I posted recently about how I felt as if the children were running rings around me and trying to get all sorts of mischief past me and how hard I had to take firms steps to take back some control. I also mentioned how exhausting I found it to continuously keep my focus on them. […]

There was a time when I was known for my temper.  I could erupt quickly and nastily and no one near me was safe.  I thought that time was long behind me.  But as my children move into their teenage years, I find my oldest at 15, has found some buttons that can switch the […]

I am astonished to find myself so quickly at the start of another month of Ramadan.  I make dua that we make the most of the beautiful opportunities this blessed month presents to us: to purify ourselves spiritually and physically, to renew our iman, to work on our relationship with Allah (SWT) and to increase our worship and […]

I lost it today.I really, really lost it. BIG time. So much for “peaceful parenting” and articles in the NY Times on the topic – I feel like a bit of a hypocrite at the moment. Boy did I lose it today. image source After a stressful week at work with longer hours, lack of […]

I have always tried to be honest with my children and always encouraged them to be the same with me. In our house mistakes that are owned up to are met with understanding not anger and we work together to put right the mistakes we make. This policy has worked fairly well most of the […]

I was asked to review two toys by the PR firm for Discovery Channel toys.  They sent me the Double Globe Planetarium and the Digital Metal Detector (to be reviewed separately). I have seen a few variations of toys that have some kind of light show around stars or planets and really liked the idea of getting one for […]

Have had a funny, aimless kind of a weekend, with nothing much getting done. I have been giving myself a break and trying not to feel guilty about it. Lots to think about at the moment. My department at work has just made four out of six senior managers redundant and had interviews for the […]

Assalam-alaikam to anyone reading this and especially to those who make an effort to stop by and read despite my inconsistency in writing. I have taken two weeks off work and a quarter of the way in, my head has cleared enough that I am motivated to write again. It’s a curious time with Tier […]

I have always been of the belief that being a working mother does not make you any less competent or capable of handling complex and high profile work, nor of handling work that puts you under intense pressure. That sounds like an obvious thing to say but I think working mothers are sometimes considered as […]

I don’t usually discuss politics on this blog, there are too many brothers and sisters out there far more eloquent and knowledgeable than me who are able to do that. However, I have been watching Pakistan’s Imran Khan and his Tahreek-e-Insaaf (Pakistan Movement for Justice) party with interest. Here is finally someone from amongst the […]

My mum and dad are in Pakistan at the moment and I am missing them a lot.  They have been travelling around between our village in Jhelum, Lahore and Rawalpindi.  My in-laws hosted them for a few day’s, and they enjoyed their stay. I am so grateful for WhatsApp and being able to check in […]

The last fortnight or so has seen me in a strange mood with my husband being his patient and sensible self and trying to quietly support me through it. I’ve been thinking a lot about my past and how it has affected my future, how it has affected my life chances and my children’s chances.  […]

Not many things in life are black and white, but when it comes to Ramadan there are a few things which are clear: making sure you eat properly and rest properly during the long days of fasting to be able to get through the day and have some energy left for prayers.Some people learn the […]

I have always liked the idea of treats coming through the post, whether an unexpected gift or a subscription box (like the cosmetic ones that are popular right now).  So when Modestrove asked if I would like to try one of their Mystery Boxes, I jumped at the chance. It all seems rather glamorous, something […]