How to Parent Kids During Ramadan When You're Exhausted

Ramadan can be a challenging time for mothers. We have our normal routines of taking care of the children, the house, and maybe work outside and we have to do it all without getting the energy from food. In addition, we have to worrying over what meals to cook and getting it all ready for suhur and iftar. It can be very exhausting. How can we fulfill our duties during Ramadan when we're so exhausted?

The answer is to simplify and limit what we do in Ramadan so we're less likely to be exhausted. We can then have more time for our ibadah. Below are 5 things that you can do.

1. Set a Routine

Decide now what your day is going to be like. If you have to then draw up a timetable. This way, you'll know what to do and when to do it so you'll be on track. When people don't have a plan they tend to be frazzled because of the uncertainty.

Block off time for cooking, housework, Quran, resting and connecting with your child.

2. Take a Nap

This is a sunnah and it's a much needed one to rest your body and tired mind. It doesn't have to be long. You'll only need 10 minutes for a power nap but if you have time then 20 minutes is the maximum. 

If you're a stay at home mum then you can nap when your child naps. Do not use this time to cook or clean. You'll find that once you've napped then you'll feel more energised or at least you'll feel better than you did before. You'll be ready to take on the rest of the day.

3. Cook One Meal

Culturally, people cook far too much food during Ramadan. But really all you need is one meal for dinner (and the leftovers can be eaten for suhur). Who can eat that much after a day of fasting anyway? If you overeat then you'll feel bloated which makes it harder to do ibadah such as praying the many rakats of Tarawih.

It's a sunnah to break the fast with dates and a drink of water. But if you really must cook another dish then let it be a small snack to go with the dates and water instead of the array of delectable morsels that usually accompany the breaking fast. 

Remember to keep it simple so you won't be exhausted just preparing and cooking all day.

4. Talk Less

Try to talk less. For one thing, you'll be less likely to yell or argue if you try not to talk. This is exhausting in itself. For another, you'll conserve your energy for something for useful such as reading Quran.

What can you do instead of talking? You can use your gestures and body language. Try smiling and nodding when your child starts to argue or backtalk. When you don't talk back your child will stop talking as there's no response. When your child does something right, give him the thumbs up or a high 5 along with a big smile. 

Think of other ways to convey your message silently.

5. Engage Your Child

Find or schedule something for your child to do that he'll find engaging because if he's absorbed in doing something than that means you can relax and do other things.

If your child is young then take him to the park or outside in your back garden and let him run about. If it's to a park then you can relax while you do thikr and keep an eye on him. If it's your backyard then you can take your Quran out and read.

If your child is older then have him memorise a surah or juz of the Quran. This will keep him busy doing something rewarding instead of playing on the computer or electronics all day. As an incentive for memorising, if you don't like to give a material reward then give your child a voucher or coupon to be used at a later time such as choosing an activity for the family to do. When your child is busy memorising, you can spend your time memorising as well or reading the Quran.

For these activities, you'd need to schedule them into your routine.

Hopefully, these 5 tips will make it easier for you to parent your child during Ramadan. Remember to take care of yourself. If you're too exhausted then the whole household will not function so well. 

May you have a rewarding Ramadan full of blessings for you and your family.

Other Ramadan articles:
Strengthen Family Bonds during Ramadan