| There is no manual to teach us how to be parents. | | | | a project, and provided the comfort and assurance |
| We have to make it up as we go along. Many times, | | | | that would keep her happy until her mother arrived. |
| instinct guides us and we do the right thing. But not | | | | When her mom did show up, she first apologized to |
| always. As human beings, every one of us makes | | | | the teachers for keeping them the extra time. Then, |
| mistakes. Owning up to them, laughing at them, and | | | | she apologized to her daughter. She told her the truth |
| apologizing for them is part of being a good parent. It | | | | that she got caught up on the phone and lost track of |
| shows your children that it's ok to make mistakes, and | | | | time. She said she was sorry and promised to pay |
| important to admit them and apologize for them. | | | | more attention from now on. |
| For example, Rachel's mother picked her daughter up | | | | Rachel's mother could have just as easily made up an |
| from preschool every day at 11:45. One particular day, | | | | excuse to both the school and her daughter for her |
| she got involved in a phone call and completely lost | | | | tardiness. But, really, what's the point. Not only is |
| track of time. When she hung up, it was 11:40 and she | | | | honesty the best policy....we all make mistakes. But |
| lived 15 minutes from school. She immediately to called | | | | Rachel learned that mistakes happen and it's ok. |
| the school to say she'd be late, so they could prepare | | | | Everything turned out fine. |
| her daughter. That's very important. You need to | | | | The saying goes, to err is human. It is a parent's job to |
| manage your kids' expectations. Knowing that her | | | | show her children how move on after making a |
| mother would be late, Rachel's teachers involved her in | | | | mistake. |