Mayous Parenting Blog

Author: Mayous Publishing

  • Build the Gears, Don’t Give the Finished Product

    Build the Gears, Don’t Give the Finished Product

    Why do so many parents keep shouting the same orders to their kids, wondering why they don’t follow quickly? It often takes repeating instructions dozens of times, raising their voices louder and louder, before the child finally complies.

    The Corporate KPIs

    If you work in a corporation, you probably have to deal with some reporting, paperwork, and KPIs that seem useless—designed more to check boxes than to add real value. These tasks often feel disconnected from actual productivity, yet they are enforced anyway. You have no idea why this is in place, or you kind of do, but you have it, and you just do a half-assed job to somehow do it to get management off your back. Does that ring a bell?

    Well…

    Parents Are Management at Home… And Guess What? Nobody Likes Management

    You might very well be doing the same as management.

    At each weekly 1:1, you remind the employee that he needs to complete the tedious paperwork he dreads. Similarly, at home, you remind your kid every time he has to do that thing he doesn’t like. It can be a toddler who keeps forgetting to pull his pants up, or brush their teeth, or clean up after himself at the table.

    Basic stuff, right?

    It’s Not Working Because You Insist on the WHAT, Not on the WHY

    People take ownership of things when they understand the WHY they do the things they have to do, not WHAT they need to do. But helping kids understand the why is a lot harder than it seems…

    After all, if it was easy, it would be easily done with adults at a corporate level. So how much harder will it be to do with kids?

    The good news is that it’s actually a lot easier with kids.

    We just need to think about it intentionally.

    Build the Gears, Build the Why; the Mindset, the Logic Inside Your Child, That Fires Every Time He Sees a Certain Situation

    Scenario 1

    You: “Hey kids, take your plates and put them in the sink please now that supper is finished.”

    Kids: (Go off running and playing because they don’t like putting those damn plates in the sink.)

    Now you have two choices.

    1. You can shout and scream until the dishes are in the sink.
      You have won in the short term, but who are we kidding? The energy it took to repeat and scream is larger than putting the plates in the sink ourselves. So in the long term, they’ll wear us out and we lose.

    2. You can help them understand the long-term implication of not helping.
      If kids are really young, they’ll understand when something they want doesn’t happen. You have to find some leverage somewhere, like…

      • “No bedtime story since Mom and Dad spent too much time cleaning the dishes, and we got no help from you kids, so it’s straight to bed.”
      • “No playing on the bed you two, it’s already time to go to sleep.”
      • Kids: “But how come there’s no more time?!”
      • You: “Well, it took us too much time to clean up, so now there’s no more time for play.”

    You can get creative here, and it has to be rooted in something real. Otherwise, as kids grow up, they’ll see through your scheme.

    But you get the essence of it.

    May Allah put barakah in your parenting journey.

    Yours truly,
    The Mayous Parent

  • The Dirty Little Secret of Canada, Dubai, and Malaysia

     The Dirty Little Secret of Canada, Dubai, and Malaysia

    A lot of Muslims in the West dream of moving to one of three places: Canada, Dubai, or Malaysia. These countries are seen as the ultimate destinations, where life is supposed to be easier, better, or at least more aligned with Muslim values. But the truth? None of them are perfect. Let’s break it down.

    Dubai: The Luxury City Where Your Poop Gets Trucked Away

    Dubai looks like something out of a sci-fi movie—skyscrapers, luxury cars, gold ATMs. But behind all that glitz? A sewage system that, for years, couldn’t handle the city’s rapid expansion. That’s right. For a long time, there were no proper underground sewage pipes, so literal convoys of trucks had to haul away waste from fancy buildings, including the Burj Khalifa. Every single day. Imagine taking a luxurious shower on the 80th floor, and your waste gets driven out of town in a truck. They’ve built better treatment plants now, but this problem was very real for years. Growth happened so fast, infrastructure couldn’t keep up. And even today, some areas still rely on those trucks.

    Canada: Free Healthcare, But Good Luck Seeing a Doctor

    Canada has “free” healthcare, and yeah, daycare is subsidized. Sounds amazing, right? Until you actually need a doctor. Then you realize it’s almost impossible to get an appointment. Why? Because the system is overloaded. Too many people see doctors for every minor issue, while people with real problems end up waiting months to get help. And while healthcare is “free,” it’s actually funded through insanely high taxes. So you’re paying for it, whether you use it or not. Canada looks like the land of opportunity, but the cost of living is high, the winters are brutal, and navigating the system can be a nightmare.

    Malaysia: The Paradise Where You Can’t Breathe Outside

    Malaysia seems like the perfect blend—affordable, Muslim-friendly, and filled with beautiful modern buildings. But step outside in the summer (which is basically half the year), and you’ll feel like you just walked into a sauna. The humidity is so thick it feels like you’re drowning in the air. This country is built on what used to be a literal jungle, so nature is always trying to reclaim its space. Huge insects, constant rainstorms, and the kind of heat that makes you want to never leave your air-conditioned bubble. Sure, it’s great if you’re used to it. But for a lot of people moving there? It’s a shock.

    So Where’s the Perfect Place?

    I picked these three countries because they’re the top choices for Muslims looking for a better life. And yeah, they all have good things going for them. But there’s no utopia. No “perfect” country. Every place has its own set of problems.

    So what’s the answer? Move to outer space? Nah. Just realize that the best place for you depends on who YOU are. Some people love the fast-paced, tax-free hustle of Dubai. Others don’t mind Canada’s long wait times because they value stability. Some thrive in Malaysia despite the heat because it gives them the lifestyle they want.

    At the end of the day, a fish is only at home in water. So instead of chasing the “perfect” place, figure out what your water is—and go there.

    Yours Truly,

    The Mayous Parent

  • The Hidden Truth About Pigs: Teaching Kids the Wisdom Behind Halal Food

     The Hidden Truth About Pigs: Teaching Kids the Wisdom Behind Halal Food

    If you tell your child, “Pork is haram; we don’t eat it,” without explanation, you’re giving them a rule, not the understanding behind it. You, as an adult, reached that conclusion after seeing and learning about different things. But children are a blank slate, and they don’t see the difference. They’re not trying to be defiant toward you (although if you have teens, that might be part of the mix). They simply may not have the vision you have developed over many years.

    Building the Mechanism, Instead of Giving Them the Final Product

    The knowledge we acquire and the beliefs we hold shape how we see, understand, and interact with the world around us every day. So, we have to focus on instilling two key things in our children. The first is the belief in Allah above all, and the importance of following His commands for our own good. The second is the knowledge—or fuaad—that you help your children acquire with time.

    Is Meat Just Meat Like Any Other Meat?

    Under the carefully marketed plastic wraps of smoked bacon, you might almost think this animal is fit for consumption—it even looks delicious, especially since it resembles other meats children are familiar with, like beef or turkey. And with so many restaurants sprinkling bacon on every dish possible, you might wonder: How could something so omnipresent be that bad? After all, it looks red, like the halal stew Mom makes at home. Are parents just exaggerating? Why are they so wound up about pork? Why does Islam make such a big deal out of it?

    Returning to the Wild to Understand the Place of Pigs in the Ecosystem

    When we return to our roots, to nature, we realize that every single animal has a place in the ecosystem. Even the vicious predator that hunts and preys on the poor, innocent deer plays an essential role. Without it, herbivores would grow exponentially, devouring every last herb until the whole system collapses. So where do pigs fit into all that? We know it, but we often forget to voice and explain it clearly to our kids: Pigs are the recyclers of nature. Unlike herbivores that digest plants or predators that control populations, pigs consume waste materials, playing a crucial role in breaking down and recycling organic matter. They eat anything and everything, helping even the worst waste in nature decompose and become manure, which then helps plants grow. So, naturally, we wouldn’t want to eat the last stop in the cycle of animals.

    Two Ways to Show Kids the Disgusting Place of Pigs in Nature

    1. Take them to a farm. They’ll immediately notice how awful pigs smell, especially compared to herbivores like cows and sheep. Their poop just doesn’t smell the same, given their diet.

    2. Show them what wild boars eat in nature. You can use a documentary or a book for this. As a note, this is precisely what our book, Halal Animals and Mountain Trails, does.

    As always, you can find our books on Amazon for the price of a meal, and if you join our newsletter, you can stay apprised of free eBook promotions!

  • From Tarbiyah to Tablets: Are We Raising Kids or Entertaining Them?

    From Tarbiyah to Tablets: Are We Raising Kids or Entertaining Them? 

    The Proverbial Golden Ticket Out of the Screen Time Hole

    Islam teaches us to choose the harder path today so that we may find Jannah in the Hereafter. This principle applies to our daily lives in ways we often overlook. Every day, we make small choices—whether to take the easy road that brings short-term relief or to embrace discomfort for the sake of a better future. Parenting is filled with these decisions, and one of the most pressing ones today is how we handle our children’s screen time.

    The Easy Way Out: Screens as a Solution to Chaos

    Young children are full of energy, designed by nature to run, explore, and interact with the world around them. Yet, modern life confines them within homes and apartments, where their natural tendencies clash with our adult needs for order.

    “Don’t touch that, you’ll break it.”
    “Don’t make a mess; I don’t want to clean up again.”

    We say no to so many things that, eventually, the easiest solution becomes screens. TV, tablets, and smartphones offer an escape—not just for kids, but for parents, too. These glowing rectangles keep children entertained, quiet, and still. For many parents, they seem like a golden ticket out of the chaos of early childhood.

    But fast forward a few years, and the consequences of those easy choices begin to surface. The children who spent hours consuming screens now struggle with focus, creativity, and real-life engagement. The habit of seeking easy entertainment instead of real-world stimulation sets in. What seemed like a solution for today has created a bigger challenge for tomorrow.

    Choosing the Harder Path: A Different Kind of Struggle

    If you find yourself in this situation, it’s never too late to change course. But to help your children, you must first change yourself. As a parent, you might also be accustomed to avoiding hardship—perhaps by seeking comfort in distractions, entertainment, or routines that make life temporarily easier. Your children, in their own way, do the same. They turn to screens to avoid boredom, just as you might turn to your own coping mechanisms.

    So what can you do?

    You can choose a different type of challenge—one that you can manage better. Instead of battling with screen addiction, embrace alternative activities:

    • Go outside. There’s no mess to clean up at home if you’re at the park.

    • Join structured activities. Whether it’s an indoor playground, a sports class, or a hobby group, these environments provide engagement without screens.

    • Create an engaging home environment. Maybe you want to stay home and interact with your kids, but they won’t sit still for books and games. Instead of traditional books, consider ones that are visually rich and immersive—ones that pull kids into the story and stimulate their senses as they explore the details of each image while you read to them.

    This is where Mayous comes in. Our mission—”One verse, one story, one lesson”—is to provide high-quality illustrations and engaging stories that educate and entertain at the same time. Our books use stunning Pixar-style 3D illustrations that captivate children, helping them truly immerse themselves in the story while learning valuable lessons. Instead of passive screen time, our books encourage active engagement, curiosity, and bonding between parent and child.

    A high-quality, engaging book costs about as much as a fast-food meal—around $10 for most paperbacks—but it might be a step toward helping your child reconnect with real-life experiences.

    May Allah put barakah in your journey as a parent, and may He guide us all in making choices that benefit us in this life and the next. Ameen.

  • Salah, Chaos, and Tawakkul: A Muslim Parent’s Everyday Struggles

     Salah, Chaos, and Tawakkul: A Muslim Parent’s Everyday Struggles

    Teaching Tawakkul to Our Children: Trusting in Allah’s Wisdom

    As Muslim parents, we often find ourselves explaining the concept of tawakkul—putting our trust in Allah—to our children. But let’s be honest: this is a lesson we, as adults, struggle with ourselves. Tawakkul is a virtue that we don’t typically think about when life is going well. It’s when life throws us unexpected turns, disappointments, or even tragedies that we truly grapple with its meaning.

    Processing Life’s Ups and Downs

    When something unfortunate happens—whether it’s a missed opportunity, a sudden hardship, or even something trivial like trying to pray in peace—we go through a series of emotions.

    Like when you finally manage to carve out a few moments of solitude for salah. The house is quiet (miraculously), you set your intention, raise your hands, and just as you begin reciting Al-Fatiha, chaos erupts. A child suddenly needs something urgent, the doorbell rings, or a sibling war breaks out in the next room. You try to focus, telling yourself to stay calm, but with every shout or interruption, frustration builds. You start thinking, Maybe I should have prayed earlier! I should have locked the door! Should I stop and start over? And finally, as you complete your prayer amidst the distractions, you sigh in resignation. Ya Allah, You know I tried. I hope this counts. And deep down, you remind yourself: Allah understands our struggles, and He will accept our efforts, even if they weren’t perfect. Well, in all seriousness now… life does throw some actual and very real curve balls at us…

    And this is where tawakkul comes in.

    Tawakkul is not just passive acceptance; it is an active process. It has three essential steps:

    1. Acceptance – Recognizing and acknowledging what has happened, no matter how difficult it seems.

    2. Taking Action (Asbab) – Doing what we can to improve the situation while understanding that our efforts are part of a larger divine plan.

    3. Finding Serenity – Trusting that Allah knows best and that even what appears as a hardship may have hidden blessings.

    This mindset, however, doesn’t form overnight. It develops with experience, hardship, and deepening faith. Often, our resistance to what happens stems from our ego—thinking we know better than Allah what is good for us. But in reality, we see only a small fraction of the grand picture. So, how do we help our children understand this wisdom early on?

    Teaching Tawakkul to Our Children

    Children learn best through stories, experiences, and discussions. As parents, we can use real-life examples from our friends and family, or even historical stories, to show them how trust in Allah always leads to something better—even if we don’t see it right away.

    One powerful way to teach this is through storytelling. 

    That’s why we created the book Adam Learns About Tawakkul: When the Horse Left… and Came Back! It tells the story of Adam, a young boy who loses his horse—an event that seems like a loss at first. But then, the horse returns with seven stallions, turning a misfortune into a blessing. However, when Adam tries to tame one of the stallions, he falls and breaks his leg—again, seemingly a bad event. But when war breaks out and all young men are called to battle, Adam is spared because of his injury.

    Through this tale, children learn that what seems good or bad in the moment is not always what it appears. The story teaches them the three stages of tawakkul: accepting what happens, taking action, and trusting that Allah knows best.

    As always, you can subscribe to our newsletter to get the eBook for Free during monthly promotion events, or you can find the print version on Amazon.

    Enriching the Time We Have with Our Children

    Every day, our children are exposed to ideas that shape their worldview, whether we realize it or not. With the limited time we have with them—perhaps just half an hour before bedtime—it’s crucial that we make those moments meaningful. Teaching tawakkul through engaging, relatable stories can help them develop resilience, patience, and a deep trust in Allah’s wisdom.

    In a world where instant gratification is the norm, instilling this mindset in our children will equip them with the ability to navigate life’s challenges with faith and confidence. Because, at the end of the day, only Allah knows what is truly best for us.

  • Teaching Kids About Sadaqah: Giving Without Seeking Recognition

    Sadaqah: More Than Just Giving

     Teaching Kids About Sadaqah: Giving Without Seeking Recognition

    One of the most valuable lessons we can teach children is the true essence of sadaqah—giving in Islam. But true sadaqah is not about seeking praise or expecting something in return. It is a private act of kindness, done sincerely for the sake of Allah.

    Too often, we see good deeds performed only when an audience is present—donations made for recognition, kindness shown when cameras are watching, and generosity extended in hopes of building a good reputation. But in Islam, the intention (niyyah) behind an action matters more than the action itself. If sadaqah is given for the sake of reputation, then it is not truly for Allah—it is simply an investment in one’s dunya, not the akhira.

    So how do we teach children about giving with sincerity?

    Teaching Kids Through Actions and Stories

    Children learn best through examples—both from what they witness in daily life and from the stories they hear. If we want them to understand selfless giving, we must model it ourselves—helping others quietly, sharing without expecting thanks, and performing small acts of kindness when no one is watching.

    But stories are also powerful tools for shaping young minds. That’s why we published Nora’s Snowy Sadaqah, a beautifully illustrated children’s book available in English, French, and Arabic, designed to introduce children to the true spirit of sadaqah.

    In the story, a kind sparrow shows children different ways to give—from building shelters to feeding stranded animals, and even helping in the quiet of the night, when no one sees and no one says thank you. Through these examples, children learn that sadaqah is not about public recognition, but about a personal connection with Allah.

    You can find the book here: https://mybook.to/norasadaqahenglish 📖✨

    Making Sadaqah a Habit for Kids

    Here are a few ways to encourage children to practice sincere sadaqah:
    ✅ Give in Secret – Encourage them to leave a small gift for someone anonymously or donate quietly.
    ✅ Help Without Expecting Anything – Teach them to assist others without looking for praise or rewards.
    ✅ Use Stories to Teach Values – Books like Nora’s Snowy Sadaqah (available in English, French, and Arabic) show practical examples of selfless kindness.
    ✅ Remind Them of the Bigger Picture – Allah sees even the smallest good deed, whether anyone else notices or not.

    By reinforcing these lessons, we raise children who give purely for the sake of Allah, understanding that the most valuable sadaqah is the one given with sincerity, not for recognition.

    How do you teach sadaqah to the children in your life? Share your thoughts in the comments!