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Quarterly Newsletter
Ramadan-- August, 2011
How to Encourage your Child to Fast—Without Pressuring
By Grandma Jeddah
“You fasted the whole day. . .good girl!” What a nice phrase to be able to say to your
child. Although our children are not required to fast until they reach puberty, we are encouraged
to get them in the habit of fasting while young? Try this fun and exciting way to encourage your
child to fast this Ramadan? Make a Ramadan Star Chart so she can earn stars each day she fasts
to receive a special treat.
This is what to do:
1. Write your child’s name on a sheet of paper. If you have several children, place all of the
names of those you want to fast in a column on the paper.
2. Draw a horizontal line between each name to separate the names. There are more
elaborate methods of designing star charts using crayons, markers and stickers, for
decorating. Designing your star chart can also be a dandy Ramadan activity for you and
your child to work on together. But for parents with little time or desiring simplicity, a
plain blank or lined paper will work just fine.
3. Explain to your child that each day she fasts, you’ll place a star next to her name. When
she earns 5, 7 or 10 stars (determine the number based upon your child’s maturity) take
her shopping to buy a special gift. Or you can cook a special meal or dessert she likes.
Or you can give her money. The best rewards are those your child chooses herself. So
let her join in on deciding what her reward will be for fasting.
You can choose to alter the Ramadan Star Chart in any way that best fits your household.
Perhaps you’ll wish to reward your child with a star if she fasts most of the day or up to a certain
prayer period. Use your imagination for ideas.
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If you find that your child may not be completely truthful about fasting a particular day,
don’t be harsh or critical. Realize this a learning period for her and that fasting can be a huge
challenge. Simply commend her for her effort and kindly encourage her to try again the next
day. Also, emphasize and remind her of the reward she’s striving to obtain—Allah’s pleasure
and His Paradise.
Now get out the pencil and paper and cheer your little one on to reach for the stars this
Ramadan!
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According to a hadith in Bukhari and Muslim, the companions encouraged their children
to fast by making the fasting days enjoyable for them. Ar-Rubayya‟ bint Mu‟awiyyah reported
that: “The Messenger of Allah (SAW) sent a man on the morning of the day of „Ashurah, to the
homes of the Ansar, saying: „Whoever has spent the morning fasting is to complete his fast.
Whoever has not spent this morning fasting should voluntary fast for the remainder of the day .
„We fasted after that announcement, as did our young children. We would go to the mosque and
make toys stuffed with cotton for them to play with. If one of them started crying due to hunger,
we would give them a toy to play with until it was time to eat.” (al-Bukhari and Muslim)
Enjoyable activities for your child during Ramadan
http://www.submission.org/YES/child2.html
Children’s Ramadan Fasting (You Tube Video)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=75idez5Yxz4
Aliyyah’s First Ramadan (YouTube Video)
By Shirien Elamawy Illustrated By: Mohamed Qovaizi
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fwB-99-Gjag&feature=related
Ramadan Moon song By Yusuf Islam
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3wiTNYI8y8g&feature=related
47 Entertaining Activities for Your child During Ramadan
http://ourseeds.tripod.com/activities.html
Ramadan By Suhaib Ghazi, Holiday House
Suhaib Ghazi reveals the wonders of fasting as he narrates Ramadan, the story of a young
Muslim boy eagerly performing the duties of this holy month. Ghazi weaves together the
details of Islam and the practices of Ramadan with entertaining and easy-to-read text--both
necessary elements for young readers. Suitable for ages 7 to 11 years.
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Celebrating Ramadan By Diane Hoyt-Goldsmith, Holiday House
An inspiring book for Muslim youth allowing them to see the beauty of Islam’s cultural
heritage and diversity. Suitable for ages 10 to 13 years.
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How to Minimize Discipline Problems During Taraweeh Prayers—8 Tips
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Select a Masjid that caters to children.
Talk to your child about Taraweeh prior to leaving home.
Carry along a “Taraweeh activity bag” to keep them busy during prayers.
Bring a bag of snacks for a pleasant distraction.
Take them outside for a break, if needed.
Remember your child is in training.
Lower your expectations of a perfect prayer with your child in tow.
Remember that home might be the most suitable place for your Taraweeh prayers
with children.
4 Tips to Getting Your Child up for Suhoor without Shouting
1. Make sure your child gets sufficient rest throughout the day.
2. Cook a delicious aromatic meal for suhoor, and make sure your child knows about
it.
3. Make a Ramadan Star Chart for your child to receive incentive stars on days he gets
up for suhoor.
4. Don’t pressure your child; remember suhoor is not obligatory.
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Grandma Jeddah’s Library
You’re invited: Be sure to visit Grandma Jeddah’s blog for post after post of useful
articles on how to make obeying easier and discipline simpler:
grandmajeddah.blogspot.com Don’t forget to save it to your favorites list and tell your
friends and family about it.
Welcome: Visit the following pages on Grandma Jeddah’s website to find valuable
discipline Tips: “Parenting Support” where you’ll find useful links on discipline articles,
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videos and audio; “Ask Grandma Jeddah” where you can send in your discipline questions
and get a personal response from Grandma Jeddah within 24 hours; “Grandma Jeddah’s
Tips” where you can read Grandma Jeddah’s personal articles on how to make obeying
easier and discipline simpler. Don’t forget to save the website to your favorites list and tell
friends and family about it.
Get it Now! Discipline without Disrespecting: Discover the Hidden Secrets of How to
Effectively Discipline Your Muslim Child--And Keep Your Peace of Mind While at It. Inside
Grandma Jeddah’s 128 page e-Book, you’ll find over two dozen techniques for disciplining your
Muslim child without hitting, shouting or shaming. Order Now! Go to:www.grandmajeddah.com
And
Don’t forget to add the NEW Discipline without Disrespecting e-Workbook to your order to
help reinforce what you learn from your e-Book and help you put the knowledge into practice.
New! Discipline without Disrespecting: Quick Tip Guide A quick and easy way to search
for your discipline help. Coming Soon, insha’Allah!
Free e-Book: Want Grandma Jeddah’s FREE e-Book Discipline without Disrespecting: 8
Tips to Taming Your Muslim Child’s Temper? Download it from her website:
www.grandmajeddah.com
Come Join the fun and knowledge! Enter the 2011
Ramadan Parenting Contest:And win Grandma Jeddah’s
new e-Book!
Go to www.grandmajeddah.com Welcome page for complete details.
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You are more than welcome to share this free newsletter with family and friends through email, postings
to websites and blogs, social networks, printing and distributing, and any other manner you find most
suitable. Please retain all contents of this newsletter when sharing. Jazakalakhair.
Grandma Jeddah
Grandma Jeddah
Discipline without Disrespecting
email: [email protected] Website:www.grandmajeddah.com
3510 Exposition Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90019 (213) 248-9783
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Make Obeying Easier, Make Discipline Simpler
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