ISLAM believes that the family is the cornerstone of the Muslin society and the cause of its continuity. This is why Islam has shown so much concern to preserve the solidarity of the family unit. Raising children properly is one of the reasons that help to create a sound society based on ethics and decorum. This task has become very hard in the last three or four decades after children became addicted to watching T.V, video games and finally the internet that swallows children's time and captures their attention. Parent's role is to attract their children's attention to teach them good manners. One of the mistakes that some parents commit is that they deal with their children as stupid beings that should be spoon-fed or filled with information. They are intelligent beings and parents have to appreciated and respect this fact in order to be able to approach them correctly. Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) stresses in more than one Hadith the importance of the role of parents in bringing up their children properly. He asks parents to pay attention to the age of their children when deciding to choose the best way to deal with them: at a certain age it is important to be strict with them, but when they become teenagers, it is of prime importance to befriend them to be able to approach their world. Some parents believe that toughness is the best way to raise their children which is totally wrong. Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) used to share the fun and light momentswith his grandchildren making them enjoy their time with him. The final advice that can be given in this respect is a Qur'anic one,” Let those (disposing of an estate) have the same fear in their minds as they would have for their own if they had left a helpless family behind: Let them fear Allah, and speak words of appropriate (comfort).” (Qur'an, 4:9) One important fact that has to be stressed in this respect is that the father's role is as important as that of the mother because some parents believe that their role consists of earning money and providing the basic necessities of life to their family. They believe that it is the mother's business to raise children, but this is not true at all. Islam addresses both parents as being responsible for bringing up their children and teaching them the noble values of Islam. __
