PARENTING

Nurturing faith in our children post Ramadhan

Janat Yahaya Naggolola – Parenting Coach

Assalam alaykum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh

As Ramadhan draws to a close, the anticipation of Eid fills the air. It is a moment of celebration, gratitude, and joy. Yet, amid the festivity, there is also a sense of responsibility—responsibility to ensure that the spiritual growth we nurtured in our children during Ramadhan extends beyond these sacred 29/30 days. The question that lingers is: How do we carry the blessings of Ramadhan into our parenting and family life?

Sustaining the spiritual high as a family

The intense devotion of Ramadhan—praying Tahajjud, reciting the Qur’an, making dua, and seeking Laylatul Qadr—often leaves our hearts spiritually elevated. However, the true success of Ramadhan lies in its continuation, especially in the habits we reinforce in our children.

Set small, achievable goals for continued acts of worship as a family. Encourage your children to recite even a few verses of the Qur’an daily and make dua regularly.
Maintain voluntary fasts together, such as the six days of Shawwal, so children see fasting as a lifelong practice rather than just a Ramadhan obligation.
Continue family discussions on faith and gratitude, reinforcing the lessons learned in Ramadhan.

Teaching the true meaning of Eid

Eid is not just about feasting and new clothes; it is a celebration of our obedience to Allah. We must help our children understand that Eid is more than festivities—it is about gratitude, remembrance, and sharing joy with others.

Take time to pray together and explain the significance of Salat-ul-Eid.
Encourage children to express gratitude by writing down or verbally sharing what they appreciated most about Ramadhan.
Involve them in preparing simple acts of kindness, like making Eid cards for family members or distributing small gifts to neighbours.

Zakat al-Fitr: instilling the habit of giving

One of the essential acts before Eid is giving Zakat al-Fitr, ensuring that those less fortunate can also partake in the celebrations. Teaching children about charity and generosity from an early age helps them grow into compassionate and responsible individuals.

Let your children contribute to giving Zakat al-Fitr by involving them in the process—explain its purpose and let them place the donation in the charity box or hand it over to someone in need.
Use this opportunity to talk about empathy and the importance of always helping those less fortunate, beyond just Ramadhan.

Strengthening family and community bonds

Ramadhan strengthens the bonds of family and community. As we transition into Eid, let’s continue prioritizing these relationships by involving our children in meaningful interactions:

Encourage children to spend quality time with family members, especially elders, and listen to their reflections on Ramadhan.
Teach them the value of maintaining ties by visiting relatives and calling loved ones who are far away.
Emphasize the importance of forgiveness and unity, helping children understand that Eid is a time to mend relationships and spread love.

Dua and reflection: Encouraging personal growth in children

As we bid farewell to Ramadhan, let’s encourage our children to reflect on their spiritual journey. Simple prompts can help guide their reflections:

What was your favourite moment in Ramadhan?
What good habits did you develop that you want to keep?
What dua do you want to continue making even after Ramadhan?

By fostering these reflections, we help children internalize the essence of Ramadhan and continue growing spiritually.

Final thoughts

Ramadhan was a training ground, and Eid marks our children’s graduation into a life of sustained faith. As we celebrate, let us ensure that our parenting remains rooted in consistency, love, and spiritual guidance. Let’s make Eid a joyful occasion that not only rewards our children for their efforts but also instils in them a lasting love for Islam.

Taqabbal Allahu minna wa minkum. Eid Mubarak to you and your family!

 

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