Parenting Perspective 

Explain the Importance of Responsibility 

Teaching your child to take responsibility for their actions is an essential life skill that helps them to develop accountability, integrity, and maturity. You can start by explaining the importance of taking responsibility and how it is an essential part of personal growth. You could say, ‘When we make a mistake, it is important to admit it and to take responsibility for it. That is how we learn and grow.’ 

Help Them Understand the Consequences 

When your child makes a mistake, help them to understand the consequences of their actions. For example, if they forget to do their chores or they break something by accident, calmly explain what has happened and how it affects others. You might say, ‘By not doing your chores, it affects the whole family because we all need to contribute. Let us work together to fix it.’ 

Encourage Making Amends 

Encourage your child to apologise and to make amends when they have done something wrong. Teach them that taking responsibility includes not only acknowledging the mistake but also taking steps to make it right. For example, if they have hurt a sibling, you can guide them in offering a sincere apology and finding a way to restore harmony, such as by sharing or helping their sibling. Praise your child when they take responsibility for their actions, even if the outcome is not perfect. 

Spiritual Insight 

In Islam, taking responsibility for one’s actions is a key part of being a responsible and ethical individual. Allah Almighty teaches us in the noble Quran at Surah Al Baqarah (2), Verse 286: 

‘Allah (Almighty) does not place any burden on any human being except that which is within his capacity…’ 

This verse reminds us that we are responsible for our actions and the choices we make, but Allah has also given us the strength to handle the consequences and to learn from them. 

The holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ also emphasised the importance of personal responsibility. It is recorded in Sahih Bukhari, Hadith 3587, that the holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ stated: 

‘The best of you are those who are the best to their families.’ 

This Hadith teaches us that responsibility begins at home and extends to all aspects of life. By teaching your child to take responsibility for their actions, you are helping them to align their behaviour with the Islamic values of accountability, integrity, and self-improvement.