How to prepare for Ramadan?

[MOZZEE]

Salaams to you all. This will be my first proper hot summer Ramadan since converting and was wondering what tips you all have for coping with the hot weather, the household chores and caring for the kids (I have 2 under 6). Do you recommend keeping the children awake until really late (ie midnight) so they can sleep longer during the day? They are normally in bed at 7pm and awake at 6.30am. I take medicine that requires for me not to get dehydrated, so I have been advised by my nurse specialist to drink 2 litres between iftar and sehri time - which means staying awake to do this! My DH won't be able to take annual leave and as it will be the summer holidays and it's just me and the kids the whole day by ourselves, I'm starting to feel a little nervous! So all advice greatly received please!

Riven - are you still doing one of the hardest fasts, the internet fast? It things like that I really struggle with.

May Allah accept our actions and make them easy for us. Ameen.

Eeeeeek, internet fast!

Tbh, I don't do a complete internet fast, just avoid the time wasterly things. I used to be good at watching v little tv too, but Dh isn't so keen on that.

Thats what i try but as i spend a lot of time sitting and sick it passes the time. This year i am determined not only to read the whole Quran in 30 days but have a host of books by Gai Eaton to get through.

I think its really good to set out some objectives of what you want to learn to do during ramadan it really helps sort what is useful from what is a waste of time.

i'm sorry,dont mean to cause any trouble here but really its upsetting that some people think its fine to just break your fast 'cos you find it hard without a valid reason.
what about this hadith?
"Whoever breaks his fast in Ramadan without a [valid] concession or illness, he cannot repay it, even if he were to fast the rest of his life." [Tirmidhi, Nasa'i, Ibn Majah]

Thanks for your answers SometimesIAmABirdbrain and Riveninside.

salams ladies!

anyone in London want to do a potluck iftari? i've been here for 5 years and have never been invited for iftar (not even my mother in laws) i'm not sure i can handle a 5th year of being out casted!

Amirah85 it's up the individual to decide what is valid and only Allah can judge them. Instead of Hadith tossing, why not make du'a for people instead.

or Duah for yourself to become more tolerant and accepting of differences all around?

Eandz I'm not in London unfortunately. Are you in touch with the New Muslim Project? They might help you to get in touch with people.

If tolerant means pretending that just deciding not to fast its completely fine ,than no thanks.it is up to the individual of course,that doesn't mean nobody can point out that we as Muslims are not really meant to pick and choose and decide that fast its too hard so give up.also I'm not "hadit tossin" just backing up what I'm saying as I'm not making things up

I guess my point is if you decide not to fast then don't but don't try and make it pass as a "difference" or it being ok

Gothanne

It looks like such a cute website, but I'm not a convert. I will call them anyway and see if there will be any London events. We really need to figure out a way to be involved in a community. It really shaped my childhood.

Dear Eandz, whereabouts in london are you?

I hope you don't mind me interrupting but this link about Ramadan from co-op pharmacy came up on my twitter so I thought I would pass it on.

colorblue

  i'm close to regents park. where are you?