Parenting Perspective 

When an item breaks—be it a cup, a toy, or a sibling’s possession—it presents a powerful opportunity for teaching empathy and responsibility. A child’s immediate reaction is often fear or guilt; a parent’s is frequently frustration. 

Turning Accidents into Connection 

Instead of reacting with anger, focus on what can be learned. Replace reactive questions like ‘Why did you do that?’ with calm, constructive statements such as ‘It broke; let us see how we can fix it together.’ This small linguistic shift removes any sense of shame and replaces it with belonging and problem-solving. The child feels guided, not blamed, learning that mistakes do not end love or respect. This process is crucial because it ensures that care is the primary lesson. 

Building the Habit of Repair 

Invite your child to actively join you in fixing the damaged item. Whether you are gluing a toy, cleaning a significant spill, or replacing a broken plate, transform the repair into an act of care rather than a punishment. 

Explain the spiritual principle gently: ‘Allah Almighty loves those who take care of what they are given. When we fix something, we are showing respect for His blessings.’ Allow your child to participate by holding the glue, wiping the surface, or helping to find replacement parts. This hands-on process builds: 

• Patience 

• Attention to detail 

• Responsibility 

It also reinforces that repair is a moral act, not simply a technical task. 

Modelling Calm and Responsibility 

Children absorb the tone of your reaction far more than they absorb your words. By remaining calm and constructive, you demonstrate what mature responsibility looks like. 

Even when something is irreparable, model acceptance: clean up together, say Alhamdulillah that no one was hurt, and remind them, ‘We can always make things right in some way.’ This teaches emotional regulation and problem-solving under pressure, which are critical life skills. When they see you treat accidents as opportunities to mend, they learn that care is shown through constructive action. 

Creating a Family Culture of Care 

Make repair an integral part of your home’s rhythm. 

• Set aside a small ‘fix-it box’ for broken items and use it as a symbol of renewal. 

• Involve all children, assigning tasks suited to their ages. 

Through repetition, children internalise that caring for things and people goes hand in hand. This mindset will naturally extend to their relationships, as they learn to mend words and emotions, not just objects. A family that fixes together grows together in patience, gratitude, and unity. 

Spiritual Insight 

The act of repairing a broken item with your child perfectly mirrors the Islamic principle of islah—restoring harmony and goodness. 

Quranic Guidance: Restoring Harmony and Doing Good 

Allah Almighty states in the noble Quran at Surah Al Hujuraat (49), Verse 10: 

‘Indeed, the believers are brothers (to each other); so, make peace with your brothers; and seek piety from Allah (Almighty) so that you may receive His Mercy.’ 

While this verse primarily commands reconciliation between people, its spirit applies directly to the act of repairing—to restore harmony where something has been broken. When you fix something with your child instead of scolding them, you embody this Quranic principle of islah—making things right. You are showing that faith is not limited to rituals, but extends to how we heal what has been damaged. The message for your child becomes clear: every act of restoration, no matter how small, reflects the mercy Allah Almighty loves to see in His servants. 

Prophetic Guidance: The Sunnah of Responsibility and Gentleness 

The Sunnah of the holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ emphasises mutual care and support, which is reflected in cooperative repair. 

It is recorded in Sahih Muslim, Hadith 2593, that the holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: 

‘A Muslim is the brother of another Muslim; he does not oppress him, nor does he abandon him, nor does he despise him. Whoever fulfils the needs of his brother, Allah will fulfil his needs.’ 

This Hadith connects directly to the spirit of your question. When you fix something together, you are fulfilling a small emotional need of your child after an accident. It mirrors the Prophet’s $ﷺ$ teaching of mutual care. Instead of focusing on fault, you are focusing on fulfilment—meeting the practical and emotional need to make things right. This is how the Sunnah becomes lived—through actions that embody gentleness, responsibility, and cooperation. 

Integrating Faith into Everyday Repair 

In Islam, islah (restoring goodness) is a continuous spiritual practice. Every act of repair, whether emotional or physical, becomes a form of worship when performed with sincere intention. 

When you say to your child, ‘We fix what we can, and we forgive what we cannot,’ you are teaching them that mercy, patience, and effort are the core of faith. Over time, your child learns that accidents are not about shame or loss, but about renewal and care. Through your calm modelling, they witness that believers do not give up when things break; they rebuild, together, with love and with the consciousness of Allah Almighty.