A workshop titled “The Ties That Matter – Emotional Bonding with Parents” was conducted on July 1, 2025, at Pearl School, Al Dafna- Qatar, for Grade 8 students. The session was led by guest speaker Ms. Delrina Mohta, School Counsellor at Podar Pearl School, Al Meshaf. The session aimed to help students reflect deeply on the importance of their relationship with their parents and understand the emotional value of that bond. Students explored how parents play the roles of caregivers, guides, supporters, and role models-often making unseen sacrifices and offering unconditional love.

During the session, students participated in two core activities designed to build empathy and appreciation. The first activity, “If I Were My Parent…” involved a reflective worksheet where students imagined themselves in their parent’s role for a day. They answered thoughtful questions such as what time their day would start, what responsibilities they would manage, what worries they might have as a parent, and what kind of support they would need. This exercise allowed students to step into their parents’ shoes and gain a new perspective on the emotional and practical demands of parenting.

The second activity involved writing a Gratitude Letter to their parents. Students began with the phrase, “Dear Mom/Dad, I don’t say this enough, but…” and were encouraged to express at least three things they were truly thankful for. Each letter ended with a promise from the student-something meaningful they wanted to commit to doing as a way to strengthen their bond. This simple yet powerful activity helped students articulate unspoken appreciation and reflect on the many ways their parents support them.

The session concluded with a reminder that building strong emotional bonds begins with awareness, empathy, communication, and gratitude. Students were encouraged to carry the lessons of the workshop into their daily lives and to express love and appreciation through both words and actions.