In Episode 95 of the Raising Mums podcast I interview the multi-award winning poet, Mona Zac. She shares advice on how we can use poetry to encourage our children to reflect on the 99 names of Allah. In this practical and inspiring episode, sister Mona tells us why pondering on creation helps our children to connect with Allah. Sister Mona describes herself as a dreamer, writer, and poet with a headful of ideas. She regularly thinks up and manages projects that her friend (and illustrator) Neamah Aslam beautifully executes. Mona can usually be found doing research for her projects with 100 tabs open, studying for her unending classes, or beating her children at card games. In this episode Sister Mona shares: How she became a writer and got into the publishing industry The power of rhymes and poetry How learning and discussing His 99 Names helps children to know and love their Lord Why learning in a group or community is valuable The relationship between love and learning How to help your children see the signs of Allah all around them Important Links Intro Music – by PEARLS OF ISLAM: https://www.pearlsofislam.co.uk (Bismillah from the album “Love is My Foundation”) Books by Mona Zac: Connecting with Allah - a collection of poetryFill Me Up - a gratitude journal Visit Mona's Website: https://www.zacandaslam.com Connect with Sister Mona on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zacandaslam Sign Up for Homeschooling Resources and our FREE NEWSLETTER: https://ourmuslimhomeschool.com

In Episode 94 of the Raising Mums podcast, I interview Ustadha Dr Bano Murtuja about how we can help our children connect to the Prophet ﷺ. Dr Bano Murtuja is a teacher of sacred sciences with a passion for the Seerah of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. In this episode, Ustadha shares with us: Her experience in building a connection with the Prophet ﷺ and how it has and continues to, transform her life. How we can bring the Prophet ﷺ into a child's education. How a mother can still teach her child the Seerah even if she feels that she doesn't know enough? An important way to protect the faith of our children. How to encourage our children to connect and love the Prophet ﷺ Quotable Moments "This job, that was incredible but never quite fulfilled me, all of those empty spaces he ﷺ filled. The moral compass that I was always...Is this the right thing? Where do I need to go? How do I need to do this? ...He ﷺ was the direction I always needed. But more than all of that, in all of my religious practice, when I got to know the Prophet ﷺ everything became, not just easy, but beloved." - Ustadha Bano Murtuja "Let me show you who the best person was and let's aspire to develop that because that is who the best person was and is, and that is how we're going to be better. That, in and of itself, is an incredibly powerful dynamic." - Ustadha Bano Murtuja Important Links Intro Music - by PEARLS OF ISLAM: https://www.pearlsofislam.co.uk (Bismillah from the album "Love is My Foundation") COURSES with Dr Bano: https://www.banomurtuja.com Dr Bano's SEERAH PODCAST: https://storiesfromtheseerah.supercast.com Connect with Dr Bano on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StoriesfromtheSeerah and on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/storiesfromtheseerah/ Sign Up for Homeschooling Resources and our FREE NEWSLETTER: https://ourmuslimhomeschool.com

Homeschooling socialisation is one of the most common comments or questions parents receive. Almost every argument involving homeschooling revolves around this: "Homeschooled children don't get enough socialisation.".  Nobody ever worries about whether our children will get a good education at home, but we hear a lot about children needing school for socialisation. It is a well-known fact that homeschoolers have been subjected to the socialisation argument for quite some time, but what is the reality in relation to homeschooling socialisation? In Episode 93 of the Raising Mums podcast, I discuss homeschooling socialisation. Homeschooling and Socialisation References: The Prophet ﷺ was reported to have said, "I have been sent to perfect good character." [al-Muwaṭṭa’ 1614, Sahih]The Prophet ﷺ was reported to have said, “A man follows the religion of his friend; so each one should consider whom he makes his friend” [Abu Dawud]"He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm." [Proverbs, 13:20] Study by Shyers, Hedin, Montgomery et al. showed a significant advantage seen in homeschooled kids, with regards to their social development.Thomas Smedley (1992), in a controlled study, found that "...home educated in this sample were significantly better socialized and more mature than those in public school." Related: Start Your Homeschool Strong BOOTCAMP! Here: https://launchyourhomeschool.thinkific.com/courses/start-your-homeschool-strong Related: Dealing with Naysayers | Home Education Here:https://ourmuslimhomeschool.com/2021/07/how-to-homeschool-successfully-ten-tips-from-the-heart.html Related: Can I Homeschool if I’m NOT a Teacher? Here:https://ourmuslimhomeschool.com/2021/07/can-i-homeschool-if-im-not-a-teacher.html Enough to Homeschool Enough to Homeschool is a 5-day virtual workshop with Dr. Gemma, for the mother who is ready to feel like a homeschooler. Unlock your confidence and step into your role as a home educator! The Enough to Homeschool 5-day workshop will take place 10-14th October 2022. JOIN ENOUGH TO HOMESCHOOL:- http://enoughtohomeschool.com

When homeschooling you have the best intentions, but sometimes you wonder if you’re going to make it. Does your homeschool have a chance of success? How are you going to make it work, or even if you will fail? You know how homeschooling benefits your kids and provides them with an excellent education. You’ve found advice on choosing curriculum, learning styles, methods of homeschooling, and setting up a schedule. But have you ever been told what personal qualities YOU NEED to succeed? In Episode 92 of the Raising Mums podcast, I share how to successfully homeschool. Homeschooling Resources Related: Start Your Homeschool Strong BOOTCAMP! https://launchyourhomeschool.thinkific.com/courses/start-your-homeschool-strong Related: How to Homeschool Successfully | Ten Tips from the Heart : https://ourmuslimhomeschool.com/2021/07/how-to-homeschool-successfully-ten-tips-from-the-heart.html Related: Should I Start Homeschooling | Am I failing my kids? https://ourmuslimhomeschool.com/2021/07/should-i-start-homeschooling-am-i-failing-my-kids.html Enough to Homeschool Enough to Homeschool is a 5-day virtual workshop with Dr. Gemma, for the mother who is ready to feel like a homeschooler. Homeschooling success depends on the mother's emotional regulation. The curriculum she picks, her daily routine, and her knowledge of education are helpful. But, if she cannot see through the fog of her emotions, she will not be able to see the truth of what her children need, how to best educate them, and will struggle to enjoy the privilege that is home education. Unlock your confidence and step into your role as a home educator! The Enough to Homeschool 5-day workshop will take place 10-14th October 2022. JOIN ENOUGH TO HOMESCHOOL:- http://enoughtohomeschool.com

We are experiencing a terrible economic downturn, which can affect the homeschool budget. Homeschooling can cost as much or as little as you want it to. When you’re first starting out, you may spend a bit more on supplies than you will in subsequent years. The cost of homeschooling is different for every family, it can add up quickly especially if you have multiple children, but it is possible to homeschool during the recession. With homeschool budgeting, careful planning, and a positive attitude, you can give your child a quality education without breaking the bank.   In Episode 91 of the Raising Mums podcast, I share how you can homeschool on a budget especially when times are difficult. WATCH THE VIDEO HERE: 👉 https://youtu.be/R40fKBgmEJY https://youtu.be/R40fKBgmEJY Related: How much does Homeschooling Cost?Here:https://ourmuslimhomeschool.com/2020/11/how-much-does-homeschooling-cost.html Related: Be a Homeschool Planner! |The Benefits of Planning Annually Here:https://ourmuslimhomeschool.com/2019/03/homeschool-planner-benefits.html Enough to Homeschool Enough to Homeschool is a 5-day Virtual Mini-course with Dr. Gemma, for the mother who is ready to feel like a homeschooler. Unlock your confidence and step into your role as a home educator! The Enough to Homeschool 5-day Mini-Course will take place 10-14th October 2022. JOIN ENOUGH TO HOMESCHOOL:- Http://EnoughToHomeschool.com

Although you know exactly what you should be doing at a particular moment, on a specific day of your homeschool, do you still struggle to accomplish it? There are times when even the best-laid homeschool plans don't work out. When this happens, it can leave you feeling stressed and anxious. All of us have done it. Despite creating seemingly perfect plans, they get discarded after a few weeks. How come we spend so much time creating plans and then have trouble sticking to our homeschool plans? In Episode 90 of the Raising Mums podcast, I share how you can stick to your homeschool plans. Points to be taken away:- The initial period requires some experimentation and time to figure things out. It's ok if you don't get it right the first time!Are you being over ambitious or unrealistic considering the season of life you find yourself inDo you tell yourself you never follow through on things? Do you tell other people you can't stick to plans? If you want to, you'll need to change that part of your identity! Related: Start Your Homeschool Strong BOOTCAMP! Here: https://launchyourhomeschool.thinkific.com/courses/start-your-homeschool-strong Related: The Easiest Way | Homeschool Planning Here:https://ourmuslimhomeschool.com/2022/08/the-easiest-way-homeschool-planning.html Related: Summer Homeschool Planning – What should we do over the summer?Here:https://ourmuslimhomeschool.com/2021/07/summer-homeschool-planning.html Enough to Homeschool Enough to Homeschool is a 5-day virtual workshop with Dr. Gemma, for the mother who is ready to feel like a homeschooler. Unlock your confidence and step into your role as a home educator! The Enough to Homeschool 5-day workshop will take place 10-14th October 2022. JOIN ENOUGH TO HOMESCHOOL:- http://enoughtohomeschool.com

Play-based learning is so much more than just having fun for children; it is also a great way for them to learn. During childhood, play plays a significant role in the development and health of children and their long-term success in learning and life. It is through play that competence is built in many domains. As children play, they are able to address social problems, solve problems solve and invent scenes and stories. Pey Abdulwahid speaks about the importance of preserving play and wonder in childhood and gives advice to mothers who want to give their children more freedom when playing. In Episode 89 of the Raising Mums podcast, I talk to Pey Abdulwahid about play-based learning. Pey is a mum of 3 little kids (5 and under). She is interested in psychology, neuroscience and anything parenting and early childhood development, and of course, Islam. She likes to wrap gifts, cut, doodle, and do anything crafty and she also loves going to the beach and swimming. Connect with Pey on her Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/mamapey_plays/ Other Homeschooling Resources Mentioned: (Affiliate links included) Launch Your Homeschool: http://launchyourhomeschool.thinkific.com/ 1000 Hours Outside: https://www.1000hoursoutside.com Balanced and Barefoot: https://amzn.to/3dURZvZ (UK) https://amzn.to/3PO7pPZ (USA) Raising Mums Podcast: https://itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/raising-mums/id1450539640?mt=2 (APPLE) https://open.spotify.com/show/0n45ZX5o3bw3ODGfOcQkZD?si=9fw_pBiHST2rzT9i014yig (SPOTIFY) Our Muslim Homeschool: https://ourmuslimhomeschool.com Leaders Amongst Mothers: https://www.leadersamongstmothers.com Dr Shefali - Conscious Parenting: https://www.drshefali.com Related: Teach the 99 Names of Allah to children through PLAY! Here:https://ourmuslimhomeschool.com/2019/03/teach-99-names-allah-children.html   Related: Teach ARABIC with PLAY DOUGH! Here:https://ourmuslimhomeschool.com/2016/03/teach-arabic-with-play-dough.html

Although the idea of getting ready to start homeschooling can be overwhelming, know that you can do it.  Your first year of homeschool planning does not have to be overwhelming or frightening. In Episode 88 of the Raising Mums podcast, I share what subjects you need to start with and show you the Easiest way to begin your Homeschool Planning! This episode includes a clip from Day 2 of our recent 5-day Bootcamp - Start Your Homeschool Strong! Although The Start Your Homeschool Strong Bootcamp is currently closed, Launch Your Homeschool students will be given access to the full boot camp. Launch Your Homeschool is now open now and closes Friday 5th August, 2022 at 9pm (UK). Related: Falling Behind in your Homeschooling Curriculum  HERE:https://ourmuslimhomeschool.com/2022/03/behind-homeschooling-curriculum.html Related: The 3 Homeschooling Truths you MUST Know to Start Homeschooling! Here: https://ourmuslimhomeschool.com/2022/06/homeschooling-truths-when-you-start-homeschooling.html How to Start Your Muslim Homeschool Launch Your Homeschool is an online course that will hold your hand and walk you through the beginning stages of homeschooling, built upon the framework of the Charlotte Mason philosophy. I teach you how to choose the right subjects for your homeschool, how to choose the right resources, and plan out your year to create a homeschool experience that aligns with the values and beliefs of your family. Whether you are homeschooling in the UK, or elsewhere in the world, this programme will help you give your children an incredible education at home.  I show you the essential teaching techniques that you’ll need to know to get started. There’s even an entire module on how to manage your time so you can still cook, keep the house tidy and take care of yourself, all whilst homeschooling your children! Interested? Doors are open!!! JOIN LAUNCH YOUR HOMESCHOOL HERE: http://launchyourhomeschool.com Peace and love,

Several reasons exist for parents to not send their child to public schools, such as dissatisfaction with the curriculum, teaching methods, and religious concerns, but is homeschooling really better? Khadijah Stott-Andrew addresses this concern and her realisation that teachers don't have all the answers either. Khadijah is a mother of three and a self-proclaimed bookaholic! She talks about homeschooling while moving house and also how she has combined the national curriculum with the Charlotte Mason philosophy. In Episode 87 of the Raising Mums podcast, I talk to Khadijah Stott-Andrew from Our Daily Wonders. Connect with Khadijah on her Instagram pages: https://www.instagram.com/ourdailywonders/ and https://www.instagram.com/khadijah.epicwriting/ CLICK ON THE PLAY BUTTON above to find find out more! Homeschooling Resources Mentioned Twinkl https://www.twinkl.co.uk Khan Academy https://www.khanacademy.org Khadijah by Fatima Barkatulla https://amzn.to/3BnwbTj Know and Tell by Karen Glass https://amzn.to/3PHUIqu Ambleside Online https://www.amblesideonline.org Librivox Library https://librivox.org Our Island Story https://amzn.to/3S47ph5 Related: The 3 Homeschooling Truths you MUST Know to Start Homeschooling! HERE:https://ourmuslimhomeschool.com/2022/06/homeschooling-truths-when-you-start-homeschooling.html Related: My Husband is against Homeschooling! What can I do? Here: https://ourmuslimhomeschool.com/2021/12/my-husband-is-against-homeschooling-what-can-i-do.html How to Start Your Muslim Homeschool Launch Your Homeschool is an online course that will hold your hand and walk you through the beginning stages of homeschooling, built upon the framework of the Charlotte Mason philosophy. I teach you how to choose the right subjects for your homeschool, how to choose the right resources, and plan out your year to create a homeschool experience that aligns with the values and beliefs of your family. Whether you are homeschooling in the UK, or elsewhere in the world, this programme will help you give your children an incredible education at home.  I show you the essential teaching techniques that you’ll need to know to get started. There’s even an entire module on how to manage your time so you can still cook, keep the house tidy and take care of yourself, all whilst homeschooling your children! Interested? Doors open Friday 29th July 2022, insha’Allah.  JOIN LAUNCH YOUR HOMESCHOOL HERE: https://ourmuslimhomeschool.com/courses Peace and love,

Here at Our Muslim Homeschool, we believe that the most important thing homeschooling parents need to hold onto is their intention. In others words, always remember why you homeschool your children. In order to understand how to homeschool with purpose, Nusaibah Kofar-Naisa also advises keeping your intentions in mind every day. Nusaibah is a mother of 2 from Nigeria. Her intention to homeschool was to raise children of taqwa. This means ensuring your homeschooling is Allah (SWT) centered, connecting with your children, and remembering the purpose for which we were created. In Episode 86 of the Raising Mums podcast, I talk to Nusaibah Kofar-Naisa from That Muslim Homeschool Family. CLICK ON THE PLAY BUTTON above to find find out more! How to Homeschool - Resources Mentioned: Follow Nusaibah on her Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/that_muslim_homeschool_family/ Launch Your Homeschool: https://ourmuslimhomeschool.com/courses Stark Raving Dad Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-life-without-school-podcast/id1584032852 Stark Raving Dad Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stark.raving.dad/ Wild and Free Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/wild-free/id1209794530 Start Your Homeschool Strong! The FREE 5-Day Homeschooling Bootcamp with Dr Gemma! 25th-29th July 2022: https://ourmuslimhomeschool.com/strong Related: The 3 Homeschooling Truths you MUST Know to Start Homeschooling! Here: https://ourmuslimhomeschool.com/2022/06/homeschooling-truths-when-you-start-homeschooling.html How to Start Your Muslim Homeschool Launch Your Homeschool is an online course that will hold your hand and walk you through the beginning stages of homeschooling, built upon the framework of the Charlotte Mason philosophy. I teach you how to choose the right subjects for your homeschool, how to choose the right resources, and plan out your year to create a homeschool experience that aligns with the values and beliefs of your family. Whether you are homeschooling in the UK, or elsewhere in the world, this programme will help you give your children an incredible education at home.  I show you the essential teaching techniques that you’ll need to know to get started. There’s even an entire module on how to manage your time so you can still cook, keep the house tidy and take care of yourself, all whilst homeschooling your children! Interested? Launch Your Homeschool enrolment is currently closed. Doors open 29th July 2022, insha’Allah.  JOIN THE WAITING LIST HERE: https://ourmuslimhomeschool.com/courses Peace and love,

Islamic Art is a subject that is often overlooked when developing our curriculum, especially with today's focus on technology. The arts are really essential for growing minds to help our children engage with their personal and cultural understanding. I can help build key skills such as critical and creative thinking as well as developing their fine and gross motor skills. Above all, taking some time to create something from the heart is a wonderful way to glorify Allah (SWT) who created us. In Episode 85 of the Raising Mums podcast, I talk to Wajiha Khalil, creator, and teacher at Sacred Art Workshops. Wajiha Khalil is a mother of three boys, a multidisciplinary artist, and a student of sacred knowledge. Through Sacred Art Workshops, she conveys Islamic knowledge to children through visual art and creative discovery. Her process strives to bring an integrated sense of understanding through engaging projects that create a memorable experience, not only beautiful art - but an inspired and curious heart.  You can catch up with some of the wonderful work Wajiha does with her students, and join her upcoming classes, on her website https://www.sacredartworkshops.com/ and also on her Instagram https://www.instagram.com/sacredartworkshops/ More Islamic Art Resources Related: 10 Wonderful Art and Craft Ideas for Homeschool History Here: https://ourmuslimhomeschool.com/2022/05/10-wonderful-art-and-craft-ideas-for-homeschool-history.html Related: How to do Picture Study Lessons in your Homeschool HERE: https://ourmuslimhomeschool.com/2018/07/how-to-picture-study-homeschool.html How to Start Your Muslim Homeschool Launch Your Homeschool is an online course that will hold your hand and walk you through the beginning stages of homeschooling, built upon the framework of the Charlotte Mason philosophy. I teach you how to choose the right subjects for your homeschool, how to choose the right resources, and plan out your year to create a homeschool experience that aligns with the values and beliefs of your family. Whether you are homeschooling in the UK, or elsewhere in the world, this programme will help you give your children an incredible education at home.  I show you the essential teaching techniques that you’ll need to know to get started. There’s even an entire module on how to manage your time so you can still cook, keep the house tidy and take care of yourself, all whilst homeschooling your children! Interested? Launch Your Homeschool enrolment is currently closed. Doors open 29th July 2022, insha’Allah.  JOIN THE WAITING LIST HERE: https://ourmuslimhomeschool.com/courses Peace and love,