“LET GO OF CONTROL – LISTEN ACTIVELY” – A JOURNEY OF PARENTS INCREASING THEIR BOND WITH THEIR CHILDREN AT VINSCHOOL IMPERIA
On Saturday morning (May 23, 2026) and Sunday (May 24, 2026), the workshop series, part of Journey 3 – Transforming Parents, was successfully held with the participation of nearly 200 parents at Vinschool Imperia High School.
The workshop “Letting Go of Control, Maintaining Connection,” led by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Truong Quang Lam, provided high school parents with specific messages on how to release parental anxieties, identify and relax in order to connect with their children deeply and naturally in the context of the digital age, technology, and the unpredictable changes children experience during adolescence.
At the workshop, parents explored:
📍The connection between behavior, emotions, and psychological needs
📍Identifying common “communication blind spots” in parenting
📍Distinguishing between control, supervision, and connection
📍Clarifying the boundary between control and companionship
Following this, the workshop focused on the theme “When Listening Becomes a Bridge,” a practical topic for parents with children in elementary school. Messages about respect, non-judgmental listening, and remaining calm in the face of emotions created a gentle and profound connection between parents and children.
The workshop speaker, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tran Thi Cam Tu, offered many scientific perspectives on Active Listening skills in parenting through in-depth sharing and engaging practical activities. At the workshop, parents learned about:
📍 The concept and role of active listening
📍 Common barriers to active listening and solutions to help parents communicate more effectively with their children
📍 Steps to practice active listening to help children feel understood, safe, and willing to share more
The series of workshops opened a space for parents to reflect on themselves in their daily conversations with their children, from observing emotions and listening without judgment to responding with empathy instead of rushing to give advice.
💬 Sharing from parent Hong Van, whose child is in class 1B1: “The workshop helped me understand the steps to listen to my child more effectively in the future. After the workshop, I found that I can immediately apply the 3 ‘don’ts’ rule (don’t interrupt too soon, don’t deny the child’s feelings, don’t turn the conversation into a lesson) and the 3 ‘yes’ rules (be present, provide emotional feedback, and be supportive).”
💬 Parent Thanh Ngoc, whose child is in class 7A7, shared: “I especially loved the speaker, Associate Professor Dr. Truong Quang Lam, who spoke about the distinction between control/monitoring and connection. I reflected on situations parents and children have at home to understand and differentiate, realizing that sometimes we forget the goal of connection and only focus on our own personal desires. The workshop helped me realize that at adolescence, children really need to be listened to and emotionally supported. Sometimes, just the right presence of adults can give children more support to overcome their challenges.”
✨ The above series of workshops is part of the “Responsive Parenting 2025-2026” journey being implemented across the Vinschool system. The school would like to thank all parents for participating and accompanying the program. We look forward to seeing you again at our next collaborative events.
