Job Discussion Forums

[desertflower]

Hi All

Just wanted to get general information from mothers who work for KAU
, how did you adjusted to saudi arabia with small children i.e sorting housing, child care etc ... do you get help when you arrive at the
university, i havent yet been given a contract but its in the process. so would love to love to hear your advice.

[nomad soul]

I think you'll be hard-pressed to find even a few single, expat moms teaching in KSA. I only know of two teachers---both non-westerners---who are single (divorced) mothers. However, they have relatives living with them to help raise the children. If you won't have that type of support system available to you, seriously consider working somewhere else in the world that's more conducive to single women with children. Otherwise, you'll likely have to deal with sponsorship issues in addition to legal documentation regarding custody from the non-custodial parent if you expect to have your children with you in the Kingdom. If that's your intention, you'll need to have that conversation with your potential employer asap.

[desertflower]

Thank you nomad for your reply.. I did include my child in the application form. They havent mentioned him in the process yet...I guess its early stages as they dealing with transcripts documents etc.

[nomad soul]

[veiledsentiments]

For sure you will need signed permission from the father...

I agree with NS that you need to contact them immediately so that neither you or they waste any time with other paperwork if bringing a small child is an issue for them. If it is permissible and all the paperwork is completed, I wouldn't expect them to provide any help in settling in...

VS

[lcanupp1964]

I may have explained the point of KAU not being in a position to provide any extra help for single, working mothers in a few private messages between the OP and myself. Getting other feedback/advice is always a good thing though.

I even spoke with a few people at the ladies campus and at the Recruitment Unit that supports both the men's and ladies' campuses about this topic and they all informed me that - to paraphrase - all teachers need to be ready to start working within days of landing at the airport. They just don't have the experience, or cultural mindset (I wish they did) to be in a position to provide assistance like granting extra, extra time off to find "more suitable" housing, day care - especially getting the university to pay for any care - that would be a pipe dream. I do hope it works out for you and good luck.

[nomad soul]

Amen to that, Icanupp. Employers expect teachers to report to work soon after arrival, which even further complicates things for the OP. But first, she needs to deal with the bigger issue of bringing her child into the country as the legal, custodial parent. As previously mentioned, that involves specific documentation from the child's father.

Regardless, I really don't see this employment situation as feasible given her circumstances and expectations. Patriarchal Saudi Arabia is enough of a challenge for single expat women without children.

[sicklyman]

[MsRT]

Not sure of your child's age, but the uni has childcare on site however it does get full quite quickly. I also say it's best to bring this up with recruitment.

All the best

[Gulezar]

I know a single mum and her daughter did not get into KSA until the start of the second semester in January, as I remember. That was a few years back.

[desertflower]

Thank you everyone for your input, yes I did email the recruiters about bringing my child with me. They said ''As long as you included them on the application thats all we need for now''... So i guess I just have to wait and see what they offer once my papers have gone through with HR.