Motherhood
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Rules and laws of Toddler-ingdom
(First published on Ayeina, dated November 09, 2016) Rules and laws of Toddler-ingdom Parenting toddlers should come with its own manual and rule book. How many of you agree with this? From the time we become a teenager to the phase where we become a parent; we tend to be very focused, either with studies, work or household chores. Then suddenly we become a parent and our world changes. One of the best aspects of parenting is the funny and humorous situation and phrases we encounter as our children grow through those energy-oozing ones and terrible twos! As much as we do get exasperated with flour strewn all…
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Letters to my daughter #8
My little girl, it has been 24 months. 24 months. Alhamdulilah. (25 months by the time I posted this!) Some days I still find it hard to believe that I am a mom. I thought becoming a mom would make me different and “wise” and a multitude of other adult-characters, but for the most part, I feel I haven’t changed much. Now 24 months later, it is as though you have been with me always and since forever. I cannot remember the time before you were born. It looks as though, all this chatter, smiles and cries have always been a part of my life. Alhamdulilah. It is so true…
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How to prevent mom burnout?
My story: On a late night, last September, when our baby was asleep and I was mindlessly scrolling on my phone, I asked my husband, ‘What is your opinion about me buying a domain/hosting and getting serious about blogging?’ His instant reply was, ‘Go for it if that makes you happy. Maybe it might end up as your turning point.’ It had been a few months since I resigned from my job. I had fully immersed myself in diaper-changing and puree-feeding duties. Hobbies – I had no time or energy or both to indulge in one. It was impossible to read with a baby in tow. I was not continuing with…
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Book Review : Mommy, Who is Allah?
Name of the Book: Mommy, Who is Allah? Author: Zainab Jones Illustrations: Vicky Amrullah Publisher: Djarabi Kitabs Publishing Availability: (Affiliate link) Amazon Every Muslim parent comes across the question – Who is Allah? – from their child eventually. I had earlier reviewed another excellent book which help introduces to children the concept of different names and attributes of Allah. Similarly, this books talks about the name Al Khaliq and explain this attribute – The Creator. Review: Mommy, Who is Allah? This book is about a wise mother and her curious child who notices every thing that the mother is doing. He notices his mother doing Tasbeeh with her fingers after her Salaah…
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Quiet (busy) books + A tutorial
Guest Post by Haifa Thajudheen from Paper Batter Banter and Tutorial by Esha from Quiet Books, Canada Quiet books or busy books have become a rage now, a highly in-demand toy, for toddlers and preschoolers. Quiet books are made of a compressed fabric called FELT and these books contain many quiet activities to entertain young children. The activities can vary from shape/colour sorting, dressing up a doll, moving beads to develop fine motor skills, braiding hair, other activities to promote sensory development, creative thinking and imaginative play. The possibilities are endless with this crafty activity book. I was completely oblivious to the versatility that felt could be used for.…
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Book Review : Kamillah the Butterfly
Name of the Book: Kamillah the Butterfly Author: Shoohada Khanom Illustrations: Harriet Rodis Publisher: Djarabi Kitabs Publishing Availability: (Affiliate link) Amazon Review : Kamillah the Butterfly The minute I started reading this book, the first thought that crossed my mind was – ‘A Muslim version of The Very Hungry Caterpillar’ Yay. Though the initial two pages of the book – caterpillar eating everything in sight – is similar, rest of the story, thoughts, concepts and illustrations are very different and unique to this book. It talks about a caterpillar who is going through an immense change and is quite worried about all the alterations happening to her. She then asked her…
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Breastfeeding during Ramadan
Islam gives great importance to breastfeeding. It is considered a right of the child to be breastfed. Allah says in the Holy Qur’an. “Mothers may breastfeed their children two complete years for whoever wishes to complete the nursing (period). Upon the father is the mother’s provision and their clothing according to what is acceptable…” (2:233) Without going into the legal discussion, during Ramadan, breastfeeding mothers may or may not fast depending on their health and health of the baby. For those breastfeeding mothers who are fasting here are a few tips to make this month easier. Insha’Allah 1. Hydrate yourself. Drink lots of water in between Ifthar and Suhoor rather…
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7 tips for moms to improve their Ramadan experience + FREE Ramadan Planner
Ramadan after becoming a mother is very different – a version of Ramadan 2.0 with its own unique situations and obligation. Some days go great with everything done on time, the set number of pages recited from the Holy Qurán while the kids eat their food with no tantrums and no untoward incidents. Well, some days nothing goes as per plan and you just want to hit the bed at the earliest possible time. Mothers are an expert in handling nights of broken sleep but during Ramadan you are a broken-sleep-Ninja who survives on 2 hours sleep! I have already written about how Ramadan and motherhood can be balanced without…
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Cloth diapering resources in Doha (Qatar)
(An earlier fun post on cloth diapers) I have been hooked onto cloth diapers even before my baby was born. My initial attraction towards them was because of their beautiful prints and hence another accessory to match with my baby’s frocks. Let’s say, I went a wee bit overboard with my addiction which has been successfully curbed now. 😀 It made me explore all the cloth diapering options here in Qatar and find online websites that ship to Doha. I thought about writing this blog post to help others and myself in the future inshaAllah (before I forget everything I have read and researched about this topic) Different types of…
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Review – Meissa Ring Sling
Ring slings are long fabrics with two rings on one end through which the fabrics from the tail end are threaded in. They are becoming increasingly popular in the baby-wearing world due to the ease of use and maintenance. They really do not take any space and can be a permanent inhabitant of your diaper bag. They are designed for use until baby is 3 years old or 35lbs. Review – Meissa Silk Ring Sling Fabric – Single layer of 100% Dupioni silk. Length – 77 inch Width – 26 inch Ring – Aluminium ring, certified by International Baby Carrier Safety Regulations and Standards Name – Sadaf, meaning ‘seashells’. Features : The Meissa…
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10 tips to survive the first year of motherhood + FREE Adult Colouring Sheets
100 days of darkness, sleeplessness, frustration, zombie trance – Common feelings in the first year of motherhood. How to survive through them all? Here are a few tips to tackle baby’s first year! 1. Accept help Immediately after delivery, I did not like anyone helping me. I stood awake all night though I had a nanny and my mom was with me. I wanted everything related to baby, to be done by me. I realised I am on the fastest route to burn-out and I needed to slow down and accept help from people around. There was nothing demeaning or making me less of a mother if I accepted help.…
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7 books for Muslim moms-to-be
( EDIT APRIL 2023: Join me in my new series, Muslim Women’s Bookshelf: An A-Z Guide to Inspirational Reads where I review, recommend or list Islamic Books – mostly contemporary books – helpful for women in their spiritual journey) (This post contains Amazon Affiliate links) As a new mother or a mother to be, we are often anxious and worried about this new and different phase of our life. Worrying about feeds and diapers is extremely common. From a religious aspect, we also start thinking about Aqeeqah, hair shaving etc – things we are not so well versed with/do not think about until we become a mother. I went…
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Expat Childhood in the Middle East
For a few weeks now, I have been helping my parents pack up from our home in Mesaieed. To be precise, bits and pieces of my childhood are either thrown away, given to charity, sent for recycling or in a cardboard box waiting to be flown back to our home country. A silent sense of sadness permeates through me. I as an adult 20 something suddenly feel like ‘the place of my childhood’ has ceased to exist. First things first, I consider my host country – Doha – more home than my home country – India. I find comfort in the sense of familiarity of friends I know since my…
