Parents are Human

Parents sometimes think they have to be right all the time. Parents are human; we can make mistakes, and we have feelings, too. We can get angry, upset, frustrated, depressed. We can say and do the “wrong” things sometimes. Why not accept this as part of living, and go on from there?

Instead of trying to be perfect, and live up to an ideal image of a parent, why not admit to yourself and your kids that you make mistakes sometimes just like everyone else? Sharing your feelings with your children helps them to see adults more realistically, and gives them a more accurate model of adult life.

Learn to apologize to your children when necessary. Teach your children how to admit their mistakes - a difficult (if not impossible) task for children. Teach them how to correct a wrong if this is necessary or possible and talk about a plan to prevent the same mistake from happening again.