Where did the time go?! It seems like yesterday that fellow blogger, Lori, and I just found out we were pregnant at a friend’s wedding and didn’t tell anyone there. From learning to care for a newborn to breastfeeding while juggling work, it has been a crazy 8 months. Oh wait, and moving to another country!

My son and I against the Dubai skyline

My husband and I had discussed the possibility of living abroad before we even had a baby. We both agreed it would be a great experience, if the opportunity came upon us. Everything happened so quickly, my pregnancy flew by, our son arrived, and then the job offer came.

Within a blink of an eye, my husband had to move to Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates, when Malek was only 2 months old. We decided that it was best to wait until our son was 6 months old before moving him overseas, based on the pediatrician’s recommendation.

Since my husband moved earlier than Malek and I, I got to experience bits and pieces of being a single parent. Being a mom is hard enough, but being a single parent that is a different story! I respect anyone that is a single parent, it’s definitely no joke! Luckily I had a great support system from my sister-in-law, my in-laws, and my parents while my husband was gone.

In November, my son and I arrived in Dubai. We were so excited to see my husband and finally be a family again. I was anxious to explore what this city had to offer. In the last few months, I have learned to adjust more, along with accepting change to living in another country. Dubai is filled with expatriates from all over the world and this Middle Eastern City is not what you stereotypically see on TV.

I would describe Dubai as the Las Vegas of the Middle East — near an ocean. The city and/or emirate has immaculate skyscrapers, beautiful blue watered beaches, chic hotels with night clubs, and manmade islands with traditional Arabic culture. From my experiences here, everywhere you go it is extremely family friendly. Kids and babies get tons of attention from people. I think my son will have a tough time once we move back to America and he does not get so much attention.

Here are a few interesting tidbits about my life in Dubai so far:

One stop shopping at the mall.

Malek, the center of attention at a sushi spot

The malls here are set up where you can go to the bank, grocery store, pharmacy, restaurants, cafes, salons, tailors, and probably some more. You can run all of your errands in one place. The only thing bad for me is the temptation to go shopping!

Services for everything.
Dry cleaning is picked up and delivered to your home. Every cleaning company pretty much offers this. Maid service is so affordable! Best thing ever for moms! You pay a little less than 10 dollars per hour for cleaning service. It’s well worth it to me. Full Service is offered at every gas station. Don’t worry, you never have to pump your gas in the heat!

Expensive baby products.
This was one thing that was hard for me because I’ve always been a bargain shopper, baby anything is about double or triple the price of what I paid in the U.S. Anything from diapers, baby food, clothes, and accessories are more. I guess the reason behind this is because almost everything has be to imported here.

Surprising safety.
I have to say I feel safer here than I did in Houston. Crime does happen here, although it is much less than many places. I am grateful for this, especially with a baby.
I am still adjusting and every day is an adventure but so far our family is enjoying our time in a foreign land!

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Category: Guest Author

Tags: baby