What can I do when my child gives up quickly? 

Parental Perspective 

Break Down the Task and Celebrate Small Steps 

When a child gives up quickly, it often signals that they feel overwhelmed, unsure, or afraid of getting things wrong. Your response in those moments can either build or break their confidence. Begin by reducing the size of the task. Say, ‘Let us try just this part together,’ and celebrate progress, not just completion. This teaches them that success happens in small steps, not leaps. 

Use Their Interests as a Bridge 

Use their interests as a bridge. If they love drawing, let them illustrate the learning. If they enjoy speaking, allow them to explain the topic to you aloud. Turning passive study into creative expression can reignite their enthusiasm. Always speak to their effort, not just their results. Phrases like ‘You are learning how to keep going, and that matters most’ help them attach value to perseverance itself. 

Share Your Own Experiences 

It also helps to share your own experiences. Talk about times you found something difficult and what helped you push through. Let your child see that struggle is not something to be ashamed of, but something everyone faces and learns from. Keep feedback warm and immediate. Even saying, ‘I saw you kept trying, and that is very strong of you’ can be deeply encouraging. With repetition, your child will begin to see setbacks as temporary and effort as a pathway to growth. 

Spiritual Insight 

Allah Almighty states in the noble Quran at Surah Aalai Imran (3), Verse 200: 

“O you who are believers, be patient, and be resilient, and be constant, and attain piety from Allah (Almighty) so that you may be successful.“

This Verse is a call to persistence, not just in worship but in every aspect of life where growth and discipline are required. It teaches that lasting success is born through patience and continual effort. 

It is recorded in Sahih Bukhari, Hadith 2065, that holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ stated: 

“The reward is with the difficulty. “

This Hadith echoes a profound truth: the harder the challenge, the more meaningful the reward. For a child, giving up often stems from not understanding the value of struggle. Your role as a parent is to gently connect their effort with a sense of spiritual purpose. Say things like, ‘Allah Almighty loves when we try again, even when it is hard,’ to frame perseverance as an act of faith. 

By helping your child see their struggles through a spiritual lens, you offer them not just motivation but meaning. When they understand that each moment of patience and trying again is a source of reward and growth, even the smallest effort becomes a step toward something greater. You are not just raising a student; you are nurturing a heart that knows the value of resilience in both life and Deen.