I used to be known as the “log”. Once I fell asleep, I was out cold. It would take forever to wake me up, and I could sleep for hours on end. That all changed once I became a parent. Now my husband and I will be lucky if we can get through even half the night with unbroken, solid slumber. Our kids love coming into our bed at night and look for any excuse to sleep with us.... Read more
For most of us, Zamzam water is a novelty. It is stored in a special container at the back of the fridge and rationed out to family members in small quantities so as to not diminish the supply quickly. During our recent trip to Saudi Arabia, we made it a point that throughout our stay we will not drink anything but Zamzam water. We had to purchase drinking water anyway, so why not buy the best and noblest of all... Read more
We are a few days away from celebrating Eid al-Adha. It is a day in which we commemorate Prophet Ibrahim’s sacrifice to Allah (swt). Prophet Ibrahim as well as his family were tested with extremely difficult tribulations. His first wife, Sarah, could not bear children until she had become very old and then had her son, Isaac. Prophet Ibrahim was denounced by his own father, thrown into a blazing fire, left his second wife and only son at that time... Read more
Growmama Picks is a collection of fun, interesting, and/or inspiring links that we share with you at the end of every month. Enjoy! 1. We are in the middle of the ten days of Dhul hijjah. Make the most of these short moments! 2. Rules of Effortless Parenting is short, unique, and almost perfect parenting advice in a nutshell. 3. For mothers who have ever lost a child or have been separated from loved ones, this video explores loss from... Read more
Because my kids are homeschooled, the pressure around holidays is not as intense. But when the neighbors in our new neighborhood went all out and decorated their home with pumpkins, ghosts hanging in the trees, and a two-story, inflatable Frankenstein, I knew this was the year we would talk about Halloween. My children are very fond of their next-door playmate, a little boy the same age as my oldest first-grader. “Why is Ryan’s house all decorated?” A few days earlier,... Read more
I live in what is labeled, “the safest city in America”- although I’m not leaving my doors unlocked based on this recognition. After living on our little cul-de-sac, I’m convinced that this may be one of the most religiously diverse cities in this nation. Our street seats six homes, each with a family practicing a different religion. Initially when we moved here we were excited to get new playmates for our kids but we sensed apprehension from our neighbors. So... Read more
Has it occurred to you that in children’s fashion, as the size gets bigger the clothes get skimpier? As a mom to two young girls, my biggest challenge has been to find clothes that compliment the innate nature of our children – which is to be modest. Due to the images that are flashed across shopping centers, magazines and television channels, children are quickly becoming desensitized and get mixed messages when their inner being wants them to behave a certain... Read more
We asked a couple of our awesome mamas: How does your family approach Halloween season? Following are their responses. S wrote: We, as a parent group at school, request that the teacher have a Fall Harvest Celebration rather than Halloween. The primary reason is that the costumes are scary for little ones and the educational value is limited. Also, there are families that do not participate in the practice of Halloween. Many parents of all backgrounds like the idea, especially... Read more
I have to admit, it’s been hard to find inspiration lately. Part of it has to do with saying farewell to Ramadan. Another part of me feels like I’m waiting; waiting for a creative genius inside me to flourish, a travel expedition, or meeting a person I can connect with easily. I feel like I have been in this funk for a while. Maybe it’s because the past three years were so new and exciting: new job, marriage, daughter. I... Read more
October is Domestic Violence Awareness month. Not having seen much about domestic violence come out of the Muslim community, I decided it was time to share my story. I chose to write this essay anonymously to protect my children from the pain of my experience and also out of a sense of shame for my perpetrator. He is the father of my daughter and even after all these years I do not want to expose or humiliate him. Whether this... Read more
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