Celebrating pillars of strength with our moms

Celebrating Mother’s Day at school helps children express gratitude and love for their mothers while fostering emotional development. It instils values like respect, empathy, and appreciation by creating a meaningful bond between the home and school through thoughtful activities and heartfelt tributes. Keeping this in focus, Apeejay School, Panchsheel Park, celebrated Mother’s Day.

Dr Varsha Mahadik, a Consultant Psychiatrist and Founder of The Lifestyle Clinic, attended the event as a special guest. Present on the occasion were the Principal of the school, Ms Surabhi Joshi, Vice-principal, Ms Vandana Bansal, Primary In-charge, Ms Rachna Jain, teachers and students.

The stars for the occasion were the mothers of students of Class 1 (all sections). They were dressed in their finest attire, embodying the retro and floral dress code. With hearts full of love and gratitude, the school warmly welcomed Principal Ms Surabhi Joshi, Vice-Principal Ms Vandana Bansal, teachers, special guest Dr Mahadik, students, and most importantly, the wonderful mothers. The celebration of Mother’s Day was filled with laughter, joy, and enthusiasm—a tribute to the queen of every heart. Students from Class II began the event with a soulful invocation.

The celebration honoured mothers as first teachers, lifelong supporters, and community leaders. The school reaffirmed its commitment to working hand-in-hand with parents, recognising parenting as a shared journey. A reminder echoed — motherhood deserves to be celebrated every day.

Reflecting this spirit, Dr Mahadik was invited to lead an insightful and inspiring session. “Firstly, I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to Principal ma’am, Vice-principal ma’am and the entire team of Apeejay School for organising this wonderful event for all the mothers. Today, I’d like to speak about how we, as mothers, can nurture both our careers and our families with confidence and care,” she said.

Dr Mahadik shared that motherhood is a deeply transformative journey—physically, emotionally, and spiritually.hile it brings renewed purpose, it can also lead to identity shifts and emotional challenges. Whether a working professional or a stay-at-home mother, guilt, stress, and societal pressure often accompany the role. She emphasised the importance of mindfulness — being present in the moment while eating, walking, or simply breathing — to manage daily stress.

Time management, she noted, is equally crucial. Using tools like the Eisenhower Matrix can help prioritise tasks, delegate effectively, and minimise distractions such as excessive screen time. She reminded mothers, who are digital immigrants, to provide their children with monitored screen time and establish healthy boundaries as children grow up as digital natives.

Dr Mahadik also introduced visual imagery as a coping technique, where imagining a peaceful space can quickly restore emotional balance. She stressed the importance of sleep hygiene, regular bedtimes, limiting naps, and reducing screen use at night. A video on delayed gratification illustrated how patience in childhood leads to long-term success.

She advocated for democratic parenting, marked by communication and mutual respect. “Avoid helicopter parenting; let children learn through experience,” she advised. Most importantly, she urged mothers to serve as role models, dedicate 15 minutes each day to self-care, and have faith in their strength — because mothers truly can achieve the impossible.

Speaking at the event, Ms Joshi said, “Happy Mother’s Day to all! Every day is Mother’s Day, for mothers nurture from dawn to dusk. Over time, the image of a mother has evolved—from the sacrificial figure of Mother India to today’s joyful, empowered woman who balances family and personal fulfilment. Mothers need to prioritise themselves — pursue a hobby, practice mindfulness, or simply spend 30 minutes doing nothing. When a mother is content, her joy radiates to those around her. A happy, fulfilled mother builds a loving, resilient home. Keep smiling, living fully, and spreading happiness.”

The audience was treated to a heartwarming and emotional experience as they were invited to witness a beautiful celebration of motherhood. Mothers were asked to hold their hearts for a priceless surprise that awaited them. What followed was more than just a video—it was a touching presentation of love, laughter, and affection. The little stars, their children, had poured their hearts into special performances dedicated to their first teacher, forever friend, and biggest cheerleader—their mom.

Following the performances, it was time for the much-anticipated fun segment. The mothers of Class I-A kicked off the festivities with the classic game of Passing the Cushion. Standing in a semicircle, they passed the cushion until the music stopped — bringing out cheers and laughter.

Next up, the mothers of Class I-B participated in a Balloon Dance race. Paired together with a balloon between them, they danced from point A to B and back, cheered on enthusiastically by their children.

Class I-C mothers played Musical Hugs. Dancing to music, they had to hug a new mother each time it stopped — without repeating papartners, based on the number announced. The fast-paced game was full of joy and excitement.

Finally, the mothers of Class I-D embraced the Newspaper Dance Challenge. As the music played, they danced on a newspaper, folding it in half with each round. The challenge sparked laughter and fun as they tried to balance and stay in the game.

All the segments ended with winners from each class and memories to cherish. The Principal, Vice-principal, and Primary In-charge were called upon the stage to give away the prizes to all the winners!

Several mothers enthusiastically shared their experiences from the Mother’s Day celebration.

Priya, whose child studies in Class I-A, expressed her delight, calling the event “amazing” and appreciating how well-organised and joyful it was. She particularly enjoyed the Passing the Cushion game, which brought plenty of laughter and bonding among the mothers.

Another mother highlighted the Ramp Walk as the most memorable part, saying it made her feel confident and celebrated. Rajvinder Kaur, the mother of a Class I-C student, said it was her first time attending such a programme and found it heartwarming. She was especially moved by how the children expressed gratitude towards their mothers.

A mother, Farha, mentioned she loved being invited to dress up, something rare in her routine, and truly enjoyed the Balloon Dance. Echoing her thoughts, another mother appreciated the fun retro dress code, sharing how the Balloon Dance and Ramp Walk were her favourite moments of the day.

The event ended with a heartfelt thank you to all the mothers for their presence, enthusiasm, and for making the celebration truly memorable.