Leaving children in care of nannies is impractical

Readers say women should not be reliant on nannies for the care of their children. Other topics: desert, drugs, conservation

Readers acknowledge the role of caregivers, but agree that they are not a substitute for mothers. Amy Leang / The National

I am commenting on Ayesha Almazroui's opinion article Parents must be more involved in children's lives (April 14).

I had no choice but to get hired help. I had three children under 3 years and my husband worked in Saudi Arabia. After 18 months I decided I couldn’t have a complete stranger doing my job.

For the next five years, I did it alone. What I needed was support, for which I hired an individual. In those years I set the ground rules for the children, such as eating and sleeping patterns. A year ago I went back to work part-time. I work their school hours to make sure I am home after school. A few months ago I hired a full-time helper – she is amazing. She doesn’t cook, but packs school lunches. I sit and do homework with the kids.

Help is needed and these ladies are there to assist, not replace mothers. Shame on those parents who abuse a helper’s position.

Taghred Chandab, Abu Dhabi

The less time you spend with children, the less tolerant you become. Why don’t we look for some solutions such as affordable childcare with qualified staff, quality before- and after-school care, flexible work and childcare hours. Parents, especially expatriates who do not have family members close by, need support and childcare facilities.

In addition, first-aid training and language programmes for domestic workers are necessary. So putting the blame entirely on them may be wrong.

Michal Teague, Abu Dhabi

Aside from parents and maids, just think how hard it is on the children. If all they know is that the maid is the mother, then leaving her and never seeing her again must be painful.

Atif Ali Bokhari, US

My dad told me about some children who were at his rock-climbing gym with their parents and their nanny. When one of their daughters got to the top, she said: “Nanny, nanny, look, I made it.” So sad.

Lindsay Räger, Abu Dhabi

If you are ever going to leave your child in the care of someone else, the most important decision you will make will be who that person is.

Nina Thomson, Dubai

Fine those who fail to clean up desert

I am responding to the news item Dubai issues deadline to dismantle winter desert camps (April 13). It is heartening that Dubai Municipality takes the desert areas seriously and makes every possible effort to ensure cleanliness and hygiene in those areas. The winter camps should be dismantled and cleared up within the specified period of time. In my opinion, it is fair to impose fines on those who fail to clear up the desert before the deadline.

Fatima Suhail, Sharjah

Rubbish issue needs solution

I refer to the article Rubbish revolution, or just a waste? (March 30). The problem is with the rubbish bins at individual buildings. Currently those bins need to be emptied into larger ones. The rubbish is then taken out manually by collectors and put into another container. The whole process is cumbersome and creates an unhygienic condition as it leaves a mess on the ground in front of the waste container.

One solution could be to introduce containers in buildings that can be directly emptied into the rubbish-collection vehicles and underground containers so as to eliminate the need to transfer the waste manually. This is done with perfection in many countries in the world.

Tom Plant, Abu Dhabi

UAE’s conservation efforts laudable

This refers to the article Australian way to deal with scarcity of water (April 14).

It is great that the growing population and its future needs are on the agenda. Measures have to be taken now if we wish to provide for the generations to come. Efforts, whether small or big, should be made to conserve the environment and scarce resources.

Name withheld by request

These experiments reflect the vision and commitment of the UAE’s leadership.

I saw corn fields in the Western Region. They are green and fresh and they make the whole surrounding look different. They are really beautiful.

Phattarita Phattarathanatnont, Abu Dhabi