> Sometimes you are wrong and you really need help to overcome the emotional baggage that blocks you from admitting it. Teaching my children that it's okay (an

> Sometimes you are wrong and you really need help to overcome the emotional baggage that blocks you from admitting it. Teaching my children that it's okay (and indeed desirable) to admit when you were wrong, and if need be, to make amends, by direct example, is one of the best things I do as a parent, I think. But I'm also upfront with the reasoning around it - 1) I consider it a moral imperative of a good member of a society and 2) being willing to acknowledge and own my mistakes has been a major factor in my success in life - especially in IT where there's a lot of intellectual pride, it can really take people by surprise. And likewise, I have to model the behaviour I want them to show in their actions within my family. And I'll admit my heart swelled with love and pride when my 15 year old son who had a rather big row with his step-Mum wherein both said things that were hurtful to the other out of anger, initiated a conversation soon after to apologise for what he said, and she apologised what she said, and they both agreed to work harder. I know how much guts that took him, and I think it surprised my partner - she was going to take that initiative later that day when there were less younger siblings interrupting, but it was obviously weighing on his mind. I like to think that my teaching and example were reflected in his bravery in initiating what is a hard conversation for grown adults, let alone teenaged boys.