For Muslims, Ramadan is a time to focus on Allah. I was super excited for Ramadan to start and came up with all these goals I wanted to accomplish.
1. Fasting every day---I'm breastfeeding but since Zaki is 12 months now, I thought my milk supply should be safe.
2. Doing my 5 daily prayers on time every day
3. I was going to read the English translation of the Quran at least once.
4. I was going to read the Quran in Arabic once.
5. I was going to completely cut out TV so I could focus more on Islam.
6. I was going to pick my 4 year old up from school every day and do daily trash pickups with him in order to teach him about caring for the environment.
7. I was going to read the boys Islamic books every night.
8. Teach Kyle wudhu.
9. Start teaching Kyle how to pray.
10. Start wearing hijab
Did you notice how I kept saying "I was going to..." not "I am"?
Okay, so maybe my goals were a little unrealistic for my life. First off, I work full time (I'm currently writing this on my lunch break). Once I come home, my baby wants to feed on me nonstop while pulling my hair out in clumps (or desperately trying to take off my hijab if I'm wearing it when holding him). Kyle is full on and has more energy than I can fathom having. It's my first time fasting while breastfeeding. I didn't fast last year as Zaki was born right before Ramadan started. When Kyle was still feeding when he was a baby, my milk supply was so low that I was advised to not fast.
When I made my Ramadan goals, I had no concept how exhausted and tired I would be. Not fasting last year made me forget how tiring it was. Normally, I'm tired after a long and demanding day of work but can still keep up with the boys once I'm home. Yet, when you take water out of the equation...everything changes.
Now that reality has hit me in the face, I've revised my goals. I'm still fasting (except for 2 days when Zaki was sick and refusing to eat food) and praying. I've taught Kyle wudhu (will do another post on that later) and have starting teaching him how to pray. We sometimes read Islamic books at night and other times Kyle has been listening to Islamic podcasts for kids (will do another post on that later) while I'm taking care of his brother.
Confession: I've watched an hour of TV almost every night with my husband. Guess that goal didn't happen! By the time Kyle's in bed, I'm utterly exhausted. I can't go to sleep until Zaki is asleep so instead of reading while I breastfeed him or give him his nebulizer I've been watching Criminal Minds with my husband. At least I'm multitasking right?
Ramadan isn't over yet and In Sha Allah fasting will become easier for me as the month goes on. The nightly headaches that appeared the first week have disappeared. In Sha Allah I can concentrate better next week and will feel more refreshed and thus will be able to meet more of my goals.
What were your Ramadan goals and how have you been doing with meeting them?
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