Oftentimes at home, we can play off each others emotions and stress levels. When we are already feeling stressed, overwhelmed, or having a tough day, it can be hard to stay calm for our child when they are losing control. When we don't respond well, it is important that we can apologise to our child and then reconnect with them.
Apologising shows our kids that nobody is perfect, that it is okay to make mistakes, and that it is important to take responsibility when we do. A good apology also models behaviour like empathy and accountability.
After apologising, the next step is to reflect and reconnect. The whole exchange might sound something like this:
"I'm sorry I lost my temper. I can see you were upset that we had to stop playing, and I was feeling stressed that we were running late. I should not have yelled. I am very sorry I upset you. Next time, I will make sure I take some deep breaths instead of yelling. I love you very much. Should we try again?"
Apologies like this one show your child that there is room to repair and reconnect after someone's been hurt.
Remember, it's important to also show yourself kindness and compassion. As parents, we all make mistakes, and how we handle our mistakes, has the power to teach our kids how to handle theirs.