How to Bring Bonding Into Everyday Care Routines 

Parenting Perspective 

Small Routines Carry Great Emotional Weight 

It is natural for a parent to feel more relaxed and playful in moments of fun compared to daily care tasks that feel repetitive or rushed. Yet for a child, those small routines carry great emotional weight because they are moments of close contact and dependence. When brushing teeth or changing clothes, your child is not only experiencing care but also sensing your tone, your touch, and your presence. 

Focus on Small Shifts, Not Big Changes 

To bring bonding into these routines, focus on small shifts rather than big changes. Slow down your pace slightly so that your child feels your attention is on them, not just on the task. For example, you can add warmth by maintaining gentle eye contact, smiling, or using a soft tone. Turning teeth brushing into a little game, or making up a short dua together, can transform a chore into a shared connection. Similarly, when helping your child change clothes, you might praise their growing independence or offer a playful cuddle before finishing. These small gestures build attachment without extending the routine unnecessarily. 

See Care Moments as Opportunities 

It also helps to see care moments as opportunities to meet two needs at once: completing the task and nurturing security. Even if you feel tired, adding one moment of affectionate touch or a calm word of reassurance can anchor your child. Over time, your child will learn that love is present not only in play but in the ordinary rhythms of life. Finally, be kind to yourself. If you notice stress spilling over, you can repair it by holding your child close afterwards or offering a soft word. Repair is as powerful as the moment itself, because it shows your child that love remains steady even when you feel stretched. 

Spiritual Insight 

Daily Acts of Care Are the Foundation of Love 

Allah Almighty states in the noble Quran at Surah Luqman (31), Verse 14: 

‘And We (Allah Almighty) have decreed upon mankind in regard to his parents; his mother carried him (in pregnancy exposing her to) weakness upon weakness; and his dependent nourishment (from her) for two years; (thus O mankind) be grateful to Me (Allah Almighty) and to your parents, and to Me is (your ultimate) destination.’  

This Verse highlights the deep bond created through daily acts of care, such as carrying, feeding, and tending to children. These routines are not separate from love; they are part of the foundation upon which love and gratitude grow. 

Mercy and Warmth Must Accompany Practical Care 

It is recorded in Al Adab Al Mufrad, Book 19, Hadith 10, that the holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ kissed his grandsons Al-Hasan and Al-Husain, and when questioned by a companion about showing such affection, he replied: 

‘He who does not show mercy will not be shown mercy.’  

This shows that even in small, everyday interactions, mercy and warmth must accompany practical care. 

By weaving tenderness into brushing, dressing, and other daily tasks, you are showing your child that love is not limited to play but is woven into every act of care. This not only strengthens their trust in you but also teaches them that mercy is part of every aspect of life.