Patience and Compassion

Our Beloved Prophet (pbuh) has been known to give importance to children from an early age and taking them under his wing and treating them as an equal to his other companions. Anas Ibn Malik (RA) was presented to serve the Prophet (pbuh) by his mother at an early age, and if we read on the manner of the Prophet (pbuh) in his dealings with Anas Ibn Malik (RA) we will learn a lot about how we as parents and care-givers should treat the ones under us. 

Volume 008, Book 073, Hadith Number 064.

Narated By Anas : I served the Prophet for ten years, and he never said to me, "Uf" (a minor harsh word denoting impatience) and never blamed me by saying, "Why did you do so or why didn't you do so?"

This is a reminder for me more than anyone else. How many times have we become frustrated and impatient when our child doesn't carry out what we've asked them to do, even if it be something as simple as fetching something for us. How easy is it for us to lose our temper and show our frustration outwardly and reprimand them?  

InshaAllah I hope that from now on I can learn to be more patient, forgiving and compassionate towards the young ones.