-
Facebook Parenting Groups (Qatar & India based)
As a new mother, one of the wonderful things I discovered was the highly happening place called Facebook Groups. I learnt about attachment parenting and natural parenting there. I learnt kitchen hacks and Montessori activities for infants. Also I made friends with new mothers who had the same ideals as I do. With the low organic reach of Facebook pages, FB group are the place to go now ( FB will probably change it soon with adverts or a new algorithm or paid promotions!) I shall list out a few Qatar based and India based parenting groups that has helped me. Do add to the list if you know of any drama…
-
Book review : Alhamdulilah For Series
For a few days now, I have been living with the guilt and sadness of having taken a break from my career, for which I have worked since 2006. There are so many factors that made me take this decision. Some days , I feel guilty that all I do from morning to night is change diapers, cook food and clean the house. In my head, I have called myself unproductive or wasting my youthful years inside the four walls of my home. I realized I needed a battery recharge. Or this might end up taking me down like the severe quarter-life crisis I underwent. I need to protect myself…
-
5 emotional stages of a mother when her baby falls down
As a first time mother, one of the most nerve wrecking situation is when your baby has an unfortunate fall or a bump on the head. How ever careful you are, it does happen often, especially when they have just started learning how to crawl or walk. Even if you are a calm person otherwise, seeing your child fall forms a lump in your heart. This article outlines the flurry of emotions a mother feels and poke humour at how she often (over) reacts. Panic: My lord. The nerves until the tip of your fingers are tingling and there is a minute or two when you cannot make a positive thought…
-
Minimalist guide to new born baby essentials shopping + FREE printable
In the summer of 2015, when I was heavily pregnant and waddling through Gulf Mall, unsure and confused of what to buy for the newborn from all the checklist I had come across, I had decided I will make a minimalist guide for newborn baby shopping. (Yeah, this post have been gathering dust in the drafts section of over a year now! :D) We really do not need everything as advertised. Most of the baby gears and products are marketing ploys. The reason for going the minimalist route are many : – Being on a budget. – No extra room to use as a nursery. – Small apartment. – General minimalist lifestyle. I shall…
-
Revised screen time guidelines for children – AAP, 2016
Raising a child today is different from raising a child 5 years ago. Ipad was just a year old and had not reached every home. Smart phones had just entered the common man’s market. Google Glass and Samsung Gear VR were unheard of. In 5 years, the world of technology has grown by leaps and bounds. IPads and tabs are common in every household. There are as many smartphones in a house as there are people. Or maybe more. Flat screens adorn the walls of every household. Laptops and PC have not disappeared. Screens are ubiquitous and cannot be avoided So, how can we control screen time for children? Media can…
-
Chemical pregnancy – A poem
Bloated feeling and nausea. I need no scans and blood test. In my mind, I knew. I count the months and the days Mark the due date. In my mind, I knew. I share with him the feeling! Joyous and tensed – we were. In my mind, I knew. Wait a week more to test. The longest week ever. In my mind, I knew. Then came the pain and the tears. Ending even before it started. In my mind, I knew. Maybe you just simply felt it – they said Pregnancy doesn’t happen so soon- they remarked In my mind, I knew They brush off as trivial mishap. Happens to…
-
25 facts cloth diapering taught me
I have been cloth diapering for almost a year now. When you hear ‘Cloth Diaper’ do not picturize plastic covers and flats with safety pins like what our mothers and grandmothers used. Instead, the modern cloth diapers are trendy with beautiful prints and are trim diapers made of organic cotton/microfiber/hemp/bamboo cotton, PUL and a few snaps. Delving into the cloth diapering world has taught me some interesting facts for sure. Here are a few. 1. To shop local from small shop owners rather than big corporate . Especially mompreneurs. You are helping a family out. 2. To reduce my carbon print or plastic trail. 3. Organic cotton clothes are better…
-
6 tips for the introverted blogger
Three years ago, I came across the book, Quiet: The power of introverts in a world that can’t stop talking. It changed my outlook and shifted my perspective…of myself! I learnt it was alright to be quiet and reflective. The author Susan Cain so rightly points about a certain surprising fact about introverts. Studies have shown that, indeed introverts are more likely than extroverts to express intimate facts about themselves online that their family and friends would be surprised to read, to say that they can express the “real me” online, and to spend more time in certain kinds of online discussions. They welcome the chance to communicate digitally. The same…
-
Book Review – The One by Manaal Jafrey-Razaque
Author – Manaal Jafrey-Razaque Illustrator – Tanya Emelyanova Publisher – Prolance Available – Official page & Amazon Growing up in an average Muslim household, we are taught that Allah has 99 names right from a young age. This book is a perfect aid in helping children understand about His different attributes and create awe and love for Him through that knowledge. THE WRITTEN CONTENT: Children are visual learners. They learn by seeing and watching. Hence it is very difficult to teach of the 99 names in the traditional manner. How can we bring it to their level of comprehension and grasp ? 18…
-
New IKEA Children’s Products – 2016
I love IKEA. Living in the near vicinity of IKEA Qatar, many a weekend night-time strolls are in this home furnishing centre. I was quite excited to see their new catalogue release advertisement all over the place and went to look out for all the new kids stuff. I was not disappointed ! Here are some of the new products I could find. FLITIG Cot (Qr. 149) – I love the travel cot we have. It is our play pen and is solely what encouraged independent play in our baby. It is the only place where I can leave my toddler safely when I want…
-
Letters to my daughter #6
Dear little girl, I have meant to write this for a little while now. Well, busy with an ever busy toddler 😀 You have blossomed into a lovely hyperactive one year old girl. Alhamdulilah. My heart swells in pride over your every milestone – every step and every word. ( I hope I don’t become one of those irritating mothers who keep on praising their own kids while in conversation with others! ) I have just folded and kept away your old clothes for the age range of 9 to 12 month old. How fast is time flying?! How fast are your growing up?! It looks like just yesterday that…
-
Book Review – When I grow up by Sundus Iraq
Growing up one of the most oft asked questions we hear from elders, ‘What do you want to be when you grow up?’. Our creativity works overtime and we give answers depending on our mood and situation – batman, astronaut, teacher so on and so forth. The book ‘When I grow up – A Preschooler ‘s daydreams’ is written and illustrated by Sundus Iraq. The story talks of a little girl who dreams about what she wants to do when she grows up. It ranges from something only an innocent mind can think of – to drink from a glass cup to helping people in need. The book is illustrated…
-
World Breastfeeding Awareness Week – Our Journey
My little girl celebrated her first birthday on Aug 1. Alhamdulilah. Aug 1 to 7 is also World Breastfeeding Awareness Week. On the morning of Aug 2, while nursing my child, I suddenly realized, ‘Come on, I have been doing this for a year now’. Alhamdulilah. I shared a few points regarding nursing learnt during our journey in a BF support group for Indian Moms. Here it is. 1. As per our religious norms, it is highly recommended to breastfeed for 2 years. So that is what I have seen my sis,my mom, cousins, aunts everyone do. It is an accepted and recommended practice in my family and…
