Parenting Perspective 

Correcting a child in public is one of the most difficult balancing acts for a parent. On the one hand, there is a natural desire to address poor behaviour immediately. On the other, it is vital not to shame your child in front of others, as this can damage their trust and confidence. The key is to be firm and clear while preserving dignity. 

Use Subtle Signals Instead of Loud Reprimands 

Instead of raising your voice or criticising your child openly, it is more effective to use discreet cues. A gentle touch on the arm, a meaningful look, or quietly saying their name can signal your disapproval without turning the correction into a public performance for others to witness. 

Save Detailed Teaching for Private Moments 

Public spaces are rarely the best environment for long explanations or lectures. If your child misbehaves, you can simply and calmly say, “We will talk about this later.” Then, when you are back at home or in a private space, you can discuss the behaviour in more depth: “Earlier today, you did this. Can you see why that was not okay?” This method corrects the behaviour without exposing them to unnecessary embarrassment. 

Offer a Way to Regain Dignity 

If a public correction requires an immediate response from your child, such as apologising to someone, guide them through it gently and quickly. For example, “Please say you are sorry.” It is then important to move on swiftly, without dwelling on the mistake. This allows your child to recover their composure without being labelled or judged in front of others. 

Model Respect, Even in Correction 

The tone you use matters immensely. It is possible to speak firmly while still being respectful. By showing restraint and calmness yourself, you teach your child that correction is about growth, not humiliation. They will remember the dignity with which you handled the situation as much as the discipline itself. 

By choosing to use subtle methods of correction in public and saving your deeper guidance for a private moment, you can preserve your child’s confidence while still setting clear and consistent boundaries. 

Spiritual Insight 

Islam teaches a balance between firmness and mercy when guiding others. Parents are the shepherds of their families, and part of that responsibility is correcting mistakes with wisdom and compassion. The act of shaming is strongly discouraged in our faith, while the preservation of dignity is always encouraged. 

Allah Almighty states in the noble Quran at Surah Al Nahal (16), Verses 125: 

‘Invite (people) to (follow) the (prescribed) pathways of your Sustainer with wisdom, and polite enlightened direction, and only argue with them in the politest manner…’ 

This verse reminds us that our correction should always be wise and gentle, aiming to lead hearts towards improvement rather than hardening them through public shame. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ was the perfect embodiment of this principle. 

It is recorded in Sunan Ibn Majah, Hadith 3686, that the holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: 

‘Indeed, Allah is Gentle and loves gentleness in all matters.’ 

This teaches us that even when we are correcting mistakes, a gentle approach is more effective because it preserves dignity and makes the advice easier to accept. By handling your child’s misbehaviour in a way that is firm yet merciful, you are showing them that accountability is not about humiliation but about growth. This balance helps them to respect boundaries and trust your guidance, and to see that Islam values both discipline and compassion.