An order comes from an authoritarian parent and that may cause rebellion.  To ignore the careful moulding of children to the right path is the slack caused by a passive parent and that is being negligent.  Where does a caring yet conscientious mother draw a balance?  Below Sister Reminder does some creative solution seeking.  As a pro-active and assertive parent she’s got it down.  See if you like her technique …. maybe draw some inspiration from it and hit those sunnah targets this Shawwal.

Sister Reminder blogs

Scene 1: My angelic son is sitting at his bed reading his Quran, I approach him the night of Eid, and ask him to fast for the 6 days of Shawwal. ”Our Beloved Prophet (Salla Allahu ta’ala alayhi wa aalihi wa Sallam) has said, ‘whoever fasts the month of Ramadan and then six days after Eid, it is like fasting for the entire year’…so son, you should try to get the maximum reward…” he looks at me with a broad smile, “Of course Umi, I already planned to do it- InshAllah!”

Scene 2: “NO! NO! NO! I’m tired of fasting! I fasted all 30 days already and that’s enough!” He yells at me over his domino game with his little brother. “Come on it’s only 6 more days. Think of the reward…” “No! I’m getting sick! I’m getting my allergies again!” He sneezes to prove his point. Sigh…Here comes the boot camp method… “YOU WILL DO IT! IT’S ONLY 6 MORE DAYS!” I slam the door, and I panic. Did I do the right thing? Should I force my kid- even though he’s now 14 years old?

Sometimes, I have got to play tough because my boys tend to pluck at my “mom’s heart”. But I can’t help to think what happens to that Ramadan feeling after Eid is gone.  I begin to wonder how I can keep the feeling alive for the next 6 days. So I have decided that I need to create a plan- a Survival Guide for 6 (More) Days of Fasting. Check out the template: Shawwal Fasting Chart

• Place ” Shawwal Do the Math ” up on the fridge for the kids to see and remember the reward of Shawwal
• Create a menu plan made up of their favorite suhoor and iftar
• Make the chart for each child so they can keep record of the days they fasted
• When they break their fast they get to read behind the flap on the chart for their surprise treat or keep a point system
• Brainstorm a charity act that they will accomplish in the month of Shawwal
• Create a small scrapbook just for the month of Shawwal.
• Have a very special reward after fasting the 6 days. It could be a simple lunch outing at a restaurant, or a free chore day, a sleep over at a friend’s or a special gift they really wanted.

Meet the Characters of JannahSteps…

Sister Reminder

When Busy Baby Mama, Um Professional, Artsy Ummi, Globe Girl, and Sr. Alif have a question about Islam or need some good naseeha, they all know who to turn to. Someone they trust immensely, and that is Sister Reminder. She regards Islam to be a comprehensive, balanced way of life and the only true religion of Allah. She would rather pass the henna party for the halaqas. She is conscious about living a halal lifestyle and always strictly checking everything according to the Quran and Sunnah.

She volunteers her time to various activities that she deems gratifying. Whether it is at the masjid doing a simple act of collecting charity at the sisters’ section after Jummah, walking for autism, or painting signs for important rallies. She is always willing to offer her help and service to others.

She has taken it upon herself to be an ambassador of Islam. She’ll be the first to sign up at her children’s school or library to discuss Ramadan or Eid with her bag full of picture books and Islamic crafts. Or then, the first to represent the Muslims in interfaith dialogues at the local community center.

Sister Reminder makes sure all acts of hers and her family’s pleases Allah in every way. It doesn’t come easy to her; she works very hard at it! She believes in having a disciplined and balanced lifestyle. She devotes her time reading and completing her homework for the Seerah course she’s enrolled in, she holds weekly Quran study groups that are very dear to her, and she really enjoys spending time with people who remind her of Allah.

She’ll kick off her shoes to relax with her family on a weekend and perhaps play board games or catch a flick on the telly with her kids. She’s got a great sense of humor and has a wonderful inviting personality that makes even the most stubborn person melt in her company.

Sister Reminder is the voice of Islamic consciousness as a reminder for Jannahsteps.