THE relationship between mother and daughter is meant to be warm and intimate which portrays friendship, love and security. Mothers and daughters will always have that special bond with one another which should not be taken for granted.

Therefore, mothers and daughters need to spend time and be involved in activities together so as to enhance their relationship. When this happens, they will actually begin to connect in a powerful and healing way. It is also an essential ingredient in family unity.

It is so easy to be caught up by the busy schedules of career and home that we overlook the importance of bonding, nurturing and imparting our values and beliefs to our children. As for mothers putting aside time just to connect with daughters – this is even less thought of and is rarely put into practice, especially in Asian families.

Focus on the Family Malaysia (FOFM) organised its pilot Mother Daughter Connection seminar on March 28–29 at the GoldCourse Hotel, Klang. Some of our objectives included helping mother and daughter to:

• Understand one another
• Build a life-long bond
• Encourage one another
• Have a special time together

It was an overnight event that provided a platform for the special relationship between mother and daughter to be developed and enhanced. There were opportunities to affirm, encourage and motivate one another as mother and daughter.

Facilitators for the event were Mrs Tan Ah Eng, Mrs Lee Swee Choo and Mrs Sally Sinniah. They helped the participants navigate the special challenges and joy of raising a daughter through practical insights and creative activities to discover ways in making powerful connections for a life-long bond. Forty pairs of mothers and daughters not only had a good and special time together, but they were also positively touched and encouraged.

Some of the activities which were organised for the participants were:

• Beauty and Beads, when they work together to string a chain of beads for each other
• Flowers and Friendship, when they cooperate to decorate a photo frame. This is then used for a photograph of mother and daughter taken during a special dinner prepared for two
• Media and Music, when they attend a talk to create awareness of the impact of music on young girls. Then they are given lyrics of some pop songs to discuss whether they are healthy or unhealthy to young minds.

Samples of feedback from the participants:

Sally L : ‘I’ve learned to hug my daughter.’

Jackie: ‘Glad I came. It’s God’s blessing. Thank you, Focus on the Family. I’ll tell my friends about this. Should organise event for daughters aged 15–18 years too.’

Suzannah: ‘This event has been very encouraging. It helps us to overcome our shortcomings and not look at one another’s weaknesses.’

Zoe: ‘Love is unconditional. I love you, Mum, and I hope you love me for who I am.’

Yen Yen: ‘Glad I came to the seminar. Learn to listen properly and not ‘pretend to listen.’ Love you, Mum.

Trina Teoh: ‘This special weekend is the best weekend I’ve spent with my mother.’

It is a privilege for FOFM to initiate the process of bonding and connecting between mothers and daughters. However, this is an on-going process and we must work at it to build a life-long bond. – Report submitted by FOFM