What’s the best way to handle tears when a planned family movie night is cancelled due to a power cut? 

Parenting Perspective 

Cancelled plans can be deeply upsetting for children, as they experience a sudden loss of something they were eagerly anticipating. A power cut can make this feeling worse because it is an event that is completely out of anyone’s control. The key is to acknowledge their disappointment while helping them to adapt and find joy in the unexpected. 

Validate the Emotion First 

Before suggesting solutions, it is important to validate their feelings. You can say something like, ‘I know you were really looking forward to this all week, and it is perfectly okay to feel sad and disappointed that it is not happening.’ This shows that you take their emotions seriously. 

Offer an Immediate Alternative 

It is always helpful to have a few low-tech backup activities in mind for such occasions. This could be telling stories by candlelight, making shadow puppets on the wall, or playing a favourite family board game with torches. The goal is not to perfectly replace the movie, but to give their energy a new, positive focus. 

Make it Special in a Different Way 

You can give the new activity a special name like ‘Candlelight Night’ or ‘Family Story Hour.’ This simple act of reframing helps to turn a frustrating moment into a unique and warm memory that they might even look forward to in the future. 

By handling the situation with both empathy and creativity, you teach your child the invaluable life skill of flexibility, which is essential for dealing with life’s many disappointments. 

Spiritual Insight 

Islam reminds us that life is filled with events that are beyond our control. It is in these moments that our character is shaped, depending on how we choose to respond. 

Allah Almighty states in the noble Quran at Surah Al Baqarah (2), Verse 286: 

‘ Allah (Almighty) does not place any burden on any human being except that which is within his capacity…‘ 

This reassures us that every unexpected situation we face, no matter how disappointing, is always within our capacity to handle with grace and patience. 

It is recorded in Sahih Muslim, Hadith 2999, that the holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: 

‘Wondrous is the affair of the believer, for his entire affair is good If he is afflicted with hardship, he is patient, and that is good for him.’ 

This teaches us that even when our plans fall apart, responding with patience can transform the moment into a source of unforeseen goodness and reward. 

By modelling calm adaptability when a simple plan like a movie night is cancelled, you show your child that our happiness is not dependent on perfect circumstances. True joy and contentment can be created anywhere, with the right attitude.