How do I keep patience when my child whines in a long supermarket queue? 

Parenting Perspective 

Waiting in a long supermarket queue can feel endless at the best of times, but it can be particularly challenging with a child whining by your side. The surrounding noise, the perceived stares from other shoppers, and your own tiredness can make it incredibly difficult to remain calm. However, these small, public moments are also powerful opportunities to teach your child about patience and self-control. 

Prepare Before You Join the Queue 

Children often struggle with waiting, especially when it comes as an unwelcome surprise. Before joining the line, you can help to prepare them for the delay. 

• Say gently, ‘This queue looks quite long. It might take a while, so we will need to find a calm way to wait together.’ 

• Offer them a small, helpful role, such as being in charge of placing the items on the conveyor belt when it is your turn. 

Use Distraction Wisely 

Redirect their attention with light, engaging conversation. This gentle engagement helps to redirect their focus away from their frustration. 

• ‘Can you try to count how many people are standing in front of us?’ 

• ‘Which of the fruits in our bag do you think is the heaviest?’ 

Acknowledge Their Feeling Calmly 

Often, a child’s whining is simply their way of communicating, ‘This is hard for me’. A brief, calm acknowledgement can be very effective. This shows empathy for their struggle without giving in to the whining itself. 

• ‘I know that waiting in line can feel very boring.’ 

• ‘You wish we could go faster, do you not? I understand that feeling.’ 

Model Calm Patience Yourself 

Your child will mirror your emotional state. Instead of sighing audibly or snapping, try to actively demonstrate calm and patient waiting. 

• You can say, ‘It looks like we are both practising our patience right now. Let us try taking a big, slow breath together.’ 

• Child: (Whining loudly) ‘This is taking forever!’ Parent: ‘I know it feels very long. To help the time go faster, let us play a quiet game of I Spy with the things in our trolley.’ 

Spiritual Insight 

Waiting in a queue may seem like a small and mundane trial, but it mirrors the many moments in life where we are required to wait with patience. Islam teaches us that exercising sabr in these small matters helps to prepare and strengthen the heart for bigger tests. 

Patience Brings Reward 

Allah Almighty states in the noble Quran at Surah Al Zumar (39), Verses 10: 

‘..Indeed, those people that were resilient shall be rewarded with what is their due, without any limitations.’ 

This verse is a beautiful reminder that every act of patience, even the struggle to remain calm while waiting in a long line, carries an immeasurable reward when it is done for the sake of Allah. 

The Prophet ﷺ on Controlling Anger 

It is recorded in Jami Tirmidhi, Hadith 1952, that the holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: 

‘There is no gift that a father gives his child more virtuous than good manners.’ 

This hadith teaches us that modelling good manners, such as calmness and self-control, in a frustrating public situation like a long queue is one of the most valuable gifts we can give to our children. 

By responding with patience and empathy in the supermarket queue, you show your child that waiting is a normal part of life that can be managed with a calm and peaceful heart. Over time, they learn that patience is not just a family rule, but a spiritual strength that brings both inner peace and great reward.