“Parenting isn’t about getting it right, even if that were possible. What I know is that our children need us to fail them. As long as we aren’t truly abusive or neglectful, our failures teach our children that their actions have an impact on other people, that their needs won’t always be met, that they can feel sad and angry at the people who they love the most, and they will still be ok. Every time I snap at my girls and then bring them close to apologize, I am teaching them that I am fallible and they can be fallible too. I am teaching them that it’s ok to say you’re sorry. I am teaching them that relationships in our family are flexible and durable enough to withstand hard moments.”
My thoughts about one of the most valuable lessons I learned in a mindful parenting class I recently took are up at PsychCentral.com.
