Teaching young children to fast during Ramadan is an excellent way to prepare them for the big day. As we all know, the most important part of fasting is eating sahur (suhoor). It’ll give us the energy we need to get through the fasting day. While we may be aware of this as adults, our children will not be unless we guide them.
However, waking the children for sahur is one of the most difficult challenges for many of us parents. The children may find the early morning eating strange, and that we are disturbing their sleep. Because of this, your children’s mood could be ruined, and they may be reluctant to wake up during the pre-dawn.
Therefore, we need to be aware of some of the tricks we can employ to help encourage our children during sahur. Here are some ideas for waking up the kids and getting them ready for their important pre-dawn meal.
Inform Them the Significance of Sahur
Fasting without sahur can cause children to become drowsy and less energetic in their daily activities. Ensure they are aware of this and explain why waking up for sahur is beneficial to their bodies. Among the many advantages are reduced hunger pangs, less fatigue, increased energy, and improved focus.
Allow Them to Decide on the Menu
Kids enjoy it when we let them make their own decisions. Because sahur is so early in the morning, it’s natural for children to feel like they don’t want to eat anything. Ask them what they want for sahur the night before. Give them options, such as choosing between fish and chicken for the protein and broccoli and carrot for the vegetables. If the children know that their requested food will be available, they may be more motivated to wake up and eat their sahur.
Let Them Choose Their Preferred Alarm
Setting an alarm is one of the most effective ways to wake the kids up for sahur. If the alarm is to be set on a mobile device, allow the children to select the alarm sound they prefer. Alternatively, get them to choose an alarm clock. There are some amusing ones available these days. Having to wake up to the sound or alarm clock that they’ve chosen could help them get into the spirit of sahur.
Wake Them Up for Sahur Gently
Nobody likes being woken up as if there’s a volcano on the verge of erupting. Don’t rush your children or force them to wake up. Instead, try to be gentle so they don’t wake up in a state of shock. Softly call out their names and inform them that it’s time for sahur. Children will be more willing to wake up if they are not pushed and are spoken to gently.
Bring Forward Their Bedtime
This goes without saying. As the kids need to wake up early for sahur, which is at least around 5 a.m., do get them to bed early. At least one hour earlier than usual, or better yet, immediately after Isyak prayer (and Tarawih, but make sure that it doesn’t take too long). Getting enough sleep will keep the kids from being cranky and will make them feel fresher when they wake up early pre-dawn.
Don’t Wake Them Up Too Early
Besides having the kids in bed early the night before waking up for sahur, it’s also important to not wake them up too early in the morning. If it’s too early, they might refuse to wake up. Or if they do get up to eat at that time, they’ll get hungry earlier in the day. It’s best to do the waking part about 45 minutes to 1 hour before Imsak. That should give them plenty of time to finish their food and take a quick rest before Subuh prayer.
Always Appreciate Their Efforts
It’s not easy for the kids to get up that early for sahur. Praise them for their efforts whenever they attempt to do so. It’ll be a smooth journey to sahur later if they feel like they’re doing a good job by waking up early in the morning. If the kids respond best to rewards, make a moon chart and place one every time they wake up for their pre-dawn meal. Hopefully, they’ll be inspired by their accomplishment and want to do even better the next time.
Last Resort: Let Them Eat While Watching Their Favourite Show
This is not something that many people would recommend. But there are times when you just have to do what you have to do. Some kids enjoy eating their meals in front of the television. Although this is not encouraged because it’s always preferable for them to eat at the table, it may be useful on occasion. When your children are reluctant to wake up for sahur, ask if they would like to eat while watching a cartoon show. Make sure to turn off the television after they’ve finished their meal.
Remember, Encourage Sahur Rather Than Coerce or Blackmail
It’s easy to become frustrated when our children refuse to wake up despite our best efforts and persuasion. Even so, never use coercion or blackmail when dealing with children in this matter. Don’t say things like, “If you don’t wake up for sahur, you’ll be grounded from watching TV or playing video games for the rest of the week,” or “There will be no pocket money if you don’t eat your sahur.”
Always keep in mind that we want them to grow to love having sahur and fasting during the holy month of Ramadan, not to despise it.
Motherhood Story wishes all our Muslim readers a blessed Ramadan!
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