Tips for Failing Forward (cont.)
Finally, when children make a mistake, don’t bring it up again. Let go and don’t talk about it. If kids truly ask for repentance and for the Lord to forgive them, God won’t bring it up again. So why should parents?
Children still must walk out their repentance and earn our respect again. But we don’t talk about that failure. We focus on the good and talk about it all the time.
10 Steps for Dealing with Children’s Mistakes
1. Confront them face-to-face.
2. Correct and explain what they did wrong.
3. Allow your kids to ask forgiveness and repent.
4. Let the punishment fit the crime.
5. Pray with them and give them a hug.
6. Forgive them and give them a chance to make it right.
7. Don’t be overly critical while they work out their plan.
8. Don’t treat them differently after they mess up.
9. Look for ways to make them feel good about themselves.
10. Don’t bring up the mistake again.
Here’s a great place for assessment. Which area do you need to work on? It’s never too late to make right choices. You can make corrections to your parenting skills. While parenting and teaching children, it’s always the right time to do right things.
