Articles filed under Motherhood

A Muslimah’s Guide to Puberty – How to Talk to your Daughter about Adolescence

Goodbye butterflies and Princess dolls As I rip out the butterfly wall paper I had so painstakingly installed 7 years ago and roll on the hot pink paint she picked for her bedroom wall, I want to hold on to her tight but she has started her journey to womanhood and all I can do is pray for her & guide her to the best of my ability. She has outgrown Gymboree but Justice is too ‘tween’ for her. My baby can barely... Read More →

DJ Empty Threat and the Skipping 3

Some Lines on Screamfree Discipline Good ol’ 1, 2, 3. It’s supposed to work like…well, magic! But for many of us who have tried it, and perhaps still use it, why does it seem like number 3 ran out of fairy dust? Somehow when we get to 3, nothing happens. Our child is still doing the naughty thing we were trying to stop him (or her from doing). So Junior (or lil’ ‘Aboodi) is still throwing... Read More →

Parenting Isn’t about Kids

It’s about parents. Does that sound odd to you? Or even jarring? Let me repeat it: parenting isn’t about kids, it’s about parents. We’ve always been told and believed the opposite: parenting is about kids. Parenting is about these younger human beings that we’ve been put in charge of. As parents we’re responsible for them—for making sure they have a strong sense of security and high... Read More →

Mortified

Mortified. Disbelief. Denial. Not exactly the feelings I imagined having while I stood clutching the third pregnancy test of the week. My mother-in- law didn’t believe the first two which came up negative. Defiantly, I thought, the third one would set the record straight. You can’t possibly reject a third negative test! Instead of a marching straight to her, or anyone else, I stood staring at the positive... Read More →

“But I’m Bored!”

Megan Wyatt “I’m boooooooored.” What mother has not heard this statement coming out of their children’s mouths before? With spring break last week in full swing for my two kids, there were a few days where we didn’t go out, as I chose to just stay home and be together. Mid-day my son comes into the kitchen, slumps into a chair and tells me he is bored. I eye ball all the toys now displaced throughout the hallway... Read More →

Grave Regrets

by Naiyerah fictional poem They piled the dirt over her body, Burying my throbbing heart without mercy. I crumbled to the ground, choking, suppressing my agonizing cries. My mother disappeared right before my eyes. I felt so alone, so deprived. Mama, I just want to hold you – just one last time. I knew the day was coming, but I just needed respite To beg her forgiveness – to make it all right. I’m sorry I raised... Read More →

Into the Eyes of Your Children

Megan Wyatt As I was sitting down for dinner last night with my two kids, I had my laptop on the chair next to me which reminded me of some unfinished work I needed to do, and a book next to me I wanted to finish reading. Hopes of that faded as I glanced at the counter where dishes needed to be washed, the floor which needed to be swept, the laundry in the dryer, lunches that needed to be packed, and thought of the homework... Read More →