There’s something deeply humbling about looking into your child’s eyes and saying, “I was wrong.”

Whether they’re a toddler, a teen, or a full-grown adult, our children carry memories of the words we used — especially when we were tired, stressed, or distracted. And while no parent gets it right every time (none of us do), every parent gets the opportunity to model something powerful: what it looks like to apologize well.

In my counseling work, I’ve heard countless adults say, “My parents never apologized to me — ever.” They carry years of emotional baggage because no one ever acknowledged the damage. Even small wounds, when ignored, can shape a child’s sense of worth or emotional safety.

But the opposite is also true. When a parent takes responsibility — when they say, “I was wrong to raise my voice,” or “I didn’t listen the way I should have” — that moment becomes healing, not just for the child, but for the relationship.

Apologizing to your child doesn’t make you weak. It makes you trustworthy. It shows them that accountability and love can go hand in hand. And it teaches them how to repair relationships in their own lives.

This is why I believe so deeply inThe 5 Apology Languages™. Children, like adults, have different ways of receiving apologies. Some need to hear the regret. Others need a promise to do better. Some need to see actions that back up your words.

The more we learn how to say “I’m sorry” in a way that reaches their heart, the more resilient — and connected — our families become.