Every child has a unique voice. Some are naturally loud and expressive, while others speak softly but carry deep thoughts within them. My daughter belongs to the second group. She has always been an observer who prefers to understand before she speaks. From a parent’s perspective, it has been heartening to see that gentle voice slowly grows in confidence, compassion, and impact.
She is usually quiet in unfamiliar settings, but when she feels connected to what she is doing, she gradually opens up. Over time, we have learned that confidence does not always appear loudly at the beginning. Sometimes, leadership starts quietly by observing, understanding, and then taking small steps forward.
Rather than pushing her toward one particular path, we try to give her opportunities to explore different interests. From volunteering and sustainability initiatives to singing, drama, and small entrepreneurial experiences, each activity has helped her step out of her comfort zone, meet new people, and express herself in her own way. Purpose-driven activities, especially community involvement and charity initiatives here in the UAE, have made a noticeable difference by helping her understand that making an impact does not always require being outspoken; sometimes, small and consistent actions can be just as powerful.
New opportunities often excite the entire family, whether it is a workshop, competition, or volunteering activity-and we make every effort to take her there. Of course, they also come with adjustments. There are days when schedules overlap, routines get reshuffled, and planned family outings get cancelled. Some days the bread runs out, but she makes it to another event that empowers her. Knowing she is going somewhere that teaches lessons beyond textbooks makes those small inconveniences worthwhile.
As parents, we try not to burden her with pressure but instead support her as she explores different interests at her own pace, ensuring that she maintains a healthy balance between academic responsibilities and extracurricular involvement. Over time, these opportunities have helped her find her voice-not just to speak, but to participate, lead, and contribute in meaningful ways.
Encouraging a quiet child to become impactful is not about making them louder; it is about helping them find purpose. Watching her move from quietly observing the world to becoming an active part of it has been one of the most rewarding parts of our parenting journey.
Aishath Shabana, m/o of Zia Faisal
