Holiday Diary – pre-beginning.

So. It’s summer. And despite the weeks of rain we’ve been having in the UK at the moment, the summer holidays are here!

It’s at this time that many parents run around in despair: they’ll have their kids full-time for at least six weeks! *mock shock face* I no longer homeschool full-time, but I know what this feeling feels like, and have concluded that it occurs due to fear.

Now the fear isn’t of looking after the kids (we do it anyway, right?), but fear of adequately keeping them ‘busy’/’entertained’ while maintaining a degree of sanity. Right? Yeah, thought so.

The thing is, it doesn’t have to be a horror story, and after my ups and downs of teaching teenagers at a Further Education college for an entire academic year, I think dealing with my 8 and 6 year old will be a walk in the park, God-willing.

I have a strategy in mind, especially bearing in mind that the month of Ramadan is right around the corner. That corner. Yup, you see it? Yeah, that one. The month of fasting, abstinence and self-reform is making its way and I want it to be enriching for us all. My survival kitbag will thus contain the following:

paper – lots of it! All colours and will include sugar paper, A3-A5 size and card too.
glue – oh, yes!
scissors. yeah.
Colours – pens, pencils, crayons etc.
Books. Lots of them. Such a standard feature.

I’m in planning mode, but I want the month of Ramadan to be fulfilling for me and for them, and I also don’t plan for us to be cooped in the house. The whole, ‘stay home and rest because we’re not eating’ malarky isn’t on my agenda. Spiritual strength goes alongside physical strength and being out and about can be just as beneficial. Planning is key!

Stay tuned, and why not share your Ramadan kiddy plans?

Much love,

LaYinka S. (Umm Junayd)