parents

The boundless love a parent has for their child is matched only by their capacity to embarrass them.

I Raised My Sibling — But No One Raised Me
There’s a strange ache that comes with being the eldest in a brown household. You’re born into a role you never signed up for, and before you even realise it, you’re balancing two identities: a child in your own right and a substitute parent for the one who came after you.
By Tavleen Kaurabout a year ago in Families
Amina and the Magical Talking Adventure
Amina and the Magical Talking Adventure BY: Ubaid In the small village of Chamanpur, Hyderabad, there lived a sweet little girl named Amina. She was known for her kind heart, respect for her parents, and love for her teachers. Everyone in the village admired her good manners and gentle nature. However, Amina had one habit that troubled everyone around her—she talked constantly. No matter where she was or what she was doing, Amina could not stop talking. Her parents, teachers, and even friends tried to advise her to speak less, but she simply couldn’t help herself. Talking seemed like a part of who she was. One sunny morning, as Amina was walking to school, she noticed something unusual on the path. A beautiful, pure-white rabbit was hopping along, looking very friendly. Amina was immediately captivated. She picked up the rabbit gently and began talking to it. She shared her thoughts, stories, and even the little secrets of her heart, as though the rabbit were an old friend. By the time she reached her school, she was still chatting away with the rabbit in her arms. When she entered her classroom, her classmates gasped in surprise. They had never seen such a beautiful rabbit before. “Where did you get it?” one of them asked. Just then, their teacher, Miss Anwari, walked in. Seeing the rabbit, she raised her eyebrows in astonishment. “Who brought this rabbit?” she asked. Amina, feeling nervous, explained the entire story to her teacher. Miss Anwari smiled gently and said, “Alright, you may bring it today, but starting tomorrow, you should leave it at home.” Amina nodded in agreement, though a little disappointed. On her way back home, Amina continued talking to the rabbit. She told it about her school day, her friends, and even what she had eaten for breakfast. Suddenly, she realized something alarming: the path she was walking on was no longer leading to her home. Panic set in, and she started crying loudly. “How will I ever get home now?” she thought. Before she could react further, the rabbit transformed before her eyes into a terrifying giant. It spoke in a deep, booming voice: “Finally, I’ve found the girl who talks endlessly. Now, I will take you to my king. He is always happy to listen to someone as talkative as you.” Amina froze in fear and started crying even harder. The giant rabbit gestured, and immediately a large chest appeared before her. Before she could even ask what was happening, she was lifted and placed inside the chest. The lid was locked with only a small hole for air. The giant rabbit carried the chest to another world, a strange and mystical place, and presented it to the king. “Your Majesty,” said the creature, “I have brought a radio for you, as you requested.” The king looked puzzled. “I thought humans had a machine called a radio that talks all the time,” he explained. “I wanted to hear one here in my kingdom.” The rabbit had explained to Amina earlier that the king did not understand that radios only work in the human world. She was told not to reveal that she was a human and not a real radio. So, she stayed silent inside the chest as the king commanded, “Play the radio.” Amina began talking non-stop. She described everything she knew, every little story, and every thought she had in her mind. The king listened with delight. He had never heard someone speak so much or so continuously. Hours passed, and Amina’s talking showed no sign of stopping. Eventually, exhaustion, hunger, and thirst overwhelmed her, and she fainted. The king, noticing that the “radio” had stopped working, called the giant. “The radio has stopped,” he said, worriedly. The giant panicked, “Don’t worry, Your Majesty! I will fix it immediately!” He carried the chest back to the same path where he had found Amina. Opening the chest, he saw her pale and unconscious. He splashed water on her face, fed her, and gave her water to drink. Amina slowly regained consciousness but was terrified. The giant asked her to lie back in the chest again, but she cried loudly, refusing to be trapped once more. At that moment, a villager appeared nearby. Seeing her distress, he ran to her and shouted, “Look, that giant is trying to kidnap her!” When he looked around carefully, there was no giant and no chest—only Amina and the familiar path leading home. The kind villager escorted Amina safely back to her house. The frightening adventure had changed her. From that day onwards, Amina spoke less, only when necessary. Her family and friends noticed the change and began to love her even more than before. Her endless talking had transformed into thoughtful conversation, and she learned the value of listening as well as speaking. And so, Amina grew up to be a girl who knew when to talk and when to be quiet, bringing joy and respect to everyone around her. The adventure had taught her that while talking was fun, sometimes silence spoke louder than words.
By Ubaid about a year ago in Families
Ramadan Blessings in the Time of Lockdown
Dear Children! BY:Khan These days, because of the lockdown, schools are closed, and you are all spending your time safely at home. The whole world is going through a very difficult period because of a dangerous disease. That is why it is important for all of us to stay indoors and protect ourselves. But in the middle of these worries, Allah has blessed us with something very special: the arrival of the holy month of Ramadan. This month is always full of blessings, mercy, and forgiveness. It is the month in which prayers are accepted and Allah’s kindness surrounds us even more. So, dear children, why not use this precious time to pray more, recite the Qur’an, ask forgiveness from Allah, and make special duas? Let us pray together that Allah removes this disease from the entire world and grants peace and health to everyone. Ameen! --- The Blessings of Ramadan Ramadan is no ordinary month. It is the month in which the Holy Qur’an was revealed—a guide for all of humanity, showing us the straight path. According to the sayings of Abdullah ibn Abbas (RA), other divine books such as the Torah, Zabur, and Injil were also revealed in this blessed month. In Ramadan, good deeds are multiplied, sins are forgiven more easily, and the soul becomes lighter. The chains of evil are tightened, the gates of Paradise are opened, and the gates of Hell are closed. Even the devils are locked away. The Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “Whoever fasts in Ramadan with faith and hope for reward will have his past sins forgiven.” (Bukhari) “And whoever prays at night in Ramadan with sincere faith and seeking reward will have his past sins wiped away.” (Bukhari and Muslim) Another hadith explains that every act of a person is for himself, but fasting is special because it is purely for Allah, and He alone will reward it. Fasting is an act of sincerity where there is no showing off. --- The Prophet’s Example Dear children, in this blessed month, every good deed increases in value, but there were some acts that the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) gave special attention to. Reciting the Qur’an: The Prophet would recite the Qur’an frequently in Ramadan. Angel Jibreel (Gabriel) would come to him and they would recite together. Sometimes Jibreel listened to the Prophet, and sometimes the Prophet listened to Jibreel. Charity: The Prophet was always generous, feeding others even when he himself was hungry. But in Ramadan, his generosity increased so much that nothing stayed in his hands—whatever came to him, he gave away at once. Worship at night: When Ramadan arrived, the Prophet would strengthen himself for worship, spend long hours in prayer, and encourage his family to do the same. Seclusion and devotion: In the last ten days of Ramadan, the Prophet would perform i’tikaf—secluding himself in the mosque to worship Allah more deeply. The Prophet said, “Whoever stands in prayer in Ramadan with faith and seeking reward will have his previous sins forgiven.” --- But What About Children? Now, dear children, some of you might be thinking: “But we are still small. Fasting is not yet obligatory for us. So why should we fast in this hot weather?” The answer is simple: in this blessed month, every act of worship and every effort is rewarded greatly by Allah. Even if children are not bound to fast, if they try to keep a fast, pray more, read Qur’an, or help their parents, Allah rewards them abundantly. Ramadan is not just about fasting—it is about becoming closer to Allah in every way. --- The Real Message of Ramadan Ramadan teaches us a big lesson: first, to practice the teachings of Islam in our own lives, and then to spread goodness and kindness to others. It is not enough to worship alone—we must also share, care, and help those around us. The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said: “Truly unfortunate is the person who finds Ramadan but does not earn Paradise.” So, Ramadan is a golden opportunity to earn Allah’s mercy and forgiveness. We must never waste it. --- Ramadan in Times of Hardship Dear children, this year’s Ramadan is a little different. Because of the pandemic, everyone is at home, and we cannot gather the way we used to. But do not be sad—this is actually a chance to make our homes shine with worship. We can pray together with our families, read Qur’an more often, and make heartfelt duas. Imagine how happy Allah will be to see His servants remembering Him during a time of hardship. When we raise our hands and ask sincerely, Allah listens. We can pray for our parents, our brothers and sisters, our teachers, and for the whole world. --- A Special Promise So, dear children, let us make a promise: We will try our best to pray five times a day. We will read at least a few pages of the Qur’an every day. We will say Astaghfar (seeking forgiveness) often. We will be kind to our parents and help them. We will share food and gifts with others whenever we can. If we do this, not only will our Ramadan be filled with blessings, but these difficult days of lockdown will also pass with peace and comfort. --- Conclusion Ramadan is like a treasure chest filled with jewels of mercy, forgiveness, and blessings. Whoever opens it with sincerity finds happiness in this world and the next. The Prophet’s life is our best guide—he showed us how to spend Ramadan with prayer, Qur’an, charity, and devotion. So let us not waste this chance. Even if the world outside feels heavy with worries, the light of Ramadan can make our hearts peaceful. May Allah keep us all in His protection, accept our prayers, forgive our sins, and remove this disease from the world. Ameen!
By Khan about a year ago in Families
Dear Children The Blessings of Ramadan
Dear Children! A Blessed Ramadan BY:Khan The holy and blessed moments of Ramadan have begun, bringing with them a wave of happiness and spirituality. Just as adults eagerly wait for this sacred month, children too are filled with joy and excitement. This year, Ramadan feels a little different because of the lockdowns and restrictions caused by the Coronavirus pandemic. Schools are closed, and children are spending most of their time at home with their families. While this situation is unusual, it has also created a unique opportunity for children to experience Ramadan more closely. For many children, this Ramadan is even more special because it is the first time they will be keeping their fasts. These children truly deserve to be congratulated and appreciated. Beginning the practice of fasting is a big step in a child’s life of faith, and it is a reason for both pride and joy. But dear children, while fasting is a beautiful and important act of worship, it should always be accompanied by regular prayers. Fasting all day but then spending the whole time sleeping is not the right way to approach this sacred month. Ramadan is not just about staying hungry or thirsty, but about collecting good deeds, improving our behavior, and seeking closeness to Allah. Since this year’s Ramadan has arrived during a time of lockdown, you have the chance to spend more time with your family and engage in worship together. Along with fasting, make sure you perform your five daily prayers on time. Children who already know how to pray should encourage their younger siblings to stand beside them in prayer. Boys can pray alongside their fathers, and girls with their mothers and sisters, so that prayer becomes a joyful family activity. Children who are already in the habit of offering prayers will find it easy to perform their fasts, because prayer brings peace and satisfaction to the heart, especially during Ramadan. In addition to prayer, you should also spend time reciting the Holy Qur’an. Those of you who have already completed the recitation of the Qur’an can use this month to revise and repeat the entire Qur’an. Children who have not yet finished the Qur’an can read the portions they have already learned. Doing this regularly will help them become fluent and remember the verses better. Every verse of the Qur’an recited brings blessings, rewards, and light to the heart. Ramadan is the perfect month to build the habit of Qur’an recitation that can continue throughout the year. Dear children, you must also remember that fasting is not only about abstaining from food and drink but also about staying away from bad habits and bad behavior. Fasting teaches us self-control. It teaches us to avoid lying, gossiping, fighting, using hurtful words, stealing, or showing anger. These are disliked deeds in ordinary times, but in Ramadan, avoiding them becomes even more important. True fasting means guarding both the body and the soul. A person who fasts should reflect kindness, patience, and good manners. So, dear children, use this blessed month to learn the beautiful teachings of Islam and continue to practice them even after Ramadan is over. During the long days of fasting, it is important to take care of your health as well. You should rest for a while in the afternoon so that your body remains strong. Avoid playing outside in the hot sun, as it may make you thirsty and tired. Instead, spend your time indoors in peaceful activities like reading, helping your parents, or engaging in worship. This way, your fast will pass more smoothly, and you will remain healthy and comfortable. Another joyous part of Ramadan for children is the celebration of the very first fast, also known as Roza Kushai. Families often organize a special iftar meal for the child who is fasting for the first time. Relatives and cousins join in the celebration, filling the home with laughter and excitement. This is done to encourage the child and make the experience memorable. Watching one child fast inspires other children to begin fasting too. But along with the joy of celebration, it is also necessary to explain the true meaning of fasting to children. Fasting is not about showing off or competing with others. It is about seeking Allah’s pleasure and performing good deeds sincerely. When children understand this, their hearts will feel even more connected to the spirit of Ramadan. And dear children, while you enjoy your first fast and the iftar celebration, don’t forget to think about those who are less fortunate. Many families cannot afford to prepare a lavish iftar. You should invite your neighbors and friends who may be poor to join in your happiness. If inviting them is not possible, you can send food to their homes. Sharing your blessings will make your happiness even greater, because true joy lies in giving to others. Ramadan is not only a month of worship but also a month of compassion, charity, and mercy. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) taught us that Allah loves those who share their blessings with others. So, as you keep your fasts, pray regularly, recite the Qur’an, and stay away from bad habits, also try to help those in need. Even a small act of kindness, like offering a glass of water at iftar, brings immense reward in this holy month. Dear children, fasting is a beautiful gift from Allah. It trains your heart to be patient, your tongue to speak kindly, and your hands to do good deeds. It teaches you to control your desires and reminds you that everything you have is from Allah’s mercy. This Ramadan, make a promise to yourself that you will not only fast but also pray sincerely, read the Qur’an regularly, avoid all bad deeds, and share happiness with others. If you do this, you will truly experience the blessings of Ramadan. So, let us welcome this sacred month with open hearts. Let us fill our days with prayer, gratitude, and kindness. And let us all pray together that Allah removes the hardships of the pandemic, blesses our families, and accepts our worship. Ramadan Mubarak, dear children! May your fasts, prayers, and good deeds be accepted, and may you continue to shine with the light of faith long after Ramadan has ended.
By Khan about a year ago in Families
Back-to-School Mayhem Meets Weekend Adventure Pressure
Backpacks flying. Shoes disappearing. Someone is yelling about a missing pencil while another is eating breakfast with their hands.
By Funfullabout a year ago in Families
Deloitte American employee attacking Chinese Father-in-law with extreme offensive and political sensitive language
Deloitte US Employee attacking Cancer Dying Father-in-Law by writing: "Fucking wow you are a stupid, miserable piece of shit. If you try anything as idiotic as "contacting my employer" or blasting me on social media I will notify every applicable US and Chinese government agency I can find of your attempted extortion. ．．I guess you will be OK though because the Chinese government is very lenient with criminal behavior right?"
By Charles Shiabout a year ago in Families
The Country Where Men Raise Babies—and Love Every Minute of It
In many countries, taking care of babies is mostly regarded as a mother's responsibility. This is not, however, the situation in Denmark. Fathers in this country embrace the difficulty of restless evenings, stroller walks, and diaper changes, hence demonstrating that raising children is a collaborative and happy task. Find out why men in Denmark are as devoted to fathering as their spouses, making it the sole country worldwide.
By Shahjahan Kabir Khanabout a year ago in Families
"Dad, Why Did You Pretend Everything Was Fine When It Wasn’t?". AI-Generated.
I’m not writing this because I’m angry. At least, not only because of that. I’m writing this because I wish you had trusted me enough to let me in. To let me see the cracks before they became impossible to hide. To let me know that pretending everything was fine doesn’t make the pain disappear—it just leaves the people who love you feeling like strangers in their own home.
By qazi abubakarabout a year ago in Families
The First Day Of School
“Mom, can you take Paxton for a haircut? School starts tomorrow. I’m sorry for this last-minute thing. I am taking Brynn for school clothes later today.” Really? No problem. I can do that. If I leave now, I will pick him up and see if we can find a place before my noon meeting, or get it cut afterward.
By Denise E Lindquistabout a year ago in Families
The Heartbreak of Recurrent Miscarriage We Don't Talk About: Searching Reasons and Answers . AI-Generated.
When it happens once, it's heartbreaking. When it happens again, a very different kind of pain sets in—a pain of uncertainty, of wondering “why me?” and "what's wrong with my body?"
By RSMCoabout a year ago in Families
Day Tripping in the Family Car
Setting off with my family, I was looking forward to the day ahead. I mean, what could be better than spending the day chilling at Shakespeare’s house, then popping to a 14th century pub for a pint of ale and a burger. Heaven!
By Simon Aylwardabout a year ago in Families
Motherhood Is Just One Big Escape Room
I used to work for an escape room company, and it was a lot of fun. When I went on maternity leave, I realised my whole life had become one big escape room with a challenge around every corner. That’s when I decided not to go back.
By Sandy Gillmanabout a year ago in Families