Parenting Perspective 

When a child is having a tantrum, the parent’s responsibility is not to stop the outburst right away, but to offer a calm and secure presence. Tantrums are not intentional acts of defiance; rather, they are emotional outbursts that happen when a child is unable to handle their overwhelming feelings. Your responsibility is to stay composed and not respond emotionally. By taking this approach, you assist your child in regaining stability without contributing to the chaos. Do not try to reason with or discipline a child when they are having a tantrum, as their mind is not ready to understand. 

Safety and Response Techniques 

• Prioritise safety by ensuring the child is not harming themselves or others. 

• Use a calm tone and neutral body language throughout. 

• Avoid emotional responses that mirror the tantrum. 

• Wait until after the outburst to begin communication or reflection. 

Once the tantrum has ended, speak with your child using clear language and straightforward questions. Teaching should happen when the child is emotionally regulated. Your role is not to stop the storm but to model calm that your child can eventually mirror. 

Spiritual Insight 

Allah Almighty states in the noble Quran at Surah Al Asr (103), Verses 2–3: 

Indeed, mankind shall surely (remain in a state) of deprivation (moral deficit) except for those people who are believers and undertake virtuous acts; and encouraging (cultivating within themselves and with one another the realisation and dissemination of) the truth and encouraging (cultivating within themselves and with one another the realisation and accomplishment of) resilience. 

Parenting is a significant way to practise patience and guidance. The parent’s role during a tantrum is not to overpower the child emotionally, but to serve as a quiet guide in patience and strength. 

It is recorded in Sahih Bukhari, Hadith 6114, that holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ stated: 

The strong is not the one who overcomes others by force, but the strong is the one who controls himself while in anger. 

A parent’s ability to lead calmly is crucial, particularly during times when a child’s feelings are intense. Your presence serves as a means of oversight, while your silence acts to provide direction. This method, based on Islamic principles, enables emotional correction to occur smoothly and reliably. Every moment you practise patience builds your character and gradually influences your child’s emotional understanding for the future.