The question
I have three children: a girl aged six months and two boys, three and a half and six and a half. We live in the extended family home because of war, without their father. We suffer greatly from criticism, hitting, and insults. My children see bad behaviour and imitate it. They have become unwilling to listen to elders, don't respect them, don't reply to them, and much more I can't mention.
My children are slipping away from me — I can't do anything.
Our answer
May Allah preserve you and bless you. Always remember: what cannot all be reached should not all be left. Set a time each day to gather your children. Occupy them with teaching and with playing tarbawi games that develop their skills. Use our preparatory curriculum; it has ideas that will help. Take care of stories, and build in them a creedal and moral awareness — most importantly, the awareness that makes them discern and not imitate. Yes, it will surely be a difficult matter for you in a contrary environment, but you have no choice: you must exert your effort in correcting them, building their awareness and protection, and disapproving of what you see destroying their character. By Allah's leave things will ease and stabilize and you will become independent with your beautiful family.
Believe me, one hour a day is enough to do much in their little hearts. So persevere and seek help from Allah, and do not despair. Don't forget du'a and persisting in it — there is no power nor strength except by Allah, the Most High, the Magnificent.
May Allah restore you with a mighty restoration and grant you what brings your happiness in this life and the next.
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