Recently, a bilingual parenting workshop for parents of teenagers was successfully held for the Qingdao community, bringing together families for an open and meaningful conversation about parenting during the adolescent years.

During the workshop, parents explored two common approaches to parenting. One relies on external control—such as rewards and punishment—which may work in the short term. The other, Positive Discipline, focuses on building an internal locus of control, guiding teenagers to make responsible choices even when no one is watching. Through interactive discussions and shared experiences, parents of Upper School students gained practical insights into how this approach can be applied in daily family life.

The session provided parents with a supportive space to reflect on the challenges they face at home. They learned effective communication strategies that help adolescents feel heard, practiced how to be both kind and firm, and expanded their parenting “toolbox,” with the understanding that every child is unique and no single solution fits all.

The workshop was led by Mr. Kevin Wheeler, Upper School Principal at QAIS, who has supported students, teachers, and parents for over 14 years. With a Master’s degree in Secondary Education and a Certificate in School Management & Leadership from Harvard University, Kevin combines strong academic expertise with rich practical experience. As a certified Positive Discipline Parent Trainer, as well as an IB Workshop Leader and Examiner, he continues to share these educational philosophies with school communities around the world.