TEN THINGS YOU MUST NOT DO WITH YOUR CHILD 1. Screaming Some say its worst than beating, and leaves one with long-term mental and emotional scars. Remember, the Prophet # never raised his voice on a #child, women, a friend or otherwise. 2. Blaming Blaming weakens relations, lowers self-esteem and prompts children to be on the defense, even when they haven't done something wrong. Anas b. Malik, then a 10 year old child, said: “I served the Prophet #% for nine years. He never said about anything | did, why | did that, or about anything | didn’t do, why didn’t you.” 3. Nonstop Orders Orders and instructions, without without first convincing or persuading, turn the child into a robot and this is not healthy. When growing up, they blindly emulate and obey any authority, regardless of its values. 4. Threatening Threatening is used because it's a quick fix for resistance, but not a solution in the long run. Any attitude driven by [just] fear is hypocritical, and does not indicate real change. 5. Sarcasm Making fun of a child is an unacceptable behavior in Islam: “O you who believe let not a group scoff at another group... “(49:11). Mocking a child hurts their sense of worth and self-esteem. 6. Cursing Cursing teaches the child cursing, which he will use against others, including relatives, friends and parents. The hadith says: “A believer is never a defamer nor a curser nor coarse nor obscene.” 7. Comparing Never compare your child to anyone, especially siblings. Comparing creates jealousy, anger and [puts them] on the defense. 8 Continuous Advising