For expatriate families, February means one thing if you're lucky: grandparents. A move to the UAE guarantees non-stop sunshine, tax-free living and amazing beaches, but it also means removing yourself from family.
Come February, however, grandparents arrive in the UAE in their droves to catch up with their nearest and dearest and escape cold winters in Europe and North America. Dubai Modern High School even holds its own Grandparents Day every February - giving children a chance to show off their classrooms and schoolwork to Grandma and Grandad. Some grandparents fly to Dubai especially for the event.
So, if you've got grandparents coming to stay, how can you make sure the trip goes well? Everyone has high expectations and the pressure of what is probably an annual event means success is essential. For this reason, it is worth talking through the details of the trip with your children in advance. Grandma, for example, might expect a kiss when she gets off the plane, but your six-year-old might not be so keen to kiss a "stranger". In this case, it's worth encouraging your child to be responsive ahead of time.
"Parents should say to the child that greeting grandparents as family is expected, but let the relationship between the two work its way through the natural bonding process," advises Dr Raymond Hamden, a psychologist at the Human Relations Institute, Dubai (hridubai.com).
Plan some fun trips together that everyone can enjoy, such as days out to the zoo, the beach, a museum or the movies. "These experiences can be remembered by your children as positive, loving and warm, so that they look forward to their grandparents visiting again," says Naeema Jiwani, a child development psychologist at the HRI. And make sure there's time at home, too, so grandparents don't get worn out.
Most of all, ensure each of your children has some one-to-one time with their grandparents, because this is when bonds are really formed, even if it just means popping out to the supermarket together.
It's worth keeping in mind that grandparents will be very excited and enthusiastic about meeting their grandchildren. "It is important not to take their over-enthusiasm as annoying, but rather as a sign that they are genuinely interested in the development and bond they form with their grandchildren," says Jiwani. Try to relax your household rules and let your parents help out as much as possible; even if that means later bedtimes or extra treats, it's only for a short while.
Inevitably, grandparents will have to leave and there will be tears. Hamden says you should let your children cry, but reassure them with plans for future visits and the possibility of going to visit grandparents abroad. In the meantime, there are many ways of staying in touch, thanks to advances in technology:
Mobile phone
With slightly older children, grandparents can keep in touch via texting or sending pictures. Children enjoy hearing about the routine of their life - whether it's a picture of the dog having its dinner, or Granddad in muddy boots in the garden. If your parents aren't sure how to do anything other than make a call, let your children enjoy teaching them how to use their phone when they visit.
Online photo album
Consider building an online photo album on a website such as Myfamily.com or Flickr.com. This will enable grandchildren, parents and grandparents to add pictures whenever they want and to share them with everyone. If your child has won an award at school or your parents have been on holiday, it is easy to put up images of the occasion online and is certainly faster than waiting for the post to arrive.
Email
it doesn't take long for grandchildren to overtake their grandparents in terms of technical know-how. So encourage your children to write emails to their grandparents, or try instant messaging.
Social networking sites
if you have older children and they belong to a site such as Facebook, they might be happy to "friend" their grandparents and then they'll be able to see what they've been up to. If your children aren't keen on the idea of sharing everything with Granny, think about setting up a family social group on Myfamily.com which provides a secure space where all members can share photos, videos, stories and events.
Post
It might be old-school, but children love receiving letters and packages, so encourage your parents to keep in touch this way. They could send postcards of their hometown, or when they go on trips. They could even send packages with little treats for the children to open.
In spite of the copious new ways of keeping in touch, you probably still feel sad, and maybe guilty, about the fact that your parents are so far away. Children benefit hugely from contact with grandparents, but take heart in the fact that they don't need to be around the corner.
"Grandparents are an integral part of growing up, whether the older folks are near or far in proximity, because they are usually consistent," says Hamden. "They have time for the little ones while parents are managing the 'changes of the world' and grandparents have a more relaxed and content attitude about life and living. They are available unconditionally."
While it might have been your decision to move overseas, be reassured that making an effort to keep in touch will make all the difference. "The most important thing is communication. As long as grandchildren know their grandparents are thinking about them, it doesn't matter how they do it," says Jiwani. "Whether it's an occasional email, a regular Skype conversation or even letters in the post, the power of love, fun and shared experiences is much more powerful than being physically distant from one another."
Surrogate elders
Even if your parents are whizzes at techno-communication and could rival Mark Zuckerberg when it comes to time spent on Facebook, it still might not be enough. If your daughter simply misses making flapjacks with grandma, or you're a first-time mother and need a helping hand, there is a solution.
The British expatriate and mother-of-two Andrea Alan came up with the idea after a series of sleepless nights when her daughter had chickenpox and she was missing the support relatives can offer. While searching a Dubai forum, Alan saw a post from an older woman who was missing her own children and grandchildren and that's when she dreamt up surrogate grandparents - something both parties could benefit from. Alan holds weekly meetings to give mothers and "fairy godmothers" a chance to meet up and see if they click. She has more than 170 mothers and godmothers involved, as well as a busy Facebook group.
To get involved with the club, search for "the Fairy Godmother Club (Dubai)" on Facebook.
artslife@thenational.ae
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The major Hashd factions linked to Iran:
Badr Organisation: Seen as the most militarily capable faction in the Hashd. Iraqi Shiite exiles opposed to Saddam Hussein set up the group in Tehran in the early 1980s as the Badr Corps under the supervision of the Iran Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC). The militia exalts Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei but intermittently cooperated with the US military.
Saraya Al Salam (Peace Brigade): Comprised of former members of the officially defunct Mahdi Army, a militia that was commanded by Iraqi cleric Moqtada Al Sadr and fought US and Iraqi government and other forces between 2004 and 2008. As part of a political overhaul aimed as casting Mr Al Sadr as a more nationalist and less sectarian figure, the cleric formed Saraya Al Salam in 2014. The group’s relations with Iran has been volatile.
Kataeb Hezbollah: The group, which is fighting on behalf of the Bashar Al Assad government in Syria, traces its origins to attacks on US forces in Iraq in 2004 and adopts a tough stance against Washington, calling the United States “the enemy of humanity”.
Asaeb Ahl Al Haq: An offshoot of the Mahdi Army active in Syria. Asaeb Ahl Al Haq’s leader Qais al Khazali was a student of Mr Al Moqtada’s late father Mohammed Sadeq Al Sadr, a prominent Shiite cleric who was killed during Saddam Hussein’s rule.
Harakat Hezbollah Al Nujaba: Formed in 2013 to fight alongside Mr Al Assad’s loyalists in Syria before joining the Hashd. The group is seen as among the most ideological and sectarian-driven Hashd militias in Syria and is the major recruiter of foreign fighters to Syria.
Saraya Al Khorasani: The ICRG formed Saraya Al Khorasani in the mid-1990s and the group is seen as the most ideologically attached to Iran among Tehran’s satellites in Iraq.
(Source: The Wilson Centre, the International Centre for the Study of Radicalisation)
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How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
THE BIO
Family: I have three siblings, one older brother (age 25) and two younger sisters, 20 and 13
Favourite book: Asking for my favourite book has to be one of the hardest questions. However a current favourite would be Sidewalk by Mitchell Duneier
Favourite place to travel to: Any walkable city. I also love nature and wildlife
What do you love eating or cooking: I’m constantly in the kitchen. Ever since I changed the way I eat I enjoy choosing and creating what goes into my body. However, nothing can top home cooked food from my parents.
Favorite place to go in the UAE: A quiet beach.
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ESSENTIALS
The flights
Emirates, Etihad and Swiss fly direct from the UAE to Zurich from Dh2,855 return, including taxes.
The chalet
Chalet N is currently open in winter only, between now and April 21. During the ski season, starting on December 11, a week’s rental costs from €210,000 (Dh898,431) per week for the whole property, which has 22 beds in total, across six suites, three double rooms and a children’s suite. The price includes all scheduled meals, a week’s ski pass, Wi-Fi, parking, transfers between Munich, Innsbruck or Zurich airports and one 50-minute massage per person. Private ski lessons cost from €360 (Dh1,541) per day. Halal food is available on request.
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl turbo
Power: 247hp at 6,500rpm
Torque: 370Nm from 1,500-3,500rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 7.8L/100km
Price: from Dh94,900
On sale: now
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The specs
Engine: Direct injection 4-cylinder 1.4-litre
Power: 150hp
Torque: 250Nm
Price: From Dh139,000
On sale: Now
The specs
Engine: Long-range single or dual motor with 200kW or 400kW battery
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Max touring range: 620km / 590km
Price: From Dh250,000 (estimated)
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Gully Boy
Director: Zoya Akhtar
Producer: Excel Entertainment & Tiger Baby
Cast: Ranveer Singh, Alia Bhatt, Kalki Koechlin, Siddhant Chaturvedi
Rating: 4/5 stars
If you go
Where to stay: Courtyard by Marriott Titusville Kennedy Space Centre has unparalleled views of the Indian River. Alligators can be spotted from hotel room balconies, as can several rocket launch sites. The hotel also boasts cool space-themed decor.
When to go: Florida is best experienced during the winter months, from November to May, before the humidity kicks in.
How to get there: Emirates currently flies from Dubai to Orlando five times a week.
From Zero
Artist: Linkin Park
Label: Warner Records
Number of tracks: 11
Rating: 4/5
UAE-based players
Goodlands Riders: Jamshaid Butt, Ali Abid, JD Mahesh, Vibhor Shahi, Faizan Asif, Nadeem Rahim
Rose Hill Warriors: Faraz Sheikh, Ashok Kumar, Thabreez Ali, Janaka Chathuranga, Muzammil Afridi, Ameer Hamza
Company%20Profile
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Call of Duty: Black Ops 6
Developer: Treyarch, Raven Software
Publisher: Activision
Console: PlayStation 4 & 5, Windows, Xbox One & Series X/S
Rating: 3.5/5
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Joker: Folie a Deux
Starring: Joaquin Phoenix, Lady Gaga, Brendan Gleeson
Director: Todd Phillips
Rating: 2/5
Super Saturday race card
4pm: Mahab Al Shimaal Group 3 | US$350,000 | (Dirt) | 1,200m
4.35pm: Al Bastakiya Listed | $300,000 | (D) | 1,900m
5.10pm: Nad Al Sheba Turf Group 3 | $350,000 | (Turf) | 1,200m
5.45pm: Burj Nahaar Group 3 | $350,000 | (D) | 1,600m
6.20pm: Dubai City of Gold Group 2 | $300,000 | (T) | 2,410m
6.55pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round 3 Group 1 | $600,000 | (D) | 2,000m
7.30pm: Jebel Hatta Group 1 | $400,000 | (T) | 1,800m
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: HyperSpace
Started: 2020
Founders: Alexander Heller, Rama Allen and Desi Gonzalez
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Entertainment
Number of staff: 210
Investment raised: $75 million from investors including Galaxy Interactive, Riyadh Season, Sega Ventures and Apis Venture Partners
Kanguva
Director: Siva
Stars: Suriya, Bobby Deol, Disha Patani, Yogi Babu, Redin Kingsley
Electoral College Victory
Trump has so far secured 295 Electoral College votes, according to the Associated Press, exceeding the 270 needed to win. Only Nevada and Arizona remain to be called, and both swing states are leaning Republican. Trump swept all five remaining swing states, North Carolina, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin, sealing his path to victory and giving him a strong mandate.
Popular Vote Tally
The count is ongoing, but Trump currently leads with nearly 51 per cent of the popular vote to Harris’s 47.6 per cent. Trump has over 72.2 million votes, while Harris trails with approximately 67.4 million.
The specs
Engine: 77.4kW all-wheel-drive dual motor
Power: 320bhp
Torque: 605Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh219,000
On sale: Now
Other ways to buy used products in the UAE
UAE insurance firm Al Wathba National Insurance Company (AWNIC) last year launched an e-commerce website with a facility enabling users to buy car wrecks.
Bidders and potential buyers register on the online salvage car auction portal to view vehicles, review condition reports, or arrange physical surveys, and then start bidding for motors they plan to restore or harvest for parts.
Physical salvage car auctions are a common method for insurers around the world to move on heavily damaged vehicles, but AWNIC is one of the few UAE insurers to offer such services online.
For cars and less sizeable items such as bicycles and furniture, Dubizzle is arguably the best-known marketplace for pre-loved.
Founded in 2005, in recent years it has been joined by a plethora of Facebook community pages for shifting used goods, including Abu Dhabi Marketplace, Flea Market UAE and Arabian Ranches Souq Market while sites such as The Luxury Closet and Riot deal largely in second-hand fashion.
At the high-end of the pre-used spectrum, resellers such as Timepiece360.ae, WatchBox Middle East and Watches Market Dubai deal in authenticated second-hand luxury timepieces from brands such as Rolex, Hublot and Tag Heuer, with a warranty.
In-demand jobs and monthly salaries
- Technology expert in robotics and automation: Dh20,000 to Dh40,000
- Energy engineer: Dh25,000 to Dh30,000
- Production engineer: Dh30,000 to Dh40,000
- Data-driven supply chain management professional: Dh30,000 to Dh50,000
- HR leader: Dh40,000 to Dh60,000
- Engineering leader: Dh30,000 to Dh55,000
- Project manager: Dh55,000 to Dh65,000
- Senior reservoir engineer: Dh40,000 to Dh55,000
- Senior drilling engineer: Dh38,000 to Dh46,000
- Senior process engineer: Dh28,000 to Dh38,000
- Senior maintenance engineer: Dh22,000 to Dh34,000
- Field engineer: Dh6,500 to Dh7,500
- Field supervisor: Dh9,000 to Dh12,000
- Field operator: Dh5,000 to Dh7,000
Wicked
Director: Jon M Chu
Stars: Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Jonathan Bailey
Our legal consultant
Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
The specs
Engine: Dual 180kW and 300kW front and rear motors
Power: 480kW
Torque: 850Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh359,900 ($98,000)
On sale: Now
Five films to watch
Castle in the Sky (1986)
Grave of the Fireflies (1988)
Only Yesterday (1991)
Pom Poki (1994)
The Tale of Princess Kaguya (2013)
Company Profile
Company name: Big Farm Brothers
Started: September 2020
Founders: Vishal Mahajan and Navneet Kaur
Based: Dubai Investment Park 1
Industry: food and agriculture
Initial investment: $205,000
Current staff: eight to 10
Future plan: to expand to other GCC markets
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Citadel: Honey Bunny first episode
Directors: Raj & DK
Stars: Varun Dhawan, Samantha Ruth Prabhu, Kashvi Majmundar, Kay Kay Menon
Rating: 4/5
