No child is perfect. Not even mine. You’d think every parent would fundamentally understand this fact, but I’m amazed at how many don’t. Children are just as human as their imperfect parents. We all make mistakes. One more time…we all make mistakes. But we, as parents, have a responsibility to help our children learn how to work through those mistakes.

I know it can be disappointing, but when you discover your child has done wrong don’t ignore the issue, or blame other people. These are powerful teaching moments. Children who are never taught to take ownership for their mistakes, increase his/her chances of growing up with entitlement issues. These kinds of people tend to be lazy and think the world owes them a living, which in the end, makes them a burden to society.

“But…my Johnny is a good boy.” Some of you might be saying. I’m sure he or she is 99% of the time. Most kids really are good kids, but that doesn’t mean you should give them a pass on the few times they aren’t. Hold them accountable for all their actions. It doesn’t mean you love them less, really you love them more. Accepting guilt, making restitution, saying “I’m sorry”, these are life skills every one of us needs.