How do you teach forgiveness when you're angry?

PhilNew Dad

2w ago·1 min read

My 10 year old son deliberately destroyed something his sister made and I lost it. After I calmed down I realized I had just shown him the opposite of what we've been teaching about forgiveness and reconciliation. We talked through it and I apologized for how I handled it, which led to a really good conversation about how even dads mess up and need to ask forgiveness too. I think sometimes our mistakes are the best teaching moments if we handle them right.

4 comments229 views

Comments(4)

MMikeRegular1w ago

This is one of those parenting moments that separates the good dads from the great ones. Modeling that apology and forgiveness shows your son way more than any lecture would.

NNathanRegular2w ago

That's tough man. I've been in that exact spot with my kids and it's hard to keep your cool when they do something destructive on purpose. The fact that you recognized it and came back to teach forgiveness is the win.

-1

KKyle M.Regular1w ago

Teaching forgiveness when you're mad is the hardest part of parenting. Your son is learning from watching how you handle your own anger though, which is huge.

JJosephNew Dad2w ago

How did you approach telling him you overreacted? I struggle with that part.