How can we close difficult days with forgiveness and a next step? 

Parenting Perspective 

Every family has difficult days, when arguments, mistakes, or general stress can leave the household feeling heavy and unsettled. If those days end without any sense of repair, children may carry that tension with them into their sleep, which can shape their underlying sense of security. A deliberate closing ritual, however, can turn even the hardest of days into a stepping stone for forgiveness, reflection, and renewal. 

Use a Brief End-of-Day Check-In 

Just before bed, you can gather for a short family moment. It is important to keep this gentle and not lengthy. You could say, ‘Let us each share one thing that we are grateful for from today, and one thing we would like to do better tomorrow.’ This simple practice helps to shift the focus from blame to growth. 

Model Forgiveness in Action 

If you lost your patience at some point during the day, this is a perfect opportunity to model accountability. You could say, ‘I am sorry that I raised my voice today. Tomorrow, I will try to remember to pause first.’ When children hear their parents apologise, they learn that making mistakes is normal and that forgiveness is always possible. 

Offer a Tangible Reset 

It can be helpful to use a small gesture to mark the emotional closure of the day. This could be a warm hug, a whispered dua, or switching on a soft nightlight together. This helps your children’s bodies and minds to release any lingering tension before they go to sleep. 

By weaving forgiveness together with a clear ‘next step’, parents can create a family atmosphere where mistakes do not define the family. Instead, it is reflection and love that guide them forward. 

Spiritual Insight 

In the Islamic tradition, believers are encouraged to end their day by clearing their hearts of any resentment, seeking forgiveness from God, and offering it to others as a means of attracting divine mercy. 

The Divine Call to Forgive and Renew 

Allah Almighty states in the noble Quran at Surah Al Noor (24), Verse 22: 

‘…And forgive (their mistakes) and overlook (their weaknesses); do you not love the fact that Allah (Almighty) may forgive you? And Allah is Most Forgiving and Most Merciful.’ 

This verse reminds us that the act of forgiving others is directly linked to our own hope of receiving the forgiveness of Allah Almighty. 

The Prophetic Counsel on Nightly Reconciliation 

It is recorded in Sahih Muslim, Hadith 2565, that the holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: 

‘Deeds are presented (to Allah) on Mondays and Thursdays, and Allah forgives every Muslim who does not associate anything with Him, except for the one who has enmity with his brother. It will be said: “Delay these two until they reconcile.”’ 

This hadith teaches us that clearing the heart of grudges and seeking forgiveness makes our deeds more beloved and acceptable to Allah Almighty. 

By closing difficult days with forgiveness and a concrete next step for improvement, families are aligning themselves with the beautiful Quranic and Prophetic model of mercy and renewal. Children learn from this that no matter how hard a day has been, Allah Almighty always offers a fresh start, and so does the love of their family.