Tzu Shao Parents' Day: Doing Things We Don't Dare to Do at Home

(Photo by Phang Wei Wan)

In childhood, children are guided by their parents. As they grow older, the roles gradually reverse. How do both children and parents feel about this shift?

In the 2025 Tzu Chi Teenagers’ Class (a.k.a. Tzu Shao Class) Parents’ Day event, the curriculum team specially introduced a truly unique experience. Parents were blindfolded and entrusted to their children to guide them from the first to the second floor without a single spoken word, only with gentle touches and pats.

That activity was a first for the Tzu Shaos and some parents felt a little uneasy, holding on to their children's clothes tightly for reassurance. During the walk, the children broke into giggles when they saw their parents stumbled or went in the wrong direction, yet they remained cautious and attentive, guiding them slowly in the correct direction. Arriving at the destination, the parents removed the blindfolds and revealed their delighted faces filled with big smiles, eager to share their feelings.

During parent-child bonding games, parents shed their reservations and revealed their playful, childlike spirit. (Photo by Fong Kwai Kin)

In today’s fast paced world filled with material abundance, both parents and children face significant pressure from work and school. As a result, communication between parents and children can dwindle, thus special effort is needed to nurture meaningful communication. On 27 April 2025, the Tzu Chi Teenagers’ Class held a Parents’ Day event, giving children the opportunity to express gratitude to their parents. Through activities such as guiding the blindfolded, foot bathing and massage, gifting handmade thank-you cards and sign language performances, the children conveyed warmth and affection instinctively, creating moments of deep emotional connection.

Pressed Flower Art teacher Lee Chia-Ling guided the Tzu Shaos in making thank-you cards and shared the proper etiquette of foot bathing. The children carefully adorned their cards with dried flowers, pasting them meticulously before penning down their heartfelt messages of gratitude to their parents. While the process was filled with jokes and laughter, Tzu Shaos remained very focused, writing down their words of appreciation from the bottom of their hearts.

Once the cards were completed, Lee Chia-Ling gathered the children to demonstrate the etiquette and techniques of foot bathing. She explained, "Foot bathing is a way to express deep love for our parents through the gentle touch of water. She discussed how bathing her father-in-law's feet created closeness and connection between them through physical contact. It is not just an act of kinship, but also a meaningful lesson in acceptance, patience, and responsibility, which are all essential elements for personal growth.

Lee Chia-Ling is a teacher from Tzu Chi Continuing Education Centre, primarily leading the Jing Si Tea Appreciation Class and Pressed Flower Art Class. Although this was her first time teaching foot bathing, she hopes that through this meaningful ritual, the teenage Tzu Shaos can gain a deeper appreciation of the sacrifices made by their parents in raising them.

Lee Chia-Ling, a teacher of Tzu Chi Continuing Education Centre explaining the significance of foot bathing to the Tzu Shaos and demonstrating the techniques. (Photo by Fong Kwai Kin)

Tee Sheue Lam (pictured below) was deeply moved when her four children came together to bathe her feet. She said that although they occasionally bickered at home but they could also unite to show love and concern to her. The heartfelt moment brought her both reassurance and joy.

Her 15-year-old eldest son admitted that he had been rebellious in the past, but he has since come to appreciate the values of having good teachers and company as it inspires him to become a better person. During the holidays, he willingly shared a portion of his earnings with his mother, showing a gesture of gratitude and love. This time, the opportunity to bathe his mother's feet brought him immense joy and bridged the gap of their limited interaction. Her second son also echoed the same sentiment, feeling great warmth through the act.

(Photo by Fong Kwai Kin)

Another father, Tan Chee Han (pictured above) attended the event alone with his three children as his wife was busy with work. His eldest son, still grappling with disappointment over a loss in a recent competition, feared he had let his parents down. So, he penned this guilt on a card, and instead, comforted his father, "Don't be disappointed." Tan Chee Han was deeply moved by his action and was proud that his son has learned to embrace failure, a meaningful step in his personal growth.

(Photo by Phang Wei Wan)

Tan Chee Han remarked that it would be difficult and awkward to have such intimate interactions like foot bathing at home. However, the warm atmosphere created by Tzu Chi made it so natural, unpretentious and touching. When his three children bathed his feet, he initially felt a sense of surreal disbelief, but he gradually felt a glow of warmth, realising the priceless nature of family affection. He said, "The children are learning in Tzu Chi, and we as parents are also growing."

The Tzu Shaos knelt and gently massaged their parents' feet, expressing gratitude in silent reverence. (Photo by Phang Wei Wan)

The closing featured Tzu Shaos standing in front of their parents and performing the song, "Listen to Me Say Thank You" in sign language. Accompanied by the gentle music, the children expressed their deep affection with focused eyes and sincere gestures. The lyrics were simple yet affectionate, touched by the warmth of the moment, the parents' faces lit up with relief and happiness.

(Photo by Phang Wei Wan)

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