I’m fully aware that I can’t be the ideal mom, but I can certainly be a mom who humbly admits when she’s wrong. Just this week, I lost my cool and called my son a brat—a word I’ve never used before. It slipped out during a particularly trying moment, and I instantly regretted it.
Here’s what happened: I entered my bedroom only to discover that he had again taken all the pillows off my bed to create a jumping pile on the floor. Despite countless reminders, this behavior continues.
There are valid reasons behind my request. For one, I prefer my pillows to stay clean and off the floor. I’m not a fan of little feet or bottoms sitting on them. My son has plenty of pillows in his own room to use for his jumps, so it’s not as if he’s lacking options.
When I’m not feeling overwhelmed, I recognize that his antics are just part of being a kid. I understand that he’s still learning impulse control, and I usually handle these situations with patience. But after months of being cooped up together due to the pandemic, I found myself at my wit’s end.
In a moment of exasperation, I shouted, “I’ve told you not to do this a million times! You’re such a brat!” Instantly, I felt sick. In all my years of parenting, I had never resorted to name-calling.
Though I mumbled a half-hearted apology right afterward, it was clear I needed to address the situation more thoroughly. So, I gathered my son and sat down with him on my bed. “I’m truly sorry for calling you a brat earlier,” I explained. “It was wrong of me. You are a good boy who is learning, even if you sometimes do things that annoy me. That doesn’t define who you are.”
His response? “I forgive you.” He even added with a mischievous grin, “Calling me names was kind of bratty, huh, Mom?” I couldn’t help but laugh and agree.
Though the incident still stings, I believe talking it through was beneficial. Apologizing may not erase my mistake, but it shows my kids that humility and kindness matter. I doubt that one slip-up will have lasting negative effects on my son, but it’s essential he knows that respect should go both ways.
Even when he does something wrong, he deserves to be treated with dignity. I wouldn’t hurl insults at anyone else in my life when I’m frustrated, so why should he be the exception? He’s not my possession; he’s a whole person, and I’m teaching him about respect.
While I can’t be perfect, I can be a mom who acknowledges her mistakes. I know I’ll make more poor choices as I navigate parenthood, but I commit to apologizing every time I recognize I’ve messed up—even when it’s uncomfortable. My hope is that my children will remember not just my shortcomings, but also the lessons in accountability and compassion that come from them.
If you’re interested in more tips on self-advocacy in parenting, check out this blog post.
Summary
In the journey of parenting, it’s inevitable to make mistakes. Acknowledging and apologizing to our children when we err not only models humility but also teaches them about respect and accountability. Through a recent slip where I called my son a brat, I learned that owning up to my missteps can foster a healthier relationship, reinforcing the importance of treating each other with dignity.
Keyphrase: apologizing to kids
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