God says that humankind are all related to one another - humanity - since the beginning of time.
Not only are we required to help one another at all times, we are encouraged to fulfill our rights towards other Muslims and people, without expecting a thank you or a favor in return.
With that said, I have been tutoring two young boys for the past 2-3 months.
The kids are new from Bangladesh and I knew tutoring them would require patience and translating from English to Bangla. Of two brothers showed up one day asking for help understanding his homework assignment. My husband and brother-in-law took a stab about 7th grade math and soon I was assigned to find answers for the kids. I ran to the computer for online assistance.
At fist I wasn't up for tutoring the boys. Then my sister-in-law said it's rewarding to help these kids. I started helping them in search of rewards.
Visits were fairly short. I had nothing better to do. Helping them would keep my mind from wandering off into "nothingness and boredom."
Later on the visits got longer, and repetitive. I started getting frustrated as my list of to-do's also piled up.
My hungry newborn cries during meetings. Now for the past couple of times when I didn't want to, or couldn't help the boys out because I either wasn't home or had something to do, I wasn't able to say no. When I wasn't home I had to keep explaining I'm not home or wouldn't be home for a while.
Yesterday my husband told the boys we were going out. I talked to them and said the same. They asked me when I'd be coming home. I said late. They asked when.
Yeah, sigh.
Today I didn't want to tutor them. I reasoned with myself that I had a legitimate reason to say no; I wasn't going to be home for a bit and may go out again later. But I didn't get out a second time. Bit that's not a REAL excuse. I could've told them to call and come over later.
I didn't let them come.
My husband came home from work, inquired about them, and asked me to call and check on them to see if they got their homework done -- around 9:30 p.m. One of the boys sounded gloomy and draggy about having to do his homework on his own.
It's not their fault, they don't understand the directions. However while helping with directions, I end up re-teaching the lessons, or surfing the net for more info. Time killers.
At times I try to explain HOW to do the homework. When I'm in a rush I explain but sometimes search for answers. I have to teach them how to look for answers in standard situations.
Today I just didn't want to tutor them. I wanted to spend that time working on my paper. I didn't. I spent time with my husband instead. I gave him his dinner, made him tea, and chatted about credit cards.
At the end of the day I learned that when I'm not really busy, might as well help the boys to get the rewards rather than waste time. I also need to be more straightfoward and say no when I can't tutor them.
May Allah help them and reward our efforts, Inshallah.
3 comments:
I have a feeling that I'm going to have to help my nephews when I move to Warren. May Allah help us all. Lol just give them a time period for when they can come over. I help my lil sis cuz no one else does and I end up doing most of the work too. I hate that. It teaches them nothing...Allah will reward us thats what we have to remember. Good Luck!
Oh and where did you get the title of your blog from?
Inshallah, thanks makes me feel better that you're in it too lol. I learned how to properly tutor in English 3210 but hah, guess that isn't helping much now.
Hmm well I thought the lullaby was "hush little baby don't you cry" until recently I looked up the lyrics and it's really "hush little baby don't say a word...mama's gonna buy you a mockingbird" etc.
Post a Comment