If you’re reading this, you’re probably thinking about finding good quality care for your child and you’re wondering how to go about it. Everyone has their reasons for putting their children in daycare- you could be going back to work or school, you may have another child on the way, or just simply need a break for your sanity and want your child to engage and interact with others. Whatever the reason may be, I will share some tips that have helped me choose the right daycare for my son. It was q … [Read more...]
Toys for Boys and Toys for Girls? Grow Mama “Debate” Part II
March 29, 2017 by Leave a Comment
Field hockey left-winger, pitcher and second baseman, lifeguard, snowboarder, sprinter (with the best 90-meter time!), high jumper and Super Mario Go Kart Champion—Yup that was me growing up.So, you may be surprised to find that I have an issue with the concept of gender-neutral toys. What is gender neutrality you ask? Merriam-Webster defines it as ‘not referring to either sex but only to people in general’.How does this definition translate into the toy industry? Commonly, it’s taking to … [Read more...]
Toys for Boys and Toys for Girls? Grow Mama “Debate” Part I
March 16, 2017 by Leave a Comment
“We all can dance, if we find the music that we love.” – Giraffes Can’t Dance We’ve all done it. At times we’ve used our lives as a benchmark by which all others are measured. We project our values onto others and use this as a way to compare and contrast what is right and what is wrong. In raising a child you are absolutely expected to project your values onto them; how else will they grow up to be strong, independent adults if we don’t teach them exactly how to think, talk and act?Parent … [Read more...]
Why I Never Prayed For a Son
March 2, 2017 by Leave a Comment
Oh women!Allah raised your status from beneath the ground to the heavens. You were considered nothing— buried alive in Pre-Islamic Arabia— then He elevated you. You are the glad tidings to Jannah for your parents when you are born. You are a best friend to your siblings. You save your spouse from the fire of hell; you complete half his faith. It was for you the Prophet of Allah (pbuh) said, “paradise is beneath the feet of the mothers.”Jannah is guaranteed under your feet!So why, afte … [Read more...]
Six Ways to Get Kids on Board With Healthy Eating
February 18, 2017 by Leave a Comment
Healthy eating is probably one of the biggest motherhood struggles. It stresses them out. Moms go into healthy mode and look up recipes on Pinterest. They save them to their board and wipe out the kitchen from all the ‘junk food’ and vow to never let their kids breathe chocolate or candy every again. That lasts for a few days…if you’re lucky. Then it's back to the old eating habits. Those Pinterest recipes get forever stored on your board and you look at them every once in a while when you feel l … [Read more...]
I’m Not Sorry We Aren’t Pretty Enough For You
February 8, 2017 by Leave a Comment
After having two boys, I was thrilled to have a girl. Throughout my pregnancy, people reminded me to read Surah Yusuf lest I have an ugly child. Not to argue its merit, but I had always found this advice to be off-putting. It would be accompanied by an encouraging smile, which made me feel like my husband and I were ogres and that between the two of us only Surah Yusuf could save our poor child.I have a confession, I rarely read Surah Yusuf while pregnant. Beauty was never a huge priority … [Read more...]
The Children are Awake: Post-Inauguration Spiritual Lessons
January 27, 2017 by Leave a Comment
We woke our children up with extra gentleness the morning after inauguration day. The night was too long, filled with sad, sleepless thoughts about the road ahead.Calls for optimism filled our social media feed, but many of us were still busy calming the anxiety within ourselves and our homes. We had some dark dreams that night, but it's morning now, the children are awake, and God is the light of the heavens and the earth.Islam teaches us that the wisest, purest, and bravest things … [Read more...]
Baby Blues: What I Wish I Had Known
January 19, 2017 by Leave a Comment
The moment we all look forward to when we’re pregnant: holding our precious babies in our arms after they’re born. Our emotions are made up of some combination of joy, relief, comfort, longing, exhaustion, excitement, and anxiety to name a few. We hold this tiny human being that was living inside of us and we think “did this really just happen?” The concept of becoming a mother is phenomenal and miraculous to say the least. We spend nine months preparing everything we’re going to need for the bab … [Read more...]
Blessings from Above: Dua’a and Quranic Verses to Recite During Pregnancy
December 29, 2016 by Leave a Comment
Assalamu Alaikum mamas and mamas-to-be. Congratulations to you and your family on your bun in the oven. May Allah bless you with a healthy and happy baby who lives and strives off faith and Islam.Motherhood! A very exciting experience and something I believe most women desire and dream for, as we are born nurtures. Amidst all the excitement, shopping, and getting our homes ready for this new addition to the family, sometimes we forget our spiritual connection with that Exalted Being who has … [Read more...]
Holly Jolly Muslim
December 23, 2016 by Leave a Comment
When I married my husband, people were very happy for us alhamdulillah, but as my husband comes from a Ukrainian Catholic family, there was one concern that seemed to come up again and again from people: “OMG! What are you going to do about Christmas?” “When you have kids, you’re not going to let them celebrate Christmas are you??” I had of course thought about this too but these questions only served to create anxiety. Looking back now I view those questions surrounding Christmas to be a bit sil … [Read more...]
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