ShareOf all the bedtime stories on her shelf, Dalia’s tiny fingers always reach for one special book bearing her name. With eyes wide in excitement, the almost two-year-old points and exclaims, “Mama, Dalia!” More than just a children’s book, it’s a precious gift from her mother — written just for her. “When Dalia grows up, I want this book to remind her that I would give her the world and everything within my reach,” said Shareefa Mulla, Dalia’s mother.
The idea for “Dalia’s Diary” took root the moment Mulla learned she was expecting a girl. “From that moment, something inside me changed forever. The bond began instantly.” Inspired by her love for reading, cooking, and her unborn child, she often pictured their first memories together in the kitchen. Determined to bring that vision to life, she decided to turn it into a book and gift it to Dalia on her first birthday.
Though simple in its storytelling, the book carries a profound message that Mulla hopes will resonate with both children and parents. By choosing cooking as its central theme, she highlights an everyday activity many mothers engage in — often at the expense of quality time with their children. In her book, however, she intentionally transforms it into a shared, meaningful experience between a mother and her daughter.
She believes when parents become too caught up in daily responsibilities, pushing their children aside, little ones eventually stop seeking attention and learn to occupy themselves — without them. For Mulla, the most meaningful memories don’t require extravagant efforts. “It’s the small things between me and Dalia that built the strongest bond between us,” she said.
She also believes something as simple as cooking with your child can shape their personality. It teaches independence, creativity, responsibility and appreciation. Rather than taking things for granted, children learn to contribute, even in small ways. Admittedly, involving children in such activities can be both challenging and risky — something she’s mindful of. Still, she shared, “Whenever I’m busy in the kitchen and Dalia comes to me, I remind myself, ‘These will be her memories with me.’” “Kids will make a mess anyway,” she added with a smile. “Accept that they are children and teach them with patience from the start.”
Mulla now dreams of expanding her book into a series of short stories, each imparting valuable life lessons to children. Her desire to share these insights stems from her own journey as a mother. She reflects on her earlier fears about motherhood. “The first thing I told my husband when we got married was, ‘I don’t want to have kids,’” she admitted. Uncertain if she was ready for the responsibility, she waited three years before having her first child.
“I was afraid everything would change, that I’d be responsible for another person for the rest of my life,” she said. But now, her perspective has shifted. “It has been challenging, but she makes it easier,” Mulla added. “Every time I feel frustrated or stressed, she brings me comfort. Just by looking at me, it’s as if she’s saying, ‘It’s okay, Mum. You can be yourself; you can have flaws; you can make mistakes. You don’t have to be the perfect mum.’”
Through this journey, she has come to understand that parenting isn’t about obligation. “I don’t want to do things for my daughter because I have to — I want to do them because I love her. Because I love her, I want to feed her the best food, change her diaper, and spend time with her.”
Yet amid the joys and challenges of motherhood, she has learned a vital lesson: A mother must also care for herself. “If a mother doesn’t love herself or prioritize her well-being, she won’t have anything to give to her child,” Mulla emphasized. Self-care, she believes, isn’t selfish — it’s essential. A mother who nurtures herself radiates that love onto her child. “She won’t feel resentful because her child constantly needs her, or frustrated by the mess in the house,” she explained. “A mother must give with love and tenderness — because she, too, receives that love from within.”
