I’m not a parent but I think these answers are wonderful.
I don’t remember ever being apologized to as a child (or even a young adult), even when my parents were clearly in the wrong. As a result, it created a culture of disrespect in our house.
Amazing… I remember my mom apologizing to my sister and I only a few times, but it was heart felt and we usually ended up all crying together in the end. Now if we could only get our husbands/father’s to apologize. Great post!
I totally agree with all these women. I certainly grew up in a generation my parents never apologized. My hubby never apologizes NEVER! I do I’m not perfect and respect others too much not too.
My hubby has a hard time with apologies, but don’t tell him I told you or I’ll be the one that’s sorry. Just kidding, he’s delightful, but not apologetic much.
I can’t remember my parents apologizing for anything, but then my brain isn’t as agile as it used to be. I’ve always apologized to my son and he does the same for me. We’ve always treated each other with openness and honesty. As a consequence, he’s turned out to be a marvelous young man. I still enjoy his company and I’m so proud of him!
Just looking at the comments I’m thinking this could be a gender difference. Do you know if any of the parents you asked have teenagers? I could see some situations where a teenagers might use something like an apology against the parent. I certainly believe everyone should be treated with respect, adults and children (old guys such as myself too). Maybe I’m over thinking this but some situations with teens and young adult children can get tricky.
When I completely overreact I apologize or if I am clearly wrong on something. I think they need to know that no one is perfect & we all make mistakes but being able to recognize our mistakes is a big deal. Plus I don’t want them learning that it is ok to cover up their mistakes.
My mom was ahead of her time in that regard, she did apologize when she felt like she did something wrong, and I personally feel it deepened our relationship. It let me know she respected me and valued my feelings, and I always felt like I could go to her with anything. I think it’s a good thing to do. It also helps them understand that when they are being reprimanded for doing something wrong, that you mean it, and they need to take heed to what you say!
A recent experience made me post about discipline (or lack thereof) on my blog today. I think parents opening themselves up to different parenting styles helps them to learn and grow as parents, and when parents share what works and doesn’t work for them, it serves as a wonderful guideline for new moms to learn as well!
We never scrimp on saying “sorry” in our home when we goof up with each other and we always follow it up with a cuddle. Apologizing is good for the soul. 🙂 And yes, our loved ones deserve it!
That’s so important. I find that over half of my students each year are not ever able to admit when they’re wrong and don’t apologize. As a society we are in trouble if blaming everyone else is the norm.
I do apologize. I don’t think my parents did much either but I think that it is important to teach them that I am not perfect and if I model bad behavior, it is worthy of an apology/ How can I ask them to do what I will not?
This is really lovely… My parents never apologized to me as a child. Now that I’m an adult I’m not afraid to ask for an apology, and they are better about apologizing, sometimes even for stuff from the past… I do make a point to apologize to my son regularly. I agree with everything that was already written and feel like ultimately, he is learning how to relate to others by the way I am with him. I want him to be compassionate and humble and for him to know that no one is infallible, not even his mama 🙂
I agree with all the quotations. I was not apologize to as a child or young adult. But after an eventful life searching how to be better…( I was not the child they expected I believe) My mother and my father at different times recognized my qualities and talents and they both have apologized for getting it wrong when I was growing up. I can’t ask for more than that.
I’m not a parent but I think these answers are wonderful.
I don’t remember ever being apologized to as a child (or even a young adult), even when my parents were clearly in the wrong. As a result, it created a culture of disrespect in our house.
I agree!
LOVE THIS!! My mother never apologized to me. Ever. For anything.
Thank you for including me 🙂
i always say i’m sorry to my babies if i’m in the wrong…it shows them that when they are wrong, it’s ok to say sorry, too. <3 this, great post.
Amazing… I remember my mom apologizing to my sister and I only a few times, but it was heart felt and we usually ended up all crying together in the end. Now if we could only get our husbands/father’s to apologize. Great post!
Thank you!
All beautiful quotes! Thanks for including me Claudya, and for starting such an important discussion! 🙂
Great compilation! I do agree – it’s important to apologize to kids! They’re human too.
I totally agree with all these women. I certainly grew up in a generation my parents never apologized. My hubby never apologizes NEVER! I do I’m not perfect and respect others too much not too.
My hubby has a hard time with apologies, but don’t tell him I told you or I’ll be the one that’s sorry. Just kidding, he’s delightful, but not apologetic much.
I always apologize. We all make mistakes and we need to own them.
Yes, I apologized and still do. And I not only apologize, but I ask for their forgiveness.
I can’t remember my parents apologizing for anything, but then my brain isn’t as agile as it used to be. I’ve always apologized to my son and he does the same for me. We’ve always treated each other with openness and honesty. As a consequence, he’s turned out to be a marvelous young man. I still enjoy his company and I’m so proud of him!
I am pretty sure that my parents did not- I do all the time to my kids if i goof up- they deserve respect no matter what the age
Just looking at the comments I’m thinking this could be a gender difference. Do you know if any of the parents you asked have teenagers? I could see some situations where a teenagers might use something like an apology against the parent. I certainly believe everyone should be treated with respect, adults and children (old guys such as myself too). Maybe I’m over thinking this but some situations with teens and young adult children can get tricky.
When I completely overreact I apologize or if I am clearly wrong on something. I think they need to know that no one is perfect & we all make mistakes but being able to recognize our mistakes is a big deal. Plus I don’t want them learning that it is ok to cover up their mistakes.
My mom was ahead of her time in that regard, she did apologize when she felt like she did something wrong, and I personally feel it deepened our relationship. It let me know she respected me and valued my feelings, and I always felt like I could go to her with anything. I think it’s a good thing to do. It also helps them understand that when they are being reprimanded for doing something wrong, that you mean it, and they need to take heed to what you say!
A recent experience made me post about discipline (or lack thereof) on my blog today. I think parents opening themselves up to different parenting styles helps them to learn and grow as parents, and when parents share what works and doesn’t work for them, it serves as a wonderful guideline for new moms to learn as well!
Tracy @ Ascending Butterfly
We never scrimp on saying “sorry” in our home when we goof up with each other and we always follow it up with a cuddle. Apologizing is good for the soul. 🙂 And yes, our loved ones deserve it!
That’s so important. I find that over half of my students each year are not ever able to admit when they’re wrong and don’t apologize. As a society we are in trouble if blaming everyone else is the norm.
I do apologize. I don’t think my parents did much either but I think that it is important to teach them that I am not perfect and if I model bad behavior, it is worthy of an apology/ How can I ask them to do what I will not?
I so agree, Mami. What a lovely thing to do. I’ ve def. apologized to my kids more than once! x
This is really lovely…
My parents never apologized to me as a child. Now that I’m an adult I’m not afraid to ask for an apology, and they are better about apologizing, sometimes even for stuff from the past… I do make a point to apologize to my son regularly. I agree with everything that was already written and feel like ultimately, he is learning how to relate to others by the way I am with him. I want him to be compassionate and humble and for him to know that no one is infallible, not even his mama 🙂
I agree with all the quotations. I was not apologize to as a child or young adult. But after an eventful life searching how to be better…( I was not the child they expected I believe)
My mother and my father at different times recognized my qualities and talents and they both have apologized for getting it wrong when I was growing up. I can’t ask for more than that.