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How can telling stories or reflecting together strengthen my emotional bond with my child?

Parenting Perspective

The ability to tell stories naturally unites people. You are providing more than simply amusement when you relate anecdotes from your own life, such as happy or sad times, blunders, or growth. You are giving people access. A youngster learns that emotions are a natural part of everyone’s path when they hear about your childhood mistakes or how you felt when faced with a tough decision. This fosters emotional safety, transparency, and trust. By helping kids to express how they understand what they hear, reflection also helps to build relationships. A child might feel heard and seen during these calm times. They are discovering that you care about their feelings and ideas. These interactions eventually create a common emotional vocabulary that promotes communication, empathy, and a sense of community.

Spiritual Insight

The noble Quran is rich with stories, a sign of their power to teach and connect. Allah Almighty states in the noble Quran at Surah Yusuf (12), Verse 111: ‘Without any doubt, there is in their narratives (of the perished nations) a lesson for the people endowed with understanding…’ Stories were also used by the holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ to relate, console, and guide. It is recorded in Sahih Bukhari, Hadith 3461, that the holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said, ‘convey (my teachings) to the people even if it were a single sentence, and tell others the stories of Bani Israeel (which have been taught to you),’ This prophetic heritage is mirrored in the telling of stories in the household, particularly when done with love and introspection. It serves as a means of spiritual instruction as well as a means of bonding.

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