A mother is hugging her son to thank him for bathing her feet. (Photo by Lim Swan Chow)
“Electrifyingly surprising and powerful” was what Chee Chen Sin felt when his children bathed his feet and massaged him. He was elated and touched beyond words.
Adding on, Chee Chen Sin said, “I seldom have physical contact with my children during ordinary days. I am extremely grateful to have the chance to enjoy a foot massage from my kids. Opportunities like these are hard to come by.”
In the morning of 2 May 2022, sounds of laughter from Jing Si Hall could be heard with the chirping sounds of birds outside the premise. A photo booth was set up on the hall's first floor for the event. Several youths and their parents were seen seizing the opportunity to take their photos with photo frames made from recycled materials. On this long-awaited day, everyone was beaming with smiles and in anticipation of the multitude of activities that were planned in conjunction with Parents’ Month.
Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, 112 students from Tzu Chi Teenagers’ Class (a.k.a. Tzu Shao) had not been able to attend mass activities in person. After two years, the Tzu Shaos and their family members could finally gather at Jing Si Hall to attend this in-person event in conjunction with Parents’ Month. Activities meticulously planned by Tzu Ching included a foot bath and massage session, making of thank you cards, and also various performances, all with the aim of letting Tzu Shaos express their love for their parents.
Conveying Heartfelt Feelings through Parent-Child Bonding
“Does your child prefer eating spicy or non-spicy food?”
In the games segment helmed by Tzu Ching, icebreaker questions like these helped to liven up the atmosphere. The seemingly simple questions prompted parents to set aside their disciplinarian roles and reflect on whether they know their children well enough.
The second activity of the segment was Charades, where the parents and their children have to guess the words given through their actions, hence requiring teamwork.
Activities such as charades have helped improve the participants' parent-child bonding. (Photo by Lim Swan Chow)
In the next segment, the parents were separated from the Tzu Shaos and followed the facilitators to the multi-purpose room on the first floor. In the room, they watched videos pre-recorded by their children. The children’s loving words signified the importance of their parents in their lives as parents serve a pivotal role in a child’s development through their words and actions.
13-year-old Tzu Shao Liu Xuan Yi expressed his gratitude for living a comfortable and happy life and thanked his parents for their unwavering support and care thus far. The parents were deeply touched by their children’s efforts and shared tips on how they can support their child’s growth by befriending them.
Parents gather in a different classroom to share and exchange views on parenting. (Photo by Chong Mong Zhuang)
Expressing Gratitude through Foot Bathing and Massage
While the parents were exchanging parenting tips, the Tzu Shaos were intensely preparing for the next segment - foot bath and massage for their parents.
Due to the prevailing restrictions, the usual tea ceremony could not be held this year. Despite this, the Tzu Shao planned the foot bath and massage segment to have deeper interactions with their parents.
Under the guidance of Tzu Chings, Tzu Shaos pair up to learn massage techniques within a short period. (Photo by Lim Swan Chow)
Under the guidance of Tzu Chings, Tzu Shaos paired up to learn massage techniques prior to the session. Although it was the first time learning massaging for many of them, they were keen learners who quickly picked up important concepts such as acupuncture points.
After the preparations were done, the song “Kneeling Lamb” was played as the background music in the hall. Under the emcee’s command, Tzu Shaos walked toward their parents, presented their handmade cards, bowed, and kneeled to wash and massage their parents’ feet. The Tzu Shaos cut no corners in doing so, applying the techniques that they have just learnt.
Through this session, not only did the parents relax and enjoy the massage, they also felt the sincerity of their children.
(Photo by Lim Swan Chow)
The parents’ joy is written all over their faces as they enjoy the “5-star service” by their children. (Photo by Lim Swan Chow)
Through the session, Chee Chen Sin (middle) relishes the rare opportunity he has to spend time with his children. (Photo by Lim Swan Chow)
Tan See Chok (second from right) experiencing a massage session given by his son Tan Hong Zhi (left) for the first time. (Photo by Lim Swan Chow)
Tan See Chok mentioned that the Teenagers’ Class would have tea ceremonies in the past. This was his first time experiencing such a massage, and he was really appreciative of his son’s efforts.
Many parents and facilitators took out their phones to capture these touching and precious moments. After the session, many parents hugged their children to convey their love and gratitude.
These touching moments are truly memorable for the participants. (Photo by Lim Swan Chow)
Presenting ‘the Most Beautiful Smile’ with their Sincerity
Using sign language, Tzu Shaos performed for their parents to convey their heartfelt gratitude for their parents’ efforts in bringing them up.
Despite having PSLE coming up, Tzu Shao Phoon Yi Xin still took part in the activities proactively. She mentioned that in the past, Parents’ Day activities in kindergarten did not really feel like much to her, but now she has grown to cherish her parents’ love and is better able to thank them for their efforts. Her mother, Lee Yuen Kuan, also expressed how she was happy that her daughter took the lead in coordinating the sign language performance despite not having prior experience. She hoped this would be a good start for her personal growth.
Parents take photos of their children performing, hoping to capture the precious moment. (Photo by Chong Mong Zhuang)
Towards the end of the session, Tzu Chings performed “The Most Beautiful Smile” using sign language to convey their blessings for the series of activities held in conjunction with Parents’ Month. Being grateful for one’s parents is the start of planting seeds of kindness in one’s mind. Being filial to our parents is the key to attaining happiness. With the activities held, the organisers hope the parents and children can feel each other’s love and continue fostering this valuable bond in their daily lives.
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