For years, like most children, I took Father’s Day as an opportunity to give my father a card and a gift, and a big hug to tell him how much I loved him. Often my brother and I would take him out for a meal, but often we wouldn’t and it wouldn’t be a big … More The Other Parent
I have very fond childhood memories of Ramadan. It was like the whole atmosphere in our house became richer for that one month. Waking up for sehri (suhour) as a family, listening to the Quran on the TV, praying together, trying to maximise good deeds, having relatives over for iftari (iftaar), and then of course, … More Ramadan for Toddlers
Does Baby A know how old she is? If you ask her, she will tell you that she’s two, but that’s probably because that’s the answer she’s been taught to give. In her mind, I think that Baby A believes that she’s four. There could be no other explanation for the number of questions she … More 400 Questions
It has recently come to my attention that there exists a book that defines the do’s and don’ts of what to say to a new mom. Over the last two years, I have heard several snippets from said book from those around me. There was the considerate, “you’re probably not making enough milk if your … More The Great Book of Backseat Parenting
Sweetheart, You turned two this week. Two. You’re two. Wow, it’s just not setting in, regardless of how many times I repeat it. It seems like you were born yesterday, and I had to pry open your closed fists and quickly clean your hands with a piece of cotton before you clenched them again. Now, … More A Letter to My Daughter
My parents have often told me stories of my younger self, demanding to do everything myself. ‘Hira khud’ (Hira self) was a very popular phrase in my toddler vocabulary. I would even go shopping with my mum to choose my own clothes. Once, I must’ve been about three, my mother bought a frock for me … More I for Independence
My husband and I had been married for a little over three years when Baby A joined us. I remember us strolling through the mall one day, witnessing a couple and their toddler walk by. The couple was walking on either side of the child, each holding one of their child’s tiny hands. It was … More How a Child Affected Our Marriage
We make countless decisions throughout our lives – from the small daily ones like choosing your clothes for the day and deciding what to eat for lunch, to the big ones like choosing our life partner. I follow one simple rule for most meaningful decision making in my life – make the decision yourself because … More The Freedom of Choice
I recently read a very interesting article about the frustrations of being a toddler. The article outlined how we always talk about the challenges of motherhood, but rarely about the challenges of being a child. A toddler is unable to do most things for themselves despite trying (think about your child’s first several hundred attempts … More The Toughest Job in the World
To Mommy or Not to Mommy 