What should we do if a stranger’s child targets mine at soft play and parents ignore it? 

Parenting Perspective 

Soft play areas are meant to be joyful, safe spaces where children explore freely. But when another child repeatedly pushes, blocks, or taunts your child — while their parents stand by or scroll on their phones — it creates a painful dilemma. You want to protect your child without escalating tension in public. The aim is to handle the moment with calm authority and quiet confidence, modelling self-respect and emotional control for your child. 

Step One: Secure Your Child’s Safety First 

If your child is being hit, shoved, or cornered, move calmly but swiftly. Approach your child first, not the other child. Your body language should be protective, not aggressive. Say firmly: 

“Let’s take a break for a moment.” 

This immediate action reassures your child that you are their safe place and that protecting themselves is always the priority. 

Step Two: Use Calm Words in the Moment 

If the behaviour continues, step slightly closer and address the other child in a neutral, firm tone — never in anger. For example: 

“Hey there, let’s make sure everyone gets a turn.” or “Please keep your hands to yourself. Thank you.” 

Children often respond to tone more than words. Calm, clear authority — without shouting — stops the behaviour while keeping the environment peaceful. 

Step Three: Model Strength Without Confrontation 

Avoid criticising the other parents directly in front of children. If the behaviour continues and parents remain disengaged, quietly approach them with measured courtesy: 

“Hi, I think our kids are having a bit of trouble playing together. Could we help them keep it kind?” 

If they ignore you, move your child to a different play zone and alert staff. Explain factually: 

“A child keeps targeting mine — could someone keep an eye on that area?” 

You’re teaching your child an important lesson — that calm boundaries are more powerful than chaos or anger. 

Step Four: Support Your Child Emotionally 

Once things settle, comfort your child privately: 

“I saw what happened. You did nothing wrong. Some children forget how to play kindly.” 

This restores their confidence and prevents self-blame. Avoid overreacting or demanding they “stand up for themselves” harshly — the goal is calm dignity, not retaliation. 

Step Five: Equip Your Child With Simple Words 

If they face such behaviour again, give them short, confident scripts: 

“Stop. I don’t like that.” “That’s not kind.” or “I’m going to play somewhere else.” 

Practise these at home so they feel natural. Teach them that walking away is not weakness — it’s wisdom. 

Step Six: Debrief and Praise Their Composure 

After leaving, highlight their self-control: 

“You stayed calm, and we handled it wisely together.” 

Children remember how we respond more than what we say. You are teaching that assertiveness can coexist with peace. 

Spiritual Insight 

Islam teaches believers to respond to harm with restraint and fairness. Even when others act rudely or unjustly, the believer’s standard is mercy balanced with self-respect. Guiding your child through such moments with patience and dignity reflects prophetic manners — gentleness without submission, firmness without anger. 

Calm Strength in the Noble Quran 

Allah Almighty states in the noble Quran at Surah Al Furqaan (25), Verse 63: 

‘And the true servants of the One Who is Most Beneficent are those who wander around the Earth with humility; and when they are addressed by the ignorant people, they say: “Peace be unto you”.’ 

This verse offers the perfect model for how to handle conflict: with calm speech that protects dignity. When you or your child choose gentle firmness over aggression, you embody this divine teaching. 

Justice and Mercy in the Teachings of the Holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ 

It is recorded in Sunan Abu Dawood, Hadith 4807, that the holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: 

‘Allah is gentle and loves gentleness in all matters; He gives through gentleness what He does not give through harshness.’ 

This Hadith reminds us that gentleness is not passivity — it’s power under control. When you intervene calmly, you model that gentleness is a tool of strength, not weakness. 

When you handle moments like these with quiet authority, your child learns that dignity does not require shouting. They see that calm strength, guided by fairness and faith, is the believer’s best response to wrongdoing. 

In time, your child will remember not the rude stranger’s words, but your example — a parent who protected them with wisdom, grace, and trust in Allah Almighty, showing that composure is the most powerful form of courage.