Goodnight my heart, you are now safe, safe.

Do you remember as. a child when the lights would go out at bedtime and you would keep blinking your eyes to adjust to the darkness?

We seek comfort in a familiar voice, a familiar scent, or even a familiar toy to snuggle with.

My little one does the same thing.

Every night, as I lay my little one to bed, she reaches out to touch my stomach - a familiar touch. She asks me to tell her a story - a familiar voice. And then, she seeks comfort, so I tell her to raise her hands in prayer or, as we call them, ‘Dua Hands’.

We thank Allah together for her day - for protecting her, guiding her, blessing her with good health. For taking care of all her family and friends, and for making her strong and brave. We send Allah a big hug and lots of kisses up into the sky. I then remind her that now that her prayers have been said, she is truly ‘safe, safe’.

I see her face calm down, her shoulders droop and she settles in for the night. Her breathing turns into a gentle rhythm. And, I look up into the sky, and pray to Allah to bless her with a restful sleep and a joyful wake up.

Nightly routines like these give our children comfort, and help them understand that Allah is always near. Saying thank you for everything also teaches them the value of gratitude.

May we all raise children that are kind, compassionate and grateful.