And how about these great articles for us parents? From not ‘feeling’ Ramadhan and remembering what worship really means, to suggestions to use our time well, here is a round up of my favourite articles for US!
- http://www.muslimkidsguide.com/mom-hacks-for-a-stress-free-ramadan-with-kids/
- http://www.zaynabacademyonline.org/ramadan-for-mothers/#sthash.FxL1KYZz.dpuf
- http://www.ruqayasbookshelf.com/worship-smart-not-hard-ramadan-for-moms-and-other-busy-people/
- http://www.virtualmosque.com/islam-studies/hot-topics/i-dont-feel-ramadan/
- http://www.beaconbroadside.com/broadside/2015/06/why-im-not-fasting-this-ramadan.html
- https://gildeddunya.wordpress.com/2015/06/07/daily-to-do-list-for-ramadan-print-it/
- http://www.patheos.com/blogs/growmama/spirituality/ramadan-spiritual-high-children-possible/
- https://buzzideazz.com/guest-post-harmonizing-motherhood-with-spirituality/
- http://www.ruqayasbookshelf.com/why-i-didnt-bake-or-decorate-my-house-for-eid-silencing-our-harshest-critic/
- http://confessionsofamuslimmommaholic.com/2014/06/19/ugh-how-i-dread-getting-ready-for-the-holidays/
- And this one by – Umm Anissa, Admin of Muslim Kid Genius:
For parents who spend time doing Ramadan crafts with kids and decorate the house. Good job to you for putting in the efforts to make Ramadan kid-friendly and attractive.
For parents who don’t do Ramadan crafts or decorate the house. Good job to you too for sparing time for more Quran, conversations and prayer reflections with kids, which don’t need any photo uploads at all.
For parents who bring children to masjid for teraweeh. Good job for your courage and introducing the masjid to your children.
For parents who don’t go masjid but perform teraweeh at home. Good job for showing your children that teraweeh can also be done at home at your own time, and that reflection of Allah can be done anywhere.
For parents who encourage your children to fast all day. Good job to you for educating your children about the merits of fasting.
For parents whose children can’t fast all day, but only half or quarter days. Good job to you because you know it’s not wajib at their age, and you’ve shown your patience and compassion towards the kids’ growing physical needs.
For parents who continue with their usual kids’ outings, playdates, activities in Ramadan, good job to you for this effort to show that Ramadan does not mean life stops, but carry on as usual.
For parents who slow down in kids’ activities. Good job to you as you understand kids need rest while fasting. You too need a rest.
For parents who cook special food specially for Ramadan. Good job to you as your kids will remember Ramadan as special because of yummy and nutritious iftar. Serving your family earns great rewards from Allah.
For parents who cook the usual daily menu which you normally cook outside Ramadan, good job to you too. You don’t spend too much time in the kitchen and instead, spend more time to dzikir, read Quran and du’a for the family.
For parents who can perform charity and donate to masjid and guide your children to do the same, good job to you for showing that in Ramadan, we can be extra generous to earn His Blessings.
For parents who cannot give much to charity as you’re already struggling to pay your children’s medical bills, basic needs and bills. Good job to you too because your children learn that charity begins at home, for family first and that paying for your children’s basic needs is already a charitable act with great rewards from Allah.
Every family is different, unique and have different needs. Do not compare one family’s Ramadan experiences with another. Do not feel bad if you perceive the other family is “doing more”. What you see on social media is not the same as what Allah sees. Whatever we do, do it with the right intention to please Allah. May Allah ease our affairs, accept the good from us and forgive our sins in this blessed month.