When things go wrong

My friend, on your parenting journey, there will inevitably be moments when you make mistakes. It’s part of life, and parenting is no exception. I know that heavy feeling of wishing you hadn’t said or done something, and it can stick around like glue. It’s tough to shake off, right?

That’s why it’s so important to address the guilt right away. There’s no point in beating yourself up, especially about things you can’t undo. But you can absolutely take these steps:

Apologize to everyone affected by your mistake, no matter their age. Use this as an opportunity to show your child what a sincere apology looks like when things go off track. It’s one of the most valuable social skills they can learn.

Learn from it. You can avoid making the same mistake in the future, and that in itself is an important lesson. You might not be able to change what happened in the moment, but you can take action to prevent it next time. Mistakes are part of the learning process—not just for kids, but for adults too.

Make amends quickly. Again, this is a chance to teach your child how to restore relationships when feelings are hurt. By taking responsibility and offering a way to make things right, you’re turning an uncomfortable moment into a valuable lesson. A mistake doesn’t have to ruin the rest of the day.

Be kind to yourself. As the famous quote says, "To err is human, to forgive divine" (Alexander Pope). When we show ourselves the same forgiveness we would offer to others, our children learn to forgive as well. It also strengthens their trust in you—they see that you can handle difficult situations, and this is something they’ll want to mimic.

So, the next time you feel like you've messed up, don’t panic. Mistakes can be an opportunity for growth if we handle them the right way.