On January 25, 2026, the Research and Training Centre for Community Development (RTCCD), in coordination with the Vietnam General Confederation of Labour and the Thanh Hoa Provincial Federation of Labour, organized the Parent–Child Bonding Day at TCE JEANS Co., Ltd. (Hoang Hoa District, Thanh Hoa Province), with the participation of nearly 100 parents who are union members and workers, along with their teenage children.
The activity was implemented as part of the No-VAC Project, “Together for Change: Creating a Violence-Free Environment for Children of Industrial Zone Workers in Thanh Hoa Province [1]”, funded by the United Nations Fund (UNF) and the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives (CFLI).
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The program focused on a key objective: helping parents better understand their children’s emotions by first learning to recognize and manage their own emotions, thereby minimizing conflict and strengthening family support systems for workers.
Emotional awareness – the first step toward changing parental approaches
During the program, many parents acknowledged that they often react habitually to their children’s “challenging” behaviors—such as irritability, silence, or defiance—without first recognizing their own emotional states.
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Through exercises using color-coded emotion cards and real-life scenarios, parents were guided to identify and name their emotions in stressful situations. This helped them understand that unmanaged parental emotions can unintentionally increase psychological pressure on their children.
One parent shared: “I’ve realized that sometimes I get angry not because my child is doing something wrong, but because I am tired and stressed. If I can’t control my emotions, my child will be the first to be affected.”
Understanding teenagers through an empathetic perspective
In addition to emotional awareness, the program helped parents analyze the relationship between emotions, thoughts, and behaviors in adolescence. Many parents realized for the first time that behind what appears to be “stubborn” behavior are often anxiety, academic pressure, or a need for understanding.
This shift in perspective enabled parents to:
- Reduce impulsive reactions when their children express negative emotions.
- Ask questions to listen, rather than rushing to criticize.
- Create a safe and supportive environment where teenagers feel comfortable sharing.
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According to the organizers, many parents practiced active listening during the program—listening without interrupting or judging—a simple yet previously overlooked skill.
Teenagers learn emotional regulation with parental support
As parents began to change their responses, teenagers also showed noticeable improvements. They became more aware of their own emotions, learned how to regulate them, and expressed their feelings more appropriately with support from their parents.
One student shared after the activity: “I feel that my parents are calmer when they listen to me. I also try to express my feelings more clearly instead of getting angry.”
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This two-way interaction helped reduce tension in family communication, laying the groundwork for more positive and sustainable parent–child relationships.
Reducing family conflict – a foundation for healthy development
By equipping both parents and teenagers with emotional management skills, the program at TCE JEANS Co., Ltd. contributed to reducing the risk of family conflict while enhancing parents’ ability to support their children during adolescence—a sensitive and often challenging stage.
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The message “Listen – Understand – Love” was clearly conveyed through every activity and reflected in the positive feedback from participants, highlighting the program’s practical significance for the mental well-being of workers’ families.
From emotional skills to lasting commitment
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The Parent–Child Bonding Day at TCE JEANS Co., Ltd. not only provided knowledge but also encouraged parents to reflect on their role within the family. When parents are able to manage their emotions and understand their children, family relationships become more harmonious, creating a supportive environment for teenagers to develop in a healthy and well-rounded way.