The Question That Made Me Pause
Janat Yahaya Naggolola – Parenting Coach
Assalam alaykum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh
It was one of those peaceful afternoons when everything seemed ordinary. The car glided through the familiar road, the soft hum of the engine filling the silence. A mother drove quietly as her daughter sat behind her, watching the world pass by through the window. Then, in her calm and thoughtful tone, the little girl asked,
“Mummy, lwaki tosobola kugenda mu supermarket nga Daddy mwali mu motoka?”
(“Mummy, why don’t you go to the supermarket when Daddy is in the car?”)
Her question caught the mother off guard. It was not the kind that demanded a serious answer, yet it lingered. She found herself reflecting not only on the question but on the depth of observation behind it. The child was right. She had not realized it, but they did pass by the supermarket more often when her husband was around than when she was driving alone.
The mother smiled and gently reminded her daughter of the times they had stopped by themselves, those little bread runs, those unplanned moments when she just needed a few things.
The girl nodded, only half convinced. But her expression said it all. She had noticed.
That single question carried a quiet lesson, one that did not end when the conversation did.
As parents, we often assume we are the ones shaping our children’s understanding of life. Yet, moments like this remind us that our children are also shaping us.
Their observations, their innocent questions, and their fresh ways of seeing the world often reveal things we miss in our busyness.
The mother later realized that her daughter’s words had reminded her of the quiet power of mindfulness in parenting.
Children notice patterns, habits, and inconsistencies, not to judge, but to understand. They watch the rhythm of our lives, the way we act when no one is watching, and how we respond in small everyday moments.
In truth, their curiosity is a mirror that reflects our behaviour back to us. It humbles us, teaches us, and sometimes even reforms us.
That afternoon became a moment of profound realization. Parenting is not just about guidance; it is about growth. Our children become the gentle voice of reflection Allah places in our lives to keep us aware, grounded, and sincere.
“And He it is Who has made you successors upon the earth and raised some of you above others in rank, that He may test you through what He has given you.” (Surah Al-An‘am, 6:165)
Indeed, our children are part of that divine test, a sacred trust, an amanah we must nurture with honesty, patience, and awareness. Through them, Allah refines us. Their questions awaken our conscience, and their faith in us reminds us to live faithfully before Allah.
Later that evening, the mother reflected once more on her daughter’s words.
The question had not been meant to challenge; it had come from pure curiosity.
Yet, in that curiosity lay a silent invitation to grow, to pause, and to see life through the eyes of innocence.
Sometimes, it takes a child’s simple question to make a parent realize how much they still have to learn about awareness, consistency, and presence.
Parenting is not a one-way street. It is a sacred exchange of growth between souls, one learning how to lead and the other teaching how to love.
Our children do not just watch what we do; they absorb who we are.
In their innocent questions lies Allah’s way of guiding us toward becoming better parents, better believers, and better human beings.
“Our children are the mirrors through which Allah reminds us of our accountability, a reflection of what we plant, nurture, and silently become.”
Takeaways:
- Children notice everything.
Even when we think they are not paying attention, they are learning from our habits, consistency, and choices.
- Every question is a teaching moment.
Use your child’s curiosity as a doorway for connection, honesty, and gentle reflection.
- Parenting is a mirror of faith.
When we are mindful of our behaviour before our children, we are also mindful before Allah, who entrusted us with their upbringing.
PS: I am a Certified Parenting Coach and Character Development Expert dedicated to equipping parents with practical tools for faith-based leadership, moral upbringing, and wellness.
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