Making Mistakes, How to Own Up To Your Mistakes So Your Kids Will Learn From Them
There are no perfect parents. Kids know their parents aren’t perfect, so there’s no reason to try to fake it. Do the best you can and own up to your mistakes when you fall short. It may take swallowing some pride, but look beyond that uncomfortable episode to the good it will do.
In doing this, your relationship with your kids will improve and serve as a good role model for them as they mature.
In this Divorced Fathers Rights article we will discuss the right way to own up to any mistakes you have made so you can teach your children valuable lessons in honesty.
When to Own Up to Mistakes
It is especially important to own up to mistakes that directly involve the kids. If you lose your temper, skip time with them to do something else, miss a game you said you would be at, etc., then an apology is in order.
The fewer excuses you make, the better they will take your apology. If there are legitimate reasons for your behavior, it’s okay to discuss them, as long as they aren’t thinly disguised excuses. Your kids need to see their parents taking responsibility for their own actions.
Be to the point. Let your kids know that you recognize your decision or action was wrong and that you are sorry for it. Let them know you’ll try not to let it happen again and then work to make good on your word.
What should you do if you make a mistake that doesn’t involve the kids? If your children don’t know about it, there might not be any good reason to discuss it. One exception would be if you think it will provide a teachable moment. If you mess up apart from the kids and they learn of it, then you should probably own up to it and admit your mistakes. If you’ve done something that you’re sure they’ll hear about at some point, it’s better if you’re the one to tell them about it first.
Being Accountable and Holding Kids Accountable
On an emotional level, kids want accountability and consequences. These things communicate to children that they have worth and value and that parents believe they are capable of living lives they can be proud of.
When you are willing to hold yourself accountable, kids will respect you and be willing to be accountable to you for their actions and decisions. It’s a great way to encourage them to strive for and achieve their very best.