Your older child hits your younger one and you immediately demand he says sorry. Yet, are you sorry when it counts? It might seem simple, but children need to hear us say “I’m sorry” too, as much as they need to hear it from their siblings and peers. Besides, parents need to acknowledge the mistakes they make. By doing so, children learn some very important lessons in life.
There’s no need to be perfect
Saying you’re sorry to your child teaches him that he doesn’t need to be perfect. Everyone makes mistakes and has limitations, and children need to know this. Most importantly, they need to know that they are worthy and loved even when they do make a mistake.
Being wrong is okay
When you’re wrong, you’ve got to own up to it. Teaching kids that this is a sign of strength instead of a weakness is another important lesson. It will make them more humble and grateful adults.
Adults are flawed too
We’re doing our kids no favors if we raise them to think that everything every adult does is right all of the time. When kids see that we make mistakes and take responsibility for our errors, they will do so too and will become better adults for it.
Mistakes help us grow
Show your child that making a mistake and apologizing for it is an opportunity to grow as a person. We learn so that the next time it happens, we can do it better. If we’ve learned from a mistake, we’re much less likely to make that same mistake ever again.
No one goes through life without making mistakes
We must teach our kids that making mistakes is something everyone does. We can’t fear them either or we will never challenge ourselves to grow and we’ll go through life terrified of getting something wrong. Showing your child that everyone makes mistakes, even you, they will feel more comfortable when they have made a mistake. Apologizing for our mistakes to our kids shows them it’s ok to say sorry too.
Remember, kids always know when we’ve made a mistake and if we act like we didn’t and don’t apologize for them, it sends a mixed signal to our children. When we say “I’m sorry” to our kids, it shows maturity and bravery, two qualities you want your kids to grow up with. In this way, you can feel confident that you’re helping your children flourish into adulthood as successfully as possible.