Many children are taught to be ashamed of mistakes. Adults who teach blame for mistakes mean well. They believe that shame will motivate children to do better. It might, but at a heavy cost to their healthy sense of self-worth. If you were raised this way, it may be time to “re-parent” yourself, so that you can create new beliefs about mistakes.

Respond to mistakes with compassion and kindness instead of shame, blame, or lectures.

When appropriate, use curiosity questions to help your child “explore” the consequences of their choices.

During dinner time invite everyone to share a mistake they made during the day and what they learned from it.