Why I Apologize to My Kids

Good morning!!

I was just reading something on Facebook written by someone.  This article talked about how she *never* apologizes to her kids.  They need to see her as an authority, what she says goes, etc.  This really got me annoyed thinking.

I disagree with this line of thinking 100%.  Let me explain why...

I apologize to my kids every time I feel I need to- and let me be honest here, mommy sometimes loses her shit patience.  There are some days where I am able to pick my battles well.  I can step back, take a cool approach.  Other days?  Nope.  Not happening.  Maybe it's PMS, maybe it's that I stayed up too late watching Walking Dead and the girls decided to get up at an unGodly hour early, or whatever the reason might be. There are just days where I'm not the nicest to be around.  Any mom can tell you she has days like this.  And, for me, days like this will most likely come with an outburst from Mommy...  I'm not proud of it, it's not a pretty sight, but it's the truth.  I'm human, and I'm far from perfect- but you know what I DO have going for me??  I apologize for my behavior after it's done.

Basically, what it boils down to is this IMPORTANT life lesson: Everyone is human, and nobody's perfect.  We all make mistakes, says things we shouldn't, etc.  But, the key is that a true adult (or mature person) will APOLOGIZE and admit wrong doing when it applies.

To me, nothing is sadder than an adult that will never apologize.  I'm sure you all have at least 1 person that pops into your head automatically when I talk about this.  This is the person that will spout out whatever he/she wants, give their "honest" insult opinion, and are generally referred to others as someone "with no filter".  This is also the person that will walk around saying that they don't care what others think of them, they will say what they want, if they are proven wrong or even after they realize they hurt someone STILL won't apologize.  This is the type of person I have very little respect for, and the type of person I pray my daughters will never turn into.

I want my girls to understand that they need to think about what they say first.  They need to consider other's feelings and opinions.  However, if they get caught in a lie, are rude to someone, or it seems they've hurt someone (even if unintentionally), they NEED to apologize.  They need to show their humanity, by admitting their faults.

Let me just say, I have lied to people and gotten caught.  I've said things to people, that looking back didn't need to be said.  I often joke saying that pregnancy made me an expert at apologizing because you never knew what was going to come flying out of my mouth! I have had others blow up at me for something I didn't do.  In those cases, we've apologized, moved on, and became even BETTER PEOPLE because of it.

So, parents- if you have those imperfect days and what you do/say might warrant an apology to your kids?  Do it!  They will follow your example in the future, and you'll be creating wonderful children that will grow into responsible adults with healthy relationships.