Parenting Perspective 

When a child hides unfinished work, whether it is a chore, a school task, or even a promise, it is rarely out of laziness. More often, it is rooted in a mix of fear and pride. Children naturally want to please their parents. They sense the difference between our smile of approval and our sigh of disappointment. If a child has left something incomplete, they may choose to hide it because they fear the reaction more than they value the act of honesty. 

Hiding as a Defence Mechanism 

Psychologically, this behaviour is an early defence mechanism. By covering up, the child protects their self-image and avoids the discomfort of shame. It is important to see that this is not a rejection of responsibility but rather an attempt to preserve dignity. If a child repeatedly feels that mistakes are met with harsh words or visible frustration, hiding becomes their safer option. In other words, hiding unfinished work is not always about the chore, but about how secure the child feels in facing imperfection. 

The Power of Parental Modelling 

Parents can reshape this dynamic by modelling a healthier relationship with errors. When adults openly acknowledge their own small oversights—such as forgetting to put away the keys or leaving the kettle on—it shows children that imperfection is part of life, not a crisis. When a child sees that honesty is welcomed with guidance rather than humiliation, they become less likely to hide. 

A gentle way to redirect this is through conversation that separates the act from the identity. For instance, instead of saying, ‘Why are you always leaving things unfinished?’, one could say, ‘I noticed the table was half wiped. That means the job is still waiting for you. Would you like to finish now or in a few minutes?’ Such phrasing communicates that the task is not a measure of worth but a skill in progress. 

Micro-Action to Try 

Once a week, invite your child to share something they struggled to finish, and respond only with curiosity and support, not correction. Over time, this builds a home environment where honesty feels safer than hiding. 

Spiritual Insight 

Islamic teaching places deep emphasis on integrity and the completion of what one begins. A child hiding unfinished work is, at its heart, a test of trustworthiness. They need to be reminded gently that honesty is more valuable than appearing flawless. 

Allah Almighty states in the noble Quran at Surah Al Baqarah (2), Verse 283: 

‘…And do not conceal any evidence, and whoever conceals (such evidence) then indeed, he is sinful from his heart; and Allah (Almighty) is Omniscient with everything that you do.’ 

Even though this verse speaks about concealing testimony, its spirit extends to all forms of truthfulness. Hiding what is incomplete or pretending that something is done when it is not is a type of concealment. The verse reminds us that the heart suffers when it avoids truth, while openness brings peace. 

It is recorded in Sahih Muslim, Hadith 2607, that the holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: 

‘Truthfulness leads to righteousness, and righteousness leads to Paradise. A man continues to tell the truth until he becomes a truthful person. Falsehood leads to wickedness, and wickedness leads to the Fire. A man may continue to tell lies until he is written before Allah as a liar.’ 

This Hadith is a powerful guide for children. It reframes mistakes not as a disaster but as an opportunity: if they admit the truth, they are building a lifelong identity of honesty, which is far greater than a perfectly wiped table or neatly folded clothes. 

Parents can use this moment to tell children that Allah Almighty values honesty more than polish, and that unfinished work confessed is better than hidden work perfected in secret. With patience and consistent reminders, children will begin to see honesty not as a risk, but as the safest and most noble path.