From Psychologies · Bokhobza Olivia · · 1m 50s
Why parents should admit when they're wrong
Saying 'I was wrong' to your child teaches emotional regulation and repair skills that matter far more than perfection.
In brief
Saying 'I was wrong' to your child teaches emotional regulation and repair skills that matter far more than perfection. Good parents aren't those who never yell or make mistakes; they're the ones who repair the damage and model how to fix what went wrong. Originally reported by Psychologies.
The perfect parent myth
A 2024 Ohio State University study found 57% of parents experience burnout. Researchers concluded the perfect parent doesn't exist, and chasing that ideal harms both parent and child.
“The perfect parent doesn't exist, and the quest for this perfection can prove very harmful for both parent and child.”
What positive parenting actually requires
Experts say the key to healthy parent-child relationships is benevolent parenting based on listening, communication, mutual respect, consistent boundaries, empathy, positive reinforcement, and unconditional love.
Children live with your imperfections
Educator Laura Schaffner explains that children witness their parents' doubts, imperfections, anger, anxiety, and lack of control. The goal is learning how to live with these realities while still providing good education.
“Our children live with our doubts, our imperfections, our shouts, our anxieties, our lack of control.”
Admitting fault repairs the bond
Recognizing your responsibility in difficult moments with your child repairs the relationship and models authenticity and emotional regulation. When you regret yelling, admitting it unlocks new skills in your child.
“Recognizing your responsibility in difficult interactions with your child is an essential step in your educational relationship.”
What children learn from repair
When parents acknowledge mistakes, children learn that emotional regulation is hard but possible, that one act doesn't define who you are, and that errors can be fixed. This is benevolent and effective education.
The repair mantra
Good parents aren't those who never yell or make mistakes. They're the ones who repair. Apologize sincerely and soon, name what happened, and express what you regret so your child doesn't carry the blame.
“Good parents are not those who never shout or make mistakes, they are those who repair.”
Building education on support
The goal is advancing step by step in education based on support and exchange, allowing families to avoid suffering. When children see repair in action, they'll use that lesson with friends, siblings, and others.
The big picture
Good parents aren't those who never yell or make mistakes; they're the ones who repair the damage and model how to fix what went wrong.
