Free Fridays: Closure.

27 February 2026

It’s only February and I can already see that 2026 is the Year of Change for me.

As a wife, as a parent, as an entrepreneur, as a person in general.

I got my license after not driving for fifteen years, I archived ten thousands posts from my social media, I started a new business without putting my face on it and I started letting go most of my luxury bags (if you know me from my Proudduck days, you’d know how big of a change this is for me…).

There are two more things big changes in my life.

I’ll share with you one today.

I took a leap of faith and changed my kids’ school.

There was nothing wrong with the school they go to. In fact, I love it so much.

But something shifted in me when I started going for Islamic classes more and more, and I realised that as a parent, the best gift you can give your children is a strong foundation of faith – and that starts from young. I send them for extra agama classes in the evenings, but somehow felt that wasn’t enough. And in my heart, there was always this desire to find Islamic schools.

It grew stronger when I met a special friend a couple years ago – she was a lawyer, an entrepreneur and now she teaches the Quran on the side. Super modern, super stylish, super cool lady, who I now have the privilege to call a dear friend. I then found out that her parents had put her in a madrasah since small… in South Africa. Like omg what. So she grew up having such a strong foundation of faith, and then she did uni in Australia and bloomed in her career, just like anybody else. Despite having a very different education path. I was mindblown when I learned more.

Fadza and I are softies so we couldn’t bear the thought of sending our little kids to a boarding school far away, so we started looking for Islamic schools in KL. It’s slim pickings, guys! Most are in Selangor and the commute daily wouldn’t make sense for us. But we visited a lot of schools – I made appointments, and Fadza and I were welcomed by the admissions department as we toured each school. We were impressed by a few, but we took our time. It was a huge decision, and one that will affect the kids very much – they were not going to be happy to move and leave their friends, that’s for sure. So for months, Fadza and I would drop hints at family dinners about them moving school, to just ease the idea slowlyyyyy. #bagitauawal2

One fine day, I was recommended an Islamic school from a new friend I had just met. I had never heard of it but was drawn to schedule a visit. When Fadza and I went, we liked it so much that our hearts just melted and guess what – we enrolled them immediately. Even we were surprised that we did that, usually it’s “Ok we’ll think about it.”

But I guess when it feels right, everything becomes easy.

The kids came along for the visit and seeing them laugh and get familiar with the school helped make the decision easy. The only one that we worried for was our 7-year old Sarah – she’s got her best friends in the old school and was reluctant to move. There were tears, of course. We promised that we’ll consider this to be a trial and if she didn’t like it after a month, we can have a serious discussion about it.

The first day, I was nervous. I put on the new school uniform on her and hoped she didn’t notice her old school uniform hanging in her closet. Note to self: HIDE OLD UNIFORM.

I made a prayer that Allah makes it easy for her and for us as a family, because our only intention is to raise our children to know Him better.

A week in, Sarah seemed to adapt well. She’s a chatty one (doesn’t. stop. talking.) so everyday I’d pick her up and monitor her mood, and everyday she’d be so chatty telling me about her new friends. Sometimes she’d say she misses her old school, but it was manageable. Mood was good, spirits were high, smile was still there.

But one night, she looked sad.

“Mom, I miss my old friends. I didn’t even get to say goodbye,” she said quietly.

My heart sank.

I was trying so hard to hide evidence of her old school so she wouldn’t be reminded so much of it. I thought it’d be difficult if it’s always in her face. How would she move on? Little did I know that my daughter was more mature than that. She just wanted the closure she deserved.

So I arranged with her old school to have her for one last day, to say goodbye to her classmates.

She put on her old uniform so cheerfully that morning, excited to see her old friends. When she got there, her friends ran out of the classroom and everyone hugged her so tight into a big group hug. I was there watching, so touched. Sarah had the biggest smile, obviously feeling so much love from what is familiar to her. I left her at the school that day, but as I left, I worried that she would find it hard to go back to the new school after this.

At school pickup, I was met with a cheerful (and sweaty) Sarah.

“Bye, Sarah!” the kids said to her as she got into the car.

Nervous, I asked, “How was it, sweetie?”

“It was so fun! Thank you so much for letting me have my farewell, Mom!” she hugged me.

😭

Look what they made for her as a farewell gift.

😭😭😭

Oh, my baby girl. You are so loved.

That night, I asked her if she was really ok. She answered yes.

“I’m a lucky girl because now I have even more friends! From my old school and now my new school,” she said.

Her perspective, Masyaallah. I was so worried that her heart will flip, when really, all she needed was closure.

❤️❤️❤️

Kids. We should never underestimate their maturity and adaptability, huh? They’re better than us adults.

May Allah swt ease all our hijrahs, be it mini or major, to seek closeness to Him.

---

Before you go…

Let me know you’ve read this. Comment “all the best, Sarah” on my latest post at @sincerelyvivy.

See you there! :)