UAE: How learning coding helped this mom connect with her kids

Khaleej Times

20-03-2025

A stay-at-home mother of three in the UAE, has taken a unique journey into the world of coding to better support her children's growing passion for robotics.
What started as a way to connect more with her three children, who are between 10 and 15, has turned into something much bigger — teaching Marwa Mostafa new skills, sparking personal growth, and positively shaping both her work and home life.
Her journey hasn't just transformed her, it's also empowered those around her.
Notably, each year, on March 21, families across the Arab world come together to celebrate Mother's Day, a meaningful tradition.
Ahead of this day, in a heartfelt conversation with Khaleej Times, Marwa opened up about her inspiring path of learning and growth.
'I've learned so much from coding, and it has truly transformed my life as both a coder and a mother of three,' said the 37-year-old Egyptian mother, reflecting on her journey. Her path into the world of coding began with a simple desire to support her children, who were enthusiastic about robotics. 'My journey into coding began because my kids have a passion for robotics, and I wanted to be involved in helping them explore that interest,' she added.
Collaborative approach
Her transformative experience took place at 42 Abu Dhabi, a coding academy that emphasises collaborative problem-solving and creative approaches to learning. Marwa, who originally has a degree in Business Administration added, 'During my time there, I learned how to collaborate with others, approach problems creatively, and solve them together. This experience has not only changed my perspective but also brought me closer to my kids.'
The skills she acquired through coding played a pivotal role in her parenting. For example, when her children encounter new concepts in subjects like mathematics, the mother now applies a technique she learned from coding: breaking complex ideas down into smaller, manageable steps. 'When my kids learn something new in math, we break the lesson down into parts to make it easier to understand. Over time, this method has made everything smoother, and now it feels natural,' she added.
Her children are not the only ones learning valuable lessons from her journey. 'At first, it was challenging, but as we went along, we became more comfortable and worked well together, helping each other,' she said. 'Watching me break down problems and solve them step by step gives my kids the confidence to face their own challenges and trust their abilities.'
Learning to use technology comfortably
Coding has also helped her children gain an important life skill — the ability to use technology confidently and logically. 'Through coding and digital tools, they're learning to use technology comfortably and think logically, which improves their schoolwork and problem-solving skills,' she noted. This hands-on approach has turned everyday learning into an adventure, inspiring her children to engage with tech and robotics projects at home.
'My coding journey has not only allowed me to learn new things but also helped my children in their education. They now see learning as an exciting adventure, which makes school feel more fun,' she said, with a sense of pride. 'When I work with technology, I show them how things work in the real world, which helps them understand subjects like math and science better.'
Balancing act
Recently, Marwa graduated from 42 Abu Dhabi after completing a year and a half-long capstone project, which she describes as an incredibly enriching experience. 'I finished my capstone project last week,' she said. 'It wasn't necessary to attend every day, but if you love coding, you naturally want to go as often as possible.'
Her routine was demanding, balancing her duties as a mother and a coder. 'I would drop my kids off at school, then head straight to 42 Abu Dhabi. After my day there, I'd return home to work with my kids. Sometimes, I also worked on my projects after school or during vacations,' she explained. It was this combination of determination, collaboration, and passion that allowed her to maintain a fulfilling balance between her personal life and career aspirations.
She hopes through her actions, she can prove to be a role model for her children. As she puts it, 'Ultimately, coding has given my children a unique advantage. They're learning important skills like problem-solving, creativity, and digital literacy, all while seeing firsthand that learning can be fun and rewarding.'