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How can I show emotional support without always fixing or solving their problems?

Parenting Perspective

Children frequently seek connection rather than quick fixes when they confide in us about their difficulties. Providing emotional support entails being there without exerting any pressure. Try just sitting next to them, remaining silent, and creating space for their feelings to exist rather than hurrying to cure or correct. ‘That sounds really upsetting,’ or ‘You are feeling stuck, are you not?’ are examples of compassionate acknowledgements that confirm their experience without diminishing it. Children learn from this that sharing their emotions is acceptable and genuine. Additionally, it fosters the development of critical life skills for resilience, such as the capacity to sit with discomfort and consider things through. When kids feel accepted rather than fixed, they develop emotional safety.

Spiritual Insight

Islam encourages emotional awareness alongside action. Allah Almighty states in the noble Quran at Surah Alam Nashrah (94), Verses 5–6: ‘Thus with (every) hardship there is facilitation (from Allah Almighty) and indeed, with (every) hardship there is facilitation (from Allah Almighty).’ The repetition shows a divine pattern: comfort coexists with difficulty. It is recorded in Sahih Muslim, Hadith 816, that the holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said, ‘There should be no envy but only in case of…who has been endowed with wisdom, and he decides with the help of it and teaches it (to others).’ Often, the most meaningful support we can provide is to be emotionally present and help them through emotional intelligence. You are expressing the spiritual kindness and emotional wisdom of our faith when you engage in this type of patient listening.

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