Moving to Bahrain - anybody there?

[DonutMum]

Hiya, just joined Mumsnet. Looking for expats in Bahrain - we're about to move there (well, DH already there) after boy number 3 makes an appearance in July. Any hints/tips/good places for mother and baby clubs?

[Starmummy]

Hi Good luck with the move. Cant help with Bahrain except to say www.expatwoman.com is a good bet, not specifically dedicated to Bahrain but plenty of people who can help. Its very very very hot and humid in July, personally I would try to hold off till September (or later)if possible.

[expatmama]

hello donutmum, just come across your thread, not sure whether you will still be checking it, but wanted to say that there are a fair few baby groups -

dilman club has bumps and beyond group on sat and thurs

rugby club has sticky fingers on mon and wed

chaoss gym has various groups

softplay group mon and wed

british club also has a group and there is one in awali (not sure of venue)

musical babies group, various mornings, need to sign up for a term of sessions in advance

am sure there are more that i can't think of at the moment as well. if you get your husband to pick up a copy of bahrain this month, there are listings with the timings of some groups in there.

i agree with starmummy that it is like a bunsen in july/august but one thing to bear in mind is that ramadan falls in september this year which might not be the greatest time to move over if you can avoid it as all the restaurants and coffee shops are closed during daylight hours, which will really restrict you being able to get out and about when you arrive.

hope this helps. anything else you want to know, i'll do my best to answer!

[expatmama]

just wanted to add that of course you can get out and about during ramadan, it's not like you have to hide at home, but the not eating and drinking in public tends to mean that most folks do socialise from home for the month.

[DonutMum]

Hiya expatmama, thanks for the tips. Got to go in August as need to prepare the boys for school - they've got into the British School. Any views on that? Also on the wait list for St Chris but have gone right off them for various reasons! I'll just make sure hubby gets the booze in before ramadan starts. Where are you based? We're on a compound in Budaiya/Barbar so hoping for a nice group of folks there - met some already when we were out in April and they seem really nice anyway. Will be joining the dilmun club I reckon - only a 5 minute drive from the house.

Anyway, thanks again

[expatmama]

hello there, glad you saw my post.

what age are your boys? mine are 3.5 and 1.5. my eldest will start at st chris in the nursery year in sept. when we first got to bahrain, the british school was still based in manama (it moved to it's current site in sept last year), so it was only because of location that we didn't also apply there for him.

we currently live in saar, but are probably moving to barbar over the summer (long story!!). does your compound have a name?

we are members of the dilman, i know it's not the flashiest of places but it's great for the kids.

any other queries, just shout.

[DonutMum]

Hiya, just sent a reply to you via CAT. Hope you get it! If not, send me another post. I'll put this one on watch.

[ShinySarah]

Hi,
Just read your message and was wondering how your move went? We're moving over there a few months after baby arrives (first baby!) in September from the Uk and was looking for any advice or tips?

[mumsinbahrain]

Hi Welcome (as assume you are here by now)
I am also a bahrain mummy and have a 15 month old boy.
You can get pretty much all the info you will need ie best shops, playgroups, places to visit with kids, baby services, special offers etc on this website
www.mumsinbahrain.com - they also have a new forum for mums to meet and swap info on x
Great place to have kids
cx

[ShinySarah]

Hey,
Thanks for the info! We were delayed going out and now we're back in the UK for xmas but back to bahrain for new year. Where are you living in Bahrain? Any tips on the best baby clubs as my little boy will only be 3 months! x