What is a good script for reminding “your turn is coming soon”? 

Parenting Perspective 

When a child repeatedly asks, ‘When is it my turn?’, they are usually not being intentionally impatient, but are seeking reassurance. For them, waiting can feel uncertain and isolating. A good reminder script must do two things at once: calm their anxiety and reinforce your trustworthiness. The goal is not just to stop the questions, but to help your child feel safe and secure while they wait. 

Keep the Script Short and Predictable 

A child who is struggling to wait does not need a long explanation; they need a steady rhythm of reassurance. You can say, calmly and consistently, ‘Your turn is coming soon. I have not forgotten you.’ It is helpful to follow this with a clear visual or time-based cue, such as, ‘When this timer rings, it will be your turn,’ or ‘After I have helped your sister with one more page, I will come to you.’ This simple, certain language helps to build their emotional safety. 

Add Warmth and Connection 

Your tone of voice matters more than the specific words you use. Try to speak slowly and gently, making soft eye contact. Even a brief touch on the shoulder or a warm smile can help to anchor your child emotionally. You could say, ‘I love that you are so excited to have a turn. I promise it is coming next, and I will tell you as soon as I am ready.’ When you remain calm and steady, your child will begin to mirror that composure. 

Create a ‘Turn Token’ 

For younger children, a small physical object can make the act of waiting more tangible. You can hand them a ‘turn token’, such as a smooth stone or a special card, and say, ‘This shows that your turn is next. Can you keep it safe for me until I call you?’ This simple technique can shift their experience from one of guessing to one of knowing, giving your child a sense of control and reducing their anxiety-driven interruptions. 

Respond Gently if They Ask Again 

If your child repeats the question, ‘Is it my turn yet?’, try not to show any frustration. Instead, reaffirm your promise kindly with the same steady message: ‘I know it is hard to wait. Your turn is coming soon, just like always.’ Their repetition is not an act of defiance, but a search for reassurance. Each time you respond with calm certainty, you are strengthening the trust they are trying to build in you. 

Acknowledge Their Successful Wait 

When their turn finally arrives, highlight their success. For example, ‘You waited so patiently, and now it is your turn. Thank you for trusting me.’ This closing praise teaches your child that their patience leads to positive attention and proves that your promise was true, which is a vital part of building their emotional security. 

Spiritual Insight 

Islam teaches that keeping promises, remaining calm, and offering reassurance are all forms of ihsan, or excellence in conduct. When a parent fulfils their word, even in something as small as turn-taking, they are teaching faith through their actions. The child learns that trust is sacred and that patience brings a sense of peace. 

The Quranic View on Fulfilling Promises 

Allah Almighty states in the noble Quran at Surah Al Israa (17), Verse 34: 

‘…And fulfil all your promises, as indeed, you will be questioned about all the promises that you have made (in this life).’ 

This verse reminds us that keeping our promises, even small ones, is a matter of moral and spiritual responsibility. When you assure your child that their turn is coming and you honour that word, you are living this principle in your home. Your consistency becomes a lesson in integrity and faithfulness. 

The Prophetic Example of Keeping Promises 

It is recorded in Sunan Abu Dawood, Hadith 4991, that the holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: 

‘If anyone says to a child, ‘Come on, I will give you something,’ and does not give it, this is a lie.’ 

Explanation: This hadith beautifully teaches that honesty is the foundation of trust, even with our children. When a parent says, ‘Your turn is coming soon,’ and then follows through, they are living up to the Prophetic standard of truthfulness. Keeping even the smallest of promises builds a child’s emotional security and teaches them that waiting is safe. It shows them that a delay does not mean they have been forgotten, but that love and fairness will always keep their word. 

A simple phrase like ‘Your turn is coming soon,’ when said calmly and consistently, can help to build a trust that lasts a lifetime. When your child learns that your words can be relied upon, they will begin to mirror that reliability in their own behaviour. Through these small, steady reassurances, you are not just teaching manners; you are teaching iman (faith): that patience brings fulfilment, and that every promise, when it is kept with kindness, reflects the mercy of Allah Almighty.