Mending Hearts: Repairing Hard Feelings with Our Kids

Parenting comes with its fair share of ups and downs, and sometimes, hard feelings can arise between parents and children. These moments can be challenging but are also invaluable opportunities for growth, learning, and, most importantly, repairing the emotional bonds that hold families together.

1. Open Communication: The first step in repairing hard feelings is open and honest communication. Encourage your child to express their feelings and thoughts, and actively listen without judgment. Share your perspective calmly and respectfully.

2. Empathy: Show empathy towards your child's emotions. Try to understand their point of view, even if you don't agree. Let them know that their feelings are valid and that you care about how they feel.

3. Apologize: Mistakes come along with parenting. If you've made a mistake, and a rupture has occurred, it’s time to repair. A sincere apology can go a long way in mending hard feelings and demonstrating to your child that it's okay to admit when we're wrong. Go back to the moment of disconnect and acknowledge how it has impacted them.

4. Teach Conflict Resolution: Use these situations as teaching moments for conflict resolution. Show your child how to find common ground, compromise, and work through disagreements constructively.

5. Time and Patience: Repairing hard feelings may take time. Be patient and allow both yourself and your child space when needed.

6. Trust: Trust can be fragile, especially with children. To repair hard feelings, consistently demonstrate trustworthiness through your actions and follow through with your commitments.

7. Quality Time: Spend quality time together doing activities your child enjoys. These moments can help rebuild your connection and create positive memories to overshadow past conflicts.

8. Focus on the Positive: Encourage a positive outlook by highlighting your child's strengths and successes. Emphasize their growth and personal development.

Repairing hard feelings with our children is an essential part of parenting. It's not about avoiding conflicts, but instead, teaching our children how to navigate them in healthy ways. When handled with empathy, patience, and love, these challenging moments can become opportunities for both parent and child to grow and strengthen their relationship.  

Just as Dr. Becky says, and I whole-heartedly agree - “it is not too late, it is never too late” - Learn how to repair, practice it within yourself; do not let your wrongdoing define you as a person or a parent. Once you can do this, then you can reflect, remind yourself that you are human, you are a well intentioned parent (you are here reading this!).  You have experienced a rupture with your child and now you are capable of thinking about how you can handle it differently next time. Then you can actually go in and repair with your child.  You can simply go to your child  1. Name what happened. 2. Take responsibility. 3. Let your child know you would do differently next time. 

Remind your child that your love for them is unwavering, regardless of disagreements or hard feelings.

xoxo 

Marcelle

**In some cases, repairing hard feelings may require professional assistance. Don't hesitate to consult a professional who specializes in family dynamics.