Disclaimer: The experiences and opinions described in this article solely reflect those of the writer and are not intended to be taken as medical advice. Please seek out the assistance of a medical professional if you have any concerns about the topics discussed below.On a beautiful sunny winter day in November 2017, we arrived in Qatar from the UK, ready to start our new life as a family. My eldest daughter, Keshavi, had just turned three years old. From birth, she oozed vibrance and exuberant energy. Her outgoing, bubbly spirit shone throughout her early years. She was also an adventurous…
Author: Leena Bathia
The importance of structured learning during childhood through schooling is undeniable. However, the skills children learn at home are some of the most valuable ones they can gain that will remain with them throughout their lives. An enriching family life packed with unique experiences can significantly enhance a child’s school learning abilities. It can also prepare them to gain problem-solving skills and deal with real-world situations from an early age. So if you are wondering how you can turn your daily home life into an educational experience, here are some suggestions to get started.Encourage Decision MakingMaking decisions is a life…
Four years ago, my family’s day to day life was overhauled when we took the plunge to move from the United Kingdom to Qatar. Last year, it took another unexpected turn. This is the story of my journey here in Doha, from being a burnt-out healthcare worker to an inspired business owner.Making Our MoveLike many expat families with strong home roots, diving into a new life in another country had challenged our comfort zones and all the norms we knew.This transition came after I was offered a lucrative opportunity to work as a pharmacist in a newly opened paediatric hospital.…
It can be extremely challenging as a family to go from living in a place where sustainability is ingrained in daily life to uprooting to a completely different environment. It requires strong commitment and responsibility from at least one adult to consistently lead and guide the family regardless of the changing circumstances.A move abroad can lead to adapting to a new lifestyle and forgetting how we used to live. Although being adaptable is an essential skill, it should not lead us to discard our core values. For our family, sustainability is one of them.A new home and environment need to…
Growing up in the 1980s as a British-Indian brought up by immigrant parents, I experienced a traditional upbringing. I was raised with a rather authoritative parenting style. So, I strived to be the perfect child to be considered worthy. I yearned to be accepted and subconsciously mastered how to be the model child.As I grew into an adult, this led me to feel a little lost and sometimes suffocated. Despite that, a single heartstring would always pull me towards connecting to and learning something creative and new—something from my childhood that I never fully explored. This yearning was so strong…