Job Discussion Forums

LadyBrettAshley · Joined: 30 Mar 2006 Posts: 18 Location: USA

Does anyone have advice about moving a very North American family into Kuwait? My husband and I have job offers, but have not committed ourselves to the move because of the uncertainty of the quality of the lives of our children, 17 and 3. What I want to know is if my three year old will be able to go outside and play (any green areas? baseball fields, playgrounds, soccer fields...) Will my 17 year old be able to drive? (Is it safe?) What will he be giving up? I will be teaching in an American school, so I know there will be other American students that he will meet and build friendships with, but what do they do for fun? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

LadyBrett

q8teacher · Joined: 06 Mar 2006 Posts: 23

Pardon me while I break out into roaring laughter!!! Not meaning to be discourging but Kuwait is not a place that is known for places for children to play. You will not encounter grass. Now there are alot of amusement parks(Kuwait Magic, Shaab Park and the new Marah land, )but the way Kuwait is set up, there has been no attention given to city planning like we see it in the west. I know of one park in Fintas with some play equipment, and one in Mishref by the grocery and home stores-but parks are few and far between. More likely you will find swirling sand lots surrounding your apartment. Now the children on my floor all get together in the hallway and play together, but that's also a new concept since they're raised by nannies who don't punish them so they have few social skills. Buildings spring up within 6 months, so even if you have a sandy lot, it'll likely be used for parking, or will be sold and built on right away. As for your older son, Kuwait is not a place you want a teenager to drive. There are similar laws of driving like in the west, but they are not enforced. The traffic police really are just there to clean up accidents, and catching old cars to find illegals-not aggressive drivers. The crashes you pass every day are truly gruesome. There is no following distance in the fast lane so you truly must just pray that everyone ahead of you is paying attention so they don't cause a massive back to back accident. If your kids get sick there are public and private clinics. Your big kid will do fine in private American schools like UAS. For fun Thursday and Friday nights there's stop and go traffic as groups of teens try and flirt with eachother by driving side to side in their cars and exchanging cell phone numbers. There are also plenty of cinemas and kids hang out in groups at the Starbucks and malls.

alyshia · Joined: 17 Mar 2006 Posts: 12 Location: Kuwait

hi,

from what i know -- teens spend time in the malls, coffee shops and 'hanging out'
younger children can join hockey teams (yes, there is a kids hockey league in kuwait) as well as other groups and such.

yeah.... not a lot of parks here or grass for that matter (there are amusement parks though a plenty)

My suggestion ... as a family you should probably consider joining a "health club" so you have a place to hang out that's nice (e.g with trees, grass, pools, gyms, beaches, tennis/squash, games for the kids etc.etc.)- they really range in price but for a family, probably you'll pay anywhere between $1,700 USD and $3,000 per year - There are many options and it's a good idea to give your family something to do and a place to "be."

That's my two cents!
Alyshia (Canadian in Kuwait)

LadyBrettAshley · Joined: 30 Mar 2006 Posts: 18 Location: USA

I appreciate all the advice. Looks like we are on our way! I look forward to the experience. My last reservation is that it seems that everyone has a nanny and that it is the "norm". While I appreciate other societies and customs I can not fathom the idea of allowing someone I do not know, to be a significant influence in my child's rearing. I have been reassured that it is "great" and that I will "love" it, but I love my child more. I work hard here in the states and I sacrifice a lot, just to be sure that I spend as much time as possible with my children. Does anyone know if there are families who do not use a nanny? Thanks for the replies!

LadyBrett

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

Over my 15 years in the Gulf, only about 20% of the Western teachers that I worked with had actual nannies. Most Americans did not.

If you wish to hire help, you may want to consider a maid or cook - part time or full time. That is more common. But it is certainly not a requirement. And anyone who has a problem with your NOT having any help is probably someone you don't care to know anyway. Laughing

VS

LadyBrettAshley · Joined: 30 Mar 2006 Posts: 18 Location: USA

Good news! :D

LadyBrettAshley · Joined: 30 Mar 2006 Posts: 18 Location: USA

Good news! :D

Fred Bilbo · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 52 Location: Kuwait

You don't need a nanny, a maid/cleaner maybe, but there are lots of places for a three year old, ie kindergartens, play groups. I don't know one western family that has a full-time nanny.

British Tutor Kuwait · Joined: 25 Nov 2005 Posts: 41 Location: Kuwait

Welcome to Kuwait! Yes, in Kuwait city, there is a green grass park for children to play and enjoy family picnics. There is also a large green grass verge to play on and have family picnics just by the sea coast area, further along Gulf Road towards the Kuwait Ports Authority section.
The daily concerns being the temperature and humidity, etc. However, when the climate permits, children do enjoy such outdoor places.
I and other Western ladies in Kuwait would even show you when here!
On that point .....
Since 1st August 2006, Sats/Mons/Weds between 5pm-8pm in response to innumerous enquiries from non-Muslim Westerners speaking English, a Government Ministry provides a confidential 'Q & A' line to call Kuwait 2417117 and 'Ask the Grand Mosque'.

Westerners enjoy free internet access to check email during visits and obtain facts more quickly about the way of life or local customs, by speaking to its welcoming Western staff with a similar mind-set, in the Centre that is open to serve them. Visitors often marvel at the beautiful architecture and book ahead for Grand Mosque Guided Tours in English.

Why? Non-Muslim Westerners ask about a myriad of topics or matters of concern. For example, on how Islam relates to their friends, family or career in the Gulf. Questions on local culture, customs, amenities, the rights of women, inheritance, accommodation, salaries, property, marriage, divorce, child-rearing, praying or schooling. "Kuwait will become a shining example of moderation for the world." declared Abdullah Al-Maatouq, Minister of Awqaf & Islamic Affairs, optimistically when opening the first out of five centres. Emails welcome: [email protected]