How to Normalise Rest When You Feel Guilty for Wanting It 

Parenting Perspective 

It is understandable to feel torn between the need for solitude and the constant presence of your child. Parenting often places a parent in a position of unrelenting availability, yet children also benefit when they see their caregiver model boundaries with compassion. 

When rest is postponed indefinitely, it does not go unnoticed by the body, or by the child. It often shows up later as frustration, reactivity, or emotional fatigue. That is why carving space for yourself is not a luxury. It is part of your moral and emotional clarity as a parent. 

Verbalise the Need for Rest 

To normalise rest, begin by verbalising it. Say to your child, ‘I need a few minutes to rest, and then I will come back to you.’ Use a calm, consistent tone. Over time, this teaches your child that rest is a legitimate, regular part of human rhythm, not something to feel guilty for. 

Teaching Balance, Not Abandonment 

You are not teaching abandonment. You are teaching balance. Children who witness their parents attending to their own needs in a measured and respectful way are more likely to develop empathy, patience, and emotional regulation. 

Also, consider how you frame rest to yourself. If you carry the belief that rest equals withdrawal or failure, that inner conflict will leak into your parenting. Instead, view rest as part of your service. It sustains your emotional availability and sets a precedent your child will one day benefit from, and perhaps model for others. 

Spiritual Insight 

Islam places great emphasis on moderation and balance, in worship, in work, and in family life. Rest, in its rightful place, is not just allowed. It is embedded in the rhythm of Islamic living. 

A Reminder That Rest is Divine Design 

Allah Almighty states in the noble Quran at Surah Al Furqaan (25), verse 47: 

‘And it is He (Allah Almighty) Who has designated for you the night as a cover (for respite), and sleep for your rejuvenation…’ 

This verse reminds us that rest is divinely structured into the human design. It is a form of mercy, not indulgence and this mercy is supposed to be implemented on oneself.  

The Prophetic Model: Your Body Has a Right Over You 

It is recorded in Sahih al-Bukhari that the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: 

‘Indeed, your body has a right over you.‘

[Sahih al-Bukhari, 67:133] 

This Hadith teaches that fulfilling the body’s needs is part of fulfilling one’s responsibility before Allah. A parent who honours their own needs is not just serving themselves; they are living in accordance with a prophetic model of self-care, rooted in justice and moderation. 

When your child sees you take rest with calmness and purpose, they learn that presence is not about constant proximity. It is about showing up with wholeness. Let your rest be part of your teaching. Let it guide your child toward a future where self-worth and self-respect coexist with love and care for others.