Parenting Perspective 

When grandparents bring a child home, that transition can feel emotionally charged. The child is shifting from one caregiving environment to another, and grandparents often have their own routines and energy levels. Meanwhile, the parent may be eager to reconnect or resume structure, which can unintentionally create tension. A smooth handover is less about control and more about emotional coordination, aligning hearts before managing logistics. 

Anticipate the Transition Before It Happens 

Children regulate best when transitions are predictable. Before the handover, prepare your child gently: ‘After your playtime with Nana, you will come home, and we will have dinner together’. This anchors the idea of a sequence, that fun time with grandparents naturally flows into comfort time with parents. Likewise, communicate with grandparents about what helps your child transition smoothly, such as a short goodbye rather than a drawn-out farewell. These small pre-agreements prevent confusion and emotional whiplash. 

Welcome Connection Before Correction 

When your child walks through the door, resist the urge to jump straight into reminders or routine enforcement. Instead, lead with warmth: ‘I missed you! Did you have fun with Dada and Nani?’. This emotional reconnection acts as a bridge, soothing the child’s nervous system. Once their sense of belonging is restored, they are far more ready to follow directions. The rule is emotional safety first, structure second. 

Honour the Grandparents’ Role 

Grandparents’ ways may differ, perhaps being more indulgent or relaxed, but your response should model gratitude, not criticism. Children sense tension between adults instantly. Express appreciation openly in front of your child: ‘Thank you, Abbu, for bringing her home safely. She always enjoys her time with you’. This creates a tone of respect, reminding your child that family collaboration is rooted in kindness. Later, if routines need tweaking, address them privately, not at the door. 

Create a Gentle Transition Ritual 

Establish a simple reset activity that marks ‘arrival home’. It could be changing into home clothes, lighting a pleasant scent, reciting a short du’a, or sharing a snack together. This predictable ritual signals to the child’s body and mind that one chapter of the day is closing and another is beginning. Over time, this moment of rhythm becomes their internal stabiliser, helping them settle faster, no matter who drops them off. 

Spiritual Insight 

Allah Almighty states in the noble Quran at Surah Al Israa (17), Verse 23: 

‘And your Sustainer has decreed that you do not worship anyone except Him Alone; And (treat) parents favourably; whether one of them or both of them reach old age in your lifetime; then do not say to either of them ‘Uff’ (an expression of disrespectful frustration) and do not  admonish them; and talk to them with kind words.‘ 

This verse is a profound reminder that the presence of grandparents in a child’s life is a mercy from Allah Almighty, a living opportunity to practise respect and gentleness. When parents demonstrate honour and gratitude towards elders, children absorb those values more deeply than through any lecture. The handover from grandparent to parent thus becomes a sacred exchange, rooted in compassion rather than control. 

It is recorded in Sahih Muslim, Hadith 2551, that the holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: 

‘He is not one of us who does not show mercy to our young and respect to our elders.’ 

This Hadith reminds us that smooth transitions are not only behavioural achievements but spiritual practices. To show mercy to the young is to prioritise the child’s emotional ease. To show respect to the elders is to honour the grandparents’ role with dignity. When a parent blends both patience with the child and gratitude to the elders, harmony fills the home. 

By keeping the doorway a space of affection rather than friction, you teach your child that family is built on respect, gratitude, and calm continuity. Every warm greeting and every gentle thank-you becomes an act of faith, strengthening bonds across generations and planting in your child’s heart the timeless Sunnah of mercy and honour.