#Mumchat - Shafaq hameed on Homeschooling, entrepreneurship and 'because I said so'

NAME: Shafaq Hameed

AGE: 37, but still young at heart!

NATIONALITY: British/Canadian

LOCATION: Ontario, Canada and now between Abu Dhabi and there.

NUMBER OF YEARS BEING A MUM: 8 years

TELL US ABOUT YOUR KIDS:

I’m a mum to two daughters who are my greatest teachers, biggest motivators, have

stretched my patience, softened my heart, taught me more about myself than any

book ever could and the reason my food is never hot!

I’ve homeschooled them, grown alongside them, and watched them become their

own little humans, and of course, with opinions which I did not approve in advance.

INSTAGRAM HANDLE: @smartsproutspaces

ABOUT ME:

I’m a mum, homeschooler by calling, and the founder of Smart Sprout, built from equal parts love for children, lived experience, and learning things the hard way.

I believe childhood should be slow, meaningful, and rooted in care. I run a business, raise humans, and try (keyword: try) to stay present through it all, usually with grace, sometimes with healthy snacks.

1. What’s one thing you wish you’d known before becoming a parent?

That you can do everything “right” and still feel unsure. Parenting doesn’t come with clarity, it comes with love so deep it humbles you. I wish I’d known that doubt doesn’t mean failure; it usually means you care deeply.

2. What’s something you swore you’d never do as a parent - but do now?

Say, “Because I said so.” I judged parents for that line… and now I whisper an apology to my younger self every time it slips out, usually when I’ve explained something five times already.

3. What was the BEST piece of parenting advice you’ve received?

“Connection before correction.”

Once I truly understood that, everything shifted. Kids don’t need perfection, they need to feel safe, seen, and heard first.

Over the years, I’ve built such a strong and beautiful bond with my daughters that whenever they face something new; a challenge, a situation, or even a new person - they instinctively take that first step with me by their side. Some might call it being “too coddled,” but I see it as trust, friendship, and a safe place to land.

That trust runs so deep that when they do something I don’t approve of, they always come back and tell me - sometimes the same day, sometimes a day or two later (after gathering courage). They know lying is a big no in our home, so even if the truth might earn them “the look,” they still choose honesty.

That tells me I’m doing something right…hopefully.

4. Share with us your biggest “parenting fail” – we promise no judgement here!

Thinking I had to be strong all the time.

That I could homeschool, work, cook, clean, and stay calm; all before noon! I’ve raised my voice. I’ve cried behind closed doors. I’ve given time-outs while needing one myself. And then I’ve apologised - because that part matters just as much! Apologizing and resetting actually made me a better mum, not a weaker one.

5. How do you balance life?

Honestly? I don’t 100%. I juggle. Some balls are rubber, some are glass, and I’ve learned it’s okay to drop the rubber ones. Balance isn’t daily, it’s seasonal, and I give myself grace when things feel messy.

6. One parenting hack you’d like to share with us.

Lower your expectations, and raise your presence. When emotions are high, logic is useless!

Pause. Breathe. Sit beside them. Connection calms faster than consequences ever will, and yes, sometimes that means a hug after the time-out.

7. What do you hope your kids say about you when they’re older?

That I made them feel safe to be themselves.

That I listened.

That I tried.

That home felt safe and warm; even on hard days.

And that no matter how many mistakes I made, they never doubted they were deeply and fiercely loved, without conditions.

8. 3 words that describe #MumLife to you

Messy. Magical. Humbling.

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