“I regret arguing with their dad loud enough for them to hear.
I’ve apologized to all three of them for that because they deserved better.
I can’t imagine trying to go to sleep when your parents are fighting.
It’s my biggest regret in life.”
Here are the eye-opening results:
1.
“Staying in an emotionally, psychologically, financially abusive relationship ‘for the sake of the kids.’
We’re still picking up the pieces 10 years later.”
c4d91d1073
2.
“I wish I’d attended more school functions and had been more present when they talked with me.
There are no dire consequences like estrangement just that I dearly miss seeing and hearing them every day.”
lasra
3.
She understands, but I still don’t know why saying those three words is so hard."
That’s the way I remain with my mom to this day.
48, North Carolina
4.
“Arguing with their dad loud enough for them to hear.
I’ve apologized to all three of them for that because they deserved better.
I can’t imagine trying to go to sleep when your parents are fighting.
It’s my biggest regret in life.”
acidiccrocodile93
5.
When a parent has more than one child, that seems like too overwhelming of a task to accomplish.
I raised four children by myself from my first marriage.
51, Pennsylvania
6.
My biggest regret is thinking that she didn’t need a father in her life that I was enough.
clairecappleman
7.
My parents never apologized, so neither did I.
53, Ohio
8.
Anonymous
9.
“My daughter is 24 now and she’s our only child.
My biggest mistake was not standing up for her enough or helping her define and enforce her boundaries.
I wish I had used my voice to protect her boundaries as a kid.
She doesn’t like being spoken to like that knock it off.
63, Virginia
10.
I had an ex-husband (only married for one year) and a long-term boyfriend (four years).
I regret bringing both of them home.
So, I flip-flop on that frequently.”
starrcrossd
11.
“I would NOT go back to work.
62, Iowa
12.
“I often tried to be their friend when I should have been more strict.
Also, I should have kept a closer eye on their friend circle too much influence.
Having more confidence in myself as a parent would have mitigated both things.”
65, California
13.
“Not encouraging them to have part-time jobs during their teens.
They are now lost 30-somethings without careers or direction.
I fought with their dad, but he emphasized their academic work.
A teenage job is an essential part of growing up (if it happens)!”
“I would have talked about emotions more and tried to teach them resilience.
We didn’t have any models for this when I was raising my kids.”
61, Connecticut
15.
“Trusting my son too much.
I was a single parent working full-time and attending school.
My son attended a private high school and drove himself to school and back every day.
One day in the morning, he told me he was sick and was going to stay home.
59, Florida
And finally…
16.
“I had my oldest son at 17 and was a single mom.
From the ages of 712, I neglected my oldest son emotionally.
I was selfish, partied, and spent many weekends during those years at some boyfriend’s place.
He was with his grandma and safe.
Now that he is older, he has mental health issues.”
“I have apologized and asked forgiveness, which he has given.
But that doesn’t heal everything.
I hope one day, he knows truly, at his core, that he is worthy.
He is deserving and valuable.I will walk with him every step to that healing.”
42, Ohio
Note: Some responses have been edited for length and/or clarity.
