Tag Archives: expat children

Expat Brats: The Signs To Look Out For

Posted on June 7, 2017 by Circles in the Sand

My friend A was recently worrying whether her children were becoming expat brats. On a trip back to the UK, her sons were horrified when she got out to fill the car with petrol and insisted they wait for ‘the … Continue reading →

Posted in Parenting | Tagged children in Dubai, Dubai kids, expat brat syndrome, expat brats, expat children, expat children Dubai, spoilt expat children, TCK, third culture kids | 1 Comment

Blond(ish) mum and son seek new friends

Posted on September 30, 2015 by Circles in the Sand

“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 | Leave a comment

So how was your weekend?

Posted on January 19, 2015 by Circles in the Sand

It’s something you don’t expect to hear when you ask someone about their weekend. But with my son attending a school where at least 60 per cent of the students come from airline families (who get super cheap tickets), I’ve … Continue reading →

Posted in Children, Dubai, Expat, Family, Parenting, Travel, Weekend | Tagged airline family in Dubai, airline travel perks, Dubai schools, Emirates staff travel, expat children, pilot's family life in Dubai, pilot's wife Dubai | Leave a comment

Why dress-up days should be outlawed

Posted on January 11, 2015 by Circles in the Sand

First, let me just say that Son2 loves to dress up, and finds it a big thrill to go to school in anything other than his navy-blue shorts and pinstriped, button-up shirt. In his closet, you’ll find plenty of costumes depicting … Continue reading →

Posted in Children, Dubai, Expat, Family, Parenting, School | Tagged African Explorer Day, book character day, character day at school, children dressing up, children's costumes, costume days at school, dads getting involved with dress-up days at school, dads making costumes for school, dress-up days at school, Dubai schools, expat children, giant nerf gun, the challenges of having primary school age children, UAE schools | 2 Comments

Silently stealing luggage space

Posted on October 12, 2014 by Circles in the Sand

My DH took the children away last week. I couldn’t go because of work, so I (rather forlornly) waved them off to Beirut, where their grandparents live. It was the first time I’d had to ‘let the boys go’, and … Continue reading →

Posted in Children, Dubai, Expat, Family, Parenting, School | Tagged class mascot, Dubai schools, expat children, expat kids, men and women have different packing styles, packing suitcases, taking the class bear home, travelling toy in an international school | Leave a comment

An 8-year-old’s embryonic blog

Posted on June 30, 2014 by Circles in the Sand

Thank goodness that, for Son1, at least, the days of bringing back half a rainforest of artwork are over. This week, he’s mostly brought home exercise books, rather than the artistic creations exploding with glitter and glue that used to … Continue reading →

Posted in Children, Dubai, Expat, Family, Parenting, School | Tagged an 8-year-old's weekend diary, Dubai schools, expat children | Leave a comment

Class list Jenga

Posted on June 25, 2014 by Circles in the Sand

This week, many mums in Dubai found out which classes their children are going to be in from September. Each year (and for Son1, it is an annual event), the release of the class lists is an eagerly anticipated event. … Continue reading →

Posted in Children, Dubai, Expat, Family, Friends, Parenting, School | Tagged circles of friends getting broken up when classes are mixed up, class lists, Dubai schools, expat children, is mixing up school classes a good idea?, mixing up school classes, mum worried about her child not being with friends in new class, mums anxious about their children's classes being mixed up, teachers deciding next year's class lists | 6 Comments

The ‘bear’-faced selfie

Posted on March 25, 2014 by Circles in the Sand

It was the moment Son2 had been waiting for since the beginning of the school year: The day he got to take Bernie, the class bear, home. Bernie arrived at our house in a bag, with his scrapbook – a … Continue reading →

Posted in Children, Dubai, Expat, Family, Parenting, School, Weekend | Tagged Dubai schools, expat children, expat kids, homework for moms, homework for mums, taking the class bear home, taking the class mascot home | 6 Comments

Why kids LOVE the lunar calendar

Posted on June 4, 2013 by Circles in the Sand

Despite the fact the two-month summer holiday is hurtling towards us like a steam train, Son 2 is now on half term. With only 15 school days left until the end of term, springing a half-term holiday on us now … Continue reading →

Posted in Children, Dubai, Expat, Parenting, School | Tagged Dubai days off school, Dubai school calendar, Dubai school holidays, expat children, living in a Muslim country, lunar calendar, Muslim festivals, schools in Dubai, schools in the Middle East, UAE public holidays | 9 Comments

On being let off the school run

Posted on February 27, 2013 by Circles in the Sand

I’d heard a lot about carpooling – an arrangement that lets you off the school-run hook two or three times a week, then bites you in the bum the rest of the time (you know what I mean – dragging … Continue reading →