We often have to force our kids to eat stuff that they do not like. Fruits, veggies, nuts, milk - I have to force my son to even eat dates. He has been a very choosy eater. If he feels something isn’t good, then his mind makes it up that it does t taste good. I don’t force a mouthful at a time. Just let him taste everything and explain its significance in diet. I let him enjoy his meal and Iet him see me eat which he did not.
He loves ice cream. But due to certain medical precautions I can’t let him have it. Ice cream is a HUGE treat with promises from summer to summer. In between if he is keeping very well, by Allaah’s Grace, then he gets this as a cheat treat from other family members. Alhamdulillaah, He is a wonderful boy. Never eats it without telling his Ummi 🙂. I make it a point that I taste ice cream only when he is eating.
He loves cheese and pizzas. He loves McDonald’s Happy Meal (for the toy surprise, of course). He loves packet snacks. He loves chocolates. He loves the McCain stuff. He loves ready-to-eat parathas. Now, it is not possible to fill him with this. I explain the health hazards. Alhamdulillaah, he understands and postpones his cravings for these things as long as he “can” :)
So, basically what children like to eat is not healthy stuff. We have to make them understand, explain with love and patience that these things are not good for their health. Slowly, children do understand and with time they start liking the taste of healthy food. Children or adults, they need to try a new taste and adapt to it. I hated olives. But, I love them now. I had to start by feeding olives to my mind and gradually I started loving the taste.
Like food, bad addictions are to be avoided. Good morals need to be inculcated. A father who smokes shouldn’t be surprised to find his child trying a cigar. A mother of no principles shouldn’t be surprised to find an indisciplined and irresponsible child. Children do not learn at school. They learn by watching their parents. They copy their parents with pride, for their parents are their real life superheroes!
Acts of worship need to be developed in a child with same diligence as healthy food habits. You need to let the child see you pray - pray regularly. He needs to see you set alarm for prayer. He needs to watch you wake from sleep. He needs to see you avoid a drop of water while fasting. He should see you help a poor from the little you have. He should see you forgive people. He should see you praying for others in their absence. He should see you spending on family needs instead of saving. He should see you praising Allaah in bad times and thanking Him in the good times. A child should be first inspired and then trained.
Abu Huraira (may Allaah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allaah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “When the human being dies, his deeds come to an end except for three: ongoing charity, beneficial knowledge, or a righteous child who prays for him.
[Saheeh Muslim]
A child is the biggest blessing. He is that fixed deposit in this world whose returns we would reap in the Aakhirah. May Allaah make our children a source of comfort to our eyes in this world and the cause of our happiness, forgiveness and elevation in the Hereafter.
(Ameen)
He loves ice cream. But due to certain medical precautions I can’t let him have it. Ice cream is a HUGE treat with promises from summer to summer. In between if he is keeping very well, by Allaah’s Grace, then he gets this as a cheat treat from other family members. Alhamdulillaah, He is a wonderful boy. Never eats it without telling his Ummi 🙂. I make it a point that I taste ice cream only when he is eating.
He loves cheese and pizzas. He loves McDonald’s Happy Meal (for the toy surprise, of course). He loves packet snacks. He loves chocolates. He loves the McCain stuff. He loves ready-to-eat parathas. Now, it is not possible to fill him with this. I explain the health hazards. Alhamdulillaah, he understands and postpones his cravings for these things as long as he “can” :)
So, basically what children like to eat is not healthy stuff. We have to make them understand, explain with love and patience that these things are not good for their health. Slowly, children do understand and with time they start liking the taste of healthy food. Children or adults, they need to try a new taste and adapt to it. I hated olives. But, I love them now. I had to start by feeding olives to my mind and gradually I started loving the taste.
Like food, bad addictions are to be avoided. Good morals need to be inculcated. A father who smokes shouldn’t be surprised to find his child trying a cigar. A mother of no principles shouldn’t be surprised to find an indisciplined and irresponsible child. Children do not learn at school. They learn by watching their parents. They copy their parents with pride, for their parents are their real life superheroes!
Acts of worship need to be developed in a child with same diligence as healthy food habits. You need to let the child see you pray - pray regularly. He needs to see you set alarm for prayer. He needs to watch you wake from sleep. He needs to see you avoid a drop of water while fasting. He should see you help a poor from the little you have. He should see you forgive people. He should see you praying for others in their absence. He should see you spending on family needs instead of saving. He should see you praising Allaah in bad times and thanking Him in the good times. A child should be first inspired and then trained.
Abu Huraira (may Allaah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allaah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “When the human being dies, his deeds come to an end except for three: ongoing charity, beneficial knowledge, or a righteous child who prays for him.
[Saheeh Muslim]
A child is the biggest blessing. He is that fixed deposit in this world whose returns we would reap in the Aakhirah. May Allaah make our children a source of comfort to our eyes in this world and the cause of our happiness, forgiveness and elevation in the Hereafter.
(Ameen)
1 comment:
Ameen
That’s an awesome post! May Allah protect your superstar :)
Post a Comment