How do I support my child when older kids at the park call them a baby? 

Parenting Perspective 

For a young child, being called a “baby” by older children can sting deeply. It’s not just the word — it’s the tone of superiority, the laughter, and the feeling of being smaller in a space meant for fun. The goal isn’t to make your child grow up faster or fight back, but to help them stay confident, composed, and secure in who they are, no matter what others say. 

This kind of teasing is often a test of emotional maturity. When your child learns how to respond calmly, they build quiet confidence that lasts well beyond the playground. 

Begin With Comfort, Not Correction 

When your child says, “They called me a baby,” resist rushing into explanations or strategies. First, meet the feeling: 

“That must have felt upsetting — you were just trying to play.” 

Acknowledging the hurt helps your child feel seen. It tells them that their feelings are valid before you move on to teaching solutions. 

Explain Why Older Kids Do It 

Help your child understand that older children often tease to feel powerful, not because something is wrong with them. Say: 

“Sometimes older kids act tough to look cool. It’s not about you — it’s about how they want to seem.” 

This reframing moves your child from shame to insight, reducing the emotional weight of the insult. 

Practise Calm Responses 

Give your child a few short, confident phrases to use — no shouting, no tears: 

“I’m not a baby — I’m just younger.” “You can play or not, but I’m fine.” or simply, “Okay.” 

Tone and body language matter more than the words. Practise at home: standing tall, keeping voice steady, then turning back to their play. 

The goal is to teach emotional unstickiness — letting the insult slide off instead of sink in. 

Stay Nearby at First 

If the teasing happens repeatedly, stay within view for a while. Your calm presence communicates silent reassurance. Avoid confronting the older children unless the teasing escalates — instead, model composure. Your child learns from your steadiness more than your words. 

Praise Emotional Control Afterwards 

When the incident passes, praise not just bravery but restraint: 

“You stayed calm and didn’t let their words stop your fun — that’s real strength.” 

By celebrating composure instead of confrontation, you help your child equate control with courage. 

Reframe “Being Young” as a Strength 

Talk at home about the good things that come with their age — curiosity, energy, learning. You might say: 

“Being younger just means you have more time to grow and learn new things. That’s something to be proud of.” 

Confidence grounded in self-acceptance disarms teasing before it even starts. 

Spiritual Insight 

Islam teaches that age, status, or ability never determine a person’s worth — only character and sincerity do. Mocking others for being younger or smaller contradicts the prophetic model of mercy and respect. Teaching your child this gives them pride rooted not in comparison, but in divine truth. 

Equality in the Noble Quran 

Allah Almighty states in the noble Quran at Surah Al Hujuraat (49), Verse 13: 

‘O mankind, indeed, We (Allah Almighty) have created you all from one man and one woman; and placed you amongst various nations and tribes for your introduction to each other; indeed, the best of you in the judgement of Allah (Almighty) is the one who is most virtuous…’ 

This verse reminds your child that honour comes through goodness, not age or appearance. When they stay kind and calm, they stand among the truly honourable in Allah Almighty’s sight. 

Respect for the Young in the Teachings of the Holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ 

It is recorded in Jami Tirmidhi, Hadith 1919, that the holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: 

‘He is not of us who does not show mercy to our young and respect to our elders.’ 

This Hadith affirms that teasing younger children is against the Prophet’s ﷺ teachings. It also teaches your child that being young invites mercy and love, not shame. Responding with patience and dignity reflects prophetic strength — gentle but firm. 

When you teach your child to handle being called a “baby” with calm confidence, you’re not just helping them through one insult — you’re shaping their lifelong self-assurance. They learn that other people’s words cannot shrink them unless they agree to it. 

Through your empathy, guidance, and the example of prophetic character, they’ll grow into a child who can walk away from mockery without losing joy — firm in their sense of worth, gentle in their faith, and certain that Allah Almighty values what is in their heart, not what others say aloud.