What happens when you mess up as a parent?
Because let’s be honest… no matter how intentional you try to be, no matter how many goals you set, there are still going to be moments where you lose your patience, react in a way you regret, or just plain get it wrong. The real question is not if that will happen, but what you do next.
In this second half of my conversation with Jon Hord, we move from awareness into action. Jon shares what it actually looks like to repair those hard moments with your kids, how to model growth instead of perfection, and why those “mess up” moments can become some of the most powerful connection points in your family.
This episode is incredibly practical, but also deeply encouraging. You are not stuck in your patterns. You are not defined by your worst moments. And you have more influence than you think in shaping your relationship with your kids moving forward.
In this episode, we cover:
- What to say after you lose your temper or handle something poorly
- Why apologizing to your kids builds respect instead of weakening authority
- How to turn parenting mistakes into opportunities for connection
- The difference between working on yourself silently and involving your kids in the process
- A simple way to help kids learn compromise and ownership (using dinner!)
- Why the dinner table is one of the most powerful connection points in your home
- The impact of removing phones and distractions during family time
- One mindset shift that can instantly change how you respond to your kids
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Key Takeaways about Repairing Parenting Mistakes
- You will mess up as a parent. The goal is not perfection but how you repair after those moments.
- Apologizing to your kids and being honest about your growth builds trust and models emotional maturity.
- Vulnerability is not weakness; it is a powerful tool for connection.
- Many parents carry patterns from their own childhood, and breaking those patterns takes intentional effort and patience.
- Progress does not require big, dramatic changes. Small, consistent steps forward matter most.
You will mess up, but those moments can become opportunities. – Jon Hord
- Even silent growth counts, but inviting your kids into the process can deepen relationships.
- Creating intentional moments, like shared meals or simple activities, gives space to practice new habits.
- Parenting growth is less about controlling your kids and more about leading yourself well.
Keep the Life Skills Going All Year Round!
Missing #LifeSkillsNow? You can keep doing workshops! Get one from each season of #LifeSkillsNow for free to do while you’re waiting for the next season.
These workshops include Making Homemade Gellies with Leah; Turning Big Ideas Into a Real Business with Billy Brady, the CEO of Troomi Phones; How to Make a Phone Call with Katie and kids; Checking Fluid Levels in Your Auto with Sam Tillema; and Making Your Home Sensory Smart with Greg Santucci.
And if you missed this year’s camp, it’s a fun taste of what we do each year in our free life skills camp for kids and teens.
Show Me the Life Skills!Action Steps for This Episode
- When you mess up, go back and repair. Apologize simply and honestly, and let your child share how it affected them.
- Ask questions instead of shutting down the conversation.
- Choose one small intention each day for how you want to show up as a parent.
The hardest step is the first one. Once you start moving, it gets easier. – Jon Hord
- Practice pausing when emotions rise instead of reacting immediately.
- Try creating simple, intentional moments with your kids, like letting them help choose or make a meal.
- Keep phones away from the table to protect connection time.
- When your child is talking, silently remind yourself, “I’m so grateful for this moment,” and notice how it shifts your response.
- Focus on small forward steps instead of trying to fix everything at once.
Resources We Mention for Repairing Parenting Mistakes
- Join the Engaged Father Project community now
- The importance of family dinners
- What is the role of fathers when it comes to teaching kids about health and food?
- Helping teens and tweens build a healthy relationship with technology
Jon Hord is the founder of The Engaged Father Project, a coaching program that helps busy professional dads show up with presence, purpose, and emotional strength at home. After years of chasing success while drifting from what mattered most, Jon rebuilt his life through self leadership and intentional fatherhood. Now he teaches fathers how to break old patterns, lead with identity, and create a legacy their kids will feel for generations.
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