Parenting Perspective 

Children can often get stuck in cycles of repetitive worries, whether about school, friendships, their health, or future events. As a parent, it can be tempting to respond with long explanations or constant reassurance, but this can unintentionally reinforce their anxiety. The goal is to acknowledge their feelings without giving power to the worry itself, thereby helping your child to build emotional resilience and a sense of control over their thoughts. 

Validate Their Feelings Without Amplifying the Worry 

It is important to begin by recognising their concern in a calm and measured way. 

‘I can understand that this feels worrying to you.’ 

‘It is normal to feel unsure sometimes, and that does not mean that something bad is going to happen.’ 

This validation shows empathy and support, but it is best to avoid extended discussions that speculate on the worry or over-explain the scenario. 

Guide Them Towards Actionable Steps 

You can help your child to shift their focus from rumination to practical and constructive coping strategies. 

• Help them to list one or two small steps they can control regarding the worry. 

• Teach them brief grounding techniques, like slow breathing or noticing five things in the room, to interrupt anxious thought loops. 

• Use problem-solving language, such as, ‘What is one thing we can do right now to feel safer or more prepared?’ 

Set Gentle Boundaries Around Reassurance 

It is okay to offer reassurance once, but then you should gently guide them back to other activities. 

• You could say, ‘I have answered that question, and I trust that you know what to do. Let us focus on finishing our homework now.’ 

• Try to keep their daily routines predictable, as consistent schedules help children to feel more secure, which reduces the mental space for worry to dominate. 

Model Calm and Rational Thinking 

Children learn a great deal from observing your reactions. You can practise noticing your own anxious thoughts and redirecting them calmly. Narrating your strategies in a subtle way, for example, ‘I am going to take a deep breath and think this through calmly,’ teaches them by your example. 

By validating their feelings, focusing on controllable actions, and modelling calm problem-solving, you can help your child to manage their repetitive worries without feeding the cycle of anxiety. 

Spiritual Insight 

Islam encourages us to turn to Allah Almighty in our moments of worry, while also maintaining a firm trust in practical action. This balanced approach teaches us that anxiety decreases when our hearts find reliance in God and our actions are aligned with our capabilities. 

Trusting in Allah’s Wisdom and Mercy 

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 verse is a powerful reminder that whatever challenges we face, Allah knows that we have the capacity to handle them. 

The Value of Perfecting One’s Actions 

The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ taught that true reliance on God is balanced with taking practical and responsible action. 

It is recorded in Jami Tirmidhi, Hadith 2517, that the holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ advised a man who had left his camel untied: 

‘Tie your camel and trust in Allah.’ 

This teaches us to redirect our worries into constructive and sincere effort, rather than becoming immobilised by rumination. 

By teaching your children to acknowledge their worry, take practical steps, and then place their trust in Allah Almighty, you are helping to foster both their emotional regulation and their spiritual maturity. This approach reassures them that while challenges are a part of life, they are equipped to handle them with wisdom, action, and faith.