How to Show Your Child That Parents Are People Too 

Parenting Perspective 

When life turns into a series of ‘must-do’, it is easy to feel invisible under the weight of responsibility. Your concern says: you care deeply, not just about your duties, but about modeling humanity for your child. That is a gift worth preserving. 

Allow Yourself One Intentional Moment 

Begin by allowing yourself one small, intentional moment each day that feels authentically yours, even quietly: pausing with tea, listening to a song, stretching by the window. These moments are not ways to escape; they signal to your child that adults too need breath, presence, and joy. 

Explain It Out Loud 

Explain this out loud, in everyday language. If, for example, you take a moment to enjoy a few lines of a poem or draw for a minute, say, ‘I really needed a tiny pause for myself just now; it helps me care better for you.’ This models emotional honesty and boundary-setting without shirking responsibility. 

Integrate Shared Ritual 

You might also integrate shared ritual: a short evening declutter session together, where you say, ‘This moment of order helps me think clearly, and it helps you too.’ Simple routines like this can align your self-care with family support. 

As a parent, your care is not abandoned by caring for yourself; it is strengthened. Your child learns that functioning is not about endurance alone but about balance. They learn that being adult means holding responsibilities and still being present to your own life. 

Spiritual Insight 

Islam affirms that human beings are not merely tasks to be performed, but soul-bearing beings entrusted with balanced stewardship, of home, of self, and of faith. 

A Reminder That Life is Measured by Sincere Effort 

Allah Almighty states in the noble Quran at Surah Al Mulk (67), verse 2: 

‘It is He (Allah Almighty) Who has created mortal expiration and life so that you may be tested; as to which one a few (conducts himself) in better deeds; and He is the Most Cherished and the Most Forgiving.’ 

This Verse reminds us that our lives are measured not by relentless doing, but by sincere, balanced effort. Being human includes rest, reflection, and mercy, especially towards oneself. 

The Prophetic Model: Your Self Has a Right Over You 

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

‘Your own self has a right over you.‘

[Sahih al-Bukhari, 83:12] 

This Hadith explicitly grants permission, and duty, to care for oneself. It models a balanced life where fulfilment of roles does not eclipse personal wellbeing. 

By showing your child that being a responsible adult and a human being are not mutually exclusive, you teach them through presence. You teach them that thriving begins with embracing the fullness of who we are, in devotion, in duty, and in self-care.