< All Topics
Print

How do I gently get my child to open up if they say they ‘feel nothing’? 

Parenting Perspective 

‘Feeling Nothing’ is Also a Feeling 

When a child says, ‘I feel nothing,’ it can be worrying for a parent to hear. Sometimes this comes from feeling numb because of stress, sadness, or shutting down after big feelings that were too much to handle. Start by gently showing your child that ‘feeling nothing’ is also a feeling, one that deserves your care. Use warm words: ‘It is okay if you feel blank or empty sometimes. I am here to help you understand what might be hiding underneath.’ 

Click below to discover meaningful books that nurture strong values in your child and support you on your parenting journey

Use Gentle Prompts 

Pick quiet moments to talk, when they do not feel put on the spot. Use gentle questions: ‘When did you start feeling this way? What do you think your heart needs right now?’ You can offer other ways for them to express what might be stuck inside, such as drawing, playing with toys, or describing their feelings through colours or weather: ‘Is your heart like a cloudy sky or an empty room?’ Keep your tone patient; do not force words that are not ready to come. Praise your child for any tiny effort to share, even if it is just a nod or a scribble. Over time, these small openings show your child that you are strong enough to hear whatever is inside, and that ‘feeling nothing’ does not mean they are alone. 

Spiritual Insight 

Islam teaches us that Allah Almighty knows what our hearts carry, even when we do not know how to speak it. Allah Almighty says in the noble Quran at Surah Qaaf (50), Verse 16: 

‘And indeed, We have created mankind, and so We have full knowledge of all the (thoughts) he murmurs within himself; and We (Allah Almighty) are more closer to him than his jugular vein.’ 

This Ayah reminds your child that their silence is never empty in the sight of Allah Almighty; every unspoken feeling is seen. 

It is recorded in Jami Tirmidhi, Hadith 3372, that the holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: 

‘Dua is worship.’ 

Teach your child to say a simple prayer when words feel stuck: ‘Ya Allah, help me feel my heart and share it.’ This gentle Dua plants the hope that their feelings will not stay hidden forever. By staying close and showing your child that you can handle even their ‘nothingness’ with calmness, you give them a safe place to trust that feeling numb is not a sign of failure, but simply a season that Allah Almighty will help them pass through. 

Click below to discover meaningful books that nurture strong values in your child and support you on your parenting journey

Table of Contents

How can we help?