Parenting Perspective 

New environments like holidays or family visits can disrupt established routines, often leaving children feeling uncertain. Rules that are followed smoothly at home may not seem obvious to a child when everything around them is new and exciting. To avoid confusion and conflict, it is important to explain rules in advance with calm clarity, showing that boundaries still exist even when the setting has changed. 

Prepare Beforehand 

Before you arrive at a new destination, talk your child through the most likely situations they will encounter and the rules that will apply. For example, you could say, ‘At the hotel pool, the most important rule is that you must always stay where I can see you.’ When expectations are explained in advance, children feel more secure and are less likely to test the boundaries. 

Use Context-Specific Rules 

Make the rules relevant to the new setting, rather than trying to enforce every single household rule. For instance, when visiting relatives, you might focus on two or three key expectations: ‘The main rules for today are to greet everyone politely and to ask me before you go outside to play.’ This helps a child to understand that rules are not random, but are connected to the specific needs for respect and safety in each new place. 

Remind Gently On the Spot 

In an unfamiliar environment, it is natural for a child to genuinely forget a rule. Instead of lecturing them, use short, gentle reminders to guide them back on track. A quiet prompt like, ‘Remember what we said about this being the quiet area,’ is often all that is needed. The goal is to keep the boundaries firm but to deliver reminders with patience, so the trip remains enjoyable. 

Spiritual Insight 

Islam emphasises that its guidance applies in all circumstances, not just in familiar surroundings. A key role for parents is to remind their children that core values like respect, safety, and self-discipline remain constant, even when the environment changes. 

Guidance Through Effort 

The Quran teaches that when we make a sincere effort to follow guidance, especially in new or challenging circumstances, Allah provides His help and makes the path clear. 

Allah Almighty states in the noble Quran at Surah Al Ankaboot (29), Verses 69: 

‘ And those people that endeavour (to please) Us (Allah Almighty); so, We (Allah Almighty) shall indeed, guide them (to those pathways) that lead to Us; and indeed, Allah (Almighty) is with those who are benevolent (in their actions).‘ 

Consistency of Character in All Places 

The prophetic tradition makes it clear that our moral and ethical responsibilities are not tied to a particular location; they are a part of our character and travel with us wherever we go. 

It is recorded in Jami Tirmidhi, Hadith 1987, that the holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: 

‘Be conscious of Allah wherever you are and follow a bad deed with a good one which will wipe it out, and behave well towards people.’ 

By framing rules during holidays as part of living one’s faith with awareness and respect, you are not only managing your child’s behaviour but also nurturing their understanding that Islamic discipline is a constant companion in every environment.