Islamophobia and The Prophets: What We Can Learn

December 7, 2017 By Admin

Islamophobia has existed almost since the beginning of time: from the time our Prophet Nuh called his people towards the oneness of Allah, through each era of each prophet including the era of our beloved Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). That is, today’s Islamophobia is not something unique or isolated. The difference between Islamophobia during the time of the prophets and Islamophobia today is that when the prophets and their communities went through it, they had the support and... Read more

Is Islamophobia a Reality at School? How to Talk to Your Kids About It

November 21, 2017 By Admin

My kids have always been in Islamic School so I have never had to worry about Islamophobia as it related to my own children day to day. Recently, however, my husband and I made the decision to enroll our kids in the local public school and in making that decision I began to reflect on the very real possibility that they would experience Islamophobia at school. I know what you’re thinking because its exactly what my husband was thinking. Come... Read more

There’s a Used Condom on My Door Handle: Hate Crimes and the Burden of Proof

October 23, 2017 By Bushra Tobah

Friday morning started like any other school day: the kids and I got up, quickly got dressed and had breakfast before rushing to the car to drive to school. When I distractedly grabbed the handle of the car door, I felt something odd at my hand. I stared at it for a couple of seconds. Was it a balloon? Was it a glove? No. It was a used condom with semen inside! It took all my willpower not to scream... Read more

Ramadan “Spiritual High” With Children: Is it Possible?

May 24, 2017 By Admin

No one said being a mother was a walk in the park. No matter how much you read, talk, and try to learn about being a mother, motherhood is full of shocks and surprises. You learn on a day-to-day basis—if not by the hour—once you become a mother. Amidst all of the confusion, stress, anxiety, and chaos, we tend to forget ourselves. We forget that we actually matter: our lives and our connections with ourselves, our spouses, our families, and... Read more

A Page From My Diary: My Children Are My Redemption

May 8, 2017 By Bushra Tobah

I’ve made a lot of mistakes in my life. I drove my parents crazy from around the time I turned thirteen. Like many young adults, I was immature and self absorbed. My heart aches when I think about the sleepless nights I must have caused them. Every time I pray—five times a day or more—I ask God to have mercy on them as they had mercy on me. I ask Him to forgive me for my ways. Last night... Read more

How I Chose My Son’s Daycare: Tips from a Reluctant Mama

April 19, 2017 By Admin

If you’re reading this, you’re probably thinking about finding good quality care for your child and you’re wondering how to go about it. Everyone has their reasons for putting their children in daycare- you could be going back to work or school, you may have another child on the way, or just simply need a break for your sanity and want your child to engage and interact with others. Whatever the reason may be, I will share some tips that... Read more

Why Does Self-Care Feel Wrong? Challenges and Solutions on the Road to Self-Care by an Experienced Therapist

April 8, 2017 By Admin

During a session in one of the wellness groups I run, I spoke to the group about the importance of self-care. One woman raised her hand and said that she feels guilty when doing any kind of self-care. A number of women, most of whom are mothers, echoed her sentiments. They said that they have so many obligations to others that taking care of their own needs feels unusual and sometimes wrong. I think many women out there, especially mothers,... Read more

Toys for Boys and Toys for Girls? Grow Mama “Debate” Part II

March 29, 2017 By Admin

Field hockey left-winger, pitcher and second baseman, lifeguard, snowboarder, sprinter (with the best 90-meter time!), high jumper and Super Mario Go Kart Champion—Yup that was me growing up. So, you may be surprised to find that I have an issue with the concept of gender-neutral toys. What is gender neutrality you ask? Merriam-Webster defines it as ‘not referring to either sex but only to people in general’. How does this definition translate into the toy industry? Commonly, it’s taking toys... Read more

Toys for Boys and Toys for Girls? Grow Mama “Debate” Part I

March 16, 2017 By Admin

“We all can dance, if we find the music that we love.” – Giraffes Can’t Dance We’ve all done it. At times we’ve used our lives as a benchmark by which all others are measured. We project our values onto others and use this as a way to compare and contrast what is right and what is wrong. In raising a child you are absolutely expected to project your values onto them; how else will they grow up to be strong,... Read more

Six Tips for Waking Up for Fajr When You Have Young Children

March 10, 2017 By Bushra Tobah

Sleepless nights. As I look back at the blur that was the first year of my children’s lives, I most vividly remember exhaustion. I reached a new level of “tired” that penetrated into my bones. When I thought I could not get more tired, my exhaustion reached a new peak. Yet as a practicing Muslim, I was supposed to find the will to get up and pray fajr in between my children’s night wakings. But how? How could I forgo... Read more