Is Trust and Forgiveness Between a Parent and a Child Important?

Love is the most powerful emotion that we have. In order to forgive someone, love and trust are the two key ingredients needed for the act of forgiveness to happen. The unconditional love between a parent and a child is an emotion which is un-equaled in any other relationship.

Forgiveness and trust are two separate emotions, but yet they're intertwined by love when it comes to parents and their children. The bond between a parent and their child should be based on respect and also trust. This family bond creates love, which then provides the act of forgiveness.

Forgiveness is an act which is learned by witnessing first hand. To ask forgiveness of someone is a humbling emotion. Our children need to be taught to be humble, and also that no one is perfect. But, before we can learn to forgive others, we first have to practice the act of forgiveness on ourselves.

Sense of self

Low self-esteem is a perfect example of someone who has harshly judged themselves by their failures, and has not forgotten. This lowered image of "self" is very detrimental in just how we perceive others. If our children already think little of themselves, their outlook on others is also tainted by their own reflection of themselves. They're now seeing life with a cloudy sense of perception.

Love and forgiveness needs to be shown to the child even when they've failed you or let you down. Sometimes when the children get older the trust which you gave them can sometimes be abused. Children need to learn that trust is an act which is earned by respect, not given away freely. Although sometimes we can't trust our children we can still forgive them. This is because trust will falter, but our love for them never fails.

Mental support

Apologize to your children if you failed them or let them down. Let them know that you're just as human as they are. This opens up their young minds to the act of forgiveness and also respect. Let them be aware that everyone has weaknesses, and forgiveness is not a weakness. Always be honest to your children, as this will build a sense of trust in them. Our trust is needed by our children which gives them a sense of emotional security.

Parents must show their confidence in their child's abilities and support them in their endeavors. This also helps them to gain a feeling of trust from your support. Trust is an emotion which instills confidence in your child, and this emotional support you show them will inspire your child in their future choices. Without trust confidence begins to fail, and the emotional game is sometimes lost even before it's started.

Show the love

Love is the true inspiration that builds trust and forgiveness. When trust has been established respect usually follows close behind. The act of forgiveness allows the child to let go of any bad choices they might have made. Without forgiveness the child holds on to this emotional baggage which can be very harmful to their emotional outlook in future years.

Always keep your promises to your children; this is where the trust factor comes into play. Constantly putting off what you promised your children lowers their sense of trust in you. Their sense of respect can also begin to falter when your shallow promises always go unanswered.

If you're unable to do something for your children tell them the truth, don't lie to them. This is hiding behind your failures, which children pick up quicker than you think. Always remember that you're the number one role model for your child. What you show and teach your children in their younger years is an echo of what they'll become in the adult years of their life.

As we set down these basic morals in our children, what we teach them will survive and also be taught to the lineage of our grandchildren. These two actions of trust and forgiveness are key components in the emotional outlook of our family for generations