My nephew is 7 years old.
In the first week of Ramadan, my sister @nutri_pebbles told me about his fasting experience. He woke up for *suhoor, completed the obligatory prayers and set his intention for the day ahead. By 4pm he was hungry and keen to call it a day. With a little encouragement from her, he persevered and made it to the end.
No one forced him to fast or asked him to participate in this act of worship (fasting is only obligatory upon a Muslim after the age of puberty) which got me thinking about how he arrived at his decision to partake in the month of Ramadan.
Ramadan is one of the most sacred months in the Islamic calendar, a powerful guiding force in the life of a believer. Muslims are immersed in abundant acts of worship – there’s a deeper commitment and connection to faith in its prescribed form and in noticing the parent/caregiver’s authentic habits the child learns to mirror the behaviour; They not only welcome the month but also embrace and honour it.
It amazes me how kids are always so eager for Ramadan, how it’s always their idea to be woken up for *suhoor and attempt the fasting day without really being prompted to do so.
*pre-dawn breakfast.
As we enter the month of mindfulness remember ‘Authenticity without mindfulness is a void vessel making a lot of noise and mindfulness without authenticity is a sponge sucking all the liquid and holding it.’
🔹Encourage the curiousity, it builds authenticity.
🔹Be deliberate about values, it guides the inner compass.
🔹Connect with emotions and feelings and create safe environments to express those emotions.