The Hand That Does It All

Amma! The word itself resonates with a deep, universal connection. She is the lifeline to a toddler, the favourite playmate of a child, the annoying rival of a teenager, and the anchor of an adult—leaving behind nostalgic memories for every human being. Yet, almost all of us pass through that inevitable teenage phase where we see her as our arch-enemy.

Teenage is not a phase of logic or reason. It is a time of surging energy and bottled-up emotions. Mothers of teenagers are often perceived as controlling, while the sacrifices they make quietly go unnoticed. Raised voices, slammed doors, stomping feet, and angry expressions become an everyday routine in homes with adolescents. Many mothers, silently and patiently, become emotional punchbags during these turbulent years. For every slammed door, there was a mother waiting on the other side—with hope, which the teenager does not understand – yet!

The struggle is even more profound for mothers in Bala Mandir’s Kinship Care Programme, who are single mothers and have lost their husbands to sudden tragedies. The programme supports children who have lost one or both parents, ensuring they receive quality education without losing the essence of family through kinship and kith. For these mothers, their children are not just family—they are their sole lifeline to the future.

Though children may understand the trauma their mothers have endured, the rebellious nature of adolescence often leads them to act out. What if children are helped to understand their mothers before it is too late? What if they are guided to imagine a life without her? These questions formed the core essence of one of the Self-Worth Journaling Programme’s objectives – ‘Sense of Contribution’.

The Self-Worth Journaling Programme is conducted for children from Class 9 in the Kinship Care Programme. The Self Worth Journal aims to build confidence, self-awareness, and a positive self-image. Through multiple objectives, the journal nurtures resilience, empathy, and gratitude.

While working on the ‘Sense of Contribution’ objective, children brainstormed ways they could contribute to society, school, and most importantly, their homes. As part of an activity, they were asked to imagine a life without their mother. What would life be like without the one person who does everything for us? What began as a simple exercise soon turned into an emotional journey. Some children shared openly; others struggled to find words. Eventually, they were encouraged to share these reflections with their mothers.

Through this activity, children began to recognise the unseen and unspoken burdens their mothers carry every single day. They realised that mothers are rarely thanked for simply being mothers. And while mothers may never expect gratitude, the children discovered that appreciation can be expressed through simple actions. One child decided to wash his own plate daily, another chose to clean her shelf, while another took up sweeping the house.

The Self-Worth Journal helped children see the invisible labour of love their mothers perform each day. Through small but meaningful gestures, they chose to thank the women who give endlessly—expecting nothing in return—by developing their own sense of responsibility and contribution. In doing so, they offered a helping hand to the hands that guide, protect, and love them. After all, gratitude doesn’t begin with words but with understanding!