Parenting Perspective 

Weekly check-ins are a powerful way to stay connected with your child, but the focus of these conversations is crucial. Many parents concentrate solely on external achievements, such as grades, completed tasks, or progress in sports, which can unintentionally heighten a child’s sense of pressure. A truly supportive check-in balances any discussion of successes with a clear emphasis on emotional security, resilience, and overall wellbeing. 

Structure the Check-In Around Feelings 

Instead of only asking about their accomplishments, you can open the conversation with questions that explore their emotional world. For example: 

• ‘What was a moment that made you feel proud or happy this week?’ 

• ‘Was there anything that felt stressful or confusing for you?’ 

• ‘Did you feel safe and supported by your friends or teachers?’ 

This approach signals to your child that their emotional state is just as important to you as their results, which helps to foster deeper trust and openness. 

Celebrate Effort and Coping Skills 

Acknowledging your child’s effort, rather than focusing only on the outcome, is a powerful way to build their internal security. 

• Praise their persistence, problem-solving skills, or emotional regulation: ‘I noticed how well you handled that tricky group project with your friends.’ 

• Recognise the small wins, such as how they managed their stress, made a kind choice, or stood up for themselves. 

• Use reflective prompts to build their self-awareness: ‘How did you take care of yourself when things felt a bit hard today?’ 

Combine Check-Ins with Gentle Goal Setting 

You can gently explore the week ahead while keeping the conversation grounded in a sense of security and support. 

• Ask your child what they might want to focus on emotionally, socially, or spiritually, not just academically. 

• Help them to identify any potential stress points in the coming week and brainstorm some coping strategies together. 

• It is important to keep the tone collaborative; this should be a shared conversation, not a performance review. 

A weekly check-in designed in this way nurtures a sense of psychological safety, reinforces the idea that all emotions are valid, and encourages resilience. Through this practice, children learn that their home is a secure space where they are valued for who they are, not just for what they achieve. 

Spiritual Insight 

Islam encourages regular reflection on both our external actions and our inner states, with an emphasis on the mindfulness of Allah Almighty, which fosters security in the heart. Just as a weekly check-in can build emotional safety for a child, the remembrance of Allah and reliance upon Him is what anchors a believer’s heart amid the pressures of life. 

Allah Almighty states in the noble Quran at Surah Al Hashar (59), Verses 18: 

‘All those of you who are believers, seek piety from Allah (Almighty); and let every person anticipate (the consequences of) what they have sent forth (in the Hereafter) for the next day…’ 

This verse reminds us of the importance of regular self-reflection and accountability. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ also taught that a strong believer is more beloved to Allah. 

It is recorded in Sahih Muslim, 2664, that the holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: 

‘A strong believer is better and more beloved to Allah than a weak believer, although there is good in both.’ 

Through consistent weekly reflection on feelings, coping mechanisms, and spiritual awareness, parents can help their children to cultivate inner strength, a profound sense of security, and a quiet confidence that the guidance of Allah Almighty is ever-present. This reinforces the vital lesson that their emotional wellbeing and their faith are just as essential as their external achievements.