run Mum Repeat’ ( cakerunmumrepeat.com) to give mums a humorous take on the balance between responsibilities, staying beautiful and — very importantly — loving cake.

Quinoa-goji-almondssunflower, vegan, gluten-free dark chocolate available at Milk & Honey AED 80

06 | JULY 2017 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD

A Better choice of Day Care Looking for a personal Nanny or Childcare?

Mature British Couple with 30 years experience in running DayCare Centre’s in UK and Europe Seeking families in Dubai or UAE who require a live in or live out Nanny or Manny.

We have worked with 1000’s of Children from the ages of 0-16 year from all cultures and religions.

How are we for Security Checks?

Certified DBS (Disclosure & Barring) – UK Police checked every 3 yrs Certified in EYFS (Early Years Foundation Stages) – Child Protection OFSTED regulated (Office for Standards in Education, Children's Services and Skills)

Health and Wellness of Children – Experience and Certifications

Certified in Paediatric First Aid 28 Years experience with disabilities & special needs through Hospital approved programmes, Epilepsy, Tracheotomy. Therapies and Stimulation Appointments, Playdates, After School Activities Preparation of Healthy Balanced Meals Proactive sole care up to three children each Or family/corporate share including: Sports, Languages, Cooking, Arts and Crafts, Social Skills and much more Support of all areas of learning & development Support in all areas of Health and Wellness Dietry Requirements and Allergy focus

Past Clients include:

TV Producers, MI5, Coffee Traders, Cardiovascular Consultants, Language tutors Production Companies, Film makers

For more information or answers to any questions you may have please email Adian and Michelle, Info@abcdaycare.co.uk with the following: Your Child Care requirements | Name and Telephone number | Suitable time for us to call you

•

BEFORE 1 st TOOTH •

consistentthe brushing routine Forms good oral-care habits - familiarizes baby with a ORAL-CARE consistent brushing routine BENEFITS AFTER 1 st TOOTH

SMART SWEDISH DESIGN Precise cleaning – covers each tooth separately from all angles UNIQUE SILICONE SMART SWEDISH DESIGN • Gentle Ergonomic – nonslip and comfortable gum massage that soothes irritation from handle for better

Reduces level of bacteria in the mouth by clearing away fragments of food and residue

•

Soothes irritation of gums to relieve the tenderness and itchiness that come from teething • Ergonomic – nonslip and

•

UNIQUE SILICONE

Extremely gentle and nonabrasive to prevent damage to sensitive gums precedes teeth appearing consisting of long sensitive gum tissue and tooth enamel, and with long grip, and a that small • Extremely gentle and nonabrasive to prevent damage to comfortable handle for round better brush head flexibleand silicone to inhibit over-brushing bristles that cover each tooth • Forms good oral-care habits - familiarizes the baby with a sensitive gum tissue and toothand enamel, with bristles long grip, and a small round brush head consisting of long consistent brushing routine andconsistent flexible silicone over-brushing bristles that cover each tooth • Smile Helpers – ensures rewarding and Ultra-hygienic – nonporous and quick-drying to prevent brushingbristles to• inhibit bacteria buildup and at least 10,000X* more hygienic routine: “Glee” (smiley face) will appear after 2 minutes of • Ultra-hygienic – nonporous and quick-drying to prevent • Smile Helpers – ensures rewarding and consistent brushing toothbrushes with nylon bristles brushing, “Glum” (frownyofface) will appear if thebuildup child hasn’t bacteria and at least than 10,000X* more hygienic routine: “Glee” (smiley face) will appear after 2 minutes UNIQUE SILICONE SMART SWEDISH DESIGN brushed for over 12 hours and “Glee” and “Glum” will light up than toothbrushes with nylon bristles brushing, “Glum” (frowny face) will appear if the child hasn’t * Based on clinical results.

• Ergonomic – nonslip and comfortable handle for better • Extremely gentle andbrushed nonabrasive to full prevent damage to if the child hasn’t for 2 minutes brushed for over 12 hours and “Glee” and “Glum” will light up •

grip, and a small round brush head consisting of long bristles that cover each toothif the child hasn’t brushed

•

• •

sensitive gum tissue and tooth enamel, and with on long * Based clinical results.

for 2 full minutes • and Extra-quiet so it won’t make children anxious flexible silicone bristles to inhibit over-brushing

SONIC PULSE TECHNOLOGY SONIC PULSE TECHNOLOGY

• Ultra-hygienic – nonporous to prevent Smile Helpers – ensures rewarding and consistent brushing • Extra-quiet so it won’t make children anxious • 1-hour charge via USB =and 480quick-drying uses bacteria buildup and at least 10,000X* more hygienic routine: “Glee” (smiley face) will appear after 2 minutes of • 1-hour charge USB = 480 uses• than toothbrushes withneed nylonreplacing bristles brushing, “Glum” (frowny face) will appear if thevia child hasn’t Brush heads never brushed for over 12 hours and “Glee” and “Glum” will light up * Based on clinical results.

Up toGuarantee 6,000 delicate heads never need replacing • 2-Year Limited Warranty & 10-Year Quality if the child hasn’t brushed for •2 Brush full minutes

Extra-quiet so it won’t make children anxious • 2-Year Limited 1-hour charge via USB = 480 uses

Warranty & 10-Year QualityPULSE Guarantee SONIC TECHNOLOGY

SAFE

SAFE

•

•

Up to 6,000 delicate pulsations per minute

• Create micro-sweeps that gently break up and remove pulsations per minute plaque teeth and gums Create micro-sweeps that gently break up from and remove

plaque from teeth and gums

•

Deliver a gentle gum massage, resulting in gums that look

and feel healthier • Deliver a gentle gum massage, resulting in stronger gums thatand look Medical-grade free and phthalates micro-sweeps silicone that gently is break up of andBPA remove • 2-Year Limited Warranty & 10-Year Quality Guarantee and feel stronger and healthier 2 modes to cater to different oral-care needs plaque from teeth and gums • Medical-grade silicone is free •of BPA and phthalates Non-detachable brush head makes it safe for young children • Deliver a gentle gum massage, resulting in gums look to cater to different oral-care 2that modes • Brushneeds Mode: for gentle brushing of the teeth and gums SAFE • Non-detachable brush head makes it feel safewaterproof for young • 100% –children safe to use in a bath and stronger and healthier (with stronger pulsations) • Brush Mode: for gentle brushing of the teeth and gums • Medical-grade silicone is free of BPA and phthalates • 100% waterproof – safe to use in a bath 2 modes to cater to different oral-care needs (with stronger pulsations) • Massage Mode: for massaging and soothing gums • Non-detachable brush head makes it safe for young children • Brush Mode: for gentle brushing of the teeth and gums (with softer pulsations) • Massage Mode: for massaging and soothing gums • 100% waterproof – safe to use in a bath Up to 6,000 delicate pulsations per minute

Brush heads never need replacing

•• Create

BRUSHING BABY’S TEETH (with stronger pulsations)

(with softer pulsations)

Massage Mode: for massaging and soothing gums (with softer pulsations)

Tooth brushing can begin as soon as baby’s first tooth pokes through the gums.

HOW TO USE Use a clean, damp washcloth or a finger brush to TO gently wipe clean the first teeth and front of the tongue, after HOW USE HOW TO USE meals and at bedtime. If using a toothbrush: •

1 1. Apply soothing gel or pea-sized amount of toothpaste. Press center button to turn on device*.

2

Apply soothing gel or a peasized amount of toothpaste

2. Use in the same way as a manual toothbrush, and brush teeth and massage

Brush teeth and massage gums with wide circular movements for two minutes

3

Rinse

3. Rinse.

gums with wide circular movements for 2the 1.

Apply soothing gel or pea-sized amount of 2.has Use in the launched same way as at a manual 3. Rinse.

In the photo, mum and baby use FOREO Mikro, which just Level Kids for AED 450. If used before minutes. Press the center buttontoothpaste. a 3rd Press center button to turn on toothbrush, and brush teeth and massage time to turn device. amount of 1. Apply soothing gel oroff pea-sized 2. Use in the same way as a manual 3. Rinse. the first tooth, it reduces levels of bacteria in the mouth by clearing fragments device*. gums with wideaway circular movements for 2 of food and residue, soothes toothpaste. Press center button to turn on toothbrush, and brush teeth and massage minutes. Press the center button a 3rd device*. withawide circular movements for 2 gum irritation and familiarises baby gums with consistent brushing routine. time to turn off device. If used after the first tooth, it’s helpful for minutes. Press the center button a 3rd time to turn off device. precise cleaning and a gentle gum massage.

*Press center button once for Brush Mode and press center button a 2nd time for Massage Mode.

*Press center button once for Brush Mode and press center button a 2nd time for Massage Mode. *Press center button once for Brush Mode and press center button a 2nd time for Massage Mode.

Can I use the ISSA™ mikro without toothpaste or soothing gel?

Yes you can. Extra-gentle and soft silicone bristles will massage gums and clean teeth even without any toothpaste or gel thanks to the natural cleaning properties of silicone. However, for optimal results we recommend using specialized products with the ISSA™ mikro.

FAQ

FAQ

THE FIRST ‘NATURAL FAQ

How do I clean the ISSA™ mikro? ™ mikro without toothpaste or soothing gel?

I use through the ISSA Clean the device after each use by washing the brush with warm water while running Can your fingers the bristles.

Allow the device to air-dry.

Yes you can. Extra-gentle and soft silicone bristles will massage gums Placing the ISSA™ mikro in a UV sanitation case is possible but ™ it can affect the color of the silicone.

JUST IN TIME FOR SUMMER TRAVEL…

and clean teeth even without any toothpaste or gel thanks to the natural cleaning Can I use the ISSA mikro without toothpaste or soothing gel? properties of silicone. However, for optimal results we recommend using specialized products with the ISSA™ mikro. or gel thanks to the natural cleaning

CAESAREAN’

Yes you can.

Extra-gentle soft silicone bristles will massage gums and clean teeth even without any toothpaste Is Sonic Pulse Technology (pulsations) safe for babies and youngand children?

The pulsations from FOREO's Sonicproperties Pulse Technology are completely safe for babies and feel pleasant soothing on using their teeth and gums. products with the ISSA™ mikro. of silicone.

However, for optimal results we and recommend specialized How do I clean the ISSA™ mikro?

Clean the device after each use by washing the brush with warm water while running your fingers through the Can babies chew on the ISSA™ mikro? ™ mikro?

How do I cleansilicone the ISSA medical-grade that’s free of BPA phthalates, brush™head is non-detachable.

However, weis only Yes, the ISSA™ mikro is made from safe mikro in a UV sanitation case possible but it can affect the color of the silicone.

Placingplus theitsISSA Clean the device after each use by washing the brush with warm water while running your fingers through the bristles. Allow the device to air-dry. recommend the ISSA™ mikro be used as an oral-care device.

Dr Gowri Ramanathan, chair of women’s services, consultant obstetrics & gynaecology at Danat Al Emarat Hospital told Mother, Baby & Child: “In this natural caesarean section, just after baby’s head was out of the mother’s womb, the cloth barrier between the parents and surgical team was lowered to enable the mum and dad to watch their baby being delivered.

Once the baby was delivered, she was immediately placed on the mother’s chest for early skin-to-skin contact, with the umbilical cord still attached.

Delayed cord clamping, which means clamping the umbilical cord only once the pulsations have stopped, allows for more nutrients and benefits for baby.”

danatalemarat.ae

08 | JULY 2017 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD

P1 - EN - 20160129

A German mum delivered her first baby girl through a natural caesarean section, a first-ever in the UAE. This came following the mother’s request, who was medically unable to deliver naturally and had dreamt of a birth method close to a normal delivery.

At 4.7 kg, Acro is Mamas & Papas’ lightest and most compact buggy yet. It comes with the same features as their regular buggies, but is small enough to pack up and go. Acro comes in three colours: flame, mint and blue, and is priced at AED 799.

mamasandpapas.ae

P1 - EN - 20160129

DELIVERY IN THE UAE

bristles. Allow the device to air-dry.

Placing the ISSA™ mikro in a UV sanitation case is possible but it can affect the color of the silicone.

Is Sonic Pulse Technology (pulsations) safe for babies and young children?

Can young children use the ISSA™ mikro by themselves?

The pulsations from Sonic Pulse Technology are completely safe for babies and feel pleasant and soothing on their teeth and gums.

Yes, the ISSA™ mikro’s ergonomic, safe and lightweight design makes it possible for young children to use the FOREO's device by themselves, but we strongly recommend parents to supervise. Is Sonic Pulse Technology (pulsations) safe for babies and young children?

The pulsations from FOREO's Sonic Pulse Technology are completely safe for babies and feel pleasant and soothing on their teeth and gums.

Can babies chew on the ISSA™ mikro?

Yes, the ISSA™ mikro is made from safe medical-grade silicone that’s free of BPA phthalates, plus its brush head is non-detachable. However, we only Can babies chew on the ISSA™ mikro? recommend the ISSA™ mikro be used as an oral-care device.

Yes, the ISSA™ mikro is made from safe medical-grade silicone that’s free of BPA phthalates, plus its brush head is non-detachable. However, we only recommend the ISSA™ mikro be used as an oral-care device.

Can young children use the ISSA™ mikro by themselves?

Yes, the ISSA™ mikro’s ergonomic, safe and lightweight design makes it possible for young children to use the device by themselves, but we strongly Can young children use the ISSA™ mikro by themselves? recommend parents to supervise.

Yes, the ISSA™ mikro’s ergonomic, safe and lightweight design makes it possible for young children to use the device by themselves, but we strongly recommend parents to supervise.

P1 - EN - 20160129

•

Must haves for

the perfect

FASHION STROLLERS FURNITURE ACCESSORIES CAR SEATS

HOLIDAY TRAVEL

Naif

Ludi

Stokke®

Mifold

Protecting Sunscreen 100ml

Pop Up Beach Swimming Pool

Flexi Bath®

Booster Seat

Uppababy

Babybjorn

JustEssentials

Beaba

G-Luxe Stroller

Baby Carrier Miracle

Travel Bouncer

Babycook Transport Bag

Deryan Air Traveller

Joolz

Babydan

Nuna

Uni2 Earth Nursery Bag

Gate To Go

Sena Travel Cot JustKiddingMe

• QATAR • UAE • KSA VISIT US IN STORE AND ONLINE FOR MORE TRAVEL 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

Town Square, Al Forsan Village, Abu Dhabi +971 2 556 9935 Yas Mall, Abu Dhabi (Inside House of Fraser)

+971 800 5878

The Gate Mall, Doha +974 4 407 7174 Localizer Mall, Riyadh +966 11 217 0956

BABY-LOVING BASICS Babies are sensitive bundles of joy: they require an abundance of love, attention and care. So, it’s imperative that all items purchased for them be of the highest quality, especially when it comes down to clothing.

Babyshop has introduced a new line of eco-fibre babywear which is both environmentally-friendly and healthy for sensitive baby skin. Made with the purest materials, Babyshop clothing brings 100% comfort and care back to the basics.

Babies commonly suffer from skin rashes due to harsh weather conditions or from rough materials rubbing on their delicate skin. Here’s a list of essential eco-fibres to choose from when purchasing babywear:

BAMBOO

MINT

MUSLIN

MILK

A natural fibre extracted from bamboo, it’s a thermal regulator which is great for layering.

The fabric is hypo-allergenic, anti-bacterial and extremely soft. Bamboo is an ideal fabric choice for daily infant wear.

A finely-woven delicate, sheer fabric giving breathability and touchable softness that gets softer with each wash, this light, open weave allows for ample airflow, perfect to beat the Dubai heat. Muslin is also very durable and remarkably stretchable, allowing a snug swaddle for your little one without being overly restrictive. babyshopstores.com 10 | JULY 2017 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD

Inspired from the mint leaf, these fibres trigger coldsensitive receptors in skin, prompting a ‘cooling’ sensation. The light and breezy fabric is antibacterial, irritant-free and perfect for hypersensitive newborns.

An innovative, healthy yarn derived from milk!

With a pH of 6.8, it’s non-abrasive to newborn skin which is prone to textile allergies. The antibacterial and dermatologist-approved fabric stimulates blood circulation and helps with moisture absorption.

BabyshopArabia

World Adventures and A Jungle Safari Your little ones will enjoy an unforgettable summer at Fairmont The Palm’s themed summer camps. Children from three years of age can participate in a range of cool activities and stay entertained with a jampacked daily itinerary.

The Falcon Club summer camps will run five days a week, Sunday to Thursday between 1 pm and 5 pm. Children can expect weekly themes such as ‘Treasure Hunters’, ‘Around the World Adventures’, ‘Jungle Safari’ and ‘Space Discovery’ ensuring they experience different activities and adventures every week at the resort.

In addition to new themed weeks, this year’s summer camps will bring a new lease of activities for children and siblings alike with newly added ‘Art Therapy’ sessions, which will take place up to three times a week, for them to express themselves through the arts, and with movement, music and crafts.

In addition, kids’ fitness activities will be implemented with games every Sunday, Monday and Wednesday from 4 pm to 4:45 pm. Conducted by a certified fitness trainer, they’ll be tailored by age group 04 457 3331

BALLET, ZUMBA, AND KARATE

Melodica Music and Dance Institution is a KHDA-registered school offering music and dance classes. They have three locations across Dubai, Al Wasl Vista and JLT with 12 music classes each and Palm Jumeriah with nine music classes and a dance studio offering ballet, Zumba, salsa, hip hop, belly dance and karate.

Music classes are for children four years and older, while children two years and older are accepted into the ballet ‘Mummy and Me’ class 12 | JULY 2017 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD

04 369 9929

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)

THINGS TO DO

Have a Glitter Party!

Keep your little ones busy this summer with the Snails collection of Body, Hair and Nail Glitters without making a mess. Available in vibrant and sparkly shades of pink, gold, light violet and silver, these non-toxic, kid-friendly, washable and paraben-free glitters let your little ones explore trends or makeup without causing any harm to their delicate skin and hair. They’re also safe for mums-to-be.

Apart from the Body, Hair and Nail Glitters, the Snails range also offers washable nail polishes, face tattoos and trendy nail wraps.

Snails Body, Hair and Nail Glitters are priced at AED 59 and currently available in various outlets in Dubai: Hamleys, The Dubai Mall, Little Explorers, Dubai Marina Mall and Level Kids, City Walk.

KIDS’ SUMMER FRIENDSHIP-BUILDING AND CREATIVE LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT The newly-opened Riverston Children’s Centre, which focuses on children’s developmental needs, will offer a summer camp on July 2,9, 16 and 30 and August 6 led by their team of occupational, speech and language therapists. Mothers can choose from yoga, dance and ball skills, in addition to handwriting, fine motor skills and sensory regulation.

Children can also learn team skills, friendship building, presentation skills, creative language, storytelling, inference, prediction and reasoning.

Sunday to Thursday 9:30 am – 1 pm, children ages 4 – 6 04 328 0052

NEW!

LEGO JUNIORS SETS FOR DISNEY•PIXAR CARS 3 14 | JULY 2017 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD

FUN and STIMULATING Summer Camp for BRIGHT Kids!

Activities include: Whole Brain Training, Music, Drama, Movement, Art, Cooking & Science Classes

by Curiosity Lab Age:

LIMITED SEATS

2 to 5 years olds (only 8 per class) Cost: 850 DHS per child per week Dates: Weekly from July 2 to Aug 17 Timing: Sun to Thurs from 9 am to 1 pm Location: Center for Musical Arts in Gold & Diamond Park

Book at 056 688 0773 or info@thebrightmindsinstitute.com

SEVEN WEEKS OF

DISCOVERY & ADVENTURE

The kids can explore, create, learn and discover FUN this summer at Le Méridien Mina Seyahi’s Family Kids Club’s 2017 Summer Camp. For seven weeks jam-packed with adventure, qualified trainers and instructors will be helping club campers build a whole set of new skills in a dynamic, active and safe environment.

Children ages 6 – 12 can attend daily or weekly and participate in a range of activities from pool games and water sports, to environmental awareness or football coaching with an FA Level 2 football coach.

July 2 until August 17, Sunday to Thursday, 9 am – 2 pm. AED 850 per child, per week, AED 190 per child, per day 04 318 1315

TIME FOR CRICKET! As summer quickly approaches, so does the ICC Academy Junior Summer Camp. Junior players can expect a funfilled eight weeks of cricket coaching, games and skill development, inside a fully air-conditioned indoor centre run by a qualified coaching team.

The first batch of camps will start on July 2 and run until July 27. The second batch will begin on July 30 and run until August 22; the summer camp will last eight weeks in total and is for both boys and girls ages 6 – 12 years old, whether it’s their first experience or they’re existing ICC Academy Warriors.

Timings are 9 am to 12 pm. One-week cricket coaching and matches AED 700 per person (Weeks 1 – 4). Three-day cricket coaching and matches AED 350 per person (Weeks 5 – 8) 04 448 1355

16 | JULY 2017 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD

Football Coaching and a Trip to Watch the Premier League Who’s to say the excitement is only on this side of town?

Children from across the UAE will be able to learn the City way with City Football Schools summer camps in Abu Dhabi, which will give both boys and girls the opportunity to improve their football skills, stay healthy, make friends and have lots of fun in a positive and friendly learning environment all under the guidance and supervision of fully qualified coaches.

There’s also an amazing opportunity to win a trip to Manchester just by signing up to the City Football Schools summer camps. Each child who signs up for a full week of coaching will be entered in a prize draw to win a trip to Manchester, which includes flights, accommodation and a match ticket to watch a Premier League football game.

July 2 until July 13. Sunday to Thursday, 08:30am – 2:30 pm. AED 950 per week. Boys and girls, 5 – 12 years old 056 420 5685

Where Children Are Stars…

Award-winning children and teen’s acting and musical theatre classes Hayley’s Comet will be running weekly summer camps all throughout the holidays. They’re now taking registration for summer camps where kids ages 6 – 14 can join professionally-led workshops, acting lessons and dance classes full of fun, high energy and creativity.

The perfect activity during the hot summer months!

Each week there’s a new theme, so your young star can join in for one or multiple weeks.

Camps run at James & Alex Dance Studio in Media City 9 am – 3 pm daily until end of August. Each camp starts on a Sunday and ends with the performance on Thursday afternoon.

04 268 5552

MOTHER, BABY & CHILD | JULY 2017 | 17

GS

TOP FAMILY DAYS OUT CATCH, STOP AND THROW: BABYSHOP’S PARENT-CHILD CRICKET CAMP

The Babyshop Cricket Cubs Summer Camp is a cricket-themed skill development programme for children ages three to six years old designed to help develop confidence, movement skills and ensure young players learn to love the skills they’ll need to play cricket as they grow.

The 45-minute parent-child session is delivered by the ICC Academy’s internationally-qualified coaches and held at a fully air-conditioned indoor facility at ICC Academy, Dubai Sports City.

During the season, Babyshop Cricket Cubs Summer Camp participants will learn:

• Simple striking skills to kick-start their batting career • Simple fielding skills to develop their ability to catch, stop and throw • How to play simple, small-sided activities related to cricket • To play cricket-themed games with their parents and other members of the programme

Block 1 runs from July 2 until July 27, Block 2 runs from July 30 until August 24. 4:00 – 4:45 pm. AED 500 per week. Boys and girls 3 – 6 years old 04 448 1355

TREASURE HUNTS AND DAY TRIPS AT HILTONIA BEACH CLUB This summer break, Hilton Abu Dhabi will be welcoming children ages four to 12 to the Hiltonia shore for a full day of fun-filled activities including treasure hunts, day trips, tennis and water sports.

For those who prefer indoor activities, there’s also face-painting, quiz games, cooking classes, as well as arts and crafts sessions.

Until August 31. AED 200 daily or AED 900 weekly, special discounted rates for Hiltonia members

02 692 4324 18 | JULY 2017 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD

DUBAI SPORTS WORLD’S ULTIMATE ARENA Dubai Sports World (DSW), the region’s largest indoor summer sports arena, is bringing to the community over 10 leading sports academies for children and adults alike. Open until September 2, DSW’s line-up of academies covers a multitude of sports including football, cricket, tennis, wrestling, Padel and much more.

An addition to DSW 2017 is the fun summer camps run by Just Play Sports Camp. Children of all ages can enjoy games and sports challenges including an all-new Trampoline Park, a challenging Ninja Warrior assault course, football, volleyball, gymnastics, table tennis, dodgeball, yoga, tag rugby, dance and more.

Also, new to DSW this year is Juventus Academy Dubai, offering the best in professional European football coaching for boys and girls between the ages of four to 17. DSW welcomes returning football academies: International Football Academy (IFA), offering five-day camps and open for youth ages four to 16 years, and KAFO Academy, providing children a wide variety of programmes where sessions are jam-packed with drills, themed directional practices, and small-sided games delivered by coaches with experience in European football leagues.

Big baseliner hitters can be a part of nail-biting matches too as Tennis 360 returns to DSW this year. The highly-qualified Tennis 360 team will be at DSW throughout the summer with a broad range of age-specific programmes for children three years old and above. Also on offer is a Summer Slim Down programme for adults.

04 306 4000

A FAMILY CHORAL CONCERT AT DUBAI OPERA The ‘Xavier and Aisha’s Amazing Choral Adventure’ show, devised by the students of Sidney Sussex College Cambridge, will visit the Dubai Opera Studio during their summer tour for four unmissable performances running on July 6 and 7.

The Adventure tells the heart-warming tale of Xavier, Aladdin’s little brother, and his quest for true love as he seeks to defeat the evil conductor, learn to sing and marry Aisha, the girl of his dreams.

With two hour-long performances taking place each day (11:00 am and 2:00 pm) and tickets priced at AED 50, Xavier and Aisha’s Amazing Choral Adventure is a fun-filled treat for the whole family to enjoy 04 440 8888

MOTHER, BABY & CHILD | JULY 2017 | 19

PARENTING

DINING OUT

Picks r u !

O

WITH LITTLE ONES Carluccio’s, an Italian favourite, caters to families with specialised children’s menus as well as gluten-free and vegetarian options; they also have a deli counter and food shop. With nine locations around the UAE, you’ll probably find a branch nearby.

Locations: The Dubai Mall, Dubai Marina Mall, Deira City Centre, Arabian Ranches, Ibn Battuta Mall, Dubai Airport. Yas Mall, The Galleria, Eastern Mangroves, Abu Dhabi carluccios.com

There are many reasons we love heading to Besh Turkish Kitchen with the kids. This not-so-hidden gem is located on the fifth floor of the Sheraton Mall of the Emirates Hotel, an easy walk from the kid-friendly shopping hub.

The Market Brunch by Besh is colourful journey through several street style market stalls.

Brunch fans have the option to explore various dishes or can sit back and relax as they’re served straight to the table. Little Besh fans can enjoy a mini brunch in their very own kids’ corner.

AED 165 with soft beverages, AED 225 with house beverages, AED 99 for Little Besh Fans beshdubai.com

At the Westin Mina Seyahi’s Bubbalicious brunch, you can spend a fun Friday afternoon with your family with colourful outdoor food stations, an indoor garden and a selection of the freshest produce; this brunch has something for everyone – especially little ones, who eat for free if they’re under six!

Every Friday from 1 pm – 4 pm. Price: AED 680 including free flow bubbly, AED 550 including free flow sparkling, AED 450 including unlimited soft drinks, AED 225 kids ages 6 – 12 westinminaseyahi.com

20 | JULY 2017 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD

Pizza Express new menu and kids’ cooking classes are a treat for mum and kiddie alike. Now available across all outlets in the UAE, the new menu’s signature is the inclusion of varied side dishes and premium mains. A key dish is the Aragosta Reale (AED 99), a thin, crispy Romana pizza topped with lobster meat, baby broccoli, marinated yellow cherry tomatoes, buffalo mozzarella and lobster bisque sauce.

Kids’ Parties at PizzaExpress are a great way to celebrate birthdays and other special occasions with friends and family.

Kids handcraft their own pizza from a selection of pepperoni, button mushrooms, cherry tomatoes and more.

AED 65 per child for a pre-formed 6-inch dough for making their own pizza, a glass of apple/orange juice, chef’s hat and apron. Locations: JLT, Jumeirah, Ibn Battuta Mall and Dubai WTC pizzaexpress.ae

At Bistro Des Arts, kids can enjoy a selection of mini dishes in the quaint French bistro overlooking the waters of Dubai Marina. The kids’ menu offers a choice of three or four courses such as tomato gazpacho, Cream Cheese Royans Ravioles, and tagliatelle meatballs.

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 bistrodesarts.ae

Already boasting an array of delicious main menu items for adults, Delifrance has launched a brand-new children’s menu at its Ibn Battuta branch. ‘Dinner Time at Delifrance’ hosts children to enjoy a complimentary juice and scoop of ice cream or fruit salad with every children’s main meal ordered between 3.30 – 6 pm daily.

On the menu are a variety of smaller options of main menu favourites, such as tasty beef or chicken burgers with cheese, lettuce, tomato and French fries or potato wedges. Fresh pastas and chicken with mashed potatoes are also available with a selection of sauces including pesto, mushroom and tomato.

Located in the Dubai Mall, level 1 and Ibn Battuta Mall on the Ground Floor, the boulangerie and bistro also serves up a variety of main menu options including sandwiches, burgers and quiches. Open Daily from 8 am to 10 pm delifrance.com

MOTHER, BABY & CHILD | JULY 2017 | 21

PARENTING Take the kids to homegrown restaurant Tub of Butter, a child-friendly space complete with high chairs and a kids’ play area. The children’s menu consists of mini burgers; spaghetti bolognaise and a chocolate pudding.

Open daily, 7 am – 11 pm. Price: AED 55. Location: Al Thanya Street, Sheikh Zayed Road (next to the Metropolitan Hotel) tubofbutter.com

Links at The Address Montgomerie hotel is a family-friendly location perfect for breakfast, lunch or dinner with your little ones. With a covered playground, adjacent to the sprawling terrace and a bouncy castle, little ones are entertained while parents relax.

A new kids’ menu fuses flavour with a healthy approach featuring some great takes on classic children’s dishes. What’s more, children eat for free on Friday and Saturday from 6:30 am until 4 pm.

One child aged between 0 – 12 eats for free from the kids’ menu when accompanied by two paying adults dining from the Weekend Breakfast Brunch menu. Dishes start from AED 40 themontgomerie.com

Bringing alive time-honoured traditions of Arabian hospitality, Qasr Al Sultan is a heritage and lifestyle destination for the whole family. Located in the Dubai desert, close to Dubai Parks and Resorts and The Outlet Village and easily accessible from Dubai as well as Abu Dhabi, the newly-opened destination features a sweeping layout served up in an expansive dining area, much like in the days of Sultans.

With the adults enjoying the food and music, the destination’s youngest guests can master new skills at the Qasr Al Sultan Kids Club, where they can enjoy camel and pony rides and learn new crafts under the guidance of the resident childcare specialists.

Qasr Al Sultan is open for dinner from 7 pm onwards. Prices start from AED 435 for adults and AED 250 for children, which includes the Food Bazaar buffet, mineral water, soft drinks, coffee, tea, municipality fees, service charge and tax, camel rides, horse and pony rides and visits to Dukan Zaman qasralsultan.ae

22 | JULY 2017 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD

ZIPPY AED 99

GUESS Kids AED 349

F&F Kids AED 139 AED 299 AED 79

MINI STYLE STARS Polynesian Paradise

Mamas & Papas AED 125

Tati AED 19

AED 95

Monsoon Children AED 385

AED 195

Marks & Spencer Kids AED 225

AED 49

S*UCETTE AED 225 Shoe Mart Little Missy AED 69

AED 550

Little Missy AED 79

Juniors AED 69

Petit Bateau AED 139

MOTHER, BABY & CHILD | JULY 2017 | 23

PARENTING

MEETING OTHER MUMS ROUPS TO COFFEE M G Y A L P M O ORNING FR S The early years with your newborn can seem quite challenging. Even after the kids have grown into playful toddlers and feisty tweens, you’ll still find that the best way to face the challenges of motherhood head-on is to be around other mums, sharing experiences and stories from the most wonderful of journeys.

Here’s where to make mum friends in no time:

Moms and Tots Dubai

Baby Arabia

Moms and Tots runs 1.5-hour long workshops where the group works on fine and gross motor, perception and coordination skills through fun activities. Each workshop is designed to stimulate a love of learning, increase self-confidence and self-worth in the toddler, and enrich the mother-toddler relationship which is often jeopardised by the modern lifestyle. Toddlers ages 1 – 3.5 are welcome!

Baby Arabia offers a learning environment which helps children learn new languages through native-speaking teachers who motivate and instruct children in Arabic, French and Spanish through a range of classes including ‘Parent & Toddler’ and ‘Parent and Child’.

babyarabia

050 624 7263

Moms and Tots Dubai 050 854 6857

Family & Friends Dubai This nursery offers part-time and full-time nursery education for babies, toddlers and Foundation as well as flexible crèche drop-off childcare, edutainment classes and babysitting services. Their ‘Mums & Tots Workshop’ is for mums and toddlers ages one to three years old: an ageappropriate toddler stimulation programme developed for toddlers to enhance coordination and perception skills, and enrich the relationship between mother and toddler.

Family-and-Friends

24 | JULY 2017 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD

050 349 1601

Dubai Marina Mums

JBR Sandpit

Marina-based mums, this group is for you! What started off as a mum and toddler group at the JBR, then grew into a community of over 850 members living in and around New Dubai. Their weekly thematic playdates include arts and crafts, Baby Chef, The Cookie Monsters Club, Baby Picasso and more.

This group was founded by two Australian mums; it’s a great place to meet other families, and share experiences, support and tips on life as an expat mum.

jbrsandpitplaygroup

DubaiMarinaMums

Arabian Ranches Ladies This group provides members with opportunities to meet, and share ideas and interests; it holds most of its activities in the Arabian Ranches, but they welcome ladies living in all areas of Dubai for weekly multi-cultural coffee mornings every Tuesday from 9:30 am – 12:00 noon at the Arabian Ranches Golf Club.

Ranches-Ladies

PURE Fitness This fitness haven offers an extensive range of classes and programmes for new mums and mums-to-be which are also babyfriendly! Classes take place in different locations for all stages of motherhood from antenatal to postnatal, with baby and without. All classes are designed by mums, for mums and are a welcome, open forum.

Pure-Fitness-UAE

055 811 9120

Kiddies Café Your neighbourhood indoor playground in JLT, this venue offers its services and cool activities to families and kids in the surrounding areas. It provides several ways to boost kids’ curiosity and creativity through the small ‘village’ activities. As for parents, they get a chance to connect with friends in a coffee area with Wi-Fi.

kiddiescafe

04 360 8571

MOTHER, BABY & CHILD | JULY 2017 | 25

PARENTING British Mums

My Gym

Hand in hand with the Facebook group, the British Mums website provides British mums and the mums of British children living in the UAE with a community resource, which makes it super easy for them to find exactly what they’re looking for and get to know each other.

My Gym helps children six weeks to 10 years of age develop physically, cognitively and emotionally through weekly classes that incorporate music, dance, relays, games, special rides, gymnastics, sports and more. The classes are a great way for new mums to meet other mums, sharing parenting tips and problems.

British Mums

mygymuae

052 926 3051

04 394 3962

Boogie Babies Boogie Babies is one of Dubai’s most popular music classes for babies and toddlers. Lots of fun and a great way for children to use their movements in a way that will help their bodies and brains, mums join their babies in dancing and having fun.

BoogieBabiesDubai 050 884 1966

Mums@Work Mums@Work is focused on helping mothers get back into the workplace after taking a career break. Mums attend their events, and discuss others around town, where they network, mingle and share stories of their motherhood experiences.

mumsatworkme 04 457 1760

26 | JULY 2017 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD

MOTHER, BABY & CHILD | JULY 2017 | 27

PARENTING

AMAZING DUBAI PLAY AREAS PAMPERING FOR MAMA AND BABY

Caboodle offers a fun, educational and stimulating environment where children (infants up to eight years) can learn through play and exploration. The different areas are designed to capture children of all ages’ interests and help them develop physically, socially and cognitively in a stimulating environment. Caboodle's locations at The Dubai Mall and City Walk include play areas, crafts and activity stations, private party rooms, a children's salon and a cafe.

Dubai Mall:

04 325 3367

Hours: Sun to Wednesday: 10 am – 11 pm. Thursday to Saturday: 10 am – 12 am City Walk:

04 344 4570

Hours: Sunday to Wednesday: 9 am – 10 pm; Thursday to Saturday: 9 am – 11 pm

MOVIE-THEMED FUN

Kids HQ is a day of soft play mixed with a daily programme of movie-themed activities. For their summer camp, not only can your little ones enjoy the huge award-winning soft play area, but there will also be themed activities – think ‘Trolls’, ‘Inside out’ and ‘Moana’ to name only a few!

Activities including arts and crafts, circle time, movies, reading, games and so much more will have them literally, and figuratively, bouncing off the walls (and suitably worn out when you pick them up).

Weekly, until September 7 at Kids HQ, Umm Suqeim Road.

For children ages 2.5 to eight years old. 9 am to 1 pm, AED 85 per day, AED 60 per day for weekly bookings (10% sibling discount applies) 04 379 4233

28 | JULY 2017 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD

FUN IN THE SUN Grand Hyatt Dubai welcomes young adventurers to a world of fun, learning and exploration at The Kidz Club. If you’re looking for a way to keep the little ones busy, then they have just the solution…

Campers ages five to twelve years old will be spoilt for choice with the activities on offer, from various interactive games, arts and craft sessions, excursions and cooking activities to a range of outdoor sports. Don’t forget their swimming costumes as they’ll also be able to beat the heat by enjoying outdoor pools with engaging water activities and explore enchanting gardens through nature-oriented and cultural activities.

July 9 to 27, Sunday to Thursday from 9:30 am to 4 pm. A whole week of camp is AED 1000 per child or AED 300 per child per day. Lunch will be provided 04 317 1234

NOT LOOKING FOR A PLAY AREA? INDOOR TRAMPOLINE PARK

BOUNCE’s Tramp Camp is the perfect way for kids to beat the heat and get their heart rate going while having fun and making new friends. Available at BOUNCE Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Al Ain, with prices starting from just AED 180 per day or AED 745 for weekly bookings from Sunday to Thursday, Tramp Camp is the place to be this summer.

Created due to huge demand by BOUNCE fans looking for a fun-filled summer camp activity, the camp includes a jam-packed day of entertainment for kids ages five to 14, with something to suit both little ones and teens.

Tramp Campers will kick the day off with the BOUNCE Mini Olympics, where they can get involved in the amazing race, Olympic run, capture the flag and balloon popping.

After a short refreshment break, it’s time to take on the WALL, shoot some hoops, flip into the airbag, or just freestyle in the huge BOUNCE free jump area.

BOUNCE Tramp Camp will be available in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Al Ain, and will run Sunday through Thursday, 8:15 am – 1 pm, from July 2 until August 31. Healthy lunch and hourly snacks included 04 321 1400

MOTHER, BABY & CHILD | JULY 2017 | 29

PARENTING

Mamas & Papas AED 195

AED 85

AED 95 F&F AED 69

MINI STYLE STARS

Monsoon Children AED 259

Little Missy AED 79

Tati AED 39

AED 169

Petit Bateau AED 219

Shoe Mart Lee Cooper AED 99

AED 59 AED 49

AED 109

Okaidi Obaibi AED 49

AED 279

ZIPPY AED 89 30 | JULY 2017 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD

AED 189

Looking for something to do with the kid’s?

m o .c d l i h c y b a b r e moth ake t o t e r e h w n o s a f ide date o t is packed full ow p u t s o m e h t for o n n o g lo UAE! , e m h t e s h t s o r c a n o g oin g ’s t a h w f o s g in t lis

PARENTING

VERY DUBAI!

BEATING THE BABY BLUES, DUBAI-STYLE Lucy Holmes

You had the baby you’d always dreamt of, you got through the pregnancy, birth and hospital discharge. Now, you’re back home, your husband is at work and you’re feeling a little down. It’s normal: You’re tired, your hormones are playing havoc with your emotions and you feel lonely.

I too have just had a baby girl, and while I’m on cloud nine and so in love with her, I also miss my independence. Luckily, in Dubai, there are many ways to beat the baby blues. So, as a newly-exhausted mum, I’ve pepped myself up with coffee and made a handy list for you fellow new mums. Here are your ‘essentials’ for now:

32 | JULY 2017 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD

1

Ok, let’s start with the team talk: Stop worrying about being perfect and be proud of what you’re doing. It’s so hard to cope sometimes, especially if you constantly strive to be a ‘supermum’, but believe me, everybody worries, panics and even the calmest and most collected of mums have their moments. Accept that you’re amazing and pat yourself on the back.

2

Shop, shop, shop. Here’s where the smartphone, and online shopping, come in to soothe your retail needs and ensure an easier life. I’ve spent many a happy hour, at 4.30 am, feeding with one hand and online shopping with the other.

‘BONDS’ have a sale on sleepsuits? Click. I needed that cool new doll with the white noise? Click. Diapers? Click. You get the idea. It’s totally fine and justified, especially if you’re the one who’s awake: “I am multi-tasking, darling,” I told my husband when he saw the credit card bill.

3

Time for the spa! Dubai is a hot house (literally) of spas and salons, with plenty of offers and savings for those middle-of-theday/week, slots. So, scoop up babba and head down to get a quick blow dry; babies love the white noise of hairdryers and ‘should’ sleep.

4

Coffee cake or coffee and cake? Dubai has some lovely family-friendly cafes.

My husband reckons maternity leave seems to solely involve eating; he says I go from coffee morning and lunch date to afternoon-tea meeting. Yes, it’s true: I’m fuelling up while caring for our new child.

5

Social media: Oh, Instagram and Facebook, thank you for being there for me through this time, encouraging me throughout the journey of new motherhood.

Facebook is a worthy ally, especially since I’m on some very friendly and useful mum groups. Question about babies’ green poo? Post it on the group and, within seconds, a lovely mum or two will answer with their own detailed poo stories, making me worry less and feel glad I’m not the only one with a poo stain on my PJs. Instagram, however, is where I get to show off my gorgeous new baby in a series of cute outfits and poses while documenting the milestones: first laugh, roll over, etc. It’s always good to see the lovely comments and likes she receives, far more than those which I get on my own photos.

MOTHER, BABY & CHILD | JULY 2017 | 33

PARENTING

6

Exercise: Let’s be honest, it’s hot right now, the babies are little and you may be feeling lazy due to sleep deprivation, but there’s nothing like the post-workout endorphins to help put a smile, and some hard-earned sweat, on your face.

Even if it’s a ‘fast-paced stroller walk’ through The Dubai Mall, get your legs moving and heart rate up as you stroll, with the added benefit of the window shopping – of course.

Studies have shown that exercise can cut the chances of new mothers getting the baby blues by up to 50 per cent. In a trial, mothers given an exercise programme were found to be significantly less likely to suffer from depression.

7

Book something to look forward to. Come on, that’s what credit cards are for. I’ve personally booked to fly home for the long school holidays (with my husband joining me later) and, while I’m dreading the idea of being the only adult on the flight with three children, I’m accepting that seven hours of potential misery is a small price to pay for a whole two months in my home country, with my mums’ help and a good old bit of British weather to cool us down.

8

Dinner time! Nourish yourself first: If you have a favourite Dubai restaurant, get a babysitter and run to a nice, child-free evening with your hubby: one little meal like this will work wonders on your soul – and your belly.

9

Ladies’ night: If you have a group of mum friends, arrange an evening out for a change from the usual coffee morning; Dubai’s famous ladies’ nights offer a fantastic opportunity to let your hair down, share baby stories and feel like yourself again. These evenings usually start early, so you can go have some fun and be home for the dream feed. Bonus

10

Pool day: Once your Little One’s (LO) had their first immunisations and you’re past the 6-week check, why not book a day out at one of our stunning hotels? For a few hundred AED, you and the family can have a fun time splashing around, sipping iced coffees and tiring out the baby for their nap.

Towels included 34 | JULY 2017 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD

11

Skype. Expats are already well-versed in the virtues of Skype, of course, but now that you have a grandchild to show off, make sure you stay in regular contact with the family back home via plenty of calls. I personally love to Skype with my mum and just let my LO giggle at her face for a while.

Apart from keeping the family updated on the latest events, you get to moan and seek sympathy from your loved ones. There’s nothing like some good old advice from your family and friends to put you back on track and keep you going.

12

Box sets. This is the perfect time to catch up on shows you’ve missed or always wanted to watch. Oh, Downton Abbey, thank you for getting me through some tough times of cluster feeding and unsettled behaviour. I spent many a happy afternoon in the early days with the remote in hand, baby feeding and a large supply of biscuits on the table while watching back-to-back episodes. Put your feet up, get baby settled for a cuddle and relax. Good times!

13

Maternity or night nurse. Ok, this is a big luxury, but here in Dubai there are some excellent private nursing agencies which supply lovely, trained nurses who can give you at least one night of uninterrupted sleep. If you’re seriously tired, and feeing very low, this could be of enormous benefit to your well-being.

14

If you’re breastfeeding, pump and freeze some milk ready, if you’re bottle feeding, then prepare the feeds and spend some money on one of these services. I personally cannot recommend this enough. One night of a deep sleep enabled me to cope so much better for a good few weeks afterwards.

15

Essentially, a lot of the depression boils down to getting more sleep, so for my last word and on a more serious note, you must find a way to get more rest whether you have help at home, can afford to hire a night nurse or can sleep in the spare room one night. You’re allowed to put yourself first now and then and wake up refreshed, ready to tackle it all over again.

MOTHER, BABY & CHILD | JULY 2017 | 35

PARENTING

1

Preparation is key. Financially savvy mamas know that saving is a step-by-step process. It’s important to avoid impulse buys as these tend to pile up. You can start baby shopping as soon as you hit the 14-week mark. By the time you give birth, you’ll find that your baby inventory is complete. You can also make use of online ‘baby costs’ calculators.

2

If you’re unsure, hold off. This is a good one, especially for first-time mums.

Any baby purchase decision needs to be backed by evidence; will this item be useful to baby? From diapers and bottles to pacifiers, if you’re still clueless about what would work best for baby, hold off. Once you know baby’s preferences, you can then start stocking up.

3

Monitor your expenses. Cut back on expenses by evaluating what you’re spending money on. First, look at the essentials: can you shop at another supermarket? Would you save on your electricity bills by getting rid of a certain appliance? Next, look at the extras. Can you do without this magazine subscription?

What about working out at home to save that gym membership fee?

4

Beware of the ‘minimalist mum’ lifestyle.

This craze is dangerous, specifically because it can make mums feel like they’re saving, even though they’re still splurging on even more expensive stuff. You may think baby will love their bouncer, sleep super soundly in a swing and enjoy a vibrator chair for entertainment. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise!

Again, last minute shopping will just make you go for more expensive items later.

36 | JULY 2017 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD

5

Go for used or borrowed maternity clothes. You may be hesitant when it comes to second-hand clothes for baby, but did you see how expensive maternity wear can get? Of course, you’ll need some new pieces, but you can save a lot by going for hand-me-downs from friends or looking through other mamas’ ex-wardrobes at specialty events and markets.

6

Know your maternity insurance coverage. The scope will depend on your provider; while some companies charge a set amount for everything provided at the hospital, others may add individual charges to the bill. In any case, you’d be better off packing some of your own supplies as hospitals often forget things a mum may need.

7

Starter diapers are for just that. Don’t buy too many packs of newborn diapers. Your baby may not even fit into them and will grow out of them very quickly.

Once you familiarise yourself with baby’s size, you won’t be lost between age range labels anymore. You can also ask for a diaper shower and you’ll receive loads of diapers to use later.

8

Work from home for some extra income. If you’ve had to stop working because it had just become physically impossible for you to continue to do so, check with your employer for any work-from-home opportunities. You can also go for some freelance projects to help cover some of your expenses.

9

Switch to nursing bras. Most women will go up a size when they’re pregnant or nursing. Rather than buying regular bras, go for nursing bras with room for growth. This way, you’ll be good to go once you give birth, and you won’t end up with regular bras a size too big for your frame once you get your pre-baby body back (because of course you will).

10

Cook. Eating out and ordering in are not wallet-friendly practices. Plus, who knows what the pregnant mama will crave next? If you’re buying baby supplies in bulk (another saving tip), why not buy onions and potatoes in bulk too? Healthy food is every pregnant mum’s best friend.

MOTHER, BABY & CHILD | JULY 2017 | 37

PARENTING

baby’s closet

Tati AED 49

1

AED 89

2

s Mampaas & Pa 5 AED 9

u Batea Petit 9 1 2 AED

3

AED 145

4

AED 225

oo & Bamobve L 125 1 AED 145 2 AED 195 3 AED 85 4 AED

AED 179

oint Kidsp 0 6 AED 4

AED 125

Okaidi Obaibi AED 119

AED 89

AED 170

AED 205

Shoe Mart Start Rite AED 169 each

AED 119

AED 65 AED 170

AED 160 AED 69 38 | JULY 2017 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD

AED 229

FAMILY PORTRAIT DO'S AND DON'TS

“Aww, how precious!” Years ago, taking heart-warming family portraits was easy. Now, professional photogs compete with billions of others who display their work online, hundreds of other studios and self-proclaimed digital gurus and social media addicts.

That’s why, in the age of Instagram, it’s important to take a step back and go back to basics. Zeina Abdalla, founder of videography, photography and social media solutions concept ‘fishfayce’, shares some family portrait do’s and don’ts:

In sync

YES!

Try to complement each other by choosing colours and patterns which subtly go together; coordinating outfits doesn’t necessarily mean matching a wife’s dress pattern with her husband’s tie. Avoid large logos and emblems to shift the focus to faces and emotions.

The small details

Posing for photos can be fun, whether it be a translation of the latest trend or cultural pun, it’s essential to also get some natural shots of a family in its own element. Smile and be genuine, these photos will be passed on for generations.

Embracing quirky features is what makes a family special; forget the status quo and have the photographer focus on the little ones’ missing teeth, funny interactions and genuine conversations for a charming portrait.

Keep it real

NO!

Avoid using heavy editing or makeup, use both techniques to enhance rather than transform. Try to keep it natural, yet fresh when taking a family portrait: looking back at photos should evoke memories where the true versions of ‘family’ are portrayed and everyone is easily recognisable.

Don’t just stand there

Many have the tendency to get shy or awkward in front of the camera. Recreating human interaction by leaning on your family member, tilting your head or changing angles can make you more cameracomfortable.

Remember to keep changing it up as repeating the same expression will limit your results. Lastly – remember to have fun; at the end of the day – this is a family portrait, not a magazine cover shoot.

Photoshoots don’t have to be traumatic, even they involve little ones. Irrespective of stress levels, laughter and tears – the results will always be a memory worth cherishing.

MOTHER, BABY & CHILD | JULY 2017 | 39

EDUCATION

EDUCATION WHAT'S 'NEW' ABOUT DUBAI'S NEW SCHOOLS? Arcadia Navin Valrani CEO, Preparatory School A Junior MBA! Please tell us more about the programme and the interest you’ve been seeing so far?

I designed this programme with the aim to inspire and teach pupils the basics of entrepreneurship from a young age. I graduated from two of the world’s leading business schools, The Wharton School of Business and London Business School, and designed it in such a way that it’s based on a typical firstyear MBA programme taught at the world’s leading business schools.

The Junior MBA programme will be offered to all pupils of The Arcadia Preparatory School from Year 1 upwards and will cover areas such as finance, management, marketing and entrepreneurship.

At the end of the programme, they’ll be given an

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opportunity to present their business ideas in front of their parents.

Since the announcement of the programme, we have received unprecedented interest from students all over the UAE and of all ages.

What’s your motto and how do you reinforce its values through teaching?

Our values centre around positivity, respect, tolerance, creativity, independence and compassion – which is made evident in all aspects at Arcadia and specifically through the teachers and teaching practices. We believe that a school’s greatest asset is its teachers, which is why teacher care and attention are always a top priority at Arcadia.

Your campus is known for its ultra-modern structure and facilities, in addition to the implementation of technology-based learning methods. How do you maintain a balance between being a community school and offering students a modernised learning approach?

We don’t see a modernised learning approach to be at odds with being a community school. Our learning approach is fundamentally based on the English National Curriculum, but has elements in it that allow our pupils to experience the arts, entrepreneurship and a range of enrichment activities.

From the outset, we’ve always seen ourselves as a community school. There are several community initiatives that we’ve originated and in which we have participated, and that approach will always be an integral part of pupil learning at Arcadia.

Would you still consider yourself a ‘new school’ and why?

We’re one academic year old and therefore would still consider ourselves as a ‘new school’. However, being ‘new’ for us is a huge advantage. It has allowed us to handpick our talented teaching staff, design our innovative offering and shape our culture to ensure that our values are reflected throughout the school.

Please tell us more about the Enrichment Learning Programme (ELP): what does it aim to do and why is it important for students?

The unique Enrichment Learning Programme (ELP) at Arcadia is an all-inclusive programme based

on an extended school day. It complements the core curriculum by providing dynamic and diverse activities, and rich learning opportunities for pupils.

This includes aspects such as in-class homework support, a range of sports activities and specialist support for English as an Additional Language (EAL) as part of the core curriculum for those students whose native language isn’t English.

The ELP is provided at no extra cost to parents and is a core aspect of the school’s values and ethos, where lifelong learning is nurtured.

Congratulations on the LEED Green Building Certification! What types of values are you looking to instil into students through adopting a ‘green school’ philosophy?

As a school, we believe in teaching and leading by example. We want to help build a generation who’s sensitised on environmental issues and aware of sustainable practices. To do this, we had to first commit ourselves to setting an example and what better way to do that than getting a certification from the US Green Building Council?

What’s your overall mission and how do you plan on accomplishing it?

The Arcadia Preparatory School aspires to be one of the leading British primary schools in the world, and our goal is to provide a nurturing environment where every child is happy, positive and thriving. We aim to do this by instilling into students a lifelong passion for learning, nurturing innovation and the pursuit of excellence among teaching staff.

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EDUCATION

School and Extracurricular Activities Finding the Right Balance

When it comes to schoolwork and extracurricular activities, children have so much on their plate. Experts have agreed that a balance between the two is crucial, but how can you help them achieve it so that they benefit from both?

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Teach them how to manage their time

Teach your children how to develop a schedule, prioritise activities and plan for unexpected events and emergencies. The ability to prioritise time will translate to future success and help them keep a healthy balance between school and activities.

Identify what’s important

It’s beneficial, and even encouraged, for students to try new activities. However, filling up their schedule with activities just for the sake of it will be of no long-term benefit whatsoever. Make a list of your child’s extra-curricular activities and identify what should stay and what just needs to go.

Academics come first

Extra-curricular activities can be beneficial in many ways, but you need to remember that academics will prepare them for the years to come. School curriculums are designed to encourage learning which would be beneficial down the line, while extra-curricular may be more about developing the child’s natural skills.

If you ever need to choose between both, academics should come first.

Seek advice

Schools always have an academic advisor on hand for any student or parent questions, or to offer guidance on matters of concern.

When in doubt, have a meeting with your school’s academic advisor and they’ll guide you towards the right balance between activities and schoolwork.

Help them develop a schedule

As much as kids love a good routine, they can’t create or plan their own schedule. Help them develop a good weekly schedule, slotting relevant activities and making sure everything is in the right place.

“You’ve achieved the right balance if your kids are sleeping enough, meeting their academic obligations, spending time with family and friends and getting a chance to unwind on their own. You should consider reducing your children's activities if they don’t have time for these things,” says Dr Sarah Rasmi, family psychologist and parenting expert at Play:Date.

Embrace ‘smart’ breaks

After following a set schedule for a good while, children can get stuck in a rut. As a mother, you may think keeping them busy is beneficial, but what that might eventually lead to is a cycle which lacks any learning or development.

Make sure they get enough breaks while studying, and even when participating in extra-curricular activities, for some much-needed reflection and re-evaluation.

Focus on leadership

You may not know what to focus on when it comes to your child’s skills. There’s so much to choose from, but it’s always best to foster any activities which will help them develop their leadership skills.

While they need to participate in activities they can enjoy, they’ll benefit much more from boosting leadership skills through extra-curricular activities or academics: from summer camps to school group projects, they’ll be well on their way to a successful future.

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EDUCATION

Bookworm Top Summer Reads

#BabyLove: My Toddler Life

By Corine Dehghanpisheh

A curious toddler loves to play…especially with his mum’s smartphone!

When mum catches baby using her phone without permission, it’s the perfect teaching moment. She reminds her little one that what matters the most in life, is time together filled with love and attention.

A simple reminder: Let’s put down our phones.

Jorie and the Magic Stones

By A. H. Richardson

Children everywhere are loving this adventurous tale of Jorie and Rufus, two orphans from very different walks of life, who meet by chance and discover a mystic book about dragons which soon leads them on a quest through a magical world unlike anything either of them have ever experienced.

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GET KIDS iN SHAPE FOR SCHOOL

FOOTBALL CAMP TO KEEP MOVING AND LEARNING Ahdaaf Sports Club’s Summer Camp will keep children adventurous, active and healthy this summer at their indoor facility in Al Quoz. Starting from July 2, camp programmes will give them the opportunity to develop their football skills, make new friends, discover new interests and create memories that last a lifetime. In addition, the camp will be offering educational sessions on nutrition combined with sports performance.

Playing with different nationalities and mixing with different cultures will also aid their development, in addition to encouraging teamwork and camaraderie. They’ll develop their football skills, and gain independence developing essential social skills and new relationships.

Each day, the camp will present different challenges and competitions. Children will participate in fitness and jump tests as well as fun games and football sessions on tactics and positioning.

Day rate is AED 200 and weekly attendance is AED 700. The camp

runs daily from 9 am – 1 pm and is open for both girls and boys ages four to 15. ahdaaf.ae

SUMMER CAMP JUST GOT BIGGER AND BETTER

FitRepublik, with a new indoor dome full of fun and new activities for all ages, will host kids ages 5 – 14 for a summer camp where they can keep fit and have fun! They’ll enjoy water fun, participate in gymnastics, CrossFit, martial arts and dance, engage in action sports, take part in an array of challenges and team races such as an obstacle course and dodgeball, and explore their creativity with arts and crafts projects.

The Summer Camp runs from July 2 to August 31 from 9 am to 3:45 pm or mornings only. Drop-off starts at 8:30 am and pickup ends at 4:15 pm. Full days, all week AED 960, a full week of mornings AED 800 and AED 250 per day fitrepublik.com

TAKE THEIR SPORTS EDUCATION TO THE NEXT LEVEL Rather than sitting at home and beating the heat in front of the TV, have your little one spring into some indoor action and have a blast with a variety of activities. Available throughout July, Fit Inc’s Summer Camp is the full package with gymnastics, parkour, yoga and dance classes.

The camp is open to kids ages 5 – 10 and prices start at AED 3,000 for the whole month. fitinc.ae

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EDUCATION

10 WAYS TO TRACK YOUR CHILD’S EDUCATIONAL PROGRESS School’s out, but that doesn’t mean we’ll stop planning for the next academic year. Your children will be learning new skills over the summer, and it’s a good time to take a good look at where they’re headed in terms of educational progress while thinking of your involvement for the coming back-to-school season. Here are some ways to track your child’s development:

1

Be present at school. There’s no better way to keep an eye out on your child’s progress at school than being present in the classroom. While many schools welcome parent volunteers, others keep parents involved with regular meetings, in-classroom parent participation and drop-off/pick-up classroom visits.

2

Try some educational apps. Some parents still treat the iPad as a toy, totally oblivious to the wealth of developmental apps out there. Many apps are implementing new technologies to track children’s educational progress, also offering parents in-app platforms where they have access to built-in trackers summarising their child’s status with time-specific data and statistics.

3

Develop milestone ‘checklists’. Checklists, brochures, booklets, fact sheets: they’re not just for the office! While many of these developmental tracking tools are available ready-made, you can create your own using internet resources or even just plain pen and paper.

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4

Communicate with your child’s teacher. This is more of a back-to-school piece of advice, but it’s important nevertheless. Many parents will find that they don’t even know teachers’ names, much less their email addresses. Don’t rely on your child’s feedback alone and make sure you get in touch with teachers through faceto-face meetings, via email and/or over the phone.

5

Express your interest in their achievements.

During the school year, you ask your child about how their day was at school once they get home. You can keep this up throughout the summer holidays by having small chats with your child over their achievements in school. You’ll discover a whole new world by unlocking information on their own interests and learning about what matters to them the most.

6

Don’t forget the backpack.

Your child’s backpack is like a secret entry into the world of school.

You should be checking it every day after they come home because you’ll come across, apart from an empty cookie wrapper or random toys, forgotten homework, notes from the teacher and more. During the summer, take a good look inside too: it’s an opportunity to clean the backpack at the same time.

designate a specific time during the summer for reading, writing, painting or any other learning activity they prefer. This will be a good time to check on what they’ve learnt, see how far they’ve come and build on areas which may need more attention.

8

Understand test scores. Examinations are schools’ way of measuring children’s progress. Make sure you have a good understanding of the system and where your child ranks on the standardised testing score results so you can address any misunderstandings and concerns with the teacher.

9

Meet the parents. This is a great way to stay posted, not only your child’s progress, but on that of the school as well. Network with other parents at parent-teacher meetings, maintain contact with substitute teachers and socialise with peers’ parents too.

10

Be careful with over-involvement.

While being aware of your child’s every major step at school is important, ensure you’re not getting ‘too involved’.

Foster in your child a desire to learn on their own and for their own good. Remember, academic success – while not the only factor – is part of their success later in life.

7

Establish a routine.

Children need a routine to make them feel safe and structured.

While they may have a set time for homework during the school day,

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EDUCATION

RAISING CREATIVE CHILDREN Fiona Cottam

Principal and Chief Academic Officer, Hartland International School

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GETTING RID OF LABELS Over the last two years, mothers have increasingly been hearing of STEAM as the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) agenda has begun to evolve to include Arts as an integral part of curriculum design.

This shift highlights the important role of the Arts in society. There are huge parallels across these agendas in terms of how creativity helps underpin innovation, nurturing and developing overall confidence in children.

We shouldn’t underestimate the importance of developing expression and communication skills through the Arts, but also the ability to express emotions and of course, nurture hidden talents and enjoyment.

The Arts subjects should very much be on an equal level with every other subject in a school’s curriculum as we have a responsibility to offer children the opportunity to explore a wide range and breadth of subjects. No subject is mutually exclusive and indeed, the mathematician can be the gifted musician while the artist the budding engineer: a lack of inclusion of the Arts or any subject could limit a child’s willingness to explore new things throughout their school journey and into adult life, thereby limiting opportunities.

At Hartland International School, for example, we’re committed to not labelling children. Our teachers actively encourage and extend each child’s natural curiosity and enthusiasm as they build their range of skills. Of course, where we see a particular talent, we commit to nurturing it further and harnessing energy productively, but we always try to inspire our students to explore other potential skills and talents.

NURTURING FUTURE LEADERS It’s always remarkable to watch children flourish in a very short time through their engagement with the Performing Arts. By giving them encouragement and a stage, whether physically or metaphorically, children grow through exploration and discovery; the associated risktaking gives them a different type of confidence.

This sureness helps in the development of leadership skills and in concepts and areas of team building and creative, innovative thinking. We know leadership skills are crucial for societal growth and sustainability: whether that be preparing our children for the task of becoming global CEOs or entrepreneurs, leaders in their

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EDUCATION communities or leaders in their families. Leadership manifests itself in many ways, and by teaching Performing Arts, we tap into an array of different areas of the psyche that help children grow into confident adults and leaders.

One way in which we’re working to reinvigorate Performing Arts for talented children here in the UAE is through an exciting, ongoing collaboration with the legendary London-based Sylvia Young Theatre School (SYTS). SYTS boasts an array of famous alumni and offers children living in the UAE with an invaluable, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to help them to discover and develop their passions. Our Spring course was a huge success and this ongoing partnership will see Sylvia and her team return to us in the October break.

CHILDREN'S CONFIDENCE AND UAE SCHOOLS With the introduction of a more formal ‘Moral Education’ programme, as educators we look to draw on wider aspects of life and develop a better understanding and appreciation of society and the world.

Underpinning this is our responsibility to encourage children to participate in, and be a part of something, that’s bigger than themselves as well as ensuring the emotional well-being and happiness of society.

This well-being and happiness of children has always been crucial in the operational philosophy of great schools, but it’s now at the forefront of curriculum change and is therefore of utmost importance.

We draw inspiration from the thinking and leadership of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum whose Cabinet has been tasked with focusing on the future, youth, happiness and developing education. The appointments of positions such as Ministers for Happiness and Youth are visionary, a testament to the positive ethos of this incredible Emirate and country.

Oscar Wilde once said that the Arts were crucial to the development of society because of the importance they place on “the individual, their liberty, self-expression, creativity and personal responsibility.” Teaching Performing Arts builds on the strength and happiness of the UAE and supports the national agenda. The development of and focus on the Arts is just one way of capturing the imagination and spirit of children. What better way to celebrate the incredible diversity of this Nation than through its youth’s ultimate success?

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‘Fun’ is the Word at Jebel Ali Village Nursery’s Summer Camp

Make this an unforgettable Summer for your little ones at the Jebel Ali Village Nursery Summer Camp 2017! Designed for children ages 12 months to six years old, their nurseries have teams of enthusiastic, dedicated staff who entertain children with actionpacked activities throughout the holidays.

Each week, children explore different themes through a variety of activities including everything from water and sand play, role play, arts and crafts, music and movement, and bouncy castles to ice cream and jelly days, singing, and story time. Not only that, but the games and puzzles, messy play, puppet shows, soft play, splash days, paddle pooling, and face painting – in addition to many other activities – are not to be missed.

If your kids are younger, don’t worry, their Al Furjan branch accepts children four months to six years old.

Sign them up now:

javn.ae/vacation-care.php

JBR

04 424 3791

Motor City

04 422 1415

Arabian Ranches Polo Club Al Furjan The Lakes The Meadows

info@javn.ae motorcity@javn.ae

04 368 9882

polo@javn.ae

04 551 6335

nada@javn.ae

04 454 8404

lakes@javn.ae

04 422 4222

meadows@javn.ae

EDUCATION

LITTLE DA VINCI THE BEST SPACES FOR CREATIVITY IN DUBAI CLOUD 7

Ah, this space looks like a dream! Located in Citywalk, CLOUD 7 is a creativity and play zone, an open space activity centre with different offerings in each and every corner with a focus on learning and acquiring skills in a fun, safe environment. At the Creativity Zone, kids will get to choose from a wide variety of creative activities which are suitable for all age groups.

citywalk.ae

ART DUBAI AND THE SHEIKHA MANAL LITTLE ARTISTS PROGRAMME

A space designed just for creativity, Art Dubai’s not-for-profit programme includes workshops, publications and discovery tours for children and teenagers ages 5 – 17, especially created by international and UAE-based artists. All drawing and painting courses are taught by expert teachers.

Kids’ course materials are provided by the teachers/art centre.

artdubai.ae

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CREATIVE MINDS

Time to get creative! If you’re looking for creativity supplies, this place stocks everything from toys and costumes, to educational materials, party supplies and artificial crafts. You can stock up with the kids: they’ll have plenty of options to choose from and enjoy a fun shopping trip too.

creativemindsdubai.com

CAFÉ CERAMIQUE

What do coffee and ceramic have in common?

Part café, part artist studio, Café Ceramique is designed as a home away from home, with comfortable seating areas, art-lined walls and a relaxed, laid-back ambience. They welcome children ages four and up; playing at their own studio, younger guests can be left in the care of dedicated and capable staff while mum relaxes or paints to her heart’s content.

cafeceramique.ae

CRAFT LAND

Craft Land is Dubai's answer for itchy fingers.

If your kids love embroidery, sewing, knitting and crochet, or just lovely fibre things, hurry over there.

mycraftland.com

DUBAI COMMUNITY THEATRE AND ARTS CENTRE (DUCTAC)

DUCTAC is an edutainment centre for the community and future generations.

Their Arts & Crafts courses build on cognitive skills, stimulating young minds and equipping them with independence. Courses will help kids learn problem solving and critical thinking.

Through various themed projects, students will use tools including watercolours, crayons, fabric and acrylic paint, chalk pastels, collages and clay to create two and three-dimensional outcomes.

ductac.org

THEJAMJAR

thejamjar studio is equipped with easels, paint, art supplies, a coffee bar (for mama) and music. At their DIY painting sessions, they provide the painting supplies, and leave you for three to four hours. Kids choose the canvas size they like, pour their paint and start painting! It’s as easy as one, two, three…

thejamjardubai.com

YADAWEI

Yadawei (pronounced ya-da-way) is the Arabic adjective for ‘handmade’. A Dubaibased studio dedicated to ceramic art and pottery, it’s a members-only studio. Just like in a gym, kids purchase a membership and use the facilities.

yadawei.net

KIDZART

KidzArt is an American drawing-based, multimedia art programme. They provide kids of all ages with inspiring drawing lessons and art projects, helping them become creative thinkers and problem solvers. Their classes are designed to reach everyone from Picassos-in-training to the kids who never thought they would ever draw.

kidzart.ae

LEGO® is Coming to Boxpark The world of LEGO is due to descend on Boxpark for the third consecutive year for the 2017 Dubai Summer Surprises. Running until August 12, the much-loved family-centric experience will bring together a host of themed, interactive and fun activities for the whole family to enjoy.

Open every day from 12 pm to 10 pm, the LEGO extravaganza will see a host of complimentary experiences including LEGOLAND® Dubai’s popular ‘Build and Test’ attraction where children get to build car models and race them down a ramp, an exciting LEGO Minifigures treasure hunt, life-size LEGO models and more.

mrusta.com

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GOOD LIVING

15 THINGS ONLY DUBAI MUMS WILL UNDERSTAND “Oh, that’s very Dubai!” Mamas, how many times has someone ‘accused’ us of having #firstworldproblems. It’s about time we proved them wrong (or right).

Here’s what Mother, Baby & Child readers have told us:

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“Extremely humid weather and hot water in the shower all day long without even using a geyser, but then you just can’t ignore the beauty this city holds, from old souks to exquisite glittery malls with kids’ rides and play areas. Kids are just so spoilt that if you’re going to the mall, it’s certain they’ll enjoy themselves.”

Madeeha “I believe we’re spoilt for choice. Dubai has made it all happen for us: From the baby nursing rooms at the mall, to baby sensory classes, baby-friendly bootcamps and how they shower our kids with totally FREE international shows at the malls all year. Not to mention, Dubai Opera and the amazing shows they bring for the whole family.”

Ask Maja Maja Ask Filén

Founder & Life Coach, Ask for Life UAE

Gabi

“Trying to explain why meat is off the table unless told otherwise on trips to the US and Canada since not everything is halal, explaining to your children why McDonald's doesn’t deliver when abroad and teaching them how to cope with mosquitoes (it can get quite embarrassing when they run for the hills over something which is so normal in other countries).

Also, watching your child throw their wrappers on the ground in the house and say: "it's ok, aunty is coming to clean tomorrow. It’s so hard to not have spoilt children here and I've worked so hard to teach them manners and kindness.

What I find difficult about Dubai is meeting like-minded mums; they’re either extreme with logging poop times or about choosing a nanny.”

Cindy “Ah boy, this is like opening a Pandora’s box. For starters, Dubai mums know how to handle volleys of questions from their ever-curious tots about why they can't have items of certain brands; keeping them grounded without letting that sense of entitlement get to their heads with all the affordable luxuries around is a challenge.

An embarrassing one is when they ask why there’s no AC in every freaking room when we go back to our home countries. My personal favourite, and I hear this very often when on holiday, is: “Oh, mamma it's so dirty!”

Navita

“As an Abu Dhabi mum-of-three whose always on-the-go, supermarket trips can be quite tricky, so I like to place my weekly grocery orders on @luluhypermarkets. They get delivered home in a matter of hours and all hassle free." #abudhabiliving #thelittleluxuries

Ronda

Dear MB&C,

“Sometimes, I feel like I’m not good enough: my friends, Media, just everywhere I look I see women with successful careers. I feel like I’m so behind.”

Maila, Dubai

So many mothers are comparing themselves to other mums. Ask yourself: what would you like to change and why?

Everything in your life needs balance.

Find a ‘mentor’ or someone who inspires you and educate yourself on what they’re doing to achieve what they have today.

You can always change and develop. It doesn’t need to be drastic, but remember that the world around you will keep on changing and so will you – you just need to decide what direction you’d like to work towards.

Write a simple ‘action plan’ with what you’d like to work on, then create a 1-year plan with monthly goals. Maybe to find likeminded people who might help you with your goal? Find a new job? Try new things to get inspired?

Everything starts with you and you’re the only one who can change your life; start small and allow yourself some time.

askforlifeuae

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GOOD LIVING “The difficulty of convincing our kids that we can't go to Dolphin Bay or Wild Wadi every week. Dubai has so many attractions for them.”

Aline “Trying to keep your kids from becoming spoilt. It's tough, but not impossible to teach them simple life and character-building skills, like not always having the nanny pick up after them.”

Maira “Seeing so many amazing strollers at the mall and thinking it may just be cheaper to buy a car and wait until they’re old enough to drive.”

Nadine “Instead of asking whether they could go to the park, my children want to go to the mall, play and get candy.”

Laura “Parking a million miles away for school pickups and ending up with burning muscles!”

Helly “Getting a home spa service for busy mums like myself makes my days.”

Rania “Hiring a nanny and having someone live with you full-time.”

Kamal

14 “Driving around in circles all day doing the school run”

Susie

“When the kids ask: Why is the Wi-Fi is so slow?”

Sumayya 2 “Delivery, for everything.”

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Katherine

ASK DR SANJAY Dr Sanjay Parashar

Hands-Free Shopping?

Only in Dubai!

Mall of the Emirates has officially launched its HandsFree Shopping service, where mamas can drop off their shopping bags and collect them later or have them delivered anywhere at their convenience. You can drop the bags off at the Hands-Free Collection Desks located around the mall. All items will be securely sealed, and they’ll arrange delivery or collection depending on your preference.

Delivery/pick-up within the mall is free. Delivery outside of the mall is chargeable via Fetchr.

04 801 8188

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?

Rasha, Dubai Breast enlargement is the most desirable procedure for women who’d like to enhance their breasts, improving volume and shape. Silicone implants have been the gold standard for decades, advancing as time went by. Modern-generation implants, also called ‘gummy-bear implants, don’t have liquid silicone and are more cohesive in nature, hence they don’t leak; you could slice the implants in two halves and the silicone would stay in the shell.

Cohesive implants come in three different forms, with three levels of firmness. Additionally, the shell covering the implant is much stronger and is made up of many layers, completely covering the gel. Through advancements in cohesive silicone-gel implants, patients can enjoy naturalfeeling breast implants which won't run the risk of bleeding out if the shell gets ruptured or damaged.

Most companies provide warranties for implant leakage and ruptures for a period of 10 –15 years.

Some companies provide upgradable warranties to the extent of financially supporting a patient if a rupture is detected in the implant, which indicates their confidence in the quality and safety of the implants.

Currently, silicone breast implants are the most predictable, safe and reliable method of enhancing the breasts.

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GOOD LIVING

GOURMET FOOD AND YOUR KIDS Is it true that fine dining just isn’t kid-friendly?

Kids can be the pickiest of eaters, but these little foodies’ mess at dinnertime can make you question their true intentions. How can mashed carrots possibly be any worse than steak-and-potato mush eaten off the dining table (or carpet)? We tend to avoid fine dining when we have kids. Carefully-crafted French appetisers and a fouryear-old with a taste for ‘exploding’ foods? No, thank you!

What are the rules when it comes to taking the kids out for dinner, especially if it’s on the fancier side? Read on to find out whether fine dining can be a kids’ affair or if it’s best kept for date night (or as we like to call it, the realms of your imagination).

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Develop realistic expectations. Thinking that your kid will sit upright, carefully using the salad fork to transport an exquisite piece of foie gras-topped steak into their mouth’s tiny borders isn’t quite realistic. While having confidence (and faith) is important on such occasions, it’s also crucial to remember that they’re children. If they scream “I LOVE SHRIMPS!” at the top of their lungs and dig in, it better be what you’d hoped for.

Make sure kids are welcome. Not every restaurant welcomes kids. Unless specified somewhere on their branding, call ahead and ask. While fine dining may not be a kid-friendly concept, many restaurants are starting to embrace the idea of having kids enjoy their food, even if it means creating a menu just for them.

"Excuse me, do you have a kids’ menu?" Restauranteurs may be becoming more aware of families’ need to have their kids dine with them, a concept which can translate into higher profit especially now that parents are more pressed for time than ever.

Oh, and while the occasional macaroni and cheese with ultraprocessed hot dog may sound like a kids’ favourite, food experts claim that junior foodies prefer to dine on kid-friendly options from the normal menu.

Be a good role model. We all remember that one time when we spotted a mother yelling at her kids because they weren’t behaving. It makes us wonder, but did she teach them to eat at a restaurant? Eating out is very different from enjoying a meal at home – even for adults. Would you expect the kids to know that? Not really! Make sure that, apart from teaching them how to behave while eating out, you also model the behaviour you’re expecting from them.

Ease them into the experience. Slowly, but surely, they’ll start to follow. Don’t underestimate kids’ love for mimicking adults. In the beginning, just order one course, and make sure it’s not that complicated. Mama can always gauge what her kids will love. By a certain age, kids will start enjoying being treated like adults: placing a cloth napkin in their laps, using the tiny forks for dessert and even being asked what they’d like to order. It’s part of the developmental role play you should be looking to encourage.

MOTHER, BABY & CHILD | JULY 2017 | 59

GOOD LIVING Mind the location. We’re talking about table location at the restaurant, of course. Book a corner table to ensure some privacy: you’ll need to obstruct other guests’ view, manage the kids without knocking off the waiter’s front tooth, reach for the meatball that’s just rolled off the table and carefully prevent your toddler from sipping on chocolate milk from their stroller.

A gentle reminder. Kids have the memory of a goldfish. Well, at least they pretend they do. You may be tempted to ignore the fact that reiterating for the sixth time is necessary, but you’ll find that there’s a price to pay – possibly in cash.

So, as soon as you park, remind the kids of the rules, slowly and clearly, and repeat yourself: no yelling, running, screaming or all of the above; they should understand the benefits of being mindful of other diners.

Late night eats – and crankiness. Most fine dining outings tend to take place past 7:00 pm, which can mean cranky hour for kids. To avoid this, pack some munchies for them so they don’t get hungry as they wait for their order, or even ask the waiter for some breadsticks, crackers or sliced apples.

Carry some crossword puzzles or colouring books and crayons, and try to keep them involved in the conversation. To make the ordering process easier (or less of a nightmare), make sure you know what the kids like. This is NOT the time to experiment with new cuisine.

Help others before you help yourself. Once the food arrives, help the kids eat first. Cut meat into smaller bites and make sure they’re good to go. Ask the waiter to clear their plates once they’re done. If they’re anxious, don’t go for dessert (or be prepared to say ‘hi’ to a sugar high).

Be sensitive to their needs. Older children can spend some time at the table, then they’ll start getting fidgety. Younger children can’t sit for a long while unless you keep them really, really entertained.

Once everyone has finished eating, it may be a good time to leave.

Be patient and don’t let small incidents bother you: otherwise, the kids will pick up on your frustration and unleash their inner Angry Birds.

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IN THE KITCHEN

SUMMER SALMON FISH CAKES Natasha Sideris

Founder, Managing Executive and Creative Director, tashas

INGREDIENTS

POTATO SALAD

• 250 g baby potatoes • 5 small tins salmon • 5 eggs • 60 ml lemon juice • 15 ml lemon zest • 300 ml mayonnaise • 1 small red onion, chopped • Small handful of dill, chopped • Small bunch of chives, chopped • Salt and pepper • 150 g breadcrumbs • Oil for deep-frying

ROCKET, FENNEL AND HERB SALAD

FISH CAKES

METHOD

• 24 baby potatoes • 60 g mayonnaise • 120 ml yoghurt • 20 ml apple cider vinegar • Pinch of chives, chopped • Salt and pepper • Olive oil

• Handful of rocket • 1 fennel bulb, finely sliced • Handful of micro greens • Lemon juice • Olive oil • Salt and pepper • 1 lemon, cut in wedges

• Start with the fish cakes. Cook the baby potatoes in boiling, salted water. When they’re done, peel them and roughly chop into small pieces. Don’t mash them or you’ll end up with a mushy fish cake

• Drain the tinned salmon and remove the skin and bones. Mix the potatoes and salmon with all the remaining fish cake ingredients in a mixing bowl. Roll into 6 cm balls. Flatten them a bit and cover them lightly with breadcrumbs. Deep-fry until golden brown • To make the potato salad, cook the potatoes in boiling, salted water. When they’re cooked, peel and cut them in half. Mix the mayonnaise, yoghurt, vinegar, chives, salt and pepper and a drizzle of olive oil, and dress the potatoes. Garnish with a sprinkle of chives

• Mix the rocket, finely-sliced fennel and micro greens together.

Dress with a squeeze of lemon and olive oil, season with salt and pepper. Serve on the side of the fishcakes with a few lemon wedges MOTHER, BABY & CHILD | JULY 2017 | 61

GOOD LIVING

THE SEARCH FOR HANDYMAN SERVICES Dubai Edition Log onto any neighbourhood or community group on Facebook and 90% of the posts will be about handyman services. It seems like residents are always on the lookout for some help within their homes, yet nobody has a clear idea of where exactly to find such services. Here’s our list; whether your air-conditioning has failed, your sink is blocked or you just need some general home improvements carried out, that’s one less item on your to-do list:

62 | JULY 2017 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD

Jim Will Fix It Established in 2008 and managed by a team of British Expats, there’s a huge

range of services that they can offer; they’re only a phone call away. Jim Will Fix It works in all developments and areas throughout Dubai. All their quotes are undertaken on a job-by-job basis, meaning that you only pay for work that has been completed. They provide an estimate before work commences.

Top Services: air conditioning, duct and coil cleaning, electrical, plumbing, painting, window cleaning, water testing and tank cleaning

800-349 / 04 340 2338

Repair Plus

Priding themselves on being a ‘green’ company, Repair Plus offers maintenance services for both routine and emergency work, ensuring everything in your home is in excellent working condition. They use environmentally-friendly processes and materials to provide sustainable, eco-friendly maintenance services in Dubai and have taken up the task of giving back to mother nature by planting 10 trees as a thank you to every customer that uses their services.

800 70 247

Top Services: air conditioning, electricity, plumbing, painting, carpentry, masonry and handymen

MPLUS+ Particularly well-known among

Emirates Hills residents, this service provider stocks spare parts for many UAE residential area buildings. Aside from different Home Maintenance packages, EcoSAVER gives you the opportunity to save at least 15% off your home DEWA bill.

Top Services: cleaning, painting, air conditioning, plumbing, handyman, pest control, electrical and water tank cleaning.

800 67587

handyhelper Property Maintenance This company provides a full range of

Faster Than Dry Cleaning It’s what mums are saying after trying the LAURASTAR Pulse System: Swiss-designed Pulse Steam Technology beautifies clothes, eliminates remaining germs and bacteria at 150°C, effortlessly smooths creases and protects even the most delicate of fabrics. Time to cut your ironing time in half!

Available at Better Life, BHV Marais, Jashanmal and Sharaf DG

maintenance services ranging from annual maintenance contracts to bathroom renovations through annual packages.

Top Services: painting, carpentry, plumbing, fit out, flooring, electrical, air conditioning and handyman

04 361 7914

info@laurastar.terramar.com

The ‘Google’ of Handyman Services

Hectic searches through the Yellow Pages, classifieds, newspapers or internet?

This is every mama’s struggle. ‘mrUsta’ is an online serve provider marketplace which directly connects you to ustas (that’s what they call their service providers) including plumbers, cleaners, painters and more without the hassle of trying to find them yourself. You simply post a job, sit back and watch while you get up to five offers in a matter of hours. These ustas know they are competing for your job, hence offering quality while prices stay low.

mrusta.com

MOTHER, BABY & CHILD | JULY 2017 | 63

H E A LT H

HEALTH

UNSTRUCTURED FREE PLAY IS IT IMPORTANT FOR KIDS? THE SPECIALIST PAEDIATRICIAN Why Play Unstructured?

Dr Naveen Kumar G

Aster Clinic, International City

Playing is a crucial part of a child’s brain development.

When it comes to the development of a child’s cognitive, social and physical well-being, time spent indoors – whether in a classroom or otherwise – may not mean as much as that which is spent outdoors.

Play can either be structured or unstructured.

Structured play is when an adult/parent has planned a specific way in which play will happen: a good example would be organised sports classes. Children

64 | JULY 2017 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD

benefit from such activities, although giving them the opportunity to spend extended periods of time outdoors where they come up with role play scenarios helps them solve small problems they may face and determine how they’d like to play.

Unstructured play is the kind of play where the child decides how to proceed with a game and has no set rules or methods. It can involve a child playing alone, with playmates or even parents. Both structured and unstructured play are important for a child, only the intent of both differs.

Just like the structured type, unstructured play can happen both indoors and outdoors. However, it’s much more beneficial to let older children play out in the open where they have more opportunities to create stories with what they find around them. As a mother, it may be difficult for you to leave your children unattended, particularly outside of home, but this type of play doesn’t mean children are left with no rules or adult supervision, it’s only about a child’s ability to play with no end goal or learning objective.

Children’s play patterns have drastically changed over the years, with less time spent outdoors and more screen time on iPads, mobile phones, tablets or watching TV. Children these days also engage in different art forms including music, dance, painting, etc.

Parents often have planned sports activities for children to ensure they spend some time outdoors.

While these activities add to children’s talents, they also affect unstructured play.

Free imaginative play is important for the healthy development of a child’s brain.

Unstructured play allows children to be creative and develop their imagination. Children often benefit when, as parents, you take part in their play.

However, sometimes it’s necessary to let them gain a sense of direction on their own.

It’s through such play that very young children begin to interact with peers and learn to work collaboratively on learning skills such as sharing and conflict resolution.

When a child plays freely, the game is self-directed; through such games, they create a world in which they can explore and master everything on their own. They develop new competencies which enable them to practice decision-making, move at their own pace and have the freedom to choose and decide what interests them.

Unstructured play also helps children learn about the things around them. Children often re-enact various adult situations as this is their way of experimenting with role play and making sense of what they’ve observed. This gives them a sense of freedom and control over what’s happening. They can make mistakes without feeling under pressure. It’s through unstructured play that children develop various skills including verbal and social.

Essential for the development of the child’s behavioural and physical traits, play also heightens a child’s emotions like empathy, compassion and sharing when they learn to engage in activities with other children. The National Association for Sport and Physical Education recommends that pre-schoolers engage in some form of unstructured play for a minimum of one hour daily.

Parents must ensure that their children have enough freedom to play and explore things on their own. Let your children amaze you with their creativity and play without a purpose. As a parent, you can still be their play mate, the only difference is that play won’t be directed by you, but rather your child. Free play is one of the most cherished and memorable aspects of every individual’s childhood, so let your child ‘just play’.

MOTHER, BABY & CHILD | JULY 2017 | 65

H E A LT H

THE OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST

A SUMMER CAMP AT THE MALL

Dr Veena Balu

Canadian Specialist Hospital Unstructured, free play is necessary for your children to relax, get outside and use their creativity.

Sometimes, especially with children past the toddler stage, the most creative of play takes place outside of direct adult supervision: To help children get the most out of unstructured playtime, be sure to have materials on hand, age-appropriate toys, a big enough space and plenty of time.

Kids are often more interested in natural spaces than pre-fabricated play structures. Physical activity is very important for the healthy development of your child during the first five years of life: young children should be given lots of opportunities to move throughout the day. As children get older, physical activity plays a key role in their ability to learn and improves cognitive function, concentration, self-esteem, social skills and mood.

The benefits of regular physical play:

• Healthy growth and development, and reducing the risk of diseases like diabetes and obesity • Building strong hearts, muscles and bones • Learning fundamental movement skills like balance, coordination and reaction time • Establishing connections between different parts of the brain which develop memory, language and mental wellbeing • Improving concentration, confidence and self-esteem • Providing opportunities for them to develop social skills, make friends and relax

You can be part of your child’s unstructured play. Sometimes, all you need to do is point them in the right direction towards the jumble of role play. Other times, you may need to be a bit more proactive and go: “How about we play dress-up? What would you like to be today?”

66 | JULY 2017 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD

To keep the summer holidays interesting, The Mall at World Trade Center Abu Dhabi (WTCAD) has introduced an exciting range of activities and events tailored especially for children. Collaborating with KoolKidz, Primal Gym and The Art Hub, The Mall will offer a wide range of entertainment, sports and art classes which promote children’s physical and mental well-being.

The community mall has introduced the children’s summer camp to provide a haven in which they can learn, play and explore during the holidays.

July 9 to August 17. 8:30 am – 1:30 am, AED 125 per day or AED 520 per week, 8:30 am – 5:30 pm, AED 150 per day or AED 620 per week. (15% off for siblings)

800 25327

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!

Recognising the best products and services

The 6th annual Mother, Baby & Child Awards recognise the best products and FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES ACROSS THE UAE 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

Official Publication

Prize Partners

Media Partner

Voting Prize Partner

Organiser

H E A LT H

ASK THE How would I know if my child needs to see a Speech-Language Therapist?"

Noha, Dubai

Knowing what is and isn't typical when it comes to speech and language development is extremely important, so we've broken down six important red flags to look out for.

Here are some signs your child might need speech therapy; please note, this isn’t an exhaustive list, just some selective examples:

1

Your child doesn't interact socially.

Signs to look out for:

• Your infant isn’t smiling or interacting with others (0 – 6 months) • Your infant doesn't babble (between four and seven months)

• Your baby only makes a few sounds or gestures, like pointing (between seven and 12 months)

2

• Your infant doesn't seem to understand what you or others are saying (between seven months and two years old)

Your toddler makes only a few sounds, words, or gestures (12 to 18 months). Most children are starting to say a few single words between a year and 18 months.

Between one and a half and two years, they're typically putting two words together. If your child isn't saying anything, or has an extremely limited repertoire of words, they may benefit from Speech and Language Therapy (SLT)

3

You (and/or others) can't understand what your child is saying (18 months to two years old). It isn't uncommon for parents to be the only people who understand what their 68 | JULY 2017 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD

toddler is saying, but between 18 months and two years, parents shouldn't have too much difficulty deciphering their speech. It should be clear to a familiar listener at this age

4

Your child hasn't begun combining two or more words together by the age of two. Usually, children start doing this at around 18 months: "My ball." "Come, mama."

If between the ages of 1.5 and three your children aren't speaking as such, you may want to consult an expert

5

Your child struggles to make certain sounds or say words (2.5 to 4 years). As with all areas of development, speech sounds are acquired in phases. For instance, typically, a ‘k’ or ‘g’ sound would be expected to be achieved at around three years of age, but ‘easier’ sounds, like ‘p’, ‘b’ and ‘m’, shouldn't be a problem for children after the age of two

6

Not following simple directions as well as those involving prepositions such as ‘under’, ‘on’ or ‘over’ (should be acquired around 3 years)

If you think your child may need the help form a speech and language therapist, talk to their paediatrician or teacher as they may be able to refer you to one. Alternatively, you can directly contact a therapy centre.

Head of Therapy Department & SpeechLanguage Therapist, Sensation Station sensationstation.ae

H E A LT H

COMMON NEUROLOGICAL DISORDERS IN CHILDREN The human brain begins developing when the child is in the womb and continues to develop throughout infancy, then all the way until adolescence. Brain cells are mostly formed before birth, but nerve connections don’t develop until later. The nervous system controls everything in the human body including movement, vision and hearing abilities: the symptoms and outcomes of any problem depend on the area of the brain which has been damaged.

Dr Amit Arora

Specialist Neurologist Aster Clinic, Al Muteena

70 | JULY 2017 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD

Nervous system-related conditions can affect people of all age groups. However, a few neurological conditions happen only during the early years of development. They can manifest as birth defects or, in some cases, symptoms which can only be diagnosed during a child’s later years.

What should a mother be on the lookout for?

Most of these neurological symptoms and signs are picked up on when a child misses a developmental milestone or suffers from a brain injury or infection. Brain-related complaints like headaches are sometimes temporary and often disregarded.

However, symptoms like constant dizziness or weakness which appear suddenly without any explanation or cause can be indications of neurological conditions.

There are various neurological disorders which affect children. Autism, epilepsy, cerebral palsy, sequelae of brain injury and headaches are the most common. A disorder and its accompanying symptoms vary in each child.

AUTISM

Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder which causes impaired social interaction, verbal and non-verbal communication, along with a repetitive pattern of behaviour with too much adherence to routines and restricted interests. Children with autism perceive things around them in a different way in comparison to others who are of the same age.

There’s no specific cause for autism, but it’s believed that environmental, behavioural and genetic factors have an effect. An autistic child may suffer from speech impairment, challenged social and communication skills and emotional disorders.

Children require different interventional techniques depending on their age and development: there’s no one-size-fits-all treatment. Every child with the condition is unique and requires different treatment methods which may include medication, behavioural treatments or a combination of both.

ATTENTION DEFICIT HYPERACTIVITY DISORDER (ADHD)

One of the most common neurological disorders in children which may continue all the way into adolescence, ADHD can affect both children and adults. Schoolchildren are often left undiagnosed and labelled as ‘naughty’ and ‘problematic’ given the symptoms they experience like forgetfulness and daydreaming. ADHD makes it difficult for a child to be attentive and they become unable to control impulses; they find it difficult to finish tasks and are usually easily distracted.

This condition can be caused by hereditary factors, poor nutrition, substance abuse or brain injury. ADHD needs expert evaluation as there are specific criteria for diagnosis and not every hyperactive child has ADHD: symptoms can be managed through medication and therapy.

DYSPRAXIA

This is a condition which is rather common in children, yet less known. Dyspraxia makes it hard to coordinate physical movements; children with this condition often find it difficult to maintain posture and balance.

There’s no established cause for the condition as it’s believed that every person’s nerve cells controlling muscle movement develop differently. Affected children can improve if the condition is diagnosed early on with disease-specific intervention like process-oriented occupational therapy.

MOTHER, BABY & CHILD | JULY 2017 | 71

H E A LT H

EPILEPSY

Epilepsy is a common disorder found in people of all ages. This is a chronic condition characterised by the occurrence of multiple seizures, caused by a temporary disturbance in brain cells. Epilepsy may be caused by genetic factors, developmental disorders, infectious diseases and injury caused to the brain prior to birth. The severity of seizures varies from one child to another. Treatment options include seizure medications and lifestyle interventions.

HEADACHES

Most headaches aren’t indicative of neurological disorders. However, in some cases, they may be caused by a serious underlying issue like changes in the brain or body which send pain messages to the brain and result in headaches.

It’s important to monitor headaches in children, particularly when accompanied by other symptoms like vomiting, clumsiness, reduced alertness, etc.

DYSLEXIA

Dyslexia is a common learning disability in children, where they find it difficult to read accurately, spell, write and comprehend what’s written. The exact cause of the condition remains unidentified. Treatment involves specific teaching methods from various professionals. Dyslexic children can read to above average levels if diagnosed early.

CEREBRAL PALSY

This condition affects a child’s motor skills and is caused by brain damage before or during birth or early childhood life. This is one of the most common neurodevelopmental disorders in children and is categorised into various types depending on neurological signs.

Cerebral palsy causes children to have difficulty in coordination and movements such as standing, walking, bladder and bowel control, eating and even talking.

The condition is non-progressive and doesn’t worsen with age. There’s no definitive cause, but it’s believed to occur during pregnancy when the foetus doesn’t grow properly or develops brain damage. This condition can’t be cured, although treatment and therapies can help improve it.

MEETING YOUR CHILD’S NEEDS

Every neurological condition manifests itself differently in children. Some conditions can be cured, while others only managed. The early detection of each condition is crucial to ensure it doesn’t cause further complications.

Parents must pay attention to any unusual symptoms their child may experience and always make sure they take their concerns seriously. Seeking medical opinion in case of a doubt is always advisable. Always be open and voice your concerns to your specialist because their goal is to work with you and meet your child’s needs.

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WASHiNG YOUR FRUITS AND VEGETABLES EXPERTS SAY: WATER JUST ISN’T ENOUGH

Every mother knows the importance of washing fruits and vegetables before eating them to remove both dirt and pesticides. Do you use water to wash your produce? Most mothers do, but have you ever thought about how most pesticides are designed to be water-resistant and withstand the rain?

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.

How would you wash these fruits and veggies, among others, to protect your family from harmful pesticides? After countless studies, pesticides have been linked numerous diseases, especially in infants and children whose bodies are still developing.

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 BABY&&CHILD CHILD||JULY MAY 2017 2017 || 73 73 MOTHER,

H E A LT H

15 WAYS TO KEEP KIDS HEALTHY IN DUBAI 74 | JULY 2017 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD

1

Practice positive parenting. Happy mum, happy baby, we can’t say it enough. Bring happy habits into your home, including sharing a meal or keeping an activity calendar on the fridge. kidsFIRST Medical Center has locations in both Dubai and Abu Dhabi, and runs parenting classes to help mothers become more positive.

2

Choose healthier snacks. Fruits and vegetables are the healthiest options when it comes to kids’ snacking. Mix them up with yummy ingredients including peanut butter and hummus for nutritious, colourful snacks. No time to go grocery shopping?

Try Farmbox Dubai.

3

Sign the kids up for dancing classes. A fun way to exercise and foster developmental and communication skills, your kids can try kids’ Zumba, ballet, cheerleading and more. Visit Step Up Academy for some of the best classes for kids ages three and up.

4

Get them to play rugby. Learning to catch, pass, kick, run with the ball and play as part of a team will keep the kids healthy through an ever-popular sport. Rugby Kids UAE offers classes across different Dubai locations.

DOCTOR’S ORDERS Dr Noobi Koya

11

Get enough sleep. Sleep is responsible for keeping us both healthy and happy.

Babies, children and teens need more sleep than adults to support their quick mental and physical development. Children between five and 12 require at least nine to 10 hours of night-time sleep.

An early bedtime (between 7 pm and 8 pm) works best for babies and kids through school age and a consistent, soothing environment with no screen time will lead to better sleep.

5

Make waves. Swimming will help kids develop a stronger, fitter physique in no time. Not to mention, it’s extra fun because of all the splashing. Looking for classes? Waves Swim & Sports Academy even offers classes for babies as young as six months old.

12

6

Take advantage of summer camps. Summer camps are developmental havens for kids. Not only do they learn in a fun, relaxed environment, but they also meet new friends and learn more about different life concepts, which are usually specific to every camp.

13

7

Keep germs at bay. Encourage the kids to carry hand sanitisers, which are tiny enough to fit into their sports bag, or even small pocket. However, make sure they understand that this is not a substitute for washing their hands, a habit which should be a part of their daily routine.

8

Get them into the bubbles. We’ve just found out the kids can play football in a bubble – not figuratively, but literally.

Of course, that’s what childhood is all about. Just ask the folks at Bubble Soccer AE.

9

Teach them comedy. Kids are naturally quite funny as they have a different perspective on the world. If you think they have a talent to foster, sign them up for some classes at Dubomedy – some comedy gold, guaranteed.

10

Give family therapy a try. With courses for mums and children, Lighthouse Arabia will teach the kids about some major topics, including finding themselves and communicating their needs.

Specialist Paediatrician, Canadian Specialist Hospital

Drink plenty of water. Make sure your kids are properly hydrated as they don’t understand the need for hydration. It’s especially important during the hot summer months when there is a more sweating.

Avoid soft drinks. Soft drinks and sodas are full of sugars which offer zero nutritional benefits. They’re linked to poor dental health, excessive calorie intake, weight gain and type 2 diabetes. Not to mention, many of these drinks contain caffeine, which children should avoid.

14

Avoid fruit drinks. Drinks such as fruit punch, powdered mixes, lemonade and pouch drinks are high in refined sugars. If your child wants a flavoured drink, you can opt for fresh fruit juice, but these should also be used in moderation as they contain natural sugars which, in high amounts, can add extra calories.

15

Healthy eating habits. The importance of establishing healthy eating habits from a young age can’t be overemphasised. Make sure your child’s diet is rich in fresh fruits and vegetables, eggs, fish and meat. Avoid excessive amounts of dairy products. Processed foods should be kept to a minimum. Make allowances for junk food (once a week to 10 days).

MOTHER, BABY & CHILD | JULY 2017 | 75

H E A LT H

HEALTHY EATING HABITS FOR YOUR CHILDREN Mother, Baby & Child enlists the help of Dubai’s top nutritionists to advise on children’s eating habits.

Growing children need nutrient and calorie-dense foods because they are both growing, constantly playing and on the move. Introduce cultured foods, which contain naturally-occurring probiotics that provide children with a wide variety of health benefits such as better immunity and digestion; they do this by populating the digestive tract with healthy bacteria.

Cultured foods and beverages ferment (sour) naturally which boosts their nutritional value making meals easier to digest:

• Start with full-fat yogurt, then move on to cultured beverages like kombucha or kefir ‘sodas’.

• Add a probiotic supplement to your full fat yogurt by opening a capsule and sprinkling it over.

Children should be eating local, organic and seasonal fruits and vegetables daily. Organic foods are free of pesticides and other toxins; they also have more flavour and higher nutrient levels than non-organic sources.

• Get your kids involved! Take them to the farmer’s market to choose their own fresh produce, then let them help prepare it.

• Let them be little farmers by planting and growing their own food. Introduce a garden project – they’ll love tasting the fruits of their labour.

76 | JULY 2017 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD

Sinead Scott

Talise Fuel

Are you worried that your children aren't eating enough fruits and veggies?

• Thicken spaghetti sauce with puréed or finely-sliced veggies.

• Add fruits and veggies into baked goods. Try making chocolate zucchini cake, banana bread or carrot cookies for a sweet afternoon treat.

• Prepare a vegetarian omelette for breakfast with your kids, the way they like it.

• Make your own pizza packed with mashed veggies: they won’t even notice it.

• Blend some yummy fruits and yogurt to make a popsicle: the vibrant colours will make for a healthy snack that’s nutritious and fun to eat.

• Involving your children while making their dishes will make them more interested in trying out new fruits and veggies.

Providing your child with the right nutrition before they start exercising will help fuel their body, making them perform better.

Make sure they have a light pre-workout snack two hours before their exercise session, including carbohydrates which are digested slowly in the body for sustainable energy. Here are some ideas:

• Whole-grain cereals with low-fat milk • Baked potatoes with low-fat cheese • Low-fat yogurt with dried fruits and nuts • Low-fat labneh in multigrain cereal toast and tomatoes • A nutritious fruit shake made from fortified milk and your kids’ favourite fruits Remember, don’t give them a big meal just before the activity. Exercising on a full stomach isn’t recommended either as it may increase cramps and indigestion.

Maria Baghdoyan

Nestlé Middle East

Juices are a great source of energy and have all the nutrients required for the mind and body’s development.

I recommend getting the kids accustomed to the habit of having juices with their meals. However, kids of different ages have different requirements.

For children between the ages of one and three, juices of fruits such as pears, apples and oranges are recommended. Between four and nine, parents can increase its concentration and should try the juice of green leafy vegetables as well.

Children older than nine years old should be accustomed to consuming all kinds of juices including beetroot and bitter gourd and adopt the healthy habit of consuming a glass of freshly-squeezed juice with breakfast. For vegetable juicing beginners, I recommend starting with a carrot and/or two green apples as the base. Add celery, cucumber or lettuce, which are the easiest vegetables to drink. Ultimately, you want to aim to include more greens in your juices for their excellent healing properties. Include a slice of lemon when you juice greens to enhance nutrient absorption and improve taste.

Lama Al Naeli

Nutritionist and Kenwood Brand Ambassador MOTHER, BABY & CHILD | JULY 2017 | 77

H E A LT H

SUMMER SKIN PROBLEMS AND YOU CHILDREN

It’s no secret that the Dubai summer is hot, humid and dry. As Dubai residents know best, temperatures can soar higher than the Burj Khalifa sometimes; it’s essential to take good care of baby’s skin, and Eucerin Middle East Medical Manager Ruba Ahmad tells us how:

WHAT ARE THE MOST COMMON SUMMER SKIN PROBLEMS AMONG CHILDREN?

1

Sunburn: More common in children with lighter skin due to the lack of melanin, severe sunburn can cause pain and eventually result in the peeling of skin. In the UAE, we recommend that children use high-SPF sunscreen before stepping out during the summer. If they do get sunburnt, apply some after-sun moisturiser on their skin after they take a full-body bath with cold water.

To prevent sunburn, keep them out of the sun during peak hours and make them wear hats and light clothing; don’t forget to apply sunscreen generously, rubbing it all over to cover exposed areas. Parents often miss hidden areas including behind the ears, the back of the hands and neck and the lip area.

Sunscreen re-application is also forgotten very often; it should be every two hours while exposed to the sun, or more frequently if the child is sweating a lot, especially if they’re swimming.

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2

Summer rash: A catch-22 in the summer is the nasty heat rash caused by sweating, swimming and applying and re-applying sunscreen, especially the greasy type. If your child is prone to breakouts, look for sunscreens which are non-comedogenic and hypoallergenic.

Summer rashes usually manifest themselves in the form of itchy, red skin caused by excessive sweating. It’s recommended that children wear loose-fitting clothes, preferably made of cotton, to allow their skin to breathe even when it gets hot and humid.

3

Insect bites and stings: Mosquitoes love to prey on our little ones! Don’t forget to apply repellent on your children’s skin if you know you’ll be somewhere where it’d be required. Check the label, but most of them are safe for children over six months of age.

WHAT ARE SOME CHRONIC SKIN CONDITIONS AMONG CHILDREN WHICH MAY WORSEN DURING THE SUMMER?

The most common chronic conditions in children during the summer aren’t skin-related, but one that’s worth mentioning is the swimmer’s itch. This itchy rash appears after wading or swimming in lakes, oceans and other bodies of water. It’s caused by parasites burrowing into skin, causing tiny red spots on areas which aren’t covered. Sometimes, intensely itchy welts (hives) and blisters appear. Children are especially susceptible because they tend to stay in shallow, warmer water. You can prevent swimmer’s itch by keeping them out of infested water and briskly rubbing their skin with a towel after they get out. Caution: If their skin stings with brisk rubbing, stop!

PLEASE GIVE US SOME TIPS FOR MOTHERS TO PROTECT AND NOURISH THEIR CHILDREN’S SUMMER SKIN. • Keep newborns out of direct sunlight; once children cross the 6-month mark, sunscreen can be applied.

• Dress your little one in lightweight cotton clothing. Also, choose dark hues of red, blue or green as these don’t absorb sunlight. Ensure that your child wears a broad-brimmed hat and sunglasses which protect the eyes and the sensitive area surrounding them.

• The best sun protection is basically avoiding sunlight. Stay indoors between 10 am and 4 pm as this is when the sun’s rays are at their strongest.

• It’s important to eat fresh vegetables, fruits and superfoods which are high in antioxidants. Give your child plenty of fluids.

• Children tend to sweat a lot and can end up with a heat rash or prickly heat which are tiny, itchy red bumps on the neck, face, armpits and upper torso caused by clogged gland pores. To avoid these, use a mild fragrance-free soap and give them a lukewarm bath. It’s also recommended to consume vitamin C-rich fruits to prevent recurrence.

ARE THERE ANY RED FLAGS MOTHERS SHOULD BE AWARE OF WHICH MAY POINT TO A MAJOR PROBLEM? Mothers should always be on the lookout for any changes in skin colour, patches and reactions as well as allergies, red spots, cradle cap, seborrhoea and hives. These symptoms can indicate an allergic reaction to food, wet wipes, metals or bacteria, an infection (viral or bacterial), atopic eczema, sunburn or even measles!

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A ONE-NIGHT STAY AT DANAT JEBEL DHANNA RESORT WORTH AED 2,532

Time for a family staycation? Danat Jebel Dhanna Resort’s newly-built beachfront chalets are set on a white sandy beachfront of 800 metres and clear azure waters. Not only would your chalet be overlooking mesmerising views of the Arabian Gulf in a relaxed yet refined ambience, but the little ones will enjoy various amenities and water sports activities offered by the resort such as snorkelling, kayaking, deep sea fishing, wakeboarding and much more.

The resort also houses a temperature-controlled swimming pool for adults and kids, fitness centre, two floodlit tennis courts, an indoor as well as an outdoor kids’ play area and more.

To enter, please visit motherbabychild.com/competitions *Terms & Conditions apply

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A ONE-NIGHT STAY IN TILAL LIWA’S EXECUTIVE SUITE

INCLUSIVE OF BREAKFAST, LUNCH AND DINNER

WORTH AED 5,283

Tilal Liwa Hotel brings the best of Arabic traditions and culture to life. Located on the edge of the ‘The Empty Quarter’, the largest uninterrupted sand desert in the world amid rolling sand dunes and an unspoilt desert landscape, the hotel is built in traditional style; it’s a retreat for those who are seeking a unique desert experience in the true spirit of Arabia.

Imagine waking up to breath-taking views of some of the highest dunes in the world, then immersing yourself in an authentically-Arabian oasis of hospitality where tantalising restaurants, a sparkling outdoor pool and a full range of luxury amenities are a lush accompaniment to surrounding desert beauty.

It’s the perfect family retreat!

Whether you’re embarking on an exhilarating desert safari, quad biking, discovering traditional sites or simply escaping to solitude for a few days, this four-star UAE hotel resort guarantees an unforgettable experience.

tilalliwa.danathotels.com

To enter, please visit motherbabychild.com/competitions *Terms & Conditions apply

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COMPETITIONS Win One Week at Kid’s Island & Cocoon Nursery’s ‘Storybook Explorer’ Summer Camp Worth AED 900 Every week at Kid’s Island & Cocoon Nursery, children will become intrepid explorers as they march through the pages of some of their favourite books while having fun and making friends. Let your child escape the heat this holiday and embark on an adventure at their summer camp, located in Jumeirah 3; the camp is open to children ages 12 months to 4+ years.

Win an IXXI Disney Baby Collage Worth AED 290 A collection of the most charming, classic Disney figures, the Disney Baby collage in bright pastel colours makes this IXXI suitable for any children’s room. Picture perfect!

Win a Gift Voucher from ConfiDent Dental and Skin Care Clinic Worth AED 500 Win dental services such as a consultation, scaling, polishing or fluoride treatment at the Clinic’s Jumeirah 1 branch.

Win a Braun MultiQuick 7 Hand Blender Worth AED 500 Built in a unique shape with ultrahard stainless steel, Braun hand blenders can cut through all types of ingredients, giving you the desired results in no time and ensuring there’s no stress in the kitchen. These hand blenders can chop, blend, slice, dice and prepare dough with the single push of a button.

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.

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MOH SP55018