Ramadān is a special one for all of us. It’s a time when we focus on reflection, growth, being better, connecting with loved ones, working on our spirituality and it gives us a good idea of our potential. For Muslim mums, it can also be a time when we feel overwhelmed and stressed, especially when we’re trying to balance the demands of Ramadān with the needs of our children. Here, we will explore some tips on how to get through Ramadan without yelling at your children.
Tip #1: Practice Patience
One of the most important things to remember not just during the special month, but always is to practice patience. This can be especially challenging when there are children who are testing your limits. However, it’s important to remember that this is a time when we’re supposed to be working on our spiritual growth and development, and that includes developing our patience. When you feel yourself getting frustrated, take a deep breath and try to remain calm. Lean on the sunnah and go make wudhu.
Tip #2: Set Realistic Expectations
Another key thing is to set realistic expectations. This means recognizing that you may not be able to do everything you normally do during the day, and that’s okay. It’s important to prioritize your time and focus on what’s most important. This might mean letting go of some household chores or other activities that aren’t essential during this time. It also means picking your battles with the children. Not in the way of letting go of boundaries but everything does not have to be an emergency.
Tip #3: Take Care of Yourself
It’s easy to get caught up in taking care of others especially during Ramadān, plus it is ibadah but it’s important to remember to take care of yourself as well. This means making sure you’re getting enough rest, eating well, and taking time to recharge your batteries. When you take care of yourself, you’ll be better equipped to handle the challenges that come with parenting during Ramadān. Always factor in your breaks. You need them to stay mostly sane.
Tip #4: Be flexible
Life doesn’t always go according to plan any other month and especially during Ramadān. We all always feel like there is not enough of day to just do all the things. So try not to get too frustrated if things don’t turn out exactly how you envisioned them. Instead, focus on being flexible enough to adjust plans as needed while still keeping everyone safe and happy in the process!
Finally, we encourage you to join the no-yelling challenge. This can be a fun way to hold yourself accountable and try to reduce your yelling.
In conclusion, getting through Ramadan without yelling at your children can be challenging, but it’s definitely achievable. By trying out these simple tips, we can ensure that we remain calm and collected throughout Ramadān while teaching our children valuable lessons and modelling good behaviour along the way! With patience, understanding, flexibility – plus lots of love – we’ll make it through this blessed month together!
What other tips would you add to this? Can you go 30 days without yelling? Did you try the challenge? Do let us know in the comments.
Ramadan is a time for spiritual reflection, self-improvement, and increased worship. For most Muslims, this includes attending taraweeh prayers at the mosque. And for parents of young children, taraweeh can be a whole other ballgame. Trying to pray with a toddler in tow can feel like a Herculean task, with distractions aplenty and a constant battle to keep them quiet. In this post, we’ll take a humorous look at the five stages of grief parents may experience while attempting taraweeh with toddlers. So if you’ve ever found yourself chasing your little one around the prayer hall instead of focusing on your worship, this one’s for you.
Denial: You’re excited for Taraweeh with your toddler. You want to raise them to be people who are connected to salah. You’ve got the snacks, the toys, and water, and everything else you need to keep them entertained for the next hour or so. You confidently walk into the mosque, feeling like a super mom. “This is going to be a piece of cake,” you tell yourself.
Anger: Three minutes into the first rakah, your toddler starts getting antsy. They start kicking and chatting and pulling the hijab of others or climb the back of others in sujood, and you feel your blood boil. “Why can’t they just sit still?!” you think to yourself. You start to get angry at your toddler, at yourself, and at the entire situation.
Bargaining: You start bargaining with your toddler. “If you sit still for just one more rakah, I’ll give you a whole bag of sweets” you plead. You remind them of boundaries set before but they don’t seem to remember. You try everything to get them to calm down and behave, but nothing seems to work.
Depression: At this point, you’ve given up. You’re feeling defeated and depressed. You look around the mosque and see other parents with their well-behaved children, and you can’t help but feel like a failure. The glaring eyes dont make it any easier and you start to wonder if you’re a bad parent and if you’ll ever be able to enjoy Taraweeh again.
Acceptance: Finally, after what feels like an eternity, Taraweeh ends. It is time for a deep breath of relief and you realize that you’ve made it through. You accept that Taraweeh with a toddler is just going to be difficult, and that’s okay. You smile and feel a sense of accomplishment knowing that you ALL survived.
Taraweeh with toddlers can sometimes feel like going through the five stages of grief. First comes denial, as you naively convince yourself that your little one will quietly sit through the lengthy prayers. Then comes anger, as your toddler decides to play peekaboo during the quietest parts of the night. Bargaining follows, as you try to bribe them with snacks and toys, only to have them throw a tantrum mid-rakah. Depression sets in as you realize you’re only on the second of eight or in some cases, twenty taraweeh raka’ats. And finally, acceptance, as you resign yourself to the fact that your taraweeh experience will involve chasing your child up and down the mosque. But hey, at least you’re burning some calories, right?
Just remember, you’re not alone. May Allah grant ease.
In the hadith about the those who will be under the shade of Allah on a day when there is no shade, two are most relevant here…
“A youth who grew up in the worship of Allah and one whose heart is attached to the mosques”
So this is the work.
And to whom it may concern, a reminder….
The Messenger ﷺ said, “Those who do not have mercy for our young and respect for our elders is not of us.” [Tirmidhi]
The month of Ramadān was fast approaching and Nana, like most other Muslim mothers, was filled with a mix of joy and anxiety about having her children home for the month of Ramadan.
She wanted to make sure that the month was filled with special moments and memories that her children would cherish forever. She knew that it was her responsibility to create a Ramadan experience that her children would enjoy while also teaching them something valuable about their faith.
To do this, Nana created a Ramadan plan that included activities and traditions that both she and her children could enjoy. She planned books, some cooking activities, special evening sessions, and fun activities that allowed her children to explore their faith in interesting and creative ways.
Nana also made sure that her children were aware of the significance of Ramadan. She explained to them the importance of fasting and the impact it can have on developing a sense of empathy and understanding for those less fortunate. She employed books and stories for that. She told them stories of Ramadān from her childhood. She prayed with them and listened to them.
By the end of the month, Nana was filled with a sense of accomplishment. She had managed to create a meaningful Ramadan experience for her children that was both enjoyable and educational. She was also grateful for the opportunity to introduce her children to Ramadān in a way that allowed them to embrace it in its entirety.
Nana’s story serves as an encouraging reminder to all Muslim mothers that it is possible to make Ramadan a special and meaningful experience for their children. With a little planning and creativity, it’s possible to make a lasting impact on your children’s understanding and appreciation of Ramadan.
As a parent or caregiver, few things are more rewarding than watching a child’s eyes light up as they discover the world through books. Books are so much more than a source of entertainment – they can be powerful tools for teaching and learning. Whether it’s through stories that encourage empathy and understanding, or non-fiction books that open up new worlds of knowledge, books have the power to shape a child’s worldview in countless ways. Ramadan is a special time for Muslims all over the world. And it is an important pillar of our faith. It is a time of reflection, prayer, and has some acts of worship unique to that month. One of the best ways to teach children about Ramadān or even just show them the beauty that is the month is through books.
Here are five books, we currently love about Ramadān:
My First Book About Ramadān by Sara Khan – I love how it simplifies the concepts of Ramadān in a way that’s easy for young children to understand and so making it accessible for children who may not be familiar with the customs and traditions of the month. It includes Ramadān-related vocabulary. The book includes a glossary at the end, which defines terms such as “iftar,” “suhoor,” and “taraweeh.” This is a great way to introduce children to new words and concepts, and to help them build their vocabulary.
Hassan and Aneesa love Ramadān This book follows the story of two siblings, Hassan and Aneesa, as they experience the traditions of Ramadān. With bright and colorful illustrations, it introduces young children to the customs and practices of Ramadan in a fun and engaging way. It is a great way to help your child learn about the importance of family and community in Ramadān,
Under the Ramadān Moon” by Sylvia Whitman – Is a beautifully illustrated book that follows a family through the month of Ramadan. The book uses lyrical language to capture the essence of Ramadān and the joy of spending time with family and friends.
It’s Ramadān, Curious George by Hena Khan – This book features the beloved character Curious George as he learns about the customs and traditions of Ramadān. It provides an engaging way to teach young children about the significance of Ramadān. Children can relate to George’s curiosity and eagerness to learn, and his experiences provide a fun and engaging way to introduce them to the concepts of Ramadān.
Ramadān Moon by Na’ima B. Robert – Here, children can follow a young girl as she experiences the sights, sounds, and emotions of Ramadān. The book features beautiful illustrations and lyrical language that makes it a perfect read-aloud for families.
Bonus – because we are in the business of surpassing expectations. Alhamdulilllah!
6. Ramadan Around the World by Ndaa Hassan is a beautiful picture book that explores how Ramadan is celebrated in different countries and cultures around the world. The book provides an opportunity to teach children about the diversity and richness of the Muslim community.
7. Once upon an Eid – more for older audience and would make a great read aloud for families. Once Upon an Eid is an exceptional collection of short stories that showcases the diversity and richness of the Muslim experience during Eid celebrations. Written by 15 Muslim authors from around the world, the book includes heartwarming and thought-provoking stories that touch on various themes such as family, friendship, love, loss, and identity. The stories are well-written, engaging, and relatable, making it easy for readers of all ages to connect with the characters and their experiences.
As a passionate reader, I truly believe that there’s nothing quite like getting lost in a good book. Whether it’s a thrilling page-turner or a thought-provoking piece of non-fiction, reading has the power to take us on journeys we never could have imagined. That’s why I believe in nurturing readers – not just by encouraging them to read more, but by creating a culture that celebrates the joys of reading. Whether it’s by sharing your own favorite books with the children around us, joining a book club like Nurturing bookish besties, or simply setting aside time each day to dive into a new story with the family, there are countless ways to foster a love of reading in yourself and the children around you.
As adults, we have the opportunity to guide children through the world of books, to share our own favorite stories and help them discover new ones. By nurturing a love of reading in children, we can help them become more curious, more empathetic, and wholesome individuals. Books provide an avenue to start the conversation around some hard-to-discuss topics as well.
So take the time to read with the children in your life, and watch as they grow and learn through the pages of their favorite books.
Books are great resources for introducing your little ones to the beauty of this holy month in a fun and engaging way. So, go ahead and grab a book and start reading and learning together! And feel free to shop for books at The Dotted Pearl and use code “NBBRAMADAN” for a discount at checkout.
Have your read any of these? Is there any you think should be included to this list? Drop a comment below.
Ramadān is a very special month for us. And I try to make it very significant in our home. It’s a time of reflection, prayer, and worship, and we are trying hard to create a spiritual environment in our home that helps us focus on our faith during this month.
One of the ways that we intend to do this is by setting up a Ramadān Ibadah corner in our home. This is a dedicated space where we can pray, read Quran, read books to the children, listen to the Qur’an together and engage in other acts of worship throughout the month.
Setting up an ibadah corner doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. In fact, it can be a fun and creative project that you can work on with your family. Here are some tips to help you get started:
Find a dedicated space: Look for a space in your home where you can set up your ibadah corner. It could be a corner of your living room, a spare room, or even a nook in your bedroom. Choose a space that’s quiet, private, and free from distractions. Walls are great to be used as borders.
Gather your supplies: You’ll need a few supplies to set up your ibadah corner, such as a prayer mat, Qur’an, tasbih, and a small table or shelf or small baskets, to hold your supplies.
Decorate your space: Add some personal touches to your ibadah corner to make it feel more special. You could add candles, or even some fresh flowers to create a serene and calming environment. If you get into crafts with the children, can hang some of it on the wall. As the saying goes, less is more. Sometimes, just a whiff of incense does the trick. The purpose of this space is worship, so try to avoid pictures, electronic devices (unless used for Qur’an recitation), avoid stuff and clutter. Small baskets or low lying shelves can be used to hold needed items. For moms, designating a basket with stuff to keep younger children engaged during salah. Try to stay clear of items that make a sound so others are not distracted as a result.
Use this space: It is so easy to do so much in terms of preparations but we now get too lazy to follow through. The adults remain the greatest models for the children. Once you’ve set up your ibadah corner, make sure you use it throughout the month. Try to spend some time in your corner every day, even if it’s just for a few minutes. Use this time to read Quran, pray, dhikr or engage in other acts of worship.
For us, setting up an ibadah corner has been a wonderful way to create a spiritual environment in our home and the children have loved seeing the space change. We moved things around to make the space Alhamdulillah. If you’re thinking about setting up an ibadah corner in your home, I highly recommend it. It’s a simple yet powerful way to create a space for prayer, reflection, and worship during this special month and for the family to connect as well. And maybe creating a physical space just might make it easier to make the time and create the space for these ibadah we so badly want to do. Do not be too focused on what you do not have, start with what you do have. May we always find Allah ﷻ sufficient for us.
May Allah ﷻ allow us to reach the blessed month and get the blessings of it. Amin!
