Then Forgive Yourself

You repaired with your child. Now do not skip the harder repair — the one with yourself.

• Close the loop out loud. "I made a mistake. I owned it. I can move forward."
• Stop apologizing. One sincere repair is enough; a string of sorries hands your guilt to the child to carry.
• Check in later. That evening, ask: "How are you feeling about what happened earlier?"

Your worst parenting moment is a moment. It is not a verdict on the parent you are.