“We are looking for the treasure the fairies left for us!” explains an enthusiastic boy from under a bush while his playmate carefully opens her fist to show me the bright, colorful treasure of marbles they’ve discovered behind the library. The library won’t open for another hour and since I have time to kill and a three year old to entertain I venture back there, where we run into this little preschool class, enchanted with finding fairy treasures. My three... Read more
I’ve have always known that I have a terrible memory. Now, after having two children, I sometimes wish it were better. I wish I can commit to memory how elated they looked when they took that first step, or how high their voice was when they said their first word, or that look of surprise on their face at the first taste of sweet, frosty ice cream. Nonetheless, I have come to the realization that my weak memory has actually... Read more
Hurricane Sandy came down fast and furious. We know it affected millions of people, even those that did not live in its’ direct path. The destruction was widespread, and many estimate it will cost billions of dollars. But we know its’ real cost will exceed any dollar amount. Just ask the family who lost the bottom floor of their house and all their cars and are still living in a shelter days later. Or the retired couple who lost the dream home they built on... Read more
GrowBaba spotlights provide a space for Muslim fathers to share their voice, reflections, and insights with our community. Let’s admit it folks, there is nothing more quenching to the embattled soul than long awaited sweet revenge. Don’t worry, no blood or terror here –though there are definitely battle scars. You see, back when this 44 year-old father of three was in 6th grade, they used to ask me, “how can you just stand there?” and “why don’t you fight back?.” Day... Read more
Last Friday on Eid Al-Adha, Muslims sacrificed an animal by hand in the tradition of Prophet Abraham. The guidelines for sacrifice are precise–the animal should be well-fed, free of defects, comfortably cared for, and above a certain age. The knife should be sharp, the animal should be shielded from sight of any fellow creatures being sacrificed and spared any distress until the very last moment. A swift cut by human hand and pronouncement of the name of God, and it... Read more
Growmama Picks is a collection of fun, interesting, and inspiring links that we share with you at the end of every month. Enjoy! 1. Get outdoors and garden with even the littlest ones, it’s getting cold but these fun and creative ideas will warm the hearts and homes of all families. 2. Homeschooling or not, every mom could use these tips on ways to keep your toddler busy. 3. Don’t forget to keep up your level of physical activity this... Read more
What time is it? I ask my son for the umpteenth time. I’m counting every minute lately, and still I’m racing, racing, racing with the clock as it tick, tick, ticks away. I’m juggling laundry and making Eid sweets, making sure there is something for everyone at iftar time, helping my kids with homework, the baby is on my constant tail, tugging at my skirt. My daughter announces she needs to take a token gift for her classmates (we decide... Read more
You know that feeling. That once in a while feeling that “I’ve got this under control.” I’m on time, ticking off items on a checklist, there’s a bounce in my step, I have the right attitude, and everything’s where it’s supposed to be. Except when it’s not. I lump all the times when life does not feel right under the category of ‘heartbreak.’ I’ve been here quite often, and the more years that go by, the more forms of it... Read more
It is the first time I am taking her out. I am nervous how she will be in the car. I pack her diapers and extra clothes for the trip in case she wets herself. I grab some snacks and food for her dinner. It is only a two-hour drive, but I want to make it a smooth ride for her. Once I have gathered all her things, she is ready to be put in the car. I carefully lift... Read more
A couple of weeks ago as I was skimming through the Huffington Post, I came across an article titled, “Pregnancy Cost: Is Having Kids Becoming Unaffordable for Middle Class Women?” Middle class here is not meant to mean Mitt Romney’s definition of middle class with salaries ranging from 200-250 thousand dollars a year. No, the middle class in this article reflects a more realistic number, with one couple interviewed grossing over $100,000 dollars annually while living in a posh D.C.... Read more
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