I was born and raised in the Netherlands, with a traditional Asian upbringing. My father placed great importance on religion and culture. He comes from a lineage where men were known as warriors, and women as doctors and healers, rooted in both Islamic medicine and Traditional Chinese Medicine.

The early years of my life were strongly shaped by my father and grandparents. From my father and grandfather, I received Islamic knowledge, and from my grandmother, I learned about cooking, medicine, and natural healing. This knowledge has been carefully preserved within our family and passed down through generations.

However, this traditional foundation quickly clashed with life in the Netherlands. As a child, you enter a school system that does not always align with your natural rhythm or upbringing. The transition from a warm, familiar home environment to a structured system of rules and expectations felt significant to me. Even small things like eating habits or daily routines, made that difference visible.

As an adult, I understand that it is not black and white. Many parents in the West live under pressure: work, responsibilities, and a system that leaves little room for slowing down. Still, this reality led me to reflect deeply on how I want to shape my own life and that of my children.

From a young age, I knew that I wanted to become a mother and dedicate myself to my family. At the same time, within my culture it is important for a woman to develop herself and seek knowledge. My years were centered around learning: “pray, study, sleep.”

I obtained my propaedeutic diploma in Pharmacology, and at 19, my journey into motherhood began. After that, I studied Law. During my studies, I faced challenges due to the niqab ban in the Netherlands, which made my path more difficult. After graduating, I dedicated several years to legal matters within the Ummah in Europe.

In 2022, my life reached a turning point. With the support of my husband, I was able to fully focus on my family. This gave me the peace and strength to make a conscious decision: to withdraw my children from the school system and begin homeschooling.

What followed was a long legal process, which ultimately, after years, resulted in an official exemption.

Today, I fully dedicate myself to motherhood and to providing an education that truly meets the needs of my children. For me, parenting and teaching are deeply intertwined. It is an amanah, a trust, that I carry with care and intention.

On this blog, I share my experiences: motherhood, faith, homeschooling, and the search for a slow life within a fast-paced world.

You may find yourself reflected in my story, or perhaps not. But I hope that this space offers you a moment of peace, reflection, and inspiration.

Disclaimer

There is no perfect way to raise children. Every child and every family is unique. My way is not the way, it is simply my path. And you are free to walk your own.