You will lose your temper, miss something important, and get calls wrong. The measure is repair: acknowledge it clearly, without a long defence, and without making the child comfort you.
Part 01
The lesson
Guilt that turns into withdrawal harms children twice. Do the repair and stay in the room.
Reflection
Questions to sit with
- 01What will your children say about you when they are forty?
- 02When did your child last see you admit you were wrong?
- 03Is your family managing your moods?
Put it into practice
Action points
- 01Spend 30 uninterrupted minutes with your child today — no phone, their choice of activity.
- 02Ask your child what they think makes a good father. Listen without correcting the answer.