How do I end the outing warmly even if the waiting was rough? 

Parenting Perspective 

When an outing involves long queues, delays, or moments of whining, it is easy to come home frustrated. Yet how you end the day leaves the strongest impression on your child. Ending warmly, even after rough waiting, helps them remember the outing positively and teaches that patience and family connection matter more than small struggles. 

Separate Behaviour From Relationship 

Even if waiting was noisy or stressful, reassure your child that your love is unchanged. This helps your child feel secure, not defined by their mistakes. 

• ‘I know waiting was hard today, but I always love being with you.’ 

• ‘Even when things are rough, we are still a team.’ 

Highlight a Positive Moment 

End by focusing on something that went well, however small. This balances correction with encouragement. 

• ‘I liked how you calmed down after we played I-spy in the queue.’ 

• ‘You made me smile when you helped carry the bag.’ 

Share a Closing Ritual 

Have a simple routine that ends the outing warmly. This ritual softens the memory of stress. 

• Say a short family du‘a of gratitude. 

• Offer a hug, smile, or soft words like “We made it through together.” 

Reflect Later, Not in the Heat 

If behaviour needs addressing, talk about it calmly at another time. This keeps the end of the outing peaceful instead of full of scolding. 

• ‘Next time we will practise waiting more calmly.’ 

A mini-dialogue example: 

Parent: ‘Waiting was tough today, was it not? But I am glad we were together. Thank you for helping at the end. That meant a lot.’ 

Spiritual Insight 

Islam teaches us that how we close an action matters as much as how we begin. Ending an outing with warmth reflects gratitude and mercy, turning a stressful day into an opportunity for growth. 

Gratitude at the End of Struggles 

This reminds us that even after difficulty, there is comfort, and that choosing warmth at the end of a rough outing brings ease to the heart. 

Allah Almighty states in the noble Quran at Surah Al Inshirah (94), Verses 5-6: 

‘Thus with (every) hardship there is facilitation (from Allah Almighty). Indeed, with (every) hardship there is facilitation (from Allah Almighty).’ 

The Prophet ﷺ on Mercy in Relationships 

This teaches us that showing mercy, even after frustration, invites Allah Almighty’s mercy. 

It is recorded in Jami Tirmidhi, 1924, that the holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: 

‘The merciful are shown mercy by the Most Merciful. Be merciful to those on the earth and the One above the heavens will be merciful to you.‘ 

By ending outings warmly, you teach your child that challenges do not erase love, and that gratitude and mercy close the day better than scolding. Over time, they will remember not the rough waiting, but the kindness that wrapped up the experience.