Smart Parents Handbook for Early Parenthood: Super Mom & Dad

By Sarwat Nasim Shah

There is no Universal Right Formula of Parenting! Lets join hands to turn parenting into a magnificent experience by being more proactive, aware and ready to make the right choices for our precious children.

May this handbook be your partner in your journey of parenthood and give you the courage and guidance to be the light in your childs life!!!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Partridge Publishing Singapore
• Release date: Sep 11, 2014
• ISBN: 9781482896329

Sarwat Nasim Shah

Sarwat N. Shah is a Corporate Lawyer and Entrepreneur but most importantly a passionate and keen mother of two adorable sons... who became the inspiration for the production of this book...

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Copyright © 2014 Sarwat Nasim Shah. All rights reserved.

Illustrator Asmaa Murad @ one8edegee.com

Edited by Laila Brence

ISBN

978-1-4828-9631-2 (sc)

978-1-4828-9632-9 (e)

All content of this book can be used for spreading information and education of young parents with due credit and reference to this book.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the publisher except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Toll Free 800 101 2657 (Singapore)

Toll Free 1 800 81 7340 (Malaysia)

www.partridgepublishing.com/singapore

09/10/2014

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Foreword

This book is a response to my disappointment and frustration in failing to find all the answers in one place when I became a mother in 2008. It was quite daunting to realize that despite having my law degree and a high profile legal job, I had no clue about the lifelong responsibility granted to me in the form of a precious little child.

Family is the basic unit and building block of the society. The Society is as strong and healthy, as the families within it. Having a life-long companion is one of the best blessings and so is the ability to procreate. Husband and wife form the basis of the family and in their hands lays the great task of raising a new generation.

As parents, we have the responsibility of educating and enlightening ourselves about the art of parenting in order to find the best opportunities, stimulation and solutions for our little ones. In today’s fast-paced society, we cannot afford to raise our kids on a trial and error basis.

I have endeavored to research most aspects of parenting to bring together the best of technical knowledge and the basics of religious tenets on raising children. I hope this book will enrich the new parents with knowledge and assist them in their new roles.

I would like to encourage the readers to take on the gift of parenthood as a graceful responsibility, and make it a means of continuous self-improvement at every stage. Avoid comparisons, competitions and covetousness at all costs.

I hope new parents will find this book useful and enlightening. I would humbly welcome any feedback and review.

~ Sarwat N. Shah

About the Book

Before acquiring a job, we spend four to five years on specialized education, then, a good amount of time on training, which finally secures us a decent designation at work. Further, we put in our entire efforts, both mental and physical to progress and succeed.

However, isn’t it odd that just the opposite is true for parenthood? When it comes to parenting, it just dawns upon us one day that we have been granted the noblest responsibility of bringing up a human body and brain! As soon as we become parents we want the best of both worlds for our babies.

But children do not come with instruction manuals!!

This handbook is by no means the answer to all the challenges of parenthood, it does however attempt to guide the parents on the nitty-gritty of parenting as and when the information may be required. The book has been written while keeping in mind the Pakistani and Muslim lifestyle. The numerous remarkable parenting books available in the market are all written from the perspective of western social values and lack many important details from our social, cultural and religious perspective.

Likewise, the book tackles the matters, which are often overlooked in our society. There are some parents, who are not aware about the importance of anomaly scans in the fifth month of pregnancy, while some do not know the purpose of circumcision. Some of us do not know authentic Duas and many follow the customary practices blindly, without knowing the reasoning or benefit behind them. The book aims to list all the essential technical and religious aspects of parenting ensuring that parents do not miss out on any key points.

The book also addresses food and nutrition, which is very important in the early years of a child’s growth. Often we see that the precious blessing of health is being compromised through frozen foods, preservatives, industrially processed unhealthy foods, junk alternatives, carbonated drinks and saturated oils. Similarly vaccines are being injected relentlessly, without considering the harmful effects.

Besides providing daily routine advice, this book has also a secondary and higher purpose. It aims to guide the parents in maximizing the stimulation of their children, in order to utilize their full potential. It highlights how small breaks, brief sittings and family time can be made positive, productive and enriching experiences for both children and parents.

Many parents do not realize the exceptional advantage of the early childhood years for brain development, breeding intelligence, instilling of values and learning languages. Often this precious age is lost to ignorance and neglect. This book aspires to show the parents, the ways of channelizing the energies and talents of their children into the right direction, in order to maximize their potential.

The book is compiled in the form of a reference, offering to the reader list-style information, tips and pointers. Thus, it is a handy guide that parents can refer whenever the need arises. If a more detailed assistance is required in any area, parents can take up a proper research online or through books.

Remember, parenthood is an adventure that will require you to make choices and compromises. What counts is doing the best you can, as you face this new challenge.

Acknowledgements

First and foremost thanks to ALLAH SWT who created me and gave me the inspiration and ability to write this book.

Secondly to my husband Syed Kashif Saghir Shah, for all his loving support, encouragement and advice in whatever I have ever wanted to do.

To my parents who brought me up to be able to read write and be able to understand.

To all my friends, teachers, relatives, acquaintances and all the people I have come across in my life who gave me the slightest of inspiration and learning from the briefest of interaction.

To all the parents who provided invaluable information on parenting trends of various families of different geographical locations, social and financial backgrounds.

To all the people who took out their precious time to discuss at length on the topics included in the book. Special thanks to the Reviewers:

Mr. Rayed Afzal, Educational Psychologist, MD, EAST

Dr. Musrrat Hasan, Director, Institute of Ultrasound Imaging

Dr. Sabeen Adil, IBCLC Lactation Consultant, South City Hospital

Aysha S. Jamall, Project Head, Circle of Care, Therapy Works

Dr. M. Shoaib H. Siddiqui, B.D.S, M.Dent. Sci Restorative Dentistry (Leeds, UK)

Maj. (R) Dr. Shahida Mirza , Gynecologist

Dr. Nida Amir, BDS, MSc. (McGill), Msc/Dip Pediatric Dentistry (UBC)

Dr. Shagufta Feroz, Nutritionist

Maj. (R) Zuhair Raza Qizilbash, Corporate Security Specialist

Anita Riek, Project Director, FESF

Shams Begum Uqaili, Dr. Sadaf Shahid Pervez, Afia Siddiqua, Dr. Areej Haroon, Azra Saeed Husain, Dr. Sarwat Imran, Dr. Wajeeha Rehman, Maria Bilal for all the support, advice & encouragement.

Table of Contents

1. Children also have Rights over Parents

2. Rights of a Child Before Birth

Blood Test of the Couple Before Marriage

Communication of Blood Group to your Doctor

Wellbeing of Mom-to-be

Ultrasound Scans

No Discrimination on the Basis of Gender

Protection from Abortion

Spacing Between Children

3. Rights of a Child After Birth

Delay in Cutting the Umbilical Cord

No Discrimination on the Basis of Physical Appearance

First Baby Bath

Blood Group

Azaan and Tehneek

Choosing a Good Name

Aqeeqah

Circumcision of Boys

Record Milestones (0-6 months)

Primary Care and Nursing

Birth Certificate and Form B

Safety and Protection

Caring for the Stump

Insect Bites

Baby Proofing

Clothes and Accessories

Car Seats

Baby Walkers and Bouncers

Avoid Toy Hazards

Avoid Unnecessary Medication and Vaccines

Lotions, Powders and Colognes

Weaning

Protection with Dua

4. Coping with Early Challenges

Latching

Burp

Colic

Bowel Movements and Ghutti

Baby’s Poop

Diapers and Rashes

Develop Sign Communication with the Child

Sun Protection

How to Choose a Paediatrician for your Child

Vaccinations

Nails Management

The Shape of Baby’s Head

Pacifiers

Yelling

Routine

Sleeping Patterns

Baby Drool

Bathing

Sibling Rivalry and Jealousy

Tantrums and Anger Management

Discipline and Punishments

Teeth Eruption

Thumb Sucking

Teeth Grinding (Bruxism)

Toilet Training

Bed Wetting

Exploration of Body Parts

Foul Language (Potty Words)

Socializing

5. Agreement on a Parenting Philosophy

6. Effective Communication

7. Food and Nutrition

8.