Ramadan is a much anticipated month around the world because of its countless benefits and countless hearts ache as the month comes to a close. For working mothers though the month of Ramadan also brings with it its fair share of concerns and apprehensions. Time tends to evade us, we are perpetually exhausted because our day starts from as early as suhoor and it sometimes becomes very taxing juggling our households, family commitments, and work. So what can we do to alleviate the stress that can also accompany this month with the hope of a more fulfilling month?
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I once read a quote that read Proper Prior Planning Prevents Poor Performance and I couldn't agree with this more especially during Ramadan aka what I like to call the 6 Ps. In Ramadan, if you want to stay afloat you always need to know what you need to do next. An immensely helpful tip to keep you on the ball is to draw up a weekly menu and to complete as much of your grocery shopping during the weekend. On the one hand, at least you know you will have a sufficiently stocked pantry for the week and on the other, shopping on the weekend may mean your significant other is with you to help. Knowing what you will be cooking down to the savories being fried will avoid you coming home and still having to stop at the store with kids in tow and then still not being completely sure what to make once everything is placed in front of you. It also helps to have a pre-planned menu because then we can also decide when you will most likely be left with leftovers and the best possible ways to recycle it into something new and innovative. Also keep stock of commonly used, non-perishable pantry items so that you can avoid having to run out again unnecessarily. Many stationery stores stock daily and weekly menu templates and in South Africa the Hibab store prints a Ramadan menu specifically for the month of Ramadan which you can purchase at a minimal price.
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One of the greatest life hacks I've learned is that virtually anything and everything cooked can be frozen from poultry to meat to certain vegetables. A lot of people only just marinade and freeze their food but poultry for example can be completely cooked and frozen. On the day that you feel overwhelmed with work and the kids you can simply pull out a Tupperware — always ensure that you use a durable and well-sealed container to avoid it absorbing a naturally expected freezer smell — defrost, fry, or steam a quick side, and you are done. What also helps significantly is freezing your prep which can be the most time-consuming. Chop up your onions, grate your tomatoes and freeze them all so that when you are cooking iftar you simply drop the already cut up veg into the pot cutting your prep time in half. Remember that anything except potatoes can freeze well especially with Eid just around the corner.
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On a normal day shopping with kids is already like venturing through a minefield so attempting it while fasting is obviously even more daunting. While we as adults may use the malls as a way to pass our time while fasting, kids can get a bit crabby. Avoid the mall craziness by doing your eid shopping before Ramadan. It may seem unfeasible at the time but it will save you mountains of frustration and money. Many chain stores have sales just before Ramadan whether it be the end of range or end of the season, something is always on sale. The term Ramadan and Eid are no longer as foreign as it once was decades ago so chain stores also capitalize on this holiday and prices do tend to soar. Online shopping has also improved drastically with the onset of COVID-19 and although many of us may have been burnt by the likes of online shopping experiences reputable stores such as the Runway Sale and Superbalist will not let you down especially with their extremely competitive delivery times.
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You need to do as much as you can in advance to avoid being overwhelmed all at once. In the morning things are always such a rush and to add to it my little one doesn't fast as yet so he still needs a packed lunch. Make the lunch the night before and in the morning just pop it into their lunch bags. The bread stays completely fresh and by the time they eat the sandwich, it almost self defrosts. Have masks and school things ready to simply pick up and leave as soon as you wake up so again do all these mundane things the night before. If you feeling a bit exhausted opt for taking out on a weekday. I know it seems terribly unhealthy and may make you feel like you a terrible mother but everyone needs a break. Also on weekends, you have more time to compensate for the lack of meals during the week, and takeaways tend to be less busy on a weekday because families mostly eat at home so you can guarantee you will be getting your meal on time.
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As a working mother, you need to be realistic during Ramadan. At the moment simit bread is trending in South Africa with almost everyone showcasing their masterpieces on Instagram. On top of that the stay-at-home moms are cooking up a storm with their beautifully plated iftar meals but as a working mother with kids, you need to be realistic. Apart from freezing your meals make simple go-to meals and accept that you can't come home from a full day of work to make designer French Fries. If you need to... buy the savories and then buy the dessert Many home industries offer delicious homemade treats and you can even opt for options such as Chef Express and Eatseasy which are online stores that deliver meals and savories right to your door.
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Ramadan is meant to be a time for spiritual purification and not a time to be constantly overwhelmed with the minute details so make the most of it by always remembering to work smart, not hard. May you continue to have a blessed month.
