Writer, journalist, blogger, mother of boys, A380 pilot's wife, sun-worshipper and distracted housewife surrounded by souks, skyscrapers, shopping, sea and sand.
If you like my blog, please click the cover to find out about my book!
Meet all sorts of characters straight out of daily life in Dubai: Helicopter Mum, the Atlantis Tooth Fairy, Shopaholic Katie and many more. Includes Travel with Kids: The Bad & the Worse and the popular short story Cupcakes & Heels
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Tag Archives: Dubai schools
On losing it over homework (and why they won’t cooperate)
Saturday morning (the last day of the weekend here in the UAE) saw me feeling determined: my kids were going to get their homework done early, rather than leaving it until last thing on Saturday night when we’re all tired … Continue reading
The school holiday whammy
That’s it: in my next life, I’m coming back as an expat child. They get soooo many holidays. I mean, it is actually a bit ridiculous. My boys went back to school after two long months of summer holiday at … Continue reading
Throwback Tuesday: Underhand school run tips
Mothers across Dubai are either breathing a huge sigh of relief or sobbing into their hankies this week as they drop their children at school for the start of the new term. But rather than simply depositing your offspring into … Continue reading
My first e-book: A quick summer read for just 99p (or less!)
Please share! If you’re looking for a light summer read, please think about downloading my first e-book. It’s a short (ish) story, and a super-quick, easy read. I’m raising a celebratory glass, as, believe me, I nearly went cross-eyed trying … Continue reading
Posted in Dubai schools, Parenting
Tagged Circles in the Sand fiction, Cupcakes & Heels, Dubai moms, Dubai mums, Dubai schools, e-book about Dubai mothers, I don't know how she does it abroad, Marianne Makdisi author, Marianne Makdisi fiction, pilot's life Dubai, pilot's wife Dubai, short story, UAE, working mom, working mom in Dubai, working mother, working mum, working mum in Dubai
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On being an emotional wreck at the end of term!
I can’t believe it’s nearly the end of the school year. Just a week to go here in the UAE. I find it such an emotional time. Friends leaving, switching schools. A forced move coming up. Time passing too quickly. … Continue reading
Posted in Expat, Parenting
Tagged 10-year-old boy's wish list, change, Dubai schools, Dubai summer, Emirates forced move, Emirates housing relocation, emotional at the end of the school year, end of term, end of the school year, expat life, friends leaving, left-handed art, life in Dubai, people leaving the UAE, pilot's wife in Dubai, primary school art, raising children in Dubai, UAE summer
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On watching our little tadpoles in the school swim gala
All the parents from Son2’s year were invited yesterday to watch the swim demo. There are some remarkable swimmers among school children in Dubai – given that they swim so regularly, both at school and for fun, it wouldn’t surprise … Continue reading
Posted in Children, Dubai, Expat, Family, Parenting, School
Tagged Dubai school swim gala, Dubai school swimming demo, Dubai school swimming lessons, Dubai schools, kids showing potential as Olympic swimmers, Michael Phelps, schools swim gala, swimming in Dubai, swimming pools in Dubai
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On bribing your children
We all do this – don’t we? “If you eat your greens, you can have a cookie.” “If you do your homework without whining, you can have your iPad back.” But what about cash bribes? As a non-parent, it never … Continue reading
Blond(ish) mum and son seek new friends
“I’ve got some great news Mum!” “What’s that?” I asked, raising my eyebrows a fraction. “Zaid and Ryan say they’re going to stay at school until Year 12.” Raptor smiled. “That’s good,” I said, and thought, “we’ll see about that.” Not … Continue reading
Posted in Parenting
Tagged Dubai schools, expat children, expat friends, expat kids, losing expat friends
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When 68 days of summer holiday isn’t enough
You’d think, wouldn’t you, that two months and a week would be long enough for a school holiday. It certainly was for me. Today the epic summer vacation came to an end for Son1 – Son2 still has another day … Continue reading
A note on school remember lists
It could be because it’s the last week of term, but I feel like I have a mild form of dementia this week. I’m forgetting all sorts of school-related things. And, boy, do the kids let me know about this! … Continue reading
Posted in Children, Dubai, Expat, Family, Parenting, School, UAE
Tagged demanding schools, demands for things needed at school, Dubai schools, Jeans for Genes Day in Dubai, last week of school term, mothering primary school-aged children, parent forgetting things for school, parents find there's too much to remember for school, the challenges of motherhood
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CIRCLES IN THE SAND … Marianne Makdisi 