Parenting Perspective 

It is a familiar challenge for many parents: just as you are looking forward to reconnecting, your child begins to use delay tactics at bedtime. Sudden requests for water, one more story, or a new worry can easily turn the end of the day into a power struggle. A clear, consistent, and loving script can help end these delays without conflict. 

Choose a Calm and Consistent Closing Script 

Agree on one gentle but definitive sentence that signals the end of the bedtime routine. The power of the script comes from its repetition, which creates a reliable cue for closure. Examples include: 

• ‘We have had our story, our hug, and our dua. Now it is time for sleep.’ 

• ‘Everything you need is ready for the night, and now your body needs to rest.’ 

• ‘We love you very much, and we will see you in the morning, insha’Allah.’ 

Pre-empt Common Delay Tactics 

A key part of the strategy is to address potential delays in advance. Before you deliver the final script, offer a last sip of water, a trip to the bathroom, and one extra cuddle. This removes the justification for later requests. If your child still asks for something, you can calmly repeat your chosen phrase instead of entering into a debate. 

Follow Through with Gentle Firmness 

After you have delivered the script, it is crucial not to concede to requests for more stories or extended conversations. Instead, reassure with consistency by saying something like, ‘I know you would like more time, but our day is finished. Now it is time to sleep’. You can then leave the room calmly and confidently. Children quickly learn that the boundary is final and that delaying no longer yields extra attention. 

By using a loving but firm script, parents can reclaim their evening for connection. Over time, children find deep security in this predictable closure, and parents regain precious time together without the burden of guilt or frustration. 

Spiritual Insight 

Islam encourages a balanced approach to family life. It is vital to meet a child’s needs with mercy, but it is equally important to safeguard the marital bond that forms the foundation of the home. Establishing a clear bedtime script supports both of these duties. 

The Divine Purpose of Night and Sleep 

Allah Almighty states in the noble Quran at Surah Al Furqaan (25), Verse 47: 

‘And it is He (Allah Almighty) Who has designated for you the night as a cover (for respite), and sleep for your rejuvenation; and designated the day for re-energising (the Earth with automated light energy).‘ 

This verse is a beautiful reminder that the night has been divinely gifted to us for rest and renewal. Protecting this time for sleep benefits the entire family, allowing both children and parents to begin the next day with renewed strength and patience. 

The Sunnah of Preparing for Sleep 

It is recorded in Jami Tirmidhi, Hadith 3401, that the holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: 

‘When one of you goes to bed, let him brush off his bed with the edge of his garment and say: “In Your name my Lord, I lay down my side, and by You I raise it up.”’ 

This Hadith teaches us that preparing for sleep is an act of worship and trust in Allah Almighty. By establishing a routine that concludes with a script and a dua, we are nurturing both a peaceful home and a child’s connection to their faith. 

By ending bedtime with a steady, loving script, parents honour their child’s need for security while preserving essential time for each other. This balance fosters a home where faith, rest, and love are all equally protected.