Parenting Perspective 

Turning Responsibility into Routine 

When a child repeatedly forgets their retainer, glasses, or hearing aid, the issue is not one of defiance, but rather of habit formation. The objective is not to nag, but to help train their mind to remember. Begin by turning the act into a visual and emotional routine. Keep these aids in clear, predictable places, such as placing glasses beside the bed, retainers next to the toothbrush, or hearing aids by the prayer mat. The more consistently they associate an item with a specific moment in their day, the faster it becomes instinctive. Encourage your child to handle these tools with care and ownership rather than depending entirely on reminders. 

Children thrive when their environment supports memory. Create what psychologists refer to as cue-based reminders, which are gentle triggers that signal an action. For instance, saying, ‘After Fajr, we check our glasses,’ links a religious rhythm with daily discipline. Praise effort instead of perfection, as every small act of remembering deserves recognition. Over time, repetition will train their memory to work for them instead of against them. The goal is not flawless consistency but gradual independence rooted in calm, structured care. 

Linking Care to Self-Respect 

Parents can gently teach children that using these aids is an act of self-respect, not a symbol of weakness. When a parent reframes these items as gifts that help the child see, hear, or heal better, the child learns to view them with gratitude rather than embarrassment. Speak affirmingly: ‘Your glasses help you see Allah’s creation clearly,’ or ‘Your hearing aid helps you listen and connect.’ Such sentences give emotional meaning to practical tools. A child who feels pride in using their aids is far more likely to remember them because they feel a sense of ownership, not obligation. 

Spiritual Insight 

Islam beautifully links consistency, gratitude, and responsibility. Teaching your child to care for what sustains their health is a form of fulfilling amanah, the trust that Allah Almighty has placed in each of us to protect our bodies, minds, and resources. Remembering and maintaining these aids is not only a daily task but a reflection of discipline (ihsan) and gratitude (shukr). 

The Reminder of Care and Responsibility 

Allah Almighty states in the noble Quran at Surah Al Israa (17), Verses 26-27: 

‘…And do not squander your wealth, extravagantly. Indeed, those who are extravagant (i.e. wasteful of their wealth) these are the brothers of the Satan, as the Satan has always been ungrateful to his Sustainer.’ 

This verse reminds us that neglecting blessings, whether food, health, or tools that aid our well-being, is a form of waste. When we teach children to value and use their aids with consistency, we are teaching them gratitude for Allah’s mercy. Every time they remember their glasses or retainer, they are respecting what Allah has provided to help them thrive. 

The Beauty of Doing Things with Excellence 

It is recorded in Riyadh Al Saliheen, Hadith 639, that the holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: 

‘Verily Allah has prescribed excellence (ihsan) in all things.’ 

Even in small, everyday actions, such as remembering one’s hearing aid or retainer, ihsan means doing things with care and consistency. Remind your child that when they put effort into managing what Allah has entrusted to them, they are practising a form of worship. This not only strengthens their self-discipline but also cultivates a lifelong habit of gratitude and mindfulness. 

When a child learns to honour what helps them function well, they are not just remembering an object; they are remembering a blessing. In guiding them with patience and gentle repetition, parents sow seeds of responsibility that grow into both independence and spiritual awareness, an inner rhythm of care that continues long after childhood.