Job Discussion Forums

[Megaro]

I've spent a couple of weeks reading all you've written on Oman and have chosen Muscat as my desired destination to teach. It would be great if there were a 'where are they now" section because so many people asked the questions that I now have 1-4 years later. In particular, I'd like thoughts about going with a two year old. can anyone put me touch with any parents of young kids over there.


thanks - all your posts have been intriguing and very informative...but quite out of date.....where has everyone gone?

[Baz]

I'd also be interested in hearing from parents of small kids; I have a 2-year-old and a baby.

[Megaro]

Well I did come with my 2 yr old and all is well. It's near impossible to find a live in nanny but I'm in Ibra....it would be different in Muscat or Salalah. There's a site Muscat Moms that you can join as well.

[Baz]

Thanks, Megaro. I'm actually a dad, though!

[Megaro]

oh, I wouldn't descriminate if it was my site, tho. Anyway, the way to perhaps find a nanny is going to Al Fair or other such places where stuff is posted for sale or apts for rent. This is how I believe one can find a nanny, if you are looking.

[Sleepwalker]

A former colleague in Muscat has just lost her nanny. She disappeared when the police starting checking visas and jailing/deporting illegals. I believe this is an ongoing process.

Finding a good nanny may become harder unless your organisation allows you to sponsor your own.

[Baz]

But we don't want a round-the-clock, live-in nanny-- just someone to watch the kids for a few hours a day. I can't believe there's not much market for this kind of service.

[veiledsentiments]

The local people don't have the problem since they have large extended families. Non-western expats with families often have a sister brought in to help if both parents work. Of the Western expats - which is a relatively small number, the majority don't have children. Do you see what I am getting at? No, there really isn't much market.

The families that I knew with children either had a non-working mother or a live-in maid/nanny. SQU used to have a creche/daycare that could be used for part of the day that the teachers/mothers organized, but they are about the only employer large enough to have done this. Some people share their maid/nanny, but that is actually illegal for her as she is contracted to one family.

VS

[Baz]

Thanks, VS. My wife is tired of being a housewife (after nearly three years), so we might have to go for a full-time nanny after all.

[veiledsentiments]

You can always scope things out once you are there and network with the other parents. If you find someone who is very happy with their nanny... she just might have a sister back home.

VS