How do I teach my children contentment in a world full of temptations to buy?

Children learn contentment (qana'ah) not from lectures, but from seeing parents who are grateful and do not buy every want. Explain the difference between needs and wants in simple language while shopping. Do not replace love with things; give time, not money. Involve them in giving charity so their hearts taste the joy of giving. Avoid promising expensive rewards for every small achievement. Teach them to say ‘alhamdulillah’ for what they have before asking for more. Children used to gratitude grow into adults who are not enslaved by their wants. See educating the family.

← PreviousI feel inferior seeing other people's luxuries on social media. How do I overcome this?Next →How can husband and wife cultivate gratitude as a shared daily practice?

Related questions

How do we nurture contentment in a household that lives modestly?Contentment makes a modest home feel spacious, while greed makes even a luxurious one feel cramped. Allah praises thos…I am a wife who feels not pretty enough compared with other women my husband sees. What can I do?Your worth in the sight of Allah and in your marriage is not measured by comparing your looks with other women. Comparisons…As head of the family, how do I make sure I am fair between my children?Fairness between children is part of the trust of leadership, and children are very sensitive to favouritism. The P…How do I teach my children not to criticise food and to appreciate blessings at home?The Prophet ﷺ never criticised food; if he liked it he ate it, and if not he left it without disparaging it. Teach y…I realise I shop to soothe an empty or stressed heart. What should I do?Shopping may bring relief for a moment, but an empty heart is never filled with things; it is often topped up w…I already have enough but my heart keeps feeling never satisfied. How do I change this?The feeling of never having enough is a sickness of the heart, not a sign of lacking wealth, and its cure is gratitude tha…

This answer is general reference, not a fatwa. For your situation, consult the religious affairs office, a Syarie lawyer or your state Syariah Court.

Comments or feedback

Read only by the MYPolygyny administrator — never published.

About Us · Ask · Site Map · Privacy · Editorial policy · Disclaimer