Happy Muslim Mama: Comments I Do Not Appreciate

“It’s good you are raising your children rough” – mum’s friend. What? Does he mean like wolves?  (I think she was referring to the fact that we sit on the floor to eat in the sunnah way)“Ohhh, you’re boy looks like a Somali” – mum’s friend again, said with distaste. What can I even say, except I think Little Man is gorgeous with his dusky colouring and very full lips, I have always thought Somali kids are absolutely gorgeous and I think you should be kinder about other people’s children.Slaps my hand “Oh you’ve got your priorities straight” – women I met on Hajj after I told her I work and have children and before she lectured me on why I should be at home.“Don’t worry Umm Salihah has spots and doesn’t care” – relative to her daughter who was worrying about her spots.“Don’t worry, Umm Salihah has wonky teeth and does she care?” – same relative to her daughter who was fretting about her teeth. I had braces for two years as a teenager, including a horrid head brace, I do not have wonky teeth, I like my teeth!“Oh you still live in that old house” – said with disdain by the very insecure wife of my husband’s friend. Yeah buddy, it’s old, it needs a lick of paint, but it’s mine and it’s a happy home for my kids and a sanctuary for me. Which I know is more than you could say.”You’re backside has grown” – my Mum”You’re backside is bigger” – a work colleague“She’s gained weight hasn’t she?! – Dad-in-law to mum-in-law whilst I am sitting right there.Yes I’m pregnant with my fifth child and my seventh pregnancy, my backside is bigger, I’m not going to win any “rear of the year contest” right now.“Euuuggh, who dresses like that?” – Gorgeous about my new grey trousers and tunic. I didn’t quite understand this until Little Man pointed out it was the same colour as their school uniform so it looked strange on a grown up. I do wonder what pops into my younger sons head sometimes.People: manners, respect, kindness. It’s part of our faith.Please try to manage your insecurities in a better way than taking it our on people who seem like easy targets or who don’t care to pick you up on every silly little remark.

Plus I like my teeth and my kids and my home and my life as they are, so who cares.