When Parents Make Mistakes, Here Are 7 Ways To Apologize To Children

Illustration of the way parents apologize to children when making mistakes (Freepic)

YOGYAKARTA As parents who have young children, you should not ignore the importance of the word sorry. There may be many ways to apologize, even our parents as children also taught it. But it is important to do the right way to apologize to the child rather than being suspected of wanting to hurt, here are the steps.

"For a child it will be scary when their parents get angry," explained Tovah P. Klein, Ph.D. If you show them that you are serious about having hurt their feelings, it shows that the relationship can be fixed. As an apology, you can say 'Sorry mother/father reacted excessively and shouted at the clothes you were wearing. Mother/father know it makes you feel bad. Next time you will try to be more patient and show your mother/father's intentions first.

A professor and writer Susan Shapiro reported by Parents, Monday, October 14, said many children felt they wanted to be heard, understood, and loved. So acknowledging mistakes and insensitivity is the first step to apologize properly.

People are not always self-aware, said Shapiro. Sometimes parents are trapped in a role so that they undergo difficult dynamics. After saying sorry, tell them the reason why the behavior that made them hurt took place. It aims to create a space for compassion and humanize you as a parent who is a role model for children.

An apology is about recognizing your behavior as a parent who disappoints or injures your children's feelings. That means you have to make up for your mistakes and show empathy and try to improve your relationship with your child.

When expressing apologies, expressly, clearly, and concisely. Sincerity is also important to show so that children know that you really admit your mistakes. Shapiro's advice, children need to be told that no one is perfect. This is so that they understand everyone making mistakes in life and trying to improve themselves for the better.

In his research, Shapiro learned from Molly Howes, author of A Good Apology:Four Steps to Make Things Right about the need for calm and neutral questions. Like 'what do you feel' which may afterwards open up and tell each other. When this 'peace' effort takes place, it's important to offer how to fix his feelings.

Sometimes after making a mistake someone is wise or giving a gift. But Sara Shapiro, an adult child who wants to hear an apology as compensation, has made a mistake without avoiding responsibility.

That's how to apologize to children who can be practiced by parents. It's important to realize that short emotions must be controlled because this triggers parents to make mistakes that make their children afraid, disappointed, and even hurt.