The most powerful parenting tool
Saying sorry teaches our kids that love and respect are reciprocal, and it empowers them to do the same in their relationships...
As parents, we often hold ourselves to high standards, believing we need to be strong, composed, and always in the right. However, the truth is that we’re human and we make mistakes sometimes. And in those moments, one of the most powerful things we can do for our children is to say, “I’m sorry.”
Apologising to our kids doesn’t weaken our authority, it models accountability, teaches empathy, and shows them what respect in a relationship truly looks like.
Let’s look at things from our kids’ perspective:
Imagine if you’re a kid and your parent yells at you.
They’re stressed, and you were just being a kid.
But they snap.
Later, nothing is said.
No apology.
Just silence.
You start wondering,
“Did I deserve that?”
You internalise it and think,
“When people hurt me, it’s normal if they don’t say sorry.”
This continues again and again and again. Eventually, you start to assume this is what a healthy relationship looks like.
You believe all relationships are about power and control. And you assume it’s normal to be treated this way.
But what if your parent had come back and said,
“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have shouted. That wasn’t okay.”
You would’ve learned that even grown-ups mess up.
You understand that healthy relationships include repair.
And you learn that you need to be accountable for your mistakes.
You also learn that it’s ok to make mistakes, that you can make a mistake and still be ok.
Apologies don’t erase mistakes, but they help to heal and are a fantastic way to teach emotional accountability.
When we apologise to our children, we’re not just repairing a moment; we’re building a foundation of trust. We show them that everyone makes mistakes, and what matters most is how we respond to those mistakes. Saying sorry teaches our kids that love and respect are reciprocal, and it empowers them to do the same in their relationships. In a world that often pushes perfection, an honest apology is one of the most powerful lessons we can give.
If you’d like to dive a little deeper, you can check out my YouTube video below…
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Tom Piccirilli, Founder of The Dad Vibes