Growmama Picks is a collection of fun, interesting, and inspiring links that we share with you at the end of every month. Enjoy! 1. Do you have an older child on Facebook? These tips can guide a conversation about friends and “frenemies”, cyber bullying, healthy relationships and fake ones. 2. What story do people see in you? When is it time to rewrite the stories we present to others and project on ourselves? 3. Braiding our child’s hair, washing their... Read more
I have been watching in dismay at the response of some Muslims worldwide to the ridiculous movie posted online mocking our beloved Prophet (S). This sadness is a feeling that I have noticed is widely shared in the American Muslim community. I protest and condemn, in the strongest terms, the violence, death, aggression and injustice that have all resulted. This is probably the exact reaction that the movie maker could only dream to have garnered. So, who has now painted... Read more
Prayer has the ability to lighten your heart, to take away your grief and sorrow and to strengthen your imân. Our journey in this world is often to be compared with a walk through rural mountains. Beautiful and breathtaking as they can be, they require also a steady walk, good preparation and lots of positive energy if one sets his mind on exploring them. The gifts we receive during our lives contain many blessings and benefits for one who is... Read more
I spent a great deal of time with my children this summer. By time I mean one on one time getting to know them. Not the time I spend turbo driving from one summer event to another. Due to family health issues, we were not able to move about in our usual turbo speeds. Usually our summers are full of basketball, swimming, soccer, Islamic school, art & science camps, and endless outdoor play. This summer we slowed down. A lot.... Read more
When we first arrived at our guest house in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, the housekeeper greeted us at the gate and showed us to our room. I remember I laid my sleeping seven-week-old baby down on the bed and nodded and pretended to listen as the housekeeper chattered away, and as soon as she closed the door, when I was finally alone, I sat in a chair in the corner and cried, looking out the window at my new life. Although... Read more
She climbs onto the twin sized bed, as difficult as it is for her, and proceeds to slap him on the face. As she hits him again and again, she grins, sometimes babbling. This is what her brother wakes up to many mornings. No wonder he’s not a morning person. He doesn’t get angry though, after all, he adores her. As the day continues, she is her happiest when he’s around. When he leaves for school, she half crawls, half... Read more
Kay recently started going to masjid on Saturday mornings. Her father and I had decided when she turned 5 we would start sending her. My husband’s initial suggestion was to have someone come to our house and teach her. I was a little against this idea because that was how I was taught Quran, and only Quran. I didn’t learn anything else specifically about salah, duas, or our Prophets (peace and blessings be upon them all). My neighborhood has several... Read more
“Who is this for? We don’t want this. Take it back.” The words fell upon my ears like a smack in the face. I was expecting to hear duas and praises to Allah when Ramadan groceries showed up at the doorstep of this needy family. Instead, I was shocked, confused, and hurt upon being turned away and unwelcomed. Why did this happen? Ya Hayyu, ya Qayyumu, bi-rahmatika astaghith. O the Living, O the Eternal, I seek help by Your grace. I believe I had... Read more
Al Haleem. I struggle with parenting and this beautiful characteristic of Allah SWT, this name that blows me to pieces. To catch someone hurting you, disobeying you, stabbing you, and to let it go, forgive it, forget it, while having full power to punish for it. To overlook, to glance over, to allow someone the chance to start new because you overlooked their mistake. It’s Ramadan, the month of practicing patience, of rising above my anger, of letting things go. ... Read more
As we begin the last ten days of Ramadan, here are some links to give you a boost and help you increase your blessings and productivity in this blessed month. We pray that we all come out on the other side of Ramadan with shining faces and pure, forgiven hearts. 1. Check out some great content, audio and written, at the new 40 Hadith Nawawi website. 2. Don’t forget to reach out to your neighbors! Ramadan and Eid provide the perfect occasion... Read more
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