Brac TARA breaks stigmas with Parenting: A Shared Journey of Partnership

In a culture where speaking openly about personal struggles is taboo, the silent burdens of parenthood are frequently swept under the rug. Perhaps the heaviest weight parents carry is that silence itself.

That's why, on 17 May, when the seats at Brac Bank Head Office were filled with parents, everyone seemed to be sitting straight with a look that said, "Yes, I have been through that too." After all, the gathering was dedicated to them, parents, and uncovering those silent struggles while offering practical solutions. 

On Mother's Day, Brac Bank TARA presented the event 'Parenting: A Shared Journey of Partnership', which focused on the changing dynamics of modern parenthood and highlighted the crucial bond between partners.

The event welcomed diverse voices that offered perspectives on parenthood, including professionals, parents, and changemakers. It also provided different segments, addressing physical and mental health.

The mental health organisation conducted the first session, 'Moner Bondhu', led by founder Tawhida Shiropa and lead psychosocial counsellor Kazi Rumana Haque. 

Focused on wellness, the session provided valuable insights into parenthood, emphasising the importance of communication and emotional support for parents. 

The most insightful part of the session was when the mic was turned to the audience, encouraging both mothers and fathers to share their challenges of parenthood. 

One audience member gave a heartfelt speech, thanking mothers for their crucial role in parenting. He further contemplated mothers' unique challenges today: "I feel like the challenges for mothers have increased. As children get more involved in extracurricular activities, mothers are the ones who take the time to be there for them."

The session also raised awareness about postpartum depression. Oftentimes, this concept is shrouded in mystery, undermined by statements such as, "mothers just change after giving birth, it is normal." 

However, the generalisation of it dehumanises mothers' struggles, and Shiropa emphasises that while it might be a natural part of parenthood, it is still a very real struggle. 

"The journey of motherhood is beautiful, but women also go through depression, even up to two to three years into their journey. This is why we need to notice the changes instead of questioning them. New mothers go through drastic life changes from lack of sleep to a shift in family dynamics," commented Shiropa.

Rumana adds to this, "Mothers are not the only ones who face postpartum depression. Recent studies have shown that fathers go through it as well."

Alongside the mental aspect, the hosts made it a point to highlight the importance of physical health. They had called upon the room to stand, dance, and stretch while a fun track played, bringing out the inner child of everyone in the room. 

However, mental and physical well-being requires much more than just panel discussions; it requires a space for individuals to grow and pursue their passions and hobbies. Many parents welcome the new shift in their lives with open arms, but soon after, forget about the little things outside of parenthood that brought them joy.

This is where Arthy Ahmed Dance Academy walks in with a refreshing dance performance. This performance is so powerful because the entire ensemble consisted of mothers who took the time out of their busy schedules to pursue their passion for dance. As the performance ended, they were met with the loudest round of applause of the evening. 

The night concluded with a dynamic panel discussion featuring Ishrat Jahan, Head of Cards, Bonds, and Custodial Operations at BRAC Bank; Sabrina Shaheed, Principal of Sir John Wilson School; and Kashef Rahman, Founder of ShareTrip, moderated by Kazi Rumana Haque. 

The panel discussion essentially brought together parents from corporate careers to dialogue on how to effect change for children, the individuals who ultimately benefit from the healthy partnership of parents.

Having Sabrina Shaheed on the panel made the conversation particularly interesting. She shared how schools take care of children, their "second home," as she calls it. 

"The second community children interact with the most is their school. Many struggle to understand the new generation, but in honesty, changes from generation to generation are normal, that's the nature of our world," Shaheed shares.

She further elaborates on how the overwhelming amount of information students have access to has its positive side, but can also be misused.

"We have also cocooned ourselves, and the problems that have arisen among children, such as security issues, anxiety, depression, and over-exhaustion, are all related to different aspects of society. Perhaps the problem isn't of their generation, but our expectations as parents," she concludes. 

The event was a true step towards breaking a stigma society has gripped onto for far too long by bringing forth dialogues and perspectives from experts who have all personally experienced the perils of parenthood.