Just a bunch of crazies
We are a family of three four five based in West Lafayette (Indiana), Milwaukee (Wisconsin), Singapore, Islamabad, Pakistan. We are Muslims and are multi-cultural/ethnic. We love crafts and are book mad and struggle to keep a tidy house because of these obsessions passions. We love having people equally obsessed with books over though, so if you can turn a blind eye to our madness and mayhem, then do drop by for tea. (Bring a bag of chips… I love me some chips.)
We are:
- King Dad aka The Dad Man, my down-to-earth husband who has big ideas and an even bigger heart
- Me, the head crazy… wannabe crafter and journal-mad mum
- Marz (aka Ms M aka Ms Muffet aka Marzipan)… 17 going on 30… my no-longer-little old soul who goes through books like we go through air
- Bear (aka Cookie)… 14, who has a penchant for art and all kinds of diva-ness
- Peep… 7, the de facto boss of the house… rambunctious, lovable and adores vehicles of all kinds!
We are a homeschooling family and generally love it. (It gives me an excuse to bust the bank on books.) However, if you are looking for a blog that denounces school, you will need to jog on. I am not a militant homeschooler and I am not against those who choose to send their kids to school. Our choice is ours, suited to our circumstances and lifestyle.
I don’t want to paint a rosy picture of our home and our homeschooling days, so if this blog sounds like one big feel-good diary, let me set the record straight. There are doubts, sadness, frustration and loss of tempers. (Yes, lots…) There are days when I feel like screaming (and I do it too!) and there are days when I feel like throwing in the towel. I don’t talk about those days much here though and that isn’t because I want to image craft. It’s just not what this blog is about. This blog is a record of my heartwarming moments, so that I may be reminded that I am blessed… so that I may focus (and refocus) on and draw inspiration from the beautiful times.
I don’t need to contribute to the cesspool of cynicism and negativity on what I call the internet webs (haha). I figure, if you don’t know me well, then I would rather that you took something positive from me and if you do know me well, then you know already that my life has its share of struggles and imperfections.
This blog is about celebrating the joys.
It’s about making memories and keeping the faith.
The story of mine you found and loved, “The Mountain That Loved a Bird,” is one I increasingly long to share everywhere; it tells about the power of loving friendship. I like to think that love can be more powerful than hatred. To have found your website feels to me like sunshine breaking through on a cloudy day. How easily friendship would grow between us, if we could meet!
Alice McLerran
I think this is simply awesome. I believe in home-schooling too. I have two nephews, I and my sister are always planning for their tarbiyyah.
If you share useful tips for other such mothers, it would surely be a sadaqa-e-jaariyah.
masha Allah… we are working 24/7/365 :) reaping in all the blessings that come with creating & growing our lovely family! i miss u everSO much!!
salam, love & respect XOXO
i love librarys too. i would love to come to the homeschooling library in Islamabad.
Asalamualaikm!
I have just started working for my thesis on the topic. “Cognitive Development of a child through homeschooling”. And 99.99% people are unaware of this thing in our country.
I’m happy to find some one “educated enough” to know the importance of home schooling in Pakistan. Salute to your all efforts. :)
I’ll be needing little bit for your help for my thesis, your blog is so much helpful for that but I need to ask some particular questions as well.
Assalamu ‘alaykum wa rahmatullah, dear sister Maryam, I am an Italian researcher on educational and children rights issues, I am also a Muslim and homeschooler mother now living in Pakistan, near islamabad. It is a long ago you wrote here, I’m wondering if you have finished your thesis, and if you would like to share it. Also, if you live in Pakistan,near Islamabad, it would be a pleasure to meet you. Let me know. Jazaki Llahu khairan in any case.
Umm Hamid
Assalam alaikum, I stumbled on your blog and really liked it, mashallah. I’m thrilled to find someone homeschooling in Pakistan, haven’t found any one till now.
My husband and i graduated from medical school but decided to change our future plans and go for Islamic studies. We’ve been in Madinah for 8 yrs now, alhamdulillah. My husband is in his 3rd yr in the Masters programme in Islamic Theology at Madinah uni .
I have 6 yr old Maryam and 3 yr old Abdurrahman alhamdulillah. I have been experimenting with homeschooling for a yr now Alhamdulillah, but I want to network with others in similar situations like myself, being a Pakistani homeschooler is still uncommon. How can I get in touch with you? Jazakallahu khairan.
Hey, I am a mother of two. And your story really inspires me. Can you tell me where is your library so I can come and visit.
I’m looking for homeschoolers in lahore and Islamabad. Just moved to lahore from Abu Dhabi.
Hi Sehrish, I am based in Islamabad and I am homeschooling my son. I too am looking for homeschoolers. Anyone out there interested in creating a homeschooling support group please free to contact me on my email address: farooqsana24@gmail.com
asalamualikum. Your blog is awesome and its good to know that it is fairly recent also. My baby is still 1 1/2 and we are still in America. However, i dont think my husband wants to settle here. So I am looking at different options I have for my son (and future children inshAllah) in Pakistan.
Do you miss anything about America? Also, are you following a certain curriculum or are you creating one yourself? Was it hard to adjust to life in Pakistan? I was there for 2 years waiting on my husbands visa but now with a child I think its going to be way different. The “american schools” in Pakistan just cost so much. Any info would be appreciated. Do you have a facebook page by any chance so we can kit?
Assalamu Alaikum! :)) I often visit your blog and have it bookmarked on my browser along with others. I love your blog and it’s very creative and unique to any other. I like how you incorporate Islam and everyday life, and education together. I’m still very young (14 years old) but I’m trying to increase my knowlage in Islamic studies and In Shaa Allah memorize and try to understand the Quran :)
wa `alaykum as salaam wa rahmatullaahi wa barakaatuh Imaan!
So sorry for my late reply! I clicked on one too many things and my design went completely wonky! Jazakillah khayran for your encouragement – please make du`aa for us as we are struggling too! So lovely that you are working so hard… may Allah put barakah in you efforts and increase you in your knowledge, ameen!
Asaalamu alaikum wa Rahmatullah. Stories of sisters who relocated to Muslim lands are very touching. We are, inshallah, moving back to Pakistan. Having lived most of my life here in the US it is an intimidating idea nevertheless exciting.
Any ideas about homeschooling my 2 year old. How does one go about getting started. JazakAllahu khairan for all your help.
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