Laughs and Parenting Fails: A Tale from a Modest Household
Parenthood is an incredible journey filled with a multitude of unforgettable moments. Some of those moments are filled with laughter and joy, while others leave us cringing at ourselves and questioning our sanity. It’s story time, so let's dive into an amusing and relatable story from our modest household, where parenting fails are turned into opportunities for laughter, reflection, and a shared sense of camaraderie.
Your Word Against Yours: When You’re Questioned and Challenged About Your Very Own Actions
Let's gather 'round for a parenting tale that will have ‘muslim women reverts’ relating a little too closely. We all know those moments when our children catch us off guard with their observations and comments, leaving us momentarily speechless. Well, here's a story that had me questioning my own hypocrisy and led to a valuable lesson.
Imagine a cosy evening with my family, flipping through old photo albums filled with cherished memories of my pre-revert days (before reverting to Islam). As we laughed and reminisced, my preschooler peered at one particular photo and innocently asked, "Mummy, why are you showing your knees outside? You're always telling me to cover up." Cue the side-eyed meme moment.
Time seemed to stand still as I absorbed the weight of her words. What a keen observation from my little one, and boy did it deserve a well-thought-out response. Sure, I could have let the reflexive answer slip right out - "Well, Mummy hadn't reverted to Islam yet," and leave it at that. It was partially true, but it lacked depth and left much to be desired.
No, this was a perfect opportunity for some parental self-reflection and to acknowledge one of my parenting blind spots. We’re all too familiar with those times when we finally take a moment to truly ask ourselves questions brought up by our children, and we finally come up with deep and profound philosophical answers that rival Einstein's theories approximately 6 business days later🤦🏾. So, it was time to dive deep and give my daughter the explanation she deserved.
I took the next chance to sit down and have an honest conversation with her. I explained that in the past, I used to dress a little differently, yet still maintain a sense of modesty. I expressed how much I loved my previous style and how it defined a part of who I was at the time. But as I grew and embarked on my personal journey of faith, my fashion choices evolved too, and my awareness and appreciation for a more modest look deepened (that's for another blog post).
Through this transformation, I discovered the power and liberation that comes with covering myself and embracing a modest silhouette. It became a simple no-brainer for me, a path that aligned with my values and empowered me as a woman. And so, I pass on this understanding and experience to her, in the hopes that when the time comes for her to go out into the world, she can make her very own informed decisions, just as I did.
But amidst the heartfelt explanation, to which probably went completely over her cute little head, a thought couldn't help but creep into my mind, that oh my days, she must think I'm a total fraud!
Happy Reading,
Amina Suarez
We hope you had a fantastic time joining us on this laughter-filled journey through the ups and downs of parenting in a modest household. At My Modest Girl, we believe that sharing our parenting moments, both the wins and fumbles, can create a tight-knit community where we can all learn, grow, and find solace in the shared experiences of parenthood. Your stories matter to us, and we'd love to hear from you! So, whether you have hilarious parenting fails that still make you chuckle or heartwarming victories that make you burst with pride, please don't hesitate to reach out. Share your parenting adventures with us by sending an email to [email protected]. Together, let's keep the laughter going and build connections that make this journey even more extraordinary.