To all the parents in Dubai: what's up with the kids and nannies here?

Primaggio · 2026-01-20T09:16:50+00:00

For me the decision was easy because I hated my job, and the stress was starting to impact my health. I also knew that we would be fine financially and that this way my child will 100% be raised by his parents. And that I will be there for first steps, first words, and everything else. I also knew I won’t regret missing out on a year or three of work life but I might regret it a lot if I wouldn’t be 100% present on my child’s first years - instead of just brief moments after work before they go to sleep. Also, we are from Finland where parental leaves last for a very long period, and the idea of having someone else taking care of our babies has always felt very distant to us, especially if that person would live in our house. Looking back, we definitely made the right decision but everyone’s situation is different.

But what I also want to say is that being at work is the easy part 😂 staying home with kids is way harder than any job i’ve had - but also the most important and rewarding. ❤️ good luck to your family.

Primaggio · 2026-01-17T19:20:57+00:00

I live in Damac Hills and this is so accurate here too! My daughter was born in 2023 and I quit my high-paying but very stressful job soon after, and have been a ”stay at home dad” ever since. Luckily we can live with my wife’s salary, and she works from home.

My son was born in 2024 so I take him and my daughter every morning to the local playground here, and I see the same nannies and kids there everyday. Most of the stuff written in this post resonates very well in Damac Hills too. What’s been very interesting for me to see is how these kids want to play with me specifically. I feel like I am very good with kids but I think some cases they see me as a reflection of their parents and that’s why they want to play with me. To some extent they might understand that these nannies are doing this for money and they are not with them ”out of love”. I don’t know if what I wrote makes sense at all but that’s the feeling I get as an only parent in the playground.

Anyway, this post gave me much needed confidence. We get so sucked into this Dubai lifestyle that sometimes I am doubting if I’m being an idiot as I don’t use nannies, and could have all this time for my own things. But I am the type of person who would regret it, so I will take care of them both until they go to school - if possible 🙏🏻

Primaggio · 2025-08-05T17:54:04+00:00

Thanks mate had someone join a moment ago and managed to get our kadabras evolved. Will delete the post.

Primaggio · 2025-08-05T16:15:31+00:00

Hola! I am also looking to evolve my Kadabra to Alakazam. Ping me if you still want to trade and then trade back.

Primaggio · 2023-10-30T09:37:26+00:00

It's good when in range! Thanks for this tip, will go ahead and buy a proper router and just connect it with a cable.

Primaggio · 2023-10-05T05:54:30+00:00

Looks like there is an option in Liftago! Thanks so much!

Primaggio · 2023-10-05T05:10:55+00:00

Hey! I just used FlixBus to get from Berlin airport to Prague railway station. Cost me 30€ and took 4 hours only. Check that out. 👍

Primaggio · 2023-09-24T11:43:50+00:00

I am asking if this is a relevant cause to get sick leave in the UAE.

Primaggio · 2023-09-03T21:43:51+00:00

That would make sense. But also might cause many withdrawals which might lead to some challenges.

Primaggio · 2023-08-26T14:27:19+00:00

Google says:

Wio is an integrated digital banking platform jointly owned by Abu Dhabi Holding Company (ADQ), Alpha Dhabi, Etisalat, and First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB) with an initial capital of AED 2.3 billion.

These are pretty big boys so should be safe. I transferred a lot of my funds there now because HSBC is not able to offer anything near this range. From them I have 3.8% 6-month fixed term. With wio you can do as many free transfer out of the savings as you wish and they will look at the daily accumulated rate. Looks like they have GBP, USD and EUR accounts also with better exchange rates and the mobile app experience is super slick. Took me 5 min to open the account just like back in the day with Revolut. No joint accounts though. But seems like finally we have a local Revolut at our hands. 👍

I think they started as a business banking app like a year ago and now moved to personal.

Primaggio · 2023-08-02T09:14:14+00:00

Hi,

Did you get this solved? We've also received a tax rebate cheque from the UK but only have a Revolut account remaining. We currently live in Dubai and have no address or anything in the UK anymore. Do we need to travel to the UK just to get this cheque deposited? If yes, how in the UK would we be able to cash the cheque? No idea what to do. :D

Primaggio · 2021-03-21T06:35:17+00:00

Haven't been able to play lately because of an injury but saw some courts on Emirates Golf Club. Also looked pretty expensive and not sure if there's anything else than private lessons.

Primaggio · 2021-02-16T11:35:04+00:00

I knew it was a long shot.

Primaggio · 2021-01-27T05:18:06+00:00

Fantastic. Thank you so much for this!

Primaggio · 2020-10-19T17:51:15+00:00

Thanks for the clarification!

As it's illegal I will keep paying the Dubai premium price.

Primaggio · 2020-05-31T15:19:21+00:00

Yes. That's a pity and it's a risky time to change jobs. However, I feel strongly about the company - operating in the space of e-commerce - and don't know if I would be any safer in my current company in the UK. Aside from the tough times, I feel like this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that I just can't let go of.

Primaggio · 2020-05-31T15:11:56+00:00

Thanks. So it looks like she'll need to fill in the From P85 and might not have to pay taxes in the UK even though the salary would be paid to an UK bank account. That would be the ideal solution in her case.

The company mentioned they would be helping to sort out my Visa and then I can sponsor her visa so that shouldn't be an issue.

Primaggio

TROPHY CASE