The Power of Showing Up

When I read this book, I knew from the first page it was the book to read, because it began with a statement, that not only relieved but sparked something that made me determined to show up in the best way I can, as often as I could.

There is a lot of conversation around parenting online, so much advice, so many reels and posts and emails. the thing about these emails and reels and carousels though is that, WE show only the highlights; the clips that fit the virtual aesthetic that’s trending. But you already knew that.

In consuming these perfectly curated, aesthetically-correct content, we can feel inspired to do better, make better, more conscious choices — and many other times, dispirited.

I once wrote that ‘parenting is NOT hard’. And @hamiidahmk, may Allah bless her, engaged me in a long enlightening conversation, until I yielded.

Parenting IS hard.

But tell me what isn’t?

And yet, some hard, are worthy, can be  gratifying and always rewarding— parenting, nurturing the amānah, the trust, when we’re saddled with it, is one of those.

So, even on days like today, when everything went from 100 to 0 really quickly; when I lost my calm and threw a tantrum in response to a toddler’s tantrum, I try not to lose sight of the bigger picture — a moment of slip, or several even, do not nullify all else.

The prophet ﷺ said:

“All the sons of Adam are sinners, and the best of those who sin are those who repentant”

And so as you join us for Maktabah next month, to discuss the power of showing up —the thing that matters more than the optics, more than reaching for the mirage that is perfect parenting, I hope you carry with you this statement from the authors:

“…you don’t have to be perfect.”

On the road to Ihsan,

Fatimah.