Parenting can often feel isolating. Oftentimes, parents struggle to find the correct information when it comes to parenting in this era of misinformation. As raising a child is the most challenging yet the most rewarding job in the world, it is crucial to direct much larger focus towards empowering parents to navigate through the highs and lows of parenting journey. At Parenthrive our mission is to empower parents by creating an inclusive platform for parents all around Sri Lanka, where we guide parents through informed parenting, connecting them with experts, and providing a space to share their experience to grow together as a one community. We have been achieving our vision of empowering parents through various informative sessions, both online and offline, where parents are connected with experts in various aspects of parenting.
The first-ever Parents’ Forum organized by Parenthrive took place on the 2nd of March, from 3 PM- 4 PM at the Department of National Archives Auditorium with a massive participation of 150+ Parents and Children. The forum was open to anyone taking care of a child, which included parents, teachers, grandparents, aunts, and uncles who were keen on enhancing their journey of raising a child. The forum comprised many invaluable sessions on all things parenting conducted by industry giants with years of expertise. The Speaker panel comprised of an esteemed board of speakers who shared their insights on timely and vital topics related to parenting and raising children. The event was graced by well-known personalities who added even more glamour to the event. The session flow was as follows:
- Unlocking Potential of your Child: Strategies for enhancing Communication by Dr.Nimeera C. Weerarathne (Speech-Language Pathologist, CEO & Founder of IIPE)
- Panel Discussion by Suwa Diviya Sunshine Foundation for Good - on the Topic: “Eat Well, Live Well: Insights from the Doctor and Dietitian Duo” by Dr. Dilini Illapperuma and Ms.Ramya Devi Janrath
- A Session conducted by Dr. Romesh Fernando (Ninewells Hospitals) on “Pediatric Perspectives”
- “Navigating the Digital Frontier – A guide for Tech-Savvy Parenting” by Dr. Gehan De Soysa (CEO & Chairman of Threadworks)
- “From Diapers to Diplomas; A Reflection on Fatherhood” A Parents’ Discussion by Dr.Prabath Karunanayake (MBBS, MBA in HRM, Director HR, MSc in Business Psychology) & Amithe Gamage (Executive Coach, Youth Entrepreneurship Advocate)
One of the key highlights of Roots & Wings Forum includes the experience-sharing of ‘Pick A Book’ Junior Club Members; Nabeela Rizwan and Ruqqayya Azeem, on the topic “From Readers to Leaders: Building a Bright Future Through the Joy of Reading”. Nabeela and Ruqqayya grabbed the attention of parents & children present at the event with an eye-catching performance. Moreover, Mrs. Najlaha Munzil and Mr.Nadun Waruna; the Club Leaders of Parenthrive Horizon Club were recognized for their dedication towards the parents' community. The Launching of the first-ever parenting courses for Parents was another significant moment took place at the Roots and Wings Forum. The book donations received from around the country and books collected as the entry fee for the conference were officially handed over to Samata Sarana Orphanage, and Girls’ Home Rukmale Orphanage.
We would like to extend our gratitude to our esteemed partners, whose unwavering support has been instrumental in making this conference a reality. We extend our warmest gratitude to our gold partners, Softlogic Glomark, Velona Cuddles, and Barista, for their immense support and generosity. We further extend our sincere gratitude to our Hospital Partner; Ninewells Hospitals, Official Mobility partner; Pick Me, Our Official Outdoor Partner; Atomedia, Suwa Diviya; Healthy Lifestyle Partner, Event Partner; TIIKM, Reading Partner; PickaBook Global, Entrepreneurship Partner; Marspreneurs International Association of Coaching, Printing Partner; MG Printers, Child care Partner; Inspire College of Higher Education, Samudra Book Shop, and Elegant Smockers.
On an end note, Roots & Wings Parents’ Forum enlightened the hearts and minds of Parents and guardians, inviting them to embrace the journey with open hands. The forum opened doors for further discussion, highlighting the vitality of similar spaces where the knowledge is shared to create a brighter future for children.
