altMommy

Embracing my daughter’s superpower

“Mommy, am I autistic?” It was a question I hadn’t expected as I drove with my then-13-year-old daughter on our way to a doctor’s appointment.  We’d never hidden it, but my husband and I did not want to label her at an early age with any kind of diagnosis. We…

Read More

Celebrating Christmas with abandon

This holiday season I’m fully embracing Christmas.  Those of you who know me know I’m not a little bit Muslim.  I’m ardently Muslim.  I love dhikr, I celebrate when my kids recite chapters of the Qur’an, I quote from its meaning in conversation, I talk about the meaning and solace…

Read More

When I nearly scorched my face with an iron: Postpartum depression

Postpartum depression is a terrible but very common condition that becomes lost in our need to make the conversation about a woman’s journey from pregnancy to motherhood positive and sanguine.   Because of these rosy conversations women often assume having a baby will be nothing but joy and cuddles. It should come naturally…

Read More

Mindful parenting during Ramadan

The doctors told me to wash her bed sheets and give her a shower tonight before her surgery, which isset for 8:30 AM. She can’t eat after midnight and I must be at the surgery center at 7:00 AM to check her in. The doctors called in a prescription for…

Read More

Raising My Son

Ever since November 7th, I have been struggling with sleepless nights. I toss and turn, thinking of my three-year-old son, worrying what this country has in store for him as an American Muslim. How can I help him navigate the bigotry and sheer ignorance he will surely encounter? How do I prepare…

Read More

4 Tips to Help Your Child Sleep Better

As a parent, making sure your kids are getting enough sleep is one of the most important things you can do for their health and dispositions. But as you probably know quite well, such a natural process comes with a variety of challenges — everything from kiddos who leave their…

Read More