In the days when I was not yet married one of the things I
took for granted was clean, crisp perfectly ironed clothing. Today with three
toddlers it is something I treasure.
There was a time where I would easily take out nice outfits
straight from the wardrobe with just one finger. Garments on hangers set in the
same direction. Garments that would have not a wrinkle – not even at the back.
Stains were something that would cause the garment to be dismissed to charity
drives or younger siblings. Pee or poo from a friend or cousin’s baby would
mean the garment went into the bin – or the local nuclear disposal plant. My
clothes would be clean enough to pray in and dare I say - to eat on.
Today I feel like I have six arms: one holds a bottle of
stain remover, one holds a knife for removing goops of gloopy baby food,
another holds washing liquid, the fourth holds hospital grade disinfectant, in
another is attached a permanent stick on iron and the last holds my confused
little mind. How do babies make so much mess? Subhanallah.
When I first became a mum I was so overwhelmed and ashamed
at myself, stains and marks and wrinkled clothes were one of the first things I
noticed that had changed about me once I became a mother. I wanted to be one of
those super eco mums who didn’t use chemical and who bought cotton terry
towelled cloth nappies. Instead there I was struggling to find the energy to
walk to the laundry. Hubby and I were just out of our teens so we couldn’t
afford to go eco much to my disappointment.
It was only until I met up with an old friend who had
recently become a new mum that I finally learnt to I forgive myself. Her baby
was crawling all over her at the local youth centre and she had little white
marks all over her hijab and jilbaab. I said to myself it’s ok. It’s not me,
it’s the situation I’m in. I’m not a grub. Being a mum is grubby business. I
also learnt I had severe vitamin D deficiency. I also realised I was not making
dua for Allah to help me.
Alhamdulilah three babies on, with Allah’s help, vitamin D
tablets, multivitamins, more food, more energy, more fat (which I have learnt
to love and will inshallah tackle once I finish breastfeeding inshallah) and
more faith in my abilities I am wearing a clean, crisp matching outfit right
now as I write. It takes time dear sisters and alot of dua. It’s not easy being
a mother.
A few tips from me – a struggling juggling muslim mum.
Baby tips:
1.
Try to be quick. Clean up messes immediately –
especially vomit, pees and poo stains. A stitch in time saves nine.
2.
Spray disinfectant at areas of najiz if you are
in a hurry (products like: Dettol Glen 20 Spray)
3.
Put in a load of washing everyday and go out to
hang the clothes – some fresh air will make a big difference to your health and
the load will be kept under control
4.
If you can afford it, buy as many extra clothes
as possible
5.
Keep a bottle of stain remover and spot clean as
soon as you can
6.
Use bibs and coveralls to protect clothes,
protect your own clothes will napkins in your lap
7.
Keep a box of old clothes for use at home and a
box of perfect clean clothes separate to wear when outside (for you and for
baby).
8.
Make the
intention to be clean for the sake of Allah and not for the sake of people.
Have a look at some leading Islamic speakers on the internet and see how well
and clean they are dressed for inspiration. See what a big difference it makes
on their lectures if their clothes are neat and clean. Some good examples are
habib umar and the kids from hizb ut tahrir – they are dressed impeccably.
May Allah help all of us in our mothering adventures. Ameen.
Umm Musk :)
Umm Musk :)
Ameen!
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