Friday, June 27, 2014

Teaching Your Kids About Ramadan (http://www.education.com/)

Teaching Your Kids About Ramadan (http://www.education.com/)
http://www.education.com/magazine/article/Ramadan/


Grandma Jeddah is the mother of 11 children and 13 grandchildren. She has taught hundreds of students for over 30 years at an Islamic school in Los Angeles, California.She is the author of, Discipline without Disrespecting: Discover the Hidden Secrets of How to Effectively Discipline Your Muslim Child--And Keep Your Peace of Mind while at It.  Subscribe to her free newsletter at --http://www.grandmajeddah.com

Monday, June 23, 2014

Teaching your Child about Islam (www.irfi.org/)

Teaching your Child about Islam (www.irfi.org/)
http://www.irfi.org/articles3/articles_4701_4800/teaching%20your%20child%20about%20islamhtml.htm


Grandma Jeddah is the mother of 11 children and 13 grandchildren. She has taught hundreds of students for over 30 years at an Islamic school in Los Angeles, California.She is the author of, Discipline without Disrespecting: Discover the Hidden Secrets of How to Effectively Discipline Your Muslim Child--And Keep Your Peace of Mind while at It.  Subscribe to her free newsletter at --http://www.grandmajeddah.com

Saturday, June 21, 2014

Du'a to Recite During Ramadan

SOME SUPPLICATIONS WHICH MAY
BE RECITED AT 'ARAFAT, AT THE
SACRED SITES, AND AT OTHER
PLACES OF SUPPLICATION

Retrieved from
A GUIDE TO HAJJ, UMRAH AND VISITING THE PROPHET'S MOSQUE

O Allah! I ask of You integrity and soundness in my religion, my life, my family, and my possessions. O Allah! Cover my shame, pacify my fears, guard me from what is in front of me and behind me, from what is on my right and on my left, over my head and under my
feet. O Allah! Grant health to my body. O Allah grant health to my hearing. O Allah! Grant health to my sight. There is no deity except You. O Allah! | seek refuge in You from unbelief and
poverty, and from the punishment to the grave. There is no deity except You.

O Allah! You are my Lord. There is no deity except You. You are my Creator and I am your creature. I try to keep my covenant with You and to live in the hope to Your promise as well as I can. I seek refuge in You from my own evil deeds. I acknowledge Your favors to me, and
I acknowledge my sins. Forgive me my sins, for there is no one who can forgive sins except You. O Allah! | seek refuge in You from worry and sorrow. I seek refuge in You from impotence and sloth, from stinginess and cowardice, and I seek refuge in You from the burden of debt and from being humbled by men.

O Allah! make the beginning of this day good, the middle prosperous, and the end successful. I ask You to grant me the good of this world and of the Hereafter, O Most Merciful of all Who show us mercy!

O Allah! I ask of You to make me pleased with what You decreed for me return to good life after death, and earnestly seek the pleasure of looking at Your Glorious Countenance and the craving to meet you, without distress or affliction or misguiding trial. I seek refuge in You from
oppressing others or being oppressed, from doing wrong or suffering wrong, and from committing an error or a sin which You will not forgive.

O Allah! I seek refuge in You from the feebleness of old age.

O Allah! Guide me to the best of deeds and the best of morals, as none can guide to the best except You, and save me from bad deeds, as none can save me from what is bad except You. O Allah! Strengthen my faith, expand my living space and bless me in my livelihood.

O Allah! I seek refuge in You from negligence, degradation, and destitution. I seek refuge in You from unbelief, wickedness, vanity and show; and I seek refuge in You from blindness, deafness and leprosy and bad diseases. O Allah! Give my soul piety and my conscience purity. You are the Master of my soul and the Guardian of my conscience. O Allah! l seek refuge in You from a knowledge which does not benefit, from a heart which does not tremble, from an ego which is not sated, and from a supplication which is not accepted.

O Allah! I seek refuge in You from the evil of what I did and from the evil of what I did not do; from the evil of what I know and from the evil of what I did not know. O Allah! I seek refuge in You from a decline in Your favor, from a change in Your protection, from Your sudden punishment and all Your displeasure.

O Allah! I seek refuge in You from ruin and falling, from drowning and burning, and from senility: I seek refuge in You from Satan's beguiling me at my death, and I seek refuge in You from being bitten by venomous creatures. I seek refuge in You from greed, bad manners,
bad actions, bad desires and bad diseases. I seek refuge in You from the burden of debt, from being humbled by people, and from the ridicule of enemies.

O Allah! Strengthen my religion which is my fortress. Make this world a better place of sojourn for me, and grant me a good life in the Hereafter which will be my abode. Make my life increase In all goodness and my death a rest from all evil.

O Allah! Support me and help me, and do not let others overpower me. Guide me and make the following of Your Commands easy for me.

O Allah! Make me grateful to You, mindful of You, full of fear toward You, devoted to obedience to You, humble before You, earnest in supplication, and penitent. My
Lord, accept my repentance, wash away my sins, answer my supplication, establish my veracity, guide my heart, make my tongue truthful, and remove all ill feeling from my heart.

O Allah! I ask You for a resolute mind and firmness in following the guidance. I ask You to make me thankful for Your favor, to be of good service to You, and to grant me a sound heart and a truthful tongue. I ask You to grant me what You know to be good and to give me refuge
from what is evil, and to forgive me - and You are the Knower of the Unseen. O Allah! Inspire me with good conduct and save me from the evil of my selfishness. O Allah! I ask You to guide me to the doing of good deeds and abstaining from bad deeds and love those who are humble, and to forgive me and show mercy to me. And if You wish a trial for Your servants, take me to You before falling into lt.

O Allah! I ask You for Your love and the love of those who love You, and for the love of every action which will bring me closer to Your love.

O Allah! I ask You for the best of this request, for the best in my supplication, for the best success and the best reward. Strengthen me, make heavier my balance of good, confirm my faith, elevate my rank, accept my worship, and forgive my mistakes. And I ask of You the highest ranks in the Garden of Paradise. I ask You for good beginnings, good endings, the totality of goodness, from the first to the last, from within and from without, and I ask of You the highest ranks in the Garden.

O Allah! I ask You to exalt my fame, lighten my burden, purify my heart, keep me chaste, forgive me my sins, and I ask of You a high rank in the Garden O Allah! Bless me in my sight, in my hearing, in my soul, in my body, in my conduct. Bless me in my life, in my family, in my work. Accept my good deeds, and I ask of You a high rank In the Garden.

O Allah! I seek refuge In You from difficulties, calamities, troubles, oppression and the ridicule of enemies.

O Allah! O Controller of the Hearts. Keep my heart firm In Your religion; keep it contented with Your worshlp.

O Allah! Grant us increase and not decrease, honor and not dishonor; give us Your favors and do not deprive us; prefer us, let not others be preferred to us. O Allah! Grant us the best of outcomes in all our affairs, and save us from disgrace in this world and from punishment in the Hereafter.

O Allah! Grant us such fear of You as will come between us and acts of disobedience to You, such obedience to You as will bring us to Your Garden; and such certainty that the calamities of this .world will be made easy for us by You. Let us enjoy our hearing, our sight and our faculties as long as You grant us life, and let it be, the last to be taken away from us. Avenge us from
those who have wronged us and help us against our enemies. Let no calamity befall our religion; let not worldly affairs be our greatest care or all about which we know; and let not those who have no fear of You and who do not show mercy toward us rule over us.

O Allah! I ask You to bestow Your mercy on me, to forgive me, to protect me from every sin, to give me a share of every good, and to grant me the attainment of the Garden and salvation from the Fire.

O Allah! Leave not for us a sin which You have not forgiven, nor a shortcoming which You have not concealed, nor a wary which You have not removed, nor a debt which You have not paid, nor a need from among the needs of this world or the Hereafter, the fulfillment of which is beneficial for us and pleasing to You, which You have not fulfilled, 0 Most Merciful of all show us mercy!

O Allah! I ask for a mercy from You by which You will guide my heart, settle my affairs, remove my worries, protect me from what is unseen to me. Make my face radiant, purify my deeds, inspire me with wisdom, avert calamities from me. and protect me from every evil.

O Allah! I ask You for success on the day of judgment, and a life of happiness, and the rank of the martyrs, the companionship of the prophets, and victory over the enemies. O Allah! | ask You for correctness of belief; for a faith which leads to good conduct; for a success which results in eternal felicity; for mercy, health and forgiveness from You, and for Your pleasure.

O Allah! I ask You for health, for integrity, for good character, and that I may be pleased with my portion.

O Allah! seek refuge in You from the evil of myself, and from the evil of every creature which You are grasping by its forelock. O my Lord, keep me on the straight path.


O Allah! You hear my words. You behold my situation, You know what is open and what is hidden within me; nothing is hidden from You. It is me alone who is in need, a humble seeker of Your forgiveness. I beseech You with humility in my heart, with trembling and fear, in prostration and utter helplessness. O Allah! Grant me soundness of belief, goodness of character, forgiveness of my sins, and Your eternal pleasure in the Hereafter. May Allah's blessings be upon Muhammad and his family and companions.

Thursday, June 19, 2014

How to raise children as per Islamic (http://www.slideshare.net/)

How to raise children as per Islamic (http://www.slideshare.net/)
http://www.slideshare.net/kingabid/how-to-raise-children-as-per-islamic-principles



Grandma Jeddah is the mother of 11 children and 13 grandchildren. She has taught hundreds of students for over 30 years at an Islamic school in Los Angeles, California.This is an excerpt from her book, Discipline without Disrespecting: Discover the Hidden Secrets of How to Effectively Discipline Your Muslim Child--And Keep Your Peace of Mind while at It.  Subscribe to her free newsletter at --http://www.grandmajeddah.com

Monday, June 16, 2014

Raising Children in Deen and Dunya (http://www.islaam.net/)

Raising Children in Deen and Dunya (http://www.islaam.net/)
http://www.islaam.net/main/display.php?id=1696&



Grandma Jeddah is the mother of 11 children and 13 grandchildren. She has taught hundreds of students for over 30 years at an Islamic school in Los Angeles, California.This is an excerpt from her book, Discipline without Disrespecting: Discover the Hidden Secrets of How to Effectively Discipline Your Muslim Child--And Keep Your Peace of Mind while at It.  Subscribe to her free newsletter at --http://www.grandmajeddah.com

Saturday, June 14, 2014

Parenting Tips (http://www.islamic-world.net/)

Parenting Tips (http://www.islamic-world.net/)
http://www.islamic-world.net/parenting/parenting_tips.htm



Grandma Jeddah is the mother of 11 children and 13 grandchildren. She has taught hundreds of students for over 30 years at an Islamic school in Los Angeles, California.This is an excerpt from her book, Discipline without Disrespecting: Discover the Hidden Secrets of How to Effectively Discipline Your Muslim Child--And Keep Your Peace of Mind while at It.  Subscribe to her free newsletter at --http://www.grandmajeddah.com

Tuesday, June 10, 2014

Necessary Tips for Raising Children Islamically (http://idealmuslimah.com/)

Necessary Tips for Raising Children Islamically (http://idealmuslimah.com/)
 http://idealmuslimah.com/family/bringing-up-children/481-necessary-tips-for-raising-children-islamically.html





Grandma Jeddah is the mother of 11 children and 13 grandchildren. She has taught hundreds of students for over 30 years at an Islamic school in Los Angeles, California.This is an excerpt from her book, Discipline without Disrespecting: Discover the Hidden Secrets of How to Effectively Discipline Your Muslim Child--And Keep Your Peace of Mind while at It.  Subscribe to her free newsletter at --http://www.grandmajeddah.com

Monday, June 9, 2014

The Ultimate Guide to Prepare for Ramadan Stress! (By: Grandma Jeddah, From: Productive Muslim)

The Ultimate Guide to Prepare for Ramadan Stress!

(By: Grandma Jeddah, From: Productive Muslim)



Did I forget anything on the list for Iftar? What am I going to cook for Suhoor? I’m hungry, irritable, and my kids are stressing me out!


​Ramadan! One of the most blessed and enjoyable months of the year. But for Muslim sisters, it can also be a month of pressure, extra demands, and anxiety. 

Many sisters have the added pressure of preparing Iftar, taking care of the children, as well as trying to find extra time to read Qur’an and perform nawafil acts. Of course, the stress can pile up, so begin early and prepare for Ramadan stresses with these 10 helpful tips and ensure a peaceful and serene Ramadan, insha'Allah.


1. Read or listen to inspiring stories from the Qur’an.
The Qur’an has stories of righteous women who had difficulties but remained patient and received Allah’s  reward as a result. Maryam mother of Isa  was accused of immoral acts – she was blessed with a virtuous son who became a noble prophet. Asiya the wife of Pharoah was tortured viciously by her husband. Allah  informed her of her place in Paradise. The mother of Musa  gave up her son for a period of time. Allah  returned him to her and blessed him to become a righteous prophet. Through their patience, Allah  blessed these women with something better than what their trials presented to them.


Stories such as these found in Qur’an are not merely for our reading pleasure. They are words of inspiration to help us through our most difficult challenges in life. 

In preparation for Ramadan, take 15 minutes each day to read or listen to inspiring stories from Islam.  When the stressful moments of Ramadan arise, your mind will be set with a positive outlook so you can tackle the busyness with courage and patience learned from these role models, insha'Allah.


2. Make extra du’a and memorize them.

Remember to ask Allah  to solve your problems and relieve your stressors. He is the One who is in control of everything. In Surah Mujadilah, Allah lets one of the female companions of the Prophet know that He hears and knows of her complaints, and He responds to her worries and concerns, as well.


"Certainly has Allah heard the speech of the one who argues with you, [O Muhammad], concerning her husband and directs her complaint to Allah. And Allah hears your dialogue; indeed, Allah is Hearing and Seeing." [Surah 58, Verse 1]


We must remember that Allah  can make the difficult easy. So recite du’a more frequently to prepare for this month, and while you’re at it, try memorizing them, as well. According to hadith, the Prophet (saw) prescribed the following du’a for stress:


 "O Allah, I hope for Your Mercy. Leave me not to myself for even a wink of an eye, and set right all my affairs. There is no god but You.” [Abu Daw’ud]


Allah  wants us to seek His help and to plead to Him, so ask Him often for His assistance, especially to help you deal with the coming stresses of Ramadan.


3. Work on becoming more patient.

Make a special effort this Ramadan to intentionally work on becoming more patient and start this now. When we try to be patient, Allah will make it easier for us to continue being patient, insha'Allah.  


The Prophet Muhammad  said, “…and whoever remains patient, Allah will make him patient…” [Bukhari]. 


We should use the difficulties of this blessed month as an opportunity to build our patience.Here is a du’a from Quran we can make asking Allah to help us to become more patient: “… Our Lord, pour upon us patience and let us die as Muslims [in submission to You].” [Surah 7, Verse 126]


We all need and want Allah  to aid us and be with us. Being patient is one way of achieving this great blessing, inshaAllah. Unfortunately, patience is not always a natural character trait and the difficulty in practicing it is why it is so rewardable. This month, make a quick note in a private diary/phone app (for example, Notes on iPhone) of the situations in which you did not exercise patience or situations you could have handled better. Having our weaknesses spelled out to us is an effective way for us to actively practice Sabr when similar things happen again.


4. Appreciate an empty stomach.

No doubt, being hungry can make us grumpy and more easily irritated, but having an empty stomach can also, in some respects, make us more calm and subdued. Hunger slows us down and makes us less worldly.  People are more contemplative when fasting. Although the lack of eating can make us irritable, we’re also less energetic and we become more restrained.  We should take advantage of this unique aspect of fasting during our difficult moments. Why not fast Mondays and/or Thursdays until Ramadan begins to prepare for the physical difficulties of Ramadan.
​

5. Spend extra time with our kids.

​One of the greatest stresses we mothers experience is the misbehavior of our children. One of the most effective ways of managing misbehavior is by being proactive and spending quality time with our kids. During the first few days of Ramadan, we often wonder what to do with the extra time we have from not eating.  Some of this extra time can be spent playing with our children.We can read Islamic stories to them or even recite them from memory. How about playing Scrabble or Score Four or some other entertaining game? Or, better yet, we can search online for Islamic stores that sell children’s Islamic games and play fun and entertaining games that teach about our religion.  What about working together with the kids to design Ramadan posters to place throughout the house? Search online for creative and fun games that cost nothing at all, such as guessing games? Switch your stress from frustration to fun. (continue at top)

6. Make gifts for others.

One of the best ways for us to feel good about ourselves is to become creative.  Creating usable items that we have produced from our hard work makes us feel valuable. We can work on a quilt or make pot pourri with flowers from outside of the home. We can even crochet a kufi or knit a shawl for Eid. These are things that can distract our mind from irritated feelings and make us feel more composed. It is also a great way to engage the kids.
​
7. Give to others.

It is becoming more and more apparent to psychologists and those who work with people who have depression, that one of the best ways for people to feel content is for them to help others less well off than themselves. Women generally have the task of cooking, so it is easy to make a small extra portion  to give to an elderly neighbor. 
If you know a family that is not doing so well financially, prepare a delicious meal for them and send it over for them to enjoy.
. 
Stop by a needy neighbor's house and help clean their home for them. Shop for them, or fulfill some other need they may have.  The list of charitable deeds is endless and generally doesn’t take a lot of time to do, maybe once or twice a week. If you start these deeds now, they will become second nature by the time Ramadan arrives, and your rewards will be multiplied, insha'Allah!

8. Remind yourself that this is a special and fleeting month.

Ramadan will only be here for 29 or 30 days. Realize what an enormous blessing you have for increasing your good deeds, growing closer to Allah, and hopefully attaining a spot in Paradise. The thought of entering paradise someday with endless pleasures that only increase in their joy and have no stresses or difficulties is likely more than enough to get you through the most stressful moments of Ramadan. I wish all sisters a peaceful and serene Ramadan! 

​About the Author:
Grandma Jeddah is the author of Discipline without Disrespecting: Discover the Hidden Secrets of How to Effectively Discipline Your Muslim Child –And Keep Your Peace of Mind while at It. Let her show you how respectful discipline methods which encourage calmness, advising, gentleness and non-corporal consequences, can be a successful means of training your children to be Allah fearing Muslims. She is also the founder of Successful Muslim Marriage which provides Muslim wives with the wisdom and ways to stay married…through the difficult times, Bi’ithnilah. Visit her website for more helpful tips and to subscribe to her FREE newsletter: 

Link to Productive Musllim Article  http://productivemuslim.com/the-ultimate-guide-to-prepare-for-ramadan-stress/#ixzz34DPlvU6l 


Thursday, June 5, 2014

The Importance of Everyday Relationships (By: Allison Akey, From : Focus on the Family)

The Importance of Everyday Relationships (By: Allison Akey, From : Focus on the Family)

What will your children remember most about your parenting when they grow up, insha'Allah?
http://www.focusonthefamily.com/parenting/building_relationships/celebrating_your_family_identity/impact_of_everyday_interactions.aspx

Grandma Jeddah is the mother of 11 children and 13 grandchildren. She has taught hundreds of students for over 30 years at an Islamic school in Los Angeles, California.This is an excerpt from her book, Discipline without Disrespecting: Discover the Hidden Secrets of How to Effectively Discipline Your Muslim Child--And Keep Your Peace of Mind while at It.  order her books or Subscribe to her free newsletter at --

http://shop.grandmajeddah.com/      http://www.grandmajeddah.com

Does your daughter need hijab encouragement? Then you'll enjoy Grandma Jeddah's Book Review and Interview of Fatimah Ibrahim, author of The Beauty of My Hijab 
http://www.grandmajeddah.com/book-review-fatimah.html

Grandma Jeddah is the mother of 11 children and 13 grandchildren. She has taught hundreds of students for over 30 years at an Islamic school in Los Angeles, California.This is an excerpt from her book, Discipline without Disrespecting: Discover the Hidden Secrets of How to Effectively Discipline Your Muslim Child--And Keep Your Peace of Mind while at It.  order her books or Subscribe to her free newsletter at --

http://shop.grandmajeddah.com/      http://www.grandmajeddah.com

Tuesday, June 3, 2014

How to Get Your Child to want to Obey By: Grandma Jeddah




How to Get Your Child to want to Obey 



By Grandma Jeddah

“It’s time to go to bed.” “Take your bath.”  “Make salat.” Your children hear countless commands from you throughout the day—no wonder they sometimes feign they don’t hear you. You probably would too if you had to hear “Do this,” “Don’t do that,” on a constant basis. But that’s your job, no doubt . . .to teach your children right from wrong and how to be good Muslims. There must be an easier way, you’ve probably wondered on occasion, to encourage them to get their homework and chores done. There is! Here are a few ways to get your children to follow your rules and instructions in the home with less obstinacy.

1.   Show your love often. A child who feels loved by you has a stronger desire to obey you than one who feels unloved. The Prophet (saw) was known to be extremely kind to his grandsons, Hassan and Hussein. He kissed them,  set them on his lap and made dua for them. He even allowed them to play on him while he was making salat.

2.   Treat you children fairly with their other siblings.  No one likes the feeling of being oppressed. It makes you feel angry, sad, and vindictive. These three emotions can discourage your child from wanting to obey. Instead, he may choose  to show you how angry and hurt he feels—which is often expressed through inappropriate behavior. The Prophet (saw) gave clear advice for parents to be fair when dealing with their children.

3.   Avoid excessive punishments.  Although you might be extremely angry with your child for spilling milk on the new sofa, wait until your anger has subsided before reacting. Once you have calmed down, you are more likely to see the situation for what it truly is—an accident.  The Prophet (saw) has advised us to not get angry. These are words of wisdom when disciplining our young ones.

4.   Use Incentive Charts. A lot has been said about rewarding children for good behavior. Some can’t imagine disciplining without it. Others say it can make kids dependent upon rewards. There is no doubt from both sides that incentives encourage compliance. If you are looking to get your child to obey with minimal effort and stress-incentives are certainly the way to go. Allah provides us with numerous incentives to obey Him.  The righteous will be gifted with gardens beneath which rivers flow, among other desirable rewards.

5.   Make dua, asking Allah to bless your child to be a good Muslim. The dua of the parent is answered, according to hadith.

The next time Abdullah doesn’t want to take a bath, or Noor doesn’t want to go to bed, check to see if you’ve been keeping up on the 5 tips above.  If not, no problem—work on it. If yes—then you’re likely already seeing an improvement, insha’Allah.


Grandma Jeddah is the mother of 11 children and 13 grandchildren. She has taught hundreds of students for over 30 years at an Islamic school in Los Angeles, California.This is an excerpt from her book, Discipline without Disrespecting: Discover the Hidden Secrets of How to Effectively Discipline Your Muslim Child--And Keep Your Peace of Mind while at It.  order her books or Subscribe to her free newsletter at --

http://shop.grandmajeddah.com/      http://www.grandmajeddah.com



Monday, June 2, 2014

Making Families Work - Tips for Muslim Parenting (http://muslimmatters.org/)

Making Families Work - Tips for Muslim Parenting (http://muslimmatters.org/)
http://muslimmatters.org/2013/05/10/making-families-work-yasir-qadhi/



Grandma Jeddah is the mother of 11 children and 13 grandchildren. She has taught hundreds of students for over 30 years at an Islamic school in Los Angeles, California.This is an excerpt from her book, Discipline without Disrespecting: Discover the Hidden Secrets of How to Effectively Discipline Your Muslim Child--And Keep Your Peace of Mind while at It.  order her books or Subscribe to her free newsletter at --

http://shop.grandmajeddah.com/        http://www.grandmajeddah.com

Sunday, June 1, 2014

An inspiring poem for mothers or caregivers of children with disabilities

An inspiring poem for mothers or caregivers of children with disabilities

I AM THE CHILD (Author Unknown) 

I am the child who cannot talk. 
You often pity me, I see it in your eyes. 
You wonder how much I am aware of -- I see that as well. 
I am aware of much, whether you are happy or sad or fearful, 
patient or impatient, full of love and desire, 
or if you are just doing your duty by me. 
I marvel at your frustration, knowing mine to be far greater,
for I cannot express myself or my needs as you do.
You cannot conceive my isolation, so complete it is at times.
I do not gift you with clever conversation, cute remarks to be laughed over and repeated.
I do not give you answers to your everyday questions,
responses over my well-being, sharing my needs,
or comments about the world about me.
I do not give you rewards as defined by the world's standards -- great strides in
development that you can credit yourself;
I do not give you understanding as you know it.
What I give you is so much more valuable -- I give you instead opportunities.
Opportunities to discover the depth of your character, not mine;
the depth of your love, your commitment, your patience, your abilities;
the opportunity to explore your spirit more deeply than you imagined possible.
I drive you further than you would ever go on your own, working harder,
seeking answers to your many questions with no answers.
I am the child who cannot talk.
I am the child who cannot walk.
The world seems to pass me by.
You see the longing in my eyes to get out of this chair, to run and play like other children.
There is much you take for granted.
I want the toys on the shelf, I need to go to the bathroom, oh I've dropped my fork again.
I am dependent on you in these ways.
My gift to you is to make you more aware of your great fortune,
your healthy back and legs, your ability to do for yourself.
Sometimes people appear not to notice me; I always notice them.
I feel not so much envy as desire, desire to stand upright,
to put one foot in front of the other, to be independent.
I give you awareness.
I am the child who cannot walk.
I am the child who is mentally impaired.
I don't learn easily, if you judge me by the world's measuring stick,
what I do know is infinite joy in simple things.
I am not burdened as you are with the strife's and conflicts of a more complicated life.
My gift to you is to grant you the freedom to enjoy things as a child,
to teach you how much your arms around me mean, to give you love.
I give you the gift of simplicity.
I am the child who is mentally impaired.
I am the disabled child.
I am your teacher. If you allow me,
I will teach you what is really important in life.
I will give you and teach you unconditional love.
I gift you with my innocent trust, my dependency upon you.
I teach you about how precious this life is and about not taking things for granted.
I teach you about forgetting your own needs and desires and dreams.
I teach you giving.
Most of all I teach you hope and faith.
I am the disabled child.




Grandma Jeddah is the mother of 11 children and 13 grandchildren. She has taught hundreds of students for over 30 years at an Islamic school in Los Angeles, California.This is an excerpt from her book, Discipline without Disrespecting: Discover the Hidden Secrets of How to Effectively Discipline Your Muslim Child--And Keep Your Peace of Mind while at It.  order her books or Subscribe to her free newsletter at --

http://shop.grandmajeddah.com/        http://www.grandmajeddah.com

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