Who doesn’t love a gift? Whether we are experiencing the elation of receiving a present or the joy attached to giving one, gifts are associated with good times and good feelings. Most human beings love gifts.

In many parts of the world, it feels like twinkling lights, carols, Santa Claus, Christmas movies, and holiday parties completely consume the months from November to January.

The winter break is upon us and it’s a great opportunity for families to unwind from a year full of the hustle and bustle with work and school. Many parents take a week’s vacation to hang out with their children while they are off during the holidays.

The holiday season can be a confusing time for Muslim children. Many of them are in public school, where classrooms are decorated with Christmas, Hanukkah, and/or Kwanzaa décor, and they may be hearing some buzz about Santa Claus “coming to town” from their friends and classmates.

JANUARY

First a disclosure. We are a huge soccer family. We have all played, coached, refereed, and even run a local Muslim youth soccer league. So, it will surprise no one that this homeschooling family used the biggest soccer tournament on the world stage for a teachable moment.

In a world where information, opinions and agendas are everywhere, how do we support our children in navigating their education with an attentive mind and deep understanding?