How do I keep daily check-ins with my child meaningful in a household full of background screens? 

Parenting Perspective 

In a home where screens are often humming in the background, a daily check-in can easily become distracted or feel routine. To ensure these moments remain meaningful, the environment you create is just as important as the words you use. Try to choose a consistent time and place where all screens are switched off, even if only for five minutes. This small but firm boundary sends a powerful signal that your child’s presence is your priority. You can frame it warmly by saying, ‘Let’s have our daily catch-up now, no screens for either of us’. Over time, this becomes a safe and cherished pocket of connection. 

Create a Ritual That Stands Out 

To make your check-ins feel special, create a ritual that stands out from ordinary conversation. This could involve sitting in a particular ‘chat chair’, sharing a special snack, or using a jar of fun questions to spark discussion. For younger children, a quick drawing game can help ease them into talking, while for older children, a shared walk or a cup of tea might be more effective. The goal is to anchor the check-in with a positive sensory and emotional memory, making it more compelling than the passive pull of a screen. 

Spiritual Insight 

Islam teaches us the value of being beneficial to others and consciously making space for them in our lives, both physically and emotionally. 

Allah Almighty states in the noble Quran at Surah Al Mujadilah (58), Verse 11: 

‘O you who are believers, when it is said to you: “Make space for each other in the gatherings”, then try to accommodate each other; (and conversely) Allah (Almighty) shall accommodate you (with His mercy)…’ 

This verse, while speaking of physical gatherings, reflects a deeper principle of making room for others in our lives. By turning off background screens, we are emotionally ‘making space’ for our children, showing them that they are welcome and valued. 

It is recorded in Sahih Bukhari, Hadith 7187, that the holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: 

‘The most beloved of people to Allah is the one who brings the most benefit to the people.’ 

One of the greatest benefits we can offer our children is the gift of our undivided attention. Setting aside even a few dedicated minutes for them nurtures their sense of belonging and self-worth in a way that no background screen ever could.