The One with the Sling Diaries: On Strength
I was absolutely ecstatic to learn that I was chosen to be one of Sakura Blooms sling diarists! For the next 6 months, I’ll be writing diary style letters to my son with a different theme each time. I hope you enjoy reading & viewing them as much as I enjoy writing and taking photographs for them!
Dear Adam,
Little boys have it hard. You’ll hear a lot about people’s hopes for you to “grow up big and strong,” and that seems like a great deal of pressure to put on someone so impressionable. But I, too, hope you grow up to be strong. Not in the typical sense. I find no need for you to become a man that barrels around bristling and tough because that’s your expected gender role. Instead, I hope you grow up to be strong enough to be your own man. Whatever that may be…
Strength, or at least how I will raise you to understand it, is not found in muscle but in perseverance in your belief.
Strength, or at least how I will implore you to accept it, does not mean you cannot cry. A fact that, as an Arab man, is sometimes going to be a difficult concept to grasp.
Strength, or at least how many Arab women wished men understood it, is not about the power you have over another gender. It’s about the respect you have for them. It takes a strong man to be respectful and kind…,and a very weak one to be petty and cruel.
My hope for you, my son, is to become the gentle, kind, strong man I know you can be in the face of a society that sometimes does not nurture strength properly.
And my hope is that I have the strength to raise you that way.
Jeans: Zara
Shirt: COS
Shoes: Chiara Ferragni Collection
Sling: Sakura Bloom Silk Essential in Sandstone
Coming from a culture that puts men on a pedestal just because of their gender, raising a son to believe that male or female; we are all equal, was unheard of when my mother raised my siblings and I. And the mere fact that Allah has only blessed her with one son did not distract her from the task at hand; to raise a son who was honest, loving, respectful and whom people could depend on and even look up to.
“Strength… is not about the power you have over another gender. It’s about the respect you have for them” You’ve hit the nail on the head here, Ascia.
I hope Adam grows up to be the man yourself and your husband hope he becomes.
This was a wonderful post. Thank you for sharing such a personal moment with us.
xx
ReplyMolto bello
ReplyVery beautifully said. I love the whole idea of writing letters for your children to look back on, and its not only for your children, it’s for yourself to see how much you’ve changed, where you were and where you are now, if that makes any sense *too many comma’s*.
ReplyWishing you the best and inshalla he’s grow up to be a strong you man, strong the right way.
So touchable❤️ May Allah help u to be the best Mom for him and make him all what any Mom could ask for,,
Replyall the best dear.
LOVE this ❤️
ReplyI am touched by your post, this is exactly how people should be thinking. You’ve touched wisdom and modesty on so many levels, and only those who see through a positive angle will see that. I salute, and support you Ascia. Don’t ever let the petty and cruelty, that I know too well to have experienced, distrupt your open mind and heart. We need more bright and forward thinkers like you.
Reply#kuwaiti
I absolutely loved reading this Ascia. You are such an amazing mom and with these morals your little Adam is going to grow up to be an amazing man. I absolutely love this sling – I am looking into slings at the moment and I really need to look into these ones.
Replyجدا جميله الرسالة ماشاءالله بس عندي وجهه نظر عن جزيئه التخصيص! أعتقد إن أي شخص ما عنده خلفيه عن فئه معينه من الناس مو سليم إننا نخصص ونقول هذي الفئه كذا وكذا .الأفضل أننا نبين ايش التصرف الصح المطلق إلا يمارسوه الناس الجيدين والخطأ المطلق إلا يماسوه الناس السيئين و نتركه هوا يحدد.أتذكر وحده من صديقاتي كانت جدا صعبه عليها الرياضيات وتكرهها جدا بس كانت حريصه أنها ما تبين لبناتها هذا الشعور . حسب كلامها لو حسوا أني أعتقد هذا الشي صعب راح ينتقل لهم الشعور. عشان كذا فضلت إن هم يقرروا أيش الصعب بالنسبه لهم وأيش السهل. أتمنى تكون وصلت فكرتي.
Replyمع كل حبي واحترامي وبانتظار المزيد.
such a great message to ur son ,he is adorable and u look amazing to see u carry him it melts my heart
ReplyI love your letter! so beautiful.
Haute Brunette
ReplyLots of blessings for your little bundle of joy! I hope precious Adam brings happiness and long lasting memories in your world and may his future be brighter than the sun’s radiant beam.
ReplyYou’re a great parent Ascia!
I loved every single word of it, you’ll turn to be a great mum , i wish if u’d post more of ur writings , Your an inspiration to me Ascia
ReplyThe photos are gorgeous but I love the letter even more. I also love the idea of writing letters to your son, that’s something I’ll definitely want to do. It’s not only a way to share something with him that he will cherish, it’s also a way to remind your future self your state of mind as a new mom, and that’s precious.
ReplyHope that your little angel grow up to be all you wish for ♡
ReplyStunning Mashallah. You are such a beautiful Mom
ReplyThis is so beautiful! I think you and Ahmad are the most perfect parents in the world! God bless you and your little cute boy<3
ReplyAre you no longer doing the sling diaries?
ReplyThis is beautiful and we’ll written. I hope the day comes where Adam will read this beautiful note.
-natbasma
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