‘ Why we stayed on when my husband lost his job’
As the pandemic takes a toll on families in terms of job loss, I am reminded of how three years ago, my husband — an engineer in a private firm — lost his job. So in early 2017, we found ourselves a one- income family.
Our son was still not in school, so the time was ripe for us tomake a move, but we decided otherwise. We had nearly run through out savings when my husband found a new job. It was a decision we didn’t really regret. I hear of so many families buckling down and choosing to stay in the UAE. What is motivating them? Howare they managing in terms of funds?
I can tell you why we did it.
We rationalised it. Our son wasn’t in school yet. My parents were still here. I had a job that I loved and although things were tight on a single paycheck, they were doable without the cost of education weighing in. Finally, we didn’t need childcare or house help.
Emotional reasons
Both my husband and me grew up in the Middle East — I in the UAE and he in Saudi Arabia. We are far more comfortable here than perhaps anywhere else in the world. We love the lifestyle, the openness, the diverse culture.
We absolutely adore the level of security, and the environment that is safe for bringing up young children.
How we managed
Having figured out the procedures for me to sponsor my husband and son, we made a few trips from Abu Dhabi to Dubai to sort it out. Then my husband hunkered in on the job hunt, calling friends and contacts, applying online, writing to people both inside and outside the UAE ... it was a job in itself. While I went to work, he stayed home raising our son.
Itwas more than a year before he found a position, and there were many moments of despair as we watched our funds dwindle. We worried themost about school fees, especially whenwe found out that we were soon to be a family of four.
In hindsight, it was worth it
Looking back, Iwonder if we would do it again. Certainly, the stakes are higher now, with a child in school and another nearly set for a nursery education. Employment is also harder to find, but the fact remains that the UAE is home to many a family like ours— straddling two cultures, and most at peace with the cultural diversity, morality and comfort that the nation offers.