Zaweyati

Hi! Welcome to my little corner of the internet.

My name is Razan & I am 30 year old mama living in Ramallah. I created this blog as a digital archive for my baby son, Arafat, to document our formative years together & so he would always have a window to Razan, the girl learning to become his mother.

About me

My family

Matrescence Blog

Becoming a Mama

Jun 19, 2023

Empowering Matrescence: Empathy, Individuality, and Redefining Motherhood

Jun 19, 2023

In Palestinian culture, new Mamas are often pressured to embody a picture-perfect image of selflessness and unending joy, while their personal experiences go unnoticed. It's time to embrace empathy and create space individuality in matrescence while honouring the communal. Let us celebrate the highs and lows, challenge the role of sacrifice, and empower Mamas to define their own narratives, free from judgment and unrealistic expectations.

Jun 19, 2023

Jun 25, 2022

Mama’s Circle: Mother’s Day Event

Jun 25, 2022

Our Mama’s Circle met for the first time for a special Mother’s Day event at al-mustawda3 where we spent the afternoon enjoying delicious food, lovely conversation, and running around our kids in a space with an unmatched tea collection!

Jun 25, 2022

Nov 26, 2021

The Daycare Conversation

Nov 26, 2021

To send a child to daycare is one of the first & hardest decisions by new parents. In this post, I discuss why I chose to send my child to daycare adding my voice to a universal discussion with absolutely no right answer, to soon realized that embedded within this conversation is a much deeper narrative on the way society allows women to make the transition into motherhood, to become a Mama.

Nov 26, 2021

Jul 19, 2021

Sitti’s Secrets: Tips for Infant Care from the Palestinian Matriarchs of My Life

Jul 19, 2021

I have been so lucky to have been able to transition into motherhood surrounded & supported by so many wonderful mothers who provided me with a wealth of helpful and much needed tips & tricks for infant care. Here are my absolute favorite tried & tested tips for postpartum & infant care, so that new parents everywhere can perhaps learn from the rich Palestinian cultural heritage in caring for their own little ones.

Jul 19, 2021

May 24, 2021

Maternal Mirroring: Beyond the Mother-Infant Dyad

May 24, 2021

A sense of strange familiarity started to settle in a few weeks after I had given birth, as if I had know Arafat my whole life. This feeling has since evolved into the beginnings of a wonderful relationship and long lasting bond between us.

May 24, 2021

Mar 9, 2021

Breastfeeding Blues

Mar 9, 2021

Breastfeeding has many incredible benefits and advantages, critical to a mother and her new baby. While I absolutely love bonding with my son through breastfeeding, this new experience came with many new emotions and hormonal shits for a breastfeeding beginner.

Mar 9, 2021

Feb 19, 2021

Choosing Co-Sleeping: Our First Six Months

Feb 19, 2021

My journey with Co-Sleeping so far as a new mom.

Feb 19, 2021

Matbakhi

Jan 10, 2022

Foods of 2021: Adventuring Through New Flavors & Feels

Jan 10, 2022

In this post, I reflect on our first year of food introductions highlighting our favorite flavors, food experiences and techniques we adopted in fostering a positive relationship with food for our infant.

Jan 10, 2022

Aug 1, 2021

Cranberry Pecan Lactation Cookies

Aug 1, 2021

Milk boosting foods are no myth, and this recipe is all the proof you will need! A delicious Cranberry Pecan Oatmeal cookie packed with super-ingredients that will benefit any new mother and her baby.

Aug 1, 2021

Jun 9, 2021

Pear Banana Custard & Lentil Soup

Jun 9, 2021

The first in my Daycare Meals series: Pear Banana Custard & Lentil Soup. This recipe is great for a 9 month old baby already familiar with a variety of flavors & spices.

Jun 9, 2021