Reasons Why Every Parent Should Apologize to Their Child

As children we believe the lie that grown-ups know what they are doing, they are never fearful, and they can do anything they want. Then we grow up, and we quickly learn that grown-ups are simply oversized children who are expected to have it all together and look brave. But maintaining appearances may contribute to the disillusionment of your own child. Perhaps as a society, we need to reconsider the value of humility and the impact a simple apology can have on our children. The next time you find yourself tempted to conceal the truth to perpetuate the lie that you have it all under control perhaps you should consider how an apology could impact your child.

Admit Mistakes
When a child hears a parent acknowledge their errors, they learn in return how to also ask for forgiveness. A child whose parents apologize and admit when they are wrong will be more likely to be honest about mistakes and come clean sooner. And since forgiveness can only happen when the slate is clean, clearing the air is an integral part in the child-parent relationship. Although it is difficult to confess your transgressions to your child, you will be helping them to muster the courage to apologize to you when they mess up. In addition, you are teaching them the proper way to apologize. If you have not had much experience in the past, you might need a little practice. Try rehearsing what you want to say in a mirror a couple of times. Make sure that you specify what you are apologizing for, explain your plan for correcting your mistake, and ask for their forgiveness. Follow those simple steps and you will set an excellent example for your child even when you do mess up.

Mending the Fences
Make sure to follow through on your plan to correct your mistakes. If you fail again, apologize again, but if you fail to try, trust will be lost. This can be very dangerous for the long-term health of your relationship because even if your child does not call you out on it, he or she will remember and will resent you until you prove yourself trustworthy again. However, if you follow through well and accurately correct your mistakes, you will show your child how to pull yourself up, dust yourself off and keep on moving when you fall down in life. This lesson can go a long way towards preparing your child for life and the challenges ahead of them.

Freedom to make mistakes
When you ask for forgiveness, you are vulnerable. When a child sees you unmasked and still sincere, you will see their hearts melt because to them you will finally be human. A child looks at his parents as superheroes. When the standard set by the parent is too high, the child does not feel free to make mistakes. However, when a parent humbles themselves to ask forgiveness from their child, something amazing happens. The child learns that mistakes can be forgiven and corrected, which means that they now have the freedom to make mistakes. This information may give them the courage to be a little more adventurous. Sure, they may fall, but you have shown them how to get back up. Without having the freedom to make mistakes, a person cannot grow up, so in offering them this freedom, you offer them a chance to grow, learn, experience, fall, and recover. Now that gift is worth the humility it takes to admit when you are wrong.