How do I stop the “one minute” loop that never ends? 

Parenting Perspective 

Every parent is familiar with that trying moment. You ask your child to do something, and they reply with, ‘One minute!’, again and again, until that single minute mysteriously becomes half an hour. It can leave you feeling powerless or unheard, as if your authority is being quietly worn down by their delays. However, this frustrating pattern is often a combination of normal childhood development, boundary testing, and challenges with managing attention, all of which can be reshaped with a calm structure and emotional awareness. 

Understand What “One Minute” Really Means 

When a child says, ‘one minute,’ they are often not being deliberately disobedient. It is their way of communicating, ‘I am not ready to stop what I am doing yet.’ Children have an immature sense of time and frequently struggle to switch their attention from something enjoyable, like a game or a show, to a task they see as dull, such as tidying up. Recognising this helps you to address the real issue, which is difficulty with transitions, instead of treating it as pure defiance. 

Prepare for Transitions in Advance 

Sudden commands can often trigger resistance. Instead, give your child some advance warning so they can mentally prepare for a shift in activity. For example: 

• ‘In five minutes, we will need to pause your game for dinner.’ 

• ‘After this episode ends, it will be time to brush your teeth.’ 

When the time comes, follow up gently but firmly: ‘That was your five minutes. Let us pause now.’ Over time, this consistent structure helps them to develop a stronger sense of time and responsibility. 

Create Predictable Routines 

If the ‘one minute’ delay is a common feature around specific activities like screen time or bedtime, it is helpful to set clear and consistent expectations beforehand. 

• Use a visible timer or a countdown clock. 

• Establish a clear rule, such as, ‘When the timer beeps, we stop straight away.’ 

• Reinforce their compliance positively: ‘I like how you paused as soon as it rang.’ 

Routines reduce negotiation because the responsibility shifts. It is no longer you versus them, but them versus the rule. The timer becomes the neutral authority, not your repeated reminders. 

Avoid Power Struggles with Calm Consequences 

Arguing or pleading only reinforces the loop; your child learns that stalling keeps you engaged and buys them more time. Instead, state the consequences calmly and apply them consistently. 

• ‘If you do not come now, we will have to shorten your game time tomorrow.’ 

• ‘If bedtime is delayed, our story will have to be shorter tonight.’ 

It is crucial to follow through quietly, without any emotional escalation. The goal is not punishment but predictability, teaching them that time and responsibility have real boundaries. 

Connect Before You Correct 

Sometimes, children resist transitions because they feel controlled rather than connected. Try approaching them with empathy before you give an instruction. 

• ‘I can see you are really enjoying this game. Let us wrap it up in a minute together.’ 

• ‘Shall I help you to pause it?’ 

When children feel seen and understood, they are far more willing to cooperate. Your calm tone communicates that you are not trying to take away their joy, but simply guiding them towards balance. This daily challenge is actually a teachable moment. Every ‘one minute’ delay is an opportunity to help your child build self-regulation, respect for time, and trust in your consistency. The solution is found not in louder reminders, but in a quieter structure. 

Spiritual Insight 

In Islam, time is considered a divine trust, a blessing that we are instructed to honour and manage wisely. Teaching children to respect time is not just about discipline; it is about nurturing an awareness that every moment is a gift from Allah Almighty. 

Valuing Time in the Noble Quran 

Allah Almighty states in the noble Quran at Surah Al Asr (103), Verses 1-3: 

‘ By the (design of) time (by Allah Almighty); indeed, mankind shall surely (remain in a state of) deprivation (moral deficit), except for those people who are believers and undertake virtuous acts; and encouraging (cultivating within themselves and with one another the realisation and dissemination of) the truth and encouraging (cultivating within themselves and with one another the realisation and accomplishment of) resilience.’ 

This surah reminds us that time itself is sacred. To waste it heedlessly or to neglect what is important leads to loss, not only of productivity but also of spiritual focus. By helping our children to honour time, we are teaching them one of life’s greatest disciplines: the balance between enjoyment and responsibility. 

Discipline and Consistency in the Prophet’s Teachings 

It is recorded in Sunan Ibn Majah, Hadith 4240, that the holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: 

‘The most beloved of deeds to Allah are those that are most consistent, even if they are few.’ 

This hadith teaches us that Islam values steady, reliable action over occasional bursts of enthusiasm. The ‘one minute’ habit often reflects inconsistency and a desire to delay effort. By patiently guiding our children to act promptly and consistently, we are aligning them with this prophetic principle. 

Every time you hold your boundary calmly, you are not just stopping a habit; you are shaping a virtue. When your child learns that ‘one minute’ really means now, they are learning discipline, honesty, and the value of keeping their word. These are not merely household rules; they are the foundations of trust and self-respect. 

You may not see instant results. Habits that have been formed through repetition will take time to unravel. But each moment you choose calm consistency over irritation strengthens your child’s internal sense of time and responsibility. 

Eventually, your child will understand that your word is steady and that time is precious. The atmosphere in your home will shift from endless negotiations to peaceful routines that are grounded in respect. In that harmony, your child will learn that obeying promptly is not about control, but about showing gratitude for the moments Allah Almighty blesses us with, and honouring those moments through actions guided by sincerity and love.