What is a kind way to be on time or message if running late? 

Parenting Perspective 

Punctuality may seem like a small habit, but it carries with it some deep social and emotional lessons. When a child learns to be on time, or to let others know if they will be late, they are really learning a sense of respect for other people’s time, their comfort, and their trust. This habit helps to build a sense of responsibility and empathy at the same time, teaching them that keeping others waiting without any notice can cause them to worry or to feel inconvenienced. Being punctual is not just about following rules; it is about kindness in practice. 

Start by Explaining Why It Matters 

Children can often rush their own preparations or cause delays without realising the emotional impact their lateness can have on others. You can explain this to them gently: ‘When you are on time for a friend, it shows them that you care about their time too,’ or ‘If you are running late and you do not tell anyone, it can make them wonder if you have forgotten about them.’ When your child is able to understand that being prompt is a form of thoughtfulness, not just a matter of discipline, the habit can become a social value rather than a burden. 

Practise a Sense of Time Awareness in Daily Life 

Children do not always have a natural sense of time. You can use some simple and fun activities to help them to learn it. 

• You can set some small ‘ready’ challenges, such as, ‘Let us see if we can be ready to leave in five minutes!’ 

• You could use a visual timer or a clock and say, ‘We will start our game when the big hand on the clock reaches this number.’ 

These small, light-hearted practices can help your child to begin to link a sense of timeliness with a feeling of comfort and readiness, rather than with one of pressure. 

Teach Them How to Message Kindly if They Are Delayed 

Even as adults, we can sometimes struggle to apologise for our lateness in a graceful way. You can give your child a few warm and polite ways to message a friend or to speak up when they know they are running late. 

• ‘I am really sorry, but I am on my way now and I might be a little bit late.’ 

• ‘I did not mean to keep you waiting. I will be there as soon as I can.’ 

• ‘Thank you so much for waiting for me.’ 

You can even role-play how to deliver these messages in a polite and confident way. 

Spiritual Insight 

In Islam, our time is not just a resource; it is a sacred trust (amanah). Being mindful of our time and being considerate of others who may be waiting for us is a reflection of our gratitude to Allah Almighty and our respect for His blessings. Teaching your child to be on time, or to communicate honestly when they are late, is a small but profound act of cultivating ihsan (excellence in conduct). 

The Blessing of Valuing Our Time 

Allah Almighty states in the noble Quran at Surah Al Asr (103), Verses 1–3: 

‘By the (design of) time (by Allah Almighty); indeed, mankind shall surely (remain in a state of) deprivation (moral deficit), except for those people who are believers and undertake virtuous acts; and encouraging (cultivating within themselves and with one another the realisation and dissemination of) the truth and encouraging (cultivating within themselves and with one another the realisation and accomplishment of) resilience.’ 

This powerful chapter of the Quran reminds us that time itself is sacred. Every moment is an opportunity for us to express our truth and to do good in the world. When your child learns how to manage their time in a responsible way, they are living this Quranic wisdom, learning to treat their time as a precious gift, not as something to be wasted. 

The Prophetic Example of Reliability and Communication 

It is recorded in Sunan Nisai, Hadith 5021, that the holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: 

‘The signs of a hypocrite are three: when he speaks, he lies; when he makes a promise, he breaks it; and when he is entrusted, he betrays the trust.’ 

This hadith underscores how deeply our sense of reliability is tied to our faith. Being late without informing others can be seen as a form of a broken promise, while communicating honestly when we are delayed is a reflection of our integrity and our care for others. Teaching your child to send a polite message when they are running late can help to turn a potential mistake into an act of sincerity. 

Helping your child to be punctual, or to be honest when they are late, helps to shape not just their habits but their very character. It teaches them that reliability is a form of kindness that is made visible. When they are able to arrive on time, they are telling their friends, ‘You matter to me.’ 

Your own steady example and your gentle coaching will show them that being reliable is not about achieving a state of perfection, but about being present and honest, even when things go differently than we had planned. 

Over time, these simple lessons will sink in deeply. Your child will begin to understand that their timekeeping is more than just a practical skill; it is a reflection of their sense of care, of their responsibility, and of their faith.