Before kids, I wasn’t much of a gardener, but I loved gardens. When my first child came along, I knew I wanted her to have as much time outside as possible. But no…she would not go out in the backyard on her own. This marked the beginning of my adventure into gardening. 8 years on and I have multiple fruit trees, 3 compost bins, 4 chickens, a herd of guinea pigs and nasturtiums taking over my veggie patch – not to mention the sand everywhere except in the sandpit!
I love spending time in the garden. Early morning, right after praying Fajr, reading Quran and breakfast, we go out and feed all the animals. It’s refreshing, even in winter when there is still frost on the ground. When the weather is nice, I even read Quran outside! Praying Zhuhr and Asr in the garden is common in warmer weather.
While I tend to the garden, my boys are usually near me digging for worms, or running around. My little one will be waddling around, looking at whatever her brothers are up to while my eldest will be sitting in the sun, reading a book.
Children (and adults!) need time outside in nature. It is a great stress reliever and mood booster! Gardening is also a form of exercise. Spend time observing the plants, flowers and insects. See that image of the beautiful spider web? I found it on my fig tree, still intact in the morning. SubhanAllah, how amazing is the creation of Allah!
Going out and just looking at nature is a relief for the eyes. Away from the phone or any other screen. Below is a picture of my boys who delightfully took out pillows and a blanket and are enjoying the warmth of the sun while hiding in the blanket. Yes, that blanket needed a wash afterwards, but I don’t care – if it means that they are having fun and enjoying time away from any screen, then great!
I challenge you to spend at least half an hour everyday to enjoy your outdoor space – read Quran, pull out some weeds, watch some bugs with a magnifying glass, plant some vegetables, or just stare at the sky and focus on your breathing. Whatever makes you feel at peace and connected with your Creator.