School resumption: practical tips for mothers in the new normal

The handwriting on the wall is clear. The volume is loud enough and the tempo is high. No one needs to tell you that we are in the era of new normal, like the era of Covid. Everyone, especially women have to do something different to salvage the current situation in the country. Now is the time to high your creativity, economically, morally, spiritually and even socially. The situation is not the same and you cannot continue to remain the same as that will be too insensitive of you!

Currently in the country, the basic needs of life which are food, clothing and shelter are gradually becoming luxuries. The foundation of living which is good health is now for the rich, as majority now overlook early symptoms of diseases not to talk of going for diagnosis or treatment. Food inflation, which accounts for the bulk of Nigeria’s inflation has reached as high as 40.8 percent, transportation 25.6 percent and education 17.2 percent. Meanwhile, the annual core inflation rate excluding farm produce and energy, reached a new record high of 27.47 percent, all in this year! On a monthly basis, consumer prices rose by 2.31 percent since June this year. We can say this is indeed, a tough time for many, but for the believers, it is a period of faith and perseverance. A period of steadfastness and total reliance on Allah. As it is, it takes conscious efforts to remain sane, even for an adult not to talk of the children and teenagers. As a Muslim mother who is sending out her children back to school, you can consider the following tips.

One, this is the real time to learn the art of kitchen dynamics. This era has ushered in the ability to explore varieties of diet that are quite balanced yet affordable. The fixation in our convenient dishes like rice, bread, beans etc needs to be reviewed. Get to know other combinations that can give your children desired nutrients without tearing your purse. Same way as your cooking styles and methods. Review all your expenses and see which should go and which should stay.  See what you can improvise and what remains indispensable. This is not the era of competition in lunch packs and snacks. Neither is it the time for bags and shoes contest. It is strictly the era of needs and necessity. This will in the long run help you stable emotionally and help your children adapt easily. Do not force anything once it is not life threatening. And if Allah has blessed you more than your needs, it is incumbent on you to assist those who have not, who are the majority around you.

There and then, have that discussion with your children. This is a new session and they are not going back with new school bag, school shoes and lunch bags as usual, why? The lunch pack and the snacks are even reducing, why? During the vacation, you have done a lot to keep eyes on them but now they will be away from you for longer hours. Don’t just assume they understand and can see what is happening. Have that discussion with them and educate them on the virtue of contentment, as well as the dangers of greediness or lack of contentment. A child’s thinking needs to be helped and shaped. Be compassionate with them so that they will accept their new reality with love and the trust they have for you, and not being forced. As the mind of a rebellious child is more destructive than the weapon of a soldier.  Make the words of the Holy Quran and the guidance from the traditions of the prophet Muhammad (SAW) their compass each day and Allah will ease you through.

Similarly, teach your children the art of prudence.  As much as they love to cooperate with you, they may lack the habit of managing their materials; school books, bags, stationeries, socks, school shoes, uniform and others. A material that supposed to last for a month may end up not reaching a week. It is your duty to go through it with them. Keep teaching them how to keep their things while in school and whenever they return monitor them. The best way to achieve stability is to concentrate on things that are mostly matter now, among which your home is number one. Be attentive and intentional about it so that you will not have the course to mend what should not have been broken in the first place. This will keep your expenses minimal as well as the possibility of wooping debts.

Dear mother, you can’t afford to lose out so easily. Keeping your affairs securely in the hands of your creator is mostly needed to navigate this turbulent time. It shall pass but for you to remain to tell it’s story you need to move closer to Allah and put all your affairs in His care. For definitely with hardship is ease and only with the remembrance of Allah do the heats find rest.