What is the best way to share my own day without losing their attention to a screen midway? 

Parenting Perspective 

If you find your child drifting towards a screen while you are talking, it is often not a sign of disinterest, but a mismatch between your delivery and their current attention span. To hold their focus, try beginning your story with something vivid or surprising. An opener like, ‘You will never guess what I saw on the way home today…’, can hook their curiosity before their mind has a chance to wander. It also helps to keep your stories concise, sharing them as short, expressive moments rather than one long monologue. 

Invite Interaction 

To keep them engaged, turn your story into a conversation. Pause partway through and ask questions like, ‘What do you think happened next?’ or, ‘What would you have done?’. This simple technique transforms your sharing from a monologue into a dynamic, two-way exchange. Choosing moments when devices are already put away, such as during a car ride or while preparing a meal, also helps to build a natural habit of listening without the temptation of distractions. 

Spiritual Insight 

Islamic teachings emphasise the importance of communicating in a way that is clear, relatable, and tailored to the listener. 

Allah Almighty states in the noble Quran at Surah Ibraheem (14), Verse 4: 

‘And We (Allah Almighty) did not send Messengers except in the language of their nations, so that they may clearly explain to them (why they should believe)…’ 

This verse highlights a divine principle of communication: for a message to be clear, it must be delivered in the language and context of the people receiving it. When speaking to our children, this means using a style that connects with their world and holds their interest. 

It is recorded in Musnad Ahmad, Hadith 1176, that the holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: 

‘Speak to the people in a way they can understand. Do you want that Allah and His Messenger be denied?’ 

This direct guidance from the Prophet ﷺ reinforces the need to tailor our speech to our audience. To prevent our message from being ignored or ‘denied’, we must speak in a way that resonates with the listener’s understanding and interest. 

By making your own stories engaging, relatable, and interactive, you can make your presence more compelling and interesting than the passive pull of a screen.