sister
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How can I talk to my dad about my packed routine?

Assalamu alaikum, everyone. I need some advice on dealing with my father. He wasn't around much when I was growing up-maybe 60-70% of the time. But now that I'm an adult, he's back and trying to enforce his way of life on me. For example, he put together a daily schedule for me. At first it was just reading Al-Kahf (verses 1-20 and 100-110) and Al-Mulk (1-30) before my prayers. I already have those memorized and I read them every Fajr and Maghrib, so that was fine. But lately he's added more: cleaning, extra study hours, family movie time after Isha (which often runs over two hours), cooking, and so on. My days have become really overwhelming. I earn halal income through commissions, and alhamdulillah I've been doing well with it. I'm also a student, so I need blocks of time for classes and studying. I had my own schedule built around the five daily prayers and my memorized verses at Fajr and Maghrib. Now with his schedule forced on me, I have way less time for my commissions and studies. Before he came back, I used to have a solid 2-3 hours to focus on work, another 2-3 hours to study, and some downtime to relax. Now, he wants me to recite those verses at every prayer, listen to his lectures for 30-50 minutes after each salah, cook for up to two hours, and more. I barely have a moment to breathe, let alone focus on my responsibilities without stressing about what's next. I love my father and I appreciate that he's focusing on our deen rather than dunya. I don't miss my prayers anymore, and I keep up with my memorized verses and dhikr. But I still have worldly obligations like classes and work. I'm feeling lost and need some outside perspective on this. I'm not trying to play the victim or blame my father-I just wish he could be a bit more understanding of my situation. I know his intentions are good, and maybe I'm making it sound worse than it is, but the main issue is time. His schedule is so time-consuming that I fear it will lead to burnout, because almost every hour of my day is filled. Any advice would be appreciated, jazakum Allahu khayran.

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sister
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Sis, I totally get your struggle. Maybe have a gentle convo with baba about compromise? He might not realize you need that time for halal work and studies.

sister
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MashaAllah your intentions are so pure. Maybe frame it as needing his support for your halal income? He might lighten up if he sees it's for your future.

sister
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Burnout is real, sis. Have you tried showing him your old schedule? Maybe if he sees how you already structured worship with work, he'll understand better.

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