Jordan Watch : The Biggest Challenge in my Life

Few weeks ago I found myself in a room with 20 foreign maids and 40 children as I was supervising my daughter playtime in Mecca Mall. I was astonished to see that I was the only biological parent of any child present in the play area. Other parents were sipping "Mocca Freez" outside the play area or shopping in the mall. I love to take my daughter to play areas and recreational events and usually be so selfish to ask my wife to go alone with my daughter to have most of the fun. I cannot comprehend why parents would lose this wonderful chance of spending quality time with their children who will always cherish and remember all the joyful events of good times with parents.

Looking to my 7 years old daughter, I realize that in her I see the greatest acheivement in my life, but yet the greatest challenge. She, and her brother/sister to come inshallah will always represent the hardest test to my mental abilities and parenting qualities. I see her so deeply and profoundly affected by the many distractions surrounding our modern life and I always ask myself how on earth will me and my wife be able to assist her to reach the age of 16 with a genuine desire to study and a clear vision of what she wants in life, with a balance between rights and responsibilities?

This is a tedious task that I am sure every parent of my generation will feel. I see teenagers around me in family and friends circles and I see how rare and difficult it is to spot one teenager with a clear mind and psychological balance knowing what he/she wants, regardless of the ability to acheive that.

The mere realization of a goal in life is becoming a huge success for any teenager and his/her parents. My 2nd grade girl is stubborn, revolutionary and self-determinant in a matter that I like and fear at the same time. She possesses a lot of energy and creativity, but the main issue is how to help her to channel such qualities into the positive track.

As a blond and blue eyed girl she feels "distingusihed" for her looks, but I always try to remind her that "speciality" can be acheived by creativity and intelligence which are traits developed by the person and not born with him/her. As an only child for us she feels "isolated" and spends a lot of her time in day dreaming and using her imagination but sometimes she is detached from the reality of this world.

I always make sure to provide at least three hours of my time for her each day, either in studying or playing. This time is also difficult to spare. She goes back from school at 3:30 and has to sleep at 9:30 and do all her homework and enjoying the quality happy time that is a right of every child. being close to her is one major guarantee to be able to understand her happiness, anger, eagerness and all the conflicting emotions in her mind.

I know that the major role in parenting is for the mother and my wife is doing a great job. I also want to be there in each and every step as I do not want to lose any step in her growth. I am always engulfed in the feeling that whatever I do in my life is not as important as how my children will grow up to be.

I hope I will not have unrealistic expectations that will make her suffer from pressure, but what I want is for her to realize the value of herslef and knowing what she needs to be in life so I can give her all the support I can. I must make sure that I remain with her in the happy and difficult moments and that is the only thing that can me adapt to the collective noise of 40 children in one room and spend countless hours reading tips for good parenting.