< All Topics
Print

My husband believes his job ends with earning money. How can I explain that our child needs emotional connection with him too? 

Parenting Perspective 

The Unmet Emotional Need 

Earning for the family is important, but emotional connection allows children to feel grounded, visible, and cherished. When one parent believes that money assistance is adequate, the child may learn to seek emotional validation elsewhere, not out of disobedience, but because of an unmet emotional need. 

A Gentle Invitation to Connect 

Begin with a friendly invitation, not a conflict. Praise your husband’s efforts with sincerity, then invite him into emotional moments: You helped us pay for their school, your kindness means a lot. Would you read to them tonight? This strategy switches the focus from obligation to opportunity. Encourage shared routines that do not demand long-term commitments, such as bedtime Dua, a brief tale before bed, or a family walk. Even short, constant emotional presence fosters familiarity and trust. Help your child express their emotional needs. Phrases like When you hug him, I know he feels loved, or He asked if you would pray with him today, might gently highlight what the child is looking for without condemning either parent. In your child’s view, emotional presence becomes a part of the father’s identity over time, not because of lectures or pressure, but because warmth comes with constancy. 

Spiritual Insight 

The link between parent and child is a sacred trust that extends beyond financial support. Mercy and compassion are important aspects in Islamic relationships. Allah Almighty states in the noble Quran at Surah Al Shuraa (42), Verse 38: 

And those people that respond to the (commandments of) their Sustainer, and establish prayer, and conduct their affairs between each other through consultation. 

This verse emphasises the importance of shared responsibility and mutual care. Emotional involvement in parenthood is the result of genuine consultation, rather than the assumption that money is equivalent to care. It is recorded in Jami Tirmidhi, Hadith 1924, that the holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: 

The merciful are shown mercy by Ar-Rahman. Be merciful on the earth, and you will be shown mercy from Who is above the heavens.” 

This Hadith confirms that emotional compassion is not an optional bonus, but rather a necessary act of faith. When a father displays mercy, even in little ways, he fulfils both his emotional and spiritual responsibilities. Encouraging your husband to share that mercy not only enhances your child’s emotional environment but also coincides with prophetic instruction. 

Table of Contents

How can we help?