What should I say when a child laughs at a sibling’s belongings? 

Parenting Perspective 

When a child mocks a sibling’s belongings, whether it is a toy, an outfit, or a handmade creation, it is not merely playful; it is often a test of power. Your response can transform this moment into a valuable lesson in respect and empathy. 

Name the Harm Clearly 

Respond swiftly but calmly by stating the family rule: ‘In this family, we do not laugh at what others love’. Avoid using sarcasm or delivering a moral lecture, as these only model the same disrespectful tone you are trying to correct. Instead, describe the behaviour neutrally: ‘You laughed at her drawing, and that hurt her feelings’. Then, restate the boundary: ‘We protect each other’s dignity, even in small things’. This approach grounds the moment in respect rather than rivalry. 

Foster Empathy Through Reflection 

Children rarely grasp the impact of mockery until they imagine themselves in the same position. Ask gently, ‘How would you feel if someone laughed at your favourite shoes or your project?’ Wait quietly for the answer; silence allows the message to sink in more deeply than scolding ever will. Bridge this to moral growth: ‘That feeling is why Allah Almighty wants us to speak kindly. What we mock in others may be precious to them’. Connecting the act to its emotional consequence transforms guilt into genuine empathy. 

Protect and Validate the Mocked Child 

Briefly turn your attention to the affected sibling, affirming their worth: ‘You worked hard on that drawing. I like how creative it is’. Your validation helps to repair their dignity without over-dramatising the situation. The goal is to achieve balance by providing comfort without turning one child into a victim and the other into an outcast. Both children need to leave the exchange feeling capable of making better choices in the future. 

Teach Respectful Curiosity 

Many teasing moments begin with an interest that is disguised as humour. Teach the difference by explaining, ‘If you are curious, you may ask. If you laugh, you hurt’. Encourage replacement phrases such as, ‘Tell me why you like this toy’, or, ‘That is interesting, can I see?’ When they attempt to show curiosity respectfully, offer praise. Over time, they will learn that kindness earns more social success than ridicule. 

Use Simple and Memorable Scripts 

Short, clear phrases are more effective than long lectures. Children remember concise and predictable lines. 

• ‘We can joke, but not at someone’s expense.’ 

• ‘Respect means seeing value in what others cherish.’ 

• ‘If you cannot say something kind, say nothing for now.’ 

• ‘Mocking is weakness pretending to be strength.’ 

Encourage Repair Through Action 

Guide the child who did the mocking to make amends that go beyond a simple apology. They can compliment the item they ridiculed, offer to help with a related activity, or create something kind in return. For example, ‘You laughed at your brother’s craft. Let us help him paint the next one’. Turning an apology into a cooperative action rebuilds trust more effectively and teaches tangible restitution, a key skill for lifelong empathy. 

Cultivate a Culture of Honour 

Normalise positive speech about each other’s possessions and efforts. Introduce short family moments of gratitude, such as asking, ‘What do you appreciate about your sibling today?’ The more admiration circulates, the less space mockery can find. Set a clear family norm that every belonging, no matter how small, deserves respect. Children raised in such a home learn that laughter should uplift, never belittle. 

Spiritual Insight 

Qur’anic Guidance 

Allah Almighty states in the noble Quran at Surah Al Hujuraat (49), Verse 11: 

‘Those of you who are believers, do not let a nation ridicule another nation, as perhaps it may be that they are better than them…’ 

This verse directly forbids mockery in all its forms, whether it relates to appearance, possessions, speech, or status. It invites children and adults alike to practise humility, reminding us that the one who is laughed at today may be honoured by Allah Almighty tomorrow. Sharing this ayah with your child teaches that teasing is not light entertainment but a spiritual wound. You can gently say, ‘When you laugh at someone’s things, you are challenging a command from Allah Almighty Himself’. 

Prophetic Wisdom 

It is recorded in Sahih Muslim, 2564a, that the holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: 

‘Indeed, Allah does not look at your appearance or your wealth, but He looks at your hearts and your deeds.’ 

This hadith reminds children that true worth lies not in possessions but in intention and goodness. Linking this to sibling teasing provides perspective: ‘Your brother’s toy may look small, but Allah Almighty cares about how kindly you treat him, not how fancy the toy is’. This message shifts the focus from comparison to character and from laughing at others to being grateful for one’s own blessings. 

End these moments with softness, reminding them that laughter loses its beauty when it hurts another heart. Ask Allah Almighty to grant your children eyes that see value in people, not possessions, and tongues that bring joy, not harm.