by Mario Carini

Created on: January 24, 2009   Last Updated: January 31, 2009

Nowhere is forgiveness more necessary than in the family environment between parents and their children.

No matter how perfect you think you are, you will make mistakes. While many parents are willing to forgive their children, asking for forgiveness from them is hard to do. Once the mantle of parent is put on, many feel there is no need to admit to mistakes for fear of losing some of that parental authority. That kind of attitude leads to a negative effect and blocks out any intimate communication between you and your kids. Admitting to being wrong doesn't mean getting down on knees begging for forgiveness. A simple hug, a simple, "I'm sorry" can help heal any wounds your children feel toward you and helps reestablish their faith and trust in you.

Your attitude and the way you handle yourself teaches them the qualities they will grow up with and use later on in their lives.

Children learn by example and need to know that you are just as human as they are. Seeing you this way helps them recognize the imperfections of the world they must live in as adults.

While it is important to admit your mistakes, it is also important to be forgiving when your child does something wrong. Too often parents become frustrated and angry when Johnny does something wrong. In some cases the parent releases tension by lashing out at the child. This behavior only teaches that violence is justified.

While you may not believe in spanking your children, verbal abuse can have a devastating effect on the self esteem of your children. Criticism should be tempered with love when they make a mistake. It's much better to show them what they did wrong than raise your voice and berate them as foolish morons.

To learn how to forgive, ask for forgiveness and establish trust, employ the following points:

* Be willing to listen to your children. Endless chatter may make you feel superior, but does little to get them to trust you if they can't talk to you.

* Be willing to learn. Your children can teach you something about humbleness and humility. They have no biases or foster long standing anger and jealousy. Those are qualities you should emulate.

* Lead by example. You are the parent so your behavior should teach them the right principles of love and devotion. You must be a role model for them by your behavior.

* Don't be demanding. Your children are not adults. You need to develop patience when dealing with them. That goes double once they become teenagers and start to show a rebellious streak.

* Find

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