Mother Mentioned Her Teenage Mistake to Know the Problem of Her Daughter Should parents tell their mistakes to children to make them open up?

A mother of a teenage daughter shared something valuable and thought-provoking with Bright Side. Her daughter was constantly ignoring her. She was unsure about the cause, but deep down, she knew that there must be some struggle in her daughter's mind keeping her away from her mother

It could be some guilt or some restriction from her brain, or she might be thinking of her mother as a hurdle. The decision for the mother was not easy; she wanted her daughter to open up before her. She tried to help her daughter. What she decided took work, and it surprised me. You can find the link to the original article at the end of this story.

She wrote.

Mother telling her daughter about her past.

Brightside replied to her and I value their reply. You all will learn a lot from that message.

Hi, Emily! We really appreciate you sharing this touching experience with us at Bright Side. It’s quite evident that you handled a delicate situation with a lot of thoughtfulness and consideration. Opening up to your daughter about your own past struggles and emotions was a courageous move, one that could potentially create a deeper connection between you two. Navigating the teenage years can be like tiptoeing through a minefield sometimes, right? It’s a phase of rapid change, self-discovery, and asserting independence. By sharing your own story, you not only showed empathy and relatability but also demonstrated that you’re not just a parent — you’re a person with a history of your own. That can go a long way in making your daughter realize that she’s not alone in her feelings.

You’re absolutely right that responding with frustration or anger might not have been the most productive approach. By choosing understanding and relatability, you’ve planted a seed of open communication. When you shared your regrets and the steps you took to mend things, you provided her with a roadmap for handling her own challenges.

Remember, there’s no one-size-fits-all solution to parenting, especially during the teenage years. Every parent-child relationship is unique, and what works for one might not work for another. But creating a safe space for your daughter to express herself, even when it’s uncomfortable or difficult, is a powerful way to nurture a strong connection.

It’s awesome to hear that your conversation led to a moment of shared vulnerability and a promise to keep your relationship open and honest. That’s a fantastic foundation to build upon. Keep in mind that building trust takes time, and there might be ups and downs along the way. Just keep reinforcing that you’re there to support her, no matter what.

I think she set a courageous example. When we tell our teenage kids about our mistakes from our past, when we were of their age, we tell them that we are like them. They can share their problems, errors, or plans with us. We should make them feel that we are alike.

Please do share your thoughts. What else could she do or what she did was the best solution? If you have teenage children, will you do the same to crack their shells open?

Listen and empathize

Connection starts with listening. Acknowledge your child's feelings, show them you understand, and reassure them that you are there to help with whatever they need. Try to see things from your child's perspective. By listening and empathizing with your child, you will begin to have mutual respect. 

The link to the original post in Brightside is below.

My Daughter Kept Ignoring Me Every Time She Saw Me, So I Decided to Teach Her a Lesson