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It is a bit with a bittersweet mood that I upload Jenny and I's last episode as Two Mums in Dubai. As I type, the moving truck is at my house getting ready to ship stuff to Hong Kong. However, ALL IS NOT LOST!! Please stay subscribed as we are becoming Two Expat Mums (or something similar) and after summer you will still get biweekly episodes from us ALL ABOUT being a mum abroad. We love you and thanks for supporting us, and we think you will love the new format better than ever as it will have a more global and general view to apply to all mummies. Music credit goes to Naraina by Kevin McLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License - creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

This week we speak with Charlotte Borghesi of Kidz Inc and Children's Oasis Nursery about her busy life, career change, and whether earlier is really better when it comes to school. Apologies for the delay and thanks for sticking with us during the moving/transition process. We will also be doing an update in 2 weeks about the future of the podcast and how to keep listening and what to expect! In the meantime enjoy this podcast!! Music credit goes to Naraina by Kevin McLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License - creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Everything about Ramadan and common Emirati culture questions answered! We have the lovely Salama from the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding on our show to talk all things Ramadan! After that we talk about our experiences with Ramadan, let you know what to expect during this time, where to eat during daylight hours, and aim to clear up some common misconceptions. SInce this is re-released from 2017, you will hear Mish and Beck doing the interview, but the information is so relevant and great today that we needed to post again! A very big thank you to Salama and the team at the SMCCU | Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding. www.cultures.ae Please note this was recorded before Ramadan so we had the cultural breakfast, but please join them for the Iftars for more information! Music credit goes to Naraina by Kevin McLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License - creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

This one is for the new mamas, or the ones that want to look back to their own birth stories! Mish and Jenny speaks about our birth stories, neither of which were really “magical” and while we absolutely love our children, neither of the mammas came out of the delivery room feeling positive. The ladies talk about unrealistic expectations, preparing for changes to the birth plan, and having and training an advocate to stand up for you while you are in the hospital room. Thus we bring in fellow mamma podcaster Shereen Zarroug, who is the founder of Belly Baby Mom here in the UAE. She is a CBI Birth Doula & DONA trained Birth Doula, Lamaze Trained Childbirth Educator, KG Hypnobirthing (DipHb), and The Wise Hippo Birthing programme Hypnobirthing Practitioner. She was born and raised in Dubai and is passionate about educating and supporting women and families. Shereen is the founder of Belly Baby Mom UAE and is known to be the creative soul of the team. We loved having her on, talking VBACs, setting up the idea that you can plan for a positive birth experience while preparing to expect the unexpected. No matter how the baby came out, you are an equally heroic mamma either way! And if you feel like your birth didn’t go perfect – join the club!! :)

This week we speak about something all Dubai/UAE families love - TRAVEL and SNOW! Jenny has booked a trip to Lapland after her long awaited girls trip to the UK, and she is excited to see Santa. We invite on expert travel agent (and Jenny's actual agent) to discuss travelling to Lapland and to see Santa with her boys, We also discuss other travel options from UAE that are close and visa free. All her contact details are below: https://www.travelcounsellors.ae/andrea.bailey http://beyondavisit.com/ https://www.instagram.com/beyondavisit/ Please rate and review our podcast, and if you like us TELL A FRIEND! We will be eternally grateful. Also follow us on Instagram @twomumsindubai and Facebook by searching Two Mums in Dubai. Music credit goes to Naraina by Kevin McLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License - creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

This week is a funny one. As our kids continue to act a under 10 year old teenagers, we talk about our experiences, including that Mish's son was convinced I wore my pyjamas to the store (It was a dress!!) and that we are getting a lot of attitude from people who depend on us for their survival. But even more exciting and hilarious, we are joined by Sara Sadik. She is a REAL mom - who has a way of turning the hardest parts of pregnancy, newborns, and more into hilarious stories instead of depressing schedules that you will never be perfect enough to fulfill (and be depressed while trying). Actually she (and our podcast) is all about being real and appreciating the imperfections in life, and finding happiness and sisterhood in this. You've got to listen this week - you'll love her and I promise you will laugh (and hopefully not be your pants - but no promises if you just gave birth or have more than two kids). Enjoy!!! Please rate and review our podcast, and if you like us TELL A FRIEND! We will be eternally grateful. Also follow us on Instagram @twomumsindubai and Facebook by searching Two Mums in Dubai. Music credit goes to Naraina by Kevin McLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License - creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

This week the ladies talk about saying bittersweet goodbyes to visiting family and Jenny's 40th birthday. We also interview Functional nutritionist & Integrative nutritional Health Coach Ilse Onderweegs. She has a passion for kids & women's health & nutrition, and is FM certified. The Functional Nutritionist works closely with the client to conduct a holistic assessment of their nutritional requirements and to compile an individual program for diet and supplementation, in order to alleviate, or prevent illness and promote optimal health. www.icohealthyliving.com Please rate and review our podcast, and if you like us TELL A FRIEND! We will be eternally grateful. Also follow us on Instagram @twomumsindubai and Facebook by searching Two Mums in Dubai. Music credit goes to Naraina by Kevin McLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License - creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

This week the ladies mentally prepare Jenny for her upcoming 40th birthday and speak about the drama of their weeks. Mish continues to struggle through the MBA weekends while parenting and working, and Jenny rocks her new role at work. We also continue the second episode in our two week series of bringing you different parenting experts to guide you through your parenting journey. This week the ladies talk to another expert Amy Vogelaar, who is Co-Founder Love Parenting UAE, Her approach is to listen to your current parenting style, explain the science behind it, and allows you to form your own customised parenting style verses a prescriptive one-size-fits-all method. She is a former USA midwife, International Board Certified Lactation Consultant, Registered Lactation Consultant, Certified Infant Massage Instructo, Childbirth and Lactation Educator, and BabyCalm™ & ToddlerCalm™ Teacher. Frankly, she is backing up her methods with facts and training, which is always reassuring :)Mish met Amy when she personally attended her baby massage classes and even got her husband to attend toddler calm with her. Originally from the US, Amy brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the community. She has two girls of her own and has been supporting parents and babies in Dubai in her popular massage classes since 2011. She is passionate about educating and empowering parents to make their own decisions and find their own way during birth, postpartum and as parents. You can find all the details you need about her classes and company here: http://www.loveparentinguae.com/ Her classes fill up fast, but always email to see if they can fit one more in. Please rate and review our podcast, and if you like us TELL A FRIEND! We will be eternally grateful. Also follow us on Instagram @twomumsindubai and Facebook by searching Two Mums in Dubai. Music credit goes to Naraina by Kevin McLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License - creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

This week the ladies begin a 2 week series where we speak with different parenting experts in the UAE with different style. Andalene Salvesen, aka Super Granny and Founder of Munchkins is international speaker, author (A Brand New Child in 5 Easy Steps_ and parenting coach. Mother of four and proud grandmother of 10, her extensive expertise, stemming from being a stay-at-home mom, with an unparalleled passion for children, and later owning and heading up a mother & child workshop for 12 years, and a nursery school in Cape Town for 8 years, inspired her to combine her practical knowledge and valuable experience to help desperate parents. As she mentions in the podcast "either you love her or your hate her", and her visit brings up a little controversy as she does use some tougher discipline methods such as time out to bring order to the home. In this series, we will cover a variety of experts so you can find YOUR OWN way in parenting, and what is right for your children. The ladies encourage you to keep an open mind as listen, not just judging any of our experts from what you hear 2nd or 3rd hand online. Listening to others opinions and broadening your mind (doesn't mean changing it) is always a useful exercise as Mish and Jenny discuss. Main Website - https://www.munchkins.me/ About her - https://www.munchkins.me/about/ For most links from this episode visit our Facebook page @twomumsindubai and you will have links to all the events. Please rate and review our podcast, and if you like us TELL A FRIEND! We will be eternally grateful. Music credit goes to Naraina by Kevin McLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License - creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

This week the ladies discuss Mish's super birthday month of fun (and spending) while Jenny discusses her weekend speaking with some of the newest educators here in the UAE with whichschooladvisor.com . They also touch on their weekend activities, including some new and cool places such as Air Maniax and Aventura in Musrif Park. The ladies also spoke with Emilia Ohrtmann, a freelance brand and Squarespace website designer with a passion for helping women to pursue their dream.She started three businesses in the past decade in three different countries and had four kids in the meantime. She talks about what it’s like to juggle work and family, and the ruthless efficiency needed to get a full day’s work done before pick-up. She is also involved with Mums in Biz, an organisation here in the UAE helping women connect to build their businesses. Emilia Ohrtmann - https://www.mnfl-design.com/ Mums in Biz - https://www.facebook.com/groups/157882504929791/ For most links from this episode visit our Facebook and Instagram pages @twomumsindubai and you will have links to all the events. Please rate and review our podcast, and if you like us TELL A FRIEND! We will be eternally grateful. Parties: RockIt Science Parties - http://www.rockitscienceparties.com/ Wacky Fantazy - https://www.facebook.com/wackyfantazyevents/ Activities: Air Maniax - https://www.airmaniax.com/ Adventura - https://www.aventuraparks.com/ Music credit goes to Naraina by Kevin McLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License - creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Happy New Year! This week Jenny and Mish do the long awaited catch-up from the three (exhausting) weeks of school holidays. They follow this by speaking about setting goals for 2019 and how Jenny found a clearer path to her own by making a vision board. (skip to minute 45 if you would like to start here)We interview the career and business coach Elisabeth Hancock, who has a Masters in HR and Personnel Development, and coached Jenny through her vision board. She started her business here in Dubai to help people reach their personal and professional goals by finding their life passions and setting the realistic steps that they need to take to achieve their dreams. Elisabeth's website: elisabethhancock.com For most links from this episode visit our Facebook and Instagram pages @twomumsindubai and you will have links to all the events. Please rate and review our podcast, and if you like us TELL A FRIEND! We will be eternally grateful. Music credit goes to Naraina by Kevin McLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License - creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

This week we focus on the topic of reading, but before we have some some camping talk as Jenny explains camping to novice Mish who hates to get dirty and never wants to meet a camel spider. More importantly, we discuss the topic of reading with Andrea, which is so relevant here as our kids are being pushed to read earlier and earlier, and we want reading to becoming a lifelong love and not just a chore. Luckily, in Dubai the Emirates Literature Foundation has been established and is looking to spread this throughout the region. We also discuss upcoming Dubai Emirates Airline Festival of Literature, which offers workshops and inspiration for authors of all levels. LitFest Dubai 1 MARCH 2019 - 9 MARCH 2019 https://www.emirateslitfest.com/ Emirates Literature Foundation https://www.elfdubai.org/en/home For most links from this episode visit our Facebook page @twomumsindubai and you will have links to all the events. Please rate and review our podcast, and if you like us TELL A FRIEND! We will be eternally grateful. Music credit goes to Naraina by Kevin McLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License - creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Fillers, Botox, IPL, Chemical Peels and More - The week we speak with the fabulous dermatologist Dr. Lana from Chicago, USA now based in Dubai. By now we have all seen some of our friends dabbling in fillers, Botox, and more to slow down the signs of ageing. But on the flip side, there are terrifying examples of how it can go wrong or look totally unnatural (duck lips anyone?). As mums in Dubai and the UAE, we have access to some of the best doctors in the world to try this. It is not about changing your face completely, but giving self confidence and refreshing your look. But if you are nervous, we talk all the details of how the chemicals work, how to check qualifications, and much more. Dr. Lana at Cosmesurge in the Marina: https://www.cosmesurge.com/dt_doctors/dr-lana-kashlan/ What technically are Botox and Fillers: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/320510.php Check for DHA Professional License: https://www.dha.gov.ae/en/HealthRegulation/pages/physician.aspx For most links from this episode visit our Facebook page @twomumsindubai and you will have links to all the events. Please rate and review our podcast, and if you like us TELL A FRIEND! We will be eternally grateful. Music credit goes to Naraina by Kevin McLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License - creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

As we all know, the holidays are often the times we miss our families, whether it's Christmas, Diwali, Ramadan and others. As the stores are already "decking the halls" we have decided to discuss how we, as Dubai veterans, have made our own family traditions in the desert. From Christmas Carols in the Desert to the decorated malls, to my decorated doctor's office this morning, the Christmas season is one to be celebrated in Dubai. We discuss the best Santas, the hottest tree lighting ceremonies, and the best places to order your full Christmas feasts from (come on, it's Dubai). Jenny and Mish are already planning, and whether you enjoy the Santa, decorations, or religious celebrations, there is truly something for everyone in Dubai in December. Happy Holidays and enjoy planning your perfect traditions in the most cross cultural and accepting country! With love from Jenny and Mish For most links from this episode visit our Facebook page @twomumsindubai and you will have links to all the events. Please rate and review our podcast, and if you like us TELL A FRIEND! We will be eternally grateful. Music credit goes to Naraina by Kevin McLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License - creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

The week the ladies speak about all things regarding health and being an overwhelmed parent. We start off with our comical parenting fails and mum-guilt over the last few weeks, then move into all topics health fitness, nutrition, and getting check-ups! We were lucky to interview Fran of Frantastic Life, who explains why she moved from personal training to a more holistic approach of changing your life around nutrition. She talks about changing habits PERMANENTLY. Frantastic Life - https://frantasticlife.com/ Breast Cancer Self Check - https://www.breastcancer.org/symptoms/testing/types/self_exam Please rate and review our podcast, and if you like us TELL A FRIEND! We will be eternally grateful. Also follow us on Instagram and Facebook at Two Mums in Dubai. Music credit goes to Naraina by Kevin McLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License - creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

This week is started with a light catch-up about Halloween preparation, the start of visitor season and other updates from the Two Mums. In the interview portion we get serious, and be prepared to both cry and be inspired by one of the strongest women we know, Alexandra Sullivan. Alex lost her twins in late pregnancy and has used her experience to raise awareness about infant loss and the toll it takes on families, and to share what support is available here in Dubai through her organisation Little Angels - Love Through Loss. Little Angels - Love Through Loss https://www.facebook.com/littleangelssupport/ Small and Mighty Babies http://www.smallandmightybabies.com/lovethroughloss/ Articles https://www.thenational.ae/uae/health/bereaved-mother-s-day-heartbreaking-tales-of-loss-and-courage-1.727373 Please rate and review our podcast, and if you like us TELL A FRIEND! We will be eternally grateful. Music credit goes to Naraina by Kevin McLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License - creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

This week we focus on maids, maids, maids. As many of you know, new centres have opened that focus on how to hire help, which are a public/private partnership between the MOHRE - Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation and private companies to ensure both domestic workers and their employers have more choices and less headaches when going through this process. If you have any questions about hiring, interviewing, firing, protection of deposit, agency questions, or more, this episode is for you and straight from a government approved agency run by Denise McGinty of Housekeeping Co. It is a great move by the MOHRE to ensure that both employees and employers are protected, and the system is formalised. Housekeeping Co. - https://www.housekeepingco.com/ Tadbeer - https://gulfnews.com/guides/life/community/tadbeer-centres-hiring-domestic-workers-in-the-uae-1.2222253 Please rate and review our podcast, and if you like us TELL A FRIEND! We will be eternally grateful. Music credit goes to Naraina by Kevin McLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License - creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

We all struggle with our professional identities in the UAE, whether you are working long hours at an office, being a SAHM, a bit of both, retrain through schooling, or trying to re-enter the work environment. We talk about our own journeys, how we evolved for our pre-child selves into the Mums that we are today. Second, we interview a very interesting Mum, Nicola, who started RockIT Science and My Discovery Lab. She is inspiring girls and boys to get into STEAM/STEM through fun rather than the classes she taught as a science teacher. She also reinvented herself and redirected her career after coming to the UAE. Please rate and review our podcast, and if you like us TELL A FRIEND! We will be eternally grateful. Music credit goes to Naraina by Kevin McLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License - creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

This week the ladies go solo and talk about the back to school experience week. Jenny is celebrating being in Dubai for 10 years now, and we use the opportunity to go through the 5 stages of expat life and how we each survived each stage. If you are new or old to Dubai, you are probably at one of these stages! Please rate and review our podcast, and if you like us TELL A FRIEND! We will be eternally grateful. Music credit goes to Naraina by Kevin McLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License - creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

All About Hypnosis! As you may have seen online, hypnosis for weight loss and other bad habits is becoming significantly more popular. Our Mum Jenny did this a few years ago with great success, and we interview Debbie Hewitt who is a psychotherapist and hypnotherapist at Mind Solutions, to explore the process of how this works. For the introduction, we talk meditation apps, Netflix series, and more. We will address the beginning of school in our following episode as we have just landed! Hope you all had an excellent summer and are ready for another year in the desert. Please rate and review our podcast, and if you like us TELL A FRIEND! We will be eternally grateful. Mind Solutions: http://www.elitemindsolutions.com/ Music credit goes to Naraina by Kevin McLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License - creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/