Dr Shahira

Books. Babies. Becoming. And a Bit of Research.

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  • Home
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  • Motherhood
    • Baby Products
    • Muslim Moms
    • Pregnancy & Childbirth
    • Letters
  • Qatar
    • COVID Lockdown
  • Dentistry in Doha
    • Dental Health
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    • Creative writing
    • A to Z April Challenge
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    • Ramadan
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Letters, Motherhood, Uncategorized

Letters to my daughter #7

Dear little girl. As we usher in a new year and you turn 17 months, I cannot beam at all the strides and milestones you have reached. We just spent…

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January 3, 2017
A to Z April Challenge

S for Safari

This post is part of the A to Z Challenge. My theme for the month is A to Z of words in English with an Arabic origin. When Zoos gives…

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April 22, 2014
Creative writing, Daily Prompts, Prompts

Happiness – Different definitions

At the age of 7, happiness meant having a set of Faber Castell colour pencils. At age 10, it meant procuring a Tamagotchi. At 12, it meant securing the highest…

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January 5, 2014
  • breastfeeding in ramadan
    Motherhood,  Muslim Moms,  Ramadan

    Breastfeeding during Ramadan

    June 1, 2017 /

    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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    Shahira 0 Comments

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    Letters to daughter from mom

    Letters to my daughter #6

    August 25, 2016
    Birthday Chalkboard template, diy, harry potter

    Birthday chalkboard Tutorial (Harry Potter theme)

    July 31, 2016
    Book Review : Mommy, Who is Allah?

    Book Review : Mommy, Who is Allah?

    August 13, 2017
  • Ramadan motherhood, free Ramadan planner
    Daughter,  Free Printables,  Motherhood,  Muslim Moms,  Ramadan

    7 tips for moms to improve their Ramadan experience + FREE Ramadan Planner

    May 22, 2017 /

    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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    Shahira 12 Comments

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    Lockdown toddlers

    Lockdown, toddlers & other stories

    June 20, 2020

    World Breastfeeding Awareness Week – Our Journey 

    August 7, 2016
    Quiet books templates, quiet books ideas, tutorial

    Quiet (busy) books + A tutorial

    August 7, 2017
  • Cloth diapering Doha, Qatar
    Baby Products,  Cloth diaper,  Daughter,  Motherhood,  Qatar

    Cloth diapering resources in Doha (Qatar)

    May 11, 2017 /

    (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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    Shahira 9 Comments

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    Taking care of Your child's curly hair

    How to Take Care of Your Child’s Curly Hair?

    February 17, 2021

    New IKEA Children’s Products – 2016

    August 31, 2016
    CDS MARVY

    Review #3 – Marvy from CDS

    May 1, 2016
  • Review Meissa Silk Ring Sling
    Baby Products,  Motherhood,  Qatar,  Review

    Review – Meissa Ring Sling

    April 23, 2017 /

    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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    Shahira 20 Comments

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    Cloth Diapering

    25 facts cloth diapering taught me

    October 16, 2016
    Quiet books templates, quiet books ideas, tutorial

    Quiet (busy) books + A tutorial

    August 7, 2017

    New IKEA Children’s Products – 2016

    August 31, 2016
  • Free Printables,  Motherhood,  Muslim Moms

    10 tips to survive the first year of motherhood + FREE Adult Colouring Sheets

    February 27, 2017 /

    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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    Shahira 25 Comments

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    Ramadan motherhood, free Ramadan planner

    7 tips for moms to improve their Ramadan experience + FREE Ramadan Planner

    May 22, 2017
    Minimalist guide to new born baby essentials shopping

    Minimalist guide to new born baby essentials shopping + FREE printable

    November 5, 2016
    Pregnancy resources for Muslim moms, Islamic resources for pregnancy, Islamic parenting

    Pregnancy resources for Muslim moms + Printable

    January 16, 2018
  • 7 books for Muslim moms-to-be and pregnant ladies, Islamic books for pregnancy
    Books,  Faith,  Motherhood,  Muslim Moms

    7 books for Muslim moms-to-be

    February 9, 2017 /

    ( 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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    Shahira 25 Comments

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    Muslim Women’s Bookshelf (C): Communicating with Allah – Rediscovering Prayer

    April 3, 2023

    Second wave?! -Week 5, 2021 – Project 365

    February 7, 2021
    ISLAMIC BOOKS

    Muslim Women’s Bookshelf (B) – Earning Barakah: An Islamic Guide to Blessed Sustenance

    April 3, 2023
  • Expat Childhood in the Middle East
    Motherhood,  Qatar

    Expat Childhood in the Middle East

    January 18, 2017 /

    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…

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    Shahira 42 Comments

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    Book Review: Alhamdulilah For Series

    Book review : Alhamdulilah For Series

    December 1, 2016
    Parenting Toddlers

    Rules and laws of Toddler-ingdom

    November 2, 2017
    Letters to my daughter

    Letters to my daughter #8

    September 18, 2017
  • Letters to my daughter
    Letters,  Motherhood,  Uncategorized

    Letters to my daughter #7

    January 3, 2017 /

    Dear little girl. As we usher in a new year and you turn 17 months, I cannot beam at all the strides and milestones you have reached. We just spent a long weekend with your grandparents and your ‘Tinka, Tinka’ made everyone a lot happier though stories of illness and retirement have put us down past few weeks. Your giggles and naughty antics made us forget all the heaviness that have been weighing on us. That instant you took your first step – I hadn’t felt as proud for my graduation march. You took your first steps at 15 months. There are a few lessons this has taught me and…

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    Shahira 17 Comments

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    The first grandchild of the family is always welcomes with much fanfare and adulation

    Amna

    January 13, 2014
    Letters to my daughter

    Letters to my daughter #8

    September 18, 2017

    An ode to my daughter.

    September 17, 2015
  • Facebook Parenring groups based in Qatar and India
    Daughter,  Motherhood,  Qatar,  Uncategorized

    Facebook Parenting Groups (Qatar & India based)

    December 12, 2016 /

    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…

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    Shahira 24 Comments

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    World Breastfeeding Awareness Week – Our Journey 

    August 7, 2016
    5 emotional stages of a mother when her baby falls down

    5 emotional stages of a mother when her baby falls down

    November 17, 2016
    Living by the beach

    Living by the beach.

    February 3, 2020
  • Book Review: Alhamdulilah For Series
    Books,  Daughter,  Faith,  Motherhood,  Muslim Moms,  Review

    Book review : Alhamdulilah For Series

    December 1, 2016 /

    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…

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    Shahira 12 Comments

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    ISLAMIC BOOKS

    Muslim Women’s Bookshelf (B) – Earning Barakah: An Islamic Guide to Blessed Sustenance

    April 3, 2023

    Ramadan Highlights – Week 16, 2021 – Project 365

    April 27, 2021
    Reading books

    Iqra’ – An affair with books.

    January 21, 2014
  • 5 emotional stages of a mother when her baby falls down
    Creative writing,  Daughter,  Motherhood

    5 emotional stages of a mother when her baby falls down

    November 17, 2016 /

    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…

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    Shahira 17 Comments

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    Humour - an ingredient of their 55 years long relationship

    Sharing their laughter

    January 11, 2014
    The first grandchild of the family is always welcomes with much fanfare and adulation

    Amna

    January 13, 2014
    Writing,Job Goal

    Hello world!

    January 1, 2014
  • Minimalist guide to new born baby essentials shopping
    Baby Products,  Daughter,  Free Printables,  Hospital,  Motherhood,  Qatar

    Minimalist guide to new born baby essentials shopping + FREE printable

    November 5, 2016 /

    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…

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    Shahira 41 Comments

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    Cloth diapering Doha, Qatar

    Cloth diapering resources in Doha (Qatar)

    May 11, 2017
    CDS MARVY

    Review #3 – Marvy from CDS

    May 1, 2016
    Birthday Chalkboard template, diy, harry potter

    Birthday chalkboard Tutorial (Harry Potter theme)

    July 31, 2016
  • Revised screen time guidelines for children, AAP 2016
    Motherhood

    Revised screen time guidelines for children – AAP, 2016

    October 27, 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…

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    Shahira 26 Comments

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    Ramadan motherhood, free Ramadan planner

    7 tips for moms to improve their Ramadan experience + FREE Ramadan Planner

    May 22, 2017
    6 tips for balancing ramadan and motherhood

    6 tips for balancing Ramadan and motherhood

    June 9, 2016

    How to prevent mom burnout?

    August 27, 2017
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