Showing posts with label Ramadhan in NYC. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ramadhan in NYC. Show all posts

Ramadhan with the Kids

Have a blessed Ramadhan!

"Ma, why do we have to fast? Who created Ramadhan? 
Does everyone do it like us? 
I saw my friends eating pizza in front of me at school when we were in New York."

My daughter Obi bombarded me with all these questions after we finished doing sholat maghrib, the fourth sholat or daily prayer Moslems do, at home.

My husband and I smiled and before we answered those questions, my son, Bo, explained to his sister that we are fasting because it is one of the pillars of Islam, the obligations for Moslems to do it, just like sholat. 

And we are fasting so that we can share the feeling to those who are less fortunate than us, having the sympathy to those who have to struggle just to have enough food in a day. 

We discussed further that night and that's one of the beauty of Ramadhan.

We spend more time with our family and we share a lot, while learning from one another at the same time.
Alhamdulillah.

****


Ramadhan is here and I'm so happy to be able to observe this blessed Holy Month at home, in Indonesia, once again.

We spent five Ramadhan in New York City and I have to say that 2018 was the last before we were heading back home to Indonesia in summer 2018, a few month after Ramadhan. 

And 2020 is super special because of the Corona virus epidemic. Most of us are confined at home and implement social as well as physical distance. Schools are closed, some offices are closed as well, and many of us #stayathome to help curbing the spread of this virus. Spending most of the time at home can be quite a big challenge as well, especially since we are so accustomed to actively engaging with our communities and social groups. But this is actually perfect for Ramadhan. At least for me and my family.

And back to the fasting rituals. Although we have done it several times in New York City and other cities like Geneva and Melbourne, it doesn't mean it get easier.
Especially for my kids.

Bo, my 14-year-old son, has started fasting since in the kindergarten when he was 6 years old. Of course it was a gradual process as Bo initially started fasting for a few hours, a half day then full day.

The same goes to Nadine, my almost-10-year-old daughter.
She has been a picky eater so she's kinda love fasting although she's easily tempted by sweet smell of cookies and bread.

As you know, we have different period of time in terms of the duration of our fasting. As we use the sun as the guidance, from Subuh (before sunrise) to Maghreb (sunset), the length of fasting varies and pretty much depend on where you are staying.

To know more about how long we fast, there are a few infographic explanation that shows the length of time in various countries. Scandinavian and European countries are usually the longest.


source: https://www.statista.com/chart/17874/ramadan-daily-fasting-hours-selected-cities/

More infographic below was from 2018, when we had our last Ramadhan in NYC. 
It showed you that fasting in Oslo will be super long (19 hours and 26 minutes), while New York City has 16 hours and Melbourne is only 11 hours and 33 minutes. And as summer days get longer, so does our fasting.  As in NYC, fasting started at 3.45 AM and broke fasting at 8.28 PM. Almost 17 hours.


ramadan 2018
picture taken from: https://www.statista.com/chart/13924/ramadan-fasting-times/
Back in 2019, fasting in New York City is  slightly shorter but still longer than the fasting time in Indonesia. And many places in the world have to endure long hours from sunrise to sunset. 

photo: https://www.thelivemirror.com/ramadan-2019-shortest-longest-fasting-time-world/

For adults, long hours of fasting should be manageable.
At least we know what to expect and we have been so accustomed to it and trained along the years.
But for kids, it's another story. 
Hunger and thirst are not the only things we need to control, as we have to work on our emotion, patience and compassion as well. 
Well, you know how cranky one can be when one is hungry, thirty, tired and sleepy!

So, how do we prepare our kids for Ramadhan?

Here are a few things we do, as parents, in order to observe the long hours of Ramadhan, , with the kids, wherever you are.

Discuss with them, tell them what Ramadhan means


Ramadhan is a blessed month and fasting is one of the main pillars in Islam.

Meaning, when the kids reach akil baligh or puberty, they are obliged to fully observe the main pillars of Islam, which consist of Syahadat, sholat or 5-time daily praying, fasting during Ramadhan, paying zakat , and hajj or pilgrimage to Mecca. 

By telling them what Ramadhan is and why it is important, we can make children understand that Ramadhan is more than just refraining yourself from eating and drinking. It goes way more than that as we share the feeling and the needs for those who are not so fortunate. It builds the compassion within them, as well as being grateful for having enough food on the table on daily basis. We can also explain about the health benefit of fasting, giving our body a break it desperately needs.

My kids learn to fast step by step.
Since they were 5 or 6 year old, they had been introduced to this exercise. We started it easily, with them only joining shaum or our early morning breakfast, then breaking the fast  in the morning. Gradually, they are strong enough to hold the hunger and thirst so that they can fully do it in a day.

Be a model


There is no way you are asking your kids to do fasting while you are freely eating and drinking in the daylights during Ramadhan. 

Show them that you are doing it as well.
Show them that you are with them, and so are millions of Moslems around the world.
Show them that fasting is a good thing and not the end of the world (kids can be a bit overreacting sometimes :)).





Find activities that they love

Fasting month can be long, strenuous and tiring. Even for adults. I usually try to make it 'easier' and more fun for the kids by asking them what they love to do during the day and it will help them focus on doing the things they love instead of feeling hungry and angry. I know most kids, just like mine, love to play video games or stuck with their gadgets. But obviously, we have more interesting activities such as reading favorite books, crafting. learning how to cook, gardening, calling or video calling friends and families and more. In addition to that, we learn more about Al-Quran and hadists as well as watching or listening to videos about Ramadhan.



Involve them in Iftar and Sahur


I always need help before and during ifthar as well as sahur, when we have our early morning breakfast. I usually ask for assistance from my kids & my hubby, so that we can provide everything together in a short period of time. I ask my kids what food and drinks they would love to have for ifthar and they will help me prepare them. The same goes with sahur, although it might be a bit tricky because we wake up at 3 AM in the morning and prepare the food, but at least by having what they love to eat and drink, they feel much better and it will help.


Make them proud


Fasting or shaum is one of the pillars in Islam. It's an obligation. Something that we have to fulfill and hold dear. No matter where you live or whatever you are doing. It is not always that easy as Ramadhan itself is a journey, but we believe that the sooner we understand the beauty of it, the more faithful we become. Appreciate their efforts, no matter how slow it is. Encourage them to try the fasting until they are comfortable with it. Remember that it is a process and it's only natural that the kids need some times to adjust with the concept and this obligation. I'm sure Allah SWT will help us all and they know what they have to do. 


So that's a little tips from #thefrakarsas for enjoying Ramadhan with the kids.
I sincerely hope this Ramadhan will bring more blessings to us all.


Don't forget to stay safe, happy, and healthy, wherever you are!

WW: The Halal Guys

Meet one of the best, most famous and yummiest food carts in New York City.
The Halal Guys!

The Halal Guys

I have been enjoying their food since my early days here in the Big Apple back in early 2014.
They don't have many options but what they have is the best!
I am talking about chicken and beef gyro as well as falafel over rice or in sandwiches.
With only USD 8 for chicken and beef gyro as well as falafel over rice, and USD 6 for the same thing in sandwiches, no wonder the Halal Guys has become a hit since I don't know when :).
Besides, you can also enjoy baklava for USD 2 and pita & hummus for USD 3.
So affordable.


Long line indeed


I love the food because it is halal (obviously) and delicious.
I have to say the Halal Guys is one of the pioneers of the American halal food and now they have become an international restaurant chain.
I know that the Halal Guys is already open in Indonesia as well.
For us moslems living in a country like the US, finding halal food is not always that easy.
Sometimes we eat everything but the pork and anything that has pork on it, but the best is to  eat halal food which is prepared in a special way.
Nowadays, we have halal food in many parts of NYC, be it food carts or restaurants.

And as Ramadhan is here, my family and I truly enjoy this delicious and halal plates for our ifthar.  Alhamdulillah.





Here's where you can find the Halal Guys on its original spot.
On the corner of 53rd st and 6th avenue.
Make sure you don't miss it!




Do you like chicken and beef gyro?
Have you tried halal food? 
Do you like it?



Join us on (almost) Wordless Wednesday and have fun with the linky party :)


Wonderful Wednesday with Oh My Heartsie Girls

nya sky indahnuria.com
Clear blue sky..

How time flew and we are now entering the 15th days of Ramadhan.
The Holy Month really provides more time for self-contemplation and spreading more kindness and compassion.
We are again blessed to be able to enjoy Ramadhan here in NYC.
Although we really miss the unique ambience of Ramadhan back home in Indonesia, we have interesting days as well here.


disney plush toy
Isn't he cute..

We continue packing, making progress with boxes and big stuff.
It is surprising that my hubby and I fight less this time LOL.
But we all know what to bring and what to toss away, and after moving around the globe 3 times, we kind of get a knack of it.

Feels like going out for vacation again..
I have been doing some last minute shoppings and I have to say, I'm weak when it comes to cute things :).
I keep grabbing all those cute stuff and toss them to my boxes.
You're coming to Indonesia, dear tea towels, pouches and plush toys.


And now let me invite you to our lovely weekly link party with Oh My Heartsie Girls.

Ready to join us? 
Let's go!



 

Find Us On Instagram with Hashtag #omhgww 

Last week I traveled to my granddaughter graduation from High School,my first, it was wonderful. She is very ambitious, she has a part time job while going to school and Beauty School. She will graduate in June of 2018.
Bloggers are some of the most Inspiring people we know and make our parties special!!! Thank all for joining us! Linky Parties are also an opportunity for us to feature other #Bloggers and #Blogwriters and for you to share what you have going on........your blogs!

Oh My Heartsie Girls Wednesday Linkup

Keep Our Party Growing By Sharing On Your Favorite Social Media! We Thank you!! :Be Notified When This Party Starts Each Week⇒ Click Here You Can Unsubscribe Anytime: And Thank you for featuring our banner or a link somewhere on your blog!! :) But it is NOT mandatory.

Oh My Heartsie Girls WW 650 x 635


All Features Are Pinned Each Week-And Shared on Social Media!! Our party is on 3 blogs and reaches over 60,000 followers over all of our blogs and on social media!!

Our Hostesses Share Our Party On Their Blogs~ Hope You Will Visit and Get To Know Them! 
Oh My Heartsie Girls WW HostessJust Me God Whispered

Susan B. Mead | Susan Just Me God Whispered | Tw | Bl | Fb | In |Pin » Repin From Original

5 Essential Oils You Cant Live Without This Summer

Karren // Oh My Heartsie Girl 5 Essential Oils You Cant Live Without This Summer Tw | BL | G+ | FB | Pin | In » Repin From Original9-unexpected-foods-that-are-bad-for you

Indah Nuria Savitri // My Purple World 9 Unexpected Foods That Are Bad For Healthy Bones Tw | Fb | Pin | In | IN » Repin From Original
Check Out The Pinterest Page Above All Features Have Been Pinned!!

Pennys Vintage Treasures The New Deck Reveal

Pennys Vintage Treasures // The New Deck Reveal All That Jas Nut Free Raspberry Baklava

All That Jas // Nut Free Raspberry Baklava Crafting a Family DIY-Succulent-GardenCrafting a Family // DIY-Succulent-Garden Home Cooking Memories Grilled-Coconut-Rum-Shrimp

Home Cooking Memories // Grilled-Coconut-Rum-Shrimp The Country Chic Cottage Strawberry Decor with Mason Jars and Circut

Feature Chosen by Indah // My Purple World The Country Chic Cottage // Strawberry Decor with Mason Jars and Circut Embellishments Raspberry-Poke-Cake

Embellishments // Raspberry-Poke-Cake Millie Fiori Favoriti A Trip To Italy Bologna

Feature Chosen by Indah // My Purple World Millie Fiori Favoriti // A Trip To Italy Bologna Follow The Yellow Brick Road Chic and Glamorous Outdoor Living Spaces

Follow The Yellow Brick Road // Chic and Glamorous Outdoor Living SpacesSpecial Fashion FeatureJ Touch of Style Dressing Up Jeans in Different Styles 

Disclaimer for OMHGWW

You Are Welcome To Link your DIY Projects, Garden Ideas, Tablescapes Outdoor Decor, Sewing Ideas, Scrapbooking, Paper Crafts, Reviews, Gardening, Favorite Recipes, Decorating Ideas and Crafts, Giveaways or Challenges and Blog Parties are Welcome!! As Many Links As You Would Like To Share
Pin Your Favorite From Original Source We Only Ask That You Comment and Share By a Tweet Or Your Favorite Social Media
And Thank you!
:❢ Be Notified When Our Parties Start Each Week Add Your Email Unsubscribe Anytime ❢:
But Now......Lets Party.....