Nothing repairs a parent-child relationship—or models the heart of the gospel—more powerfully than eight humble words: “I’m sorry. I was wrong. Please forgive me.” In a world where authority is often prized over humility, Catherine shines a light on the crucial, yet challenging, words every parent must be willing to say.

In this deeply practical “Best Of” episode, Catherine explores why these eight words are harder to say than most—and how they carry the potential to transform the atmosphere of our homes. With her trademark honesty and grace, Catherine tackles the barriers parents face in admitting fault and offers biblically-grounded wisdom for restoring trust when we inevitably get it wrong.

What You’ll Hear in This Episode:


The three critical objectives achieved when parents humbly apologize, including healing breaches in trust, modeling biblical repentance, and affirming your child’s growth and autonomy.


Why saying “I’m sorry” isn’t always enough—and the importance of going beyond surface-level apologies to confessing, “I was wrong,” especially when our delivery lacks love.


A breakdown of the four parenting phases—caregiver, cop, coach, and counselor—and how operating in the wrong one can damage relationships with older kids.


Catherine’s actionable, eight bonus words: “What can I do to make it right?”—a powerful next step for restoration and collaboration with your child.

Rooted in 1 Corinthians 13, Catherine reminds listeners that even “if I speak with human eloquence and angelic ecstasy, but I don’t love, I’m nothing but the creaking of a rusty gate.” She vulnerably shares her own journey toward quicker humility and confesses her husband models this with grace she’s always striving to emulate.

Notable Quotes from This Episode:


“Parenting really isn’t about perfection. It’s about formation—ours and theirs.”


“Dictators last for a season. But at some point, there will be a citizens’ revolt.”


“Our kids need to see humility and repentance from us.”

If you want a legacy of trust, openness, and faith in your family, tune in to learn the eight essential words every parent should have in their relational toolbox.

Ask Yourself:
When was the last time you told your child, “I was wrong. Please forgive me”? What might change in your home if humility and grace defined your relationship repairs?

Want more practical steps for rebuilding after mistakes? Don’t miss next week’s "best of" episode, where Catherine welcomes back Kirsten Vossler, host of the Rejoicing in Motherhood podcast, to share seven practical, grace-filled steps for resetting when you’ve blown it with your kids.

Subscribe and invite Catherine into your parenting journey at catherinesegars.com for free resources, encouragement, and faith-filled insight. Parenting as a Christian may be crazy, but you don’t have to do it alone.

Nothing repairs a parent-child relationship&mdash;or models the heart of the gospel&mdash;more powerfully than eight humble words: &ldquo;I&rsquo;m sorry. I was wrong. Please forgive me.&rdquo; In a world where authority is often prized over humility, Catherine shines a light on the crucial, yet challenging, words every parent must be willing to say.
In this deeply practical &ldquo;Best Of&rdquo; episode, Catherine explores why these eight words are harder to say than most&mdash;and how they carry the potential to transform the atmosphere of our homes. With her trademark honesty and grace, Catherine tackles the barriers parents face in admitting fault and offers biblically-grounded wisdom for restoring trust when we inevitably get it wrong.
What You&rsquo;ll Hear in This Episode:
<ul>
<li>
The three critical objectives achieved when parents humbly apologize, including healing breaches in trust, modeling biblical repentance, and affirming your child&rsquo;s growth and autonomy.
</li>
<li>
Why saying &ldquo;I&rsquo;m sorry&rdquo; isn&rsquo;t always enough&mdash;and the importance of going beyond surface-level apologies to confessing, &ldquo;I was wrong,&rdquo; especially when our delivery lacks love.
</li>
<li>
A breakdown of the four parenting phases&mdash;caregiver, cop, coach, and counselor&mdash;and how operating in the wrong one can damage relationships with older kids.
</li>
<li>
Catherine&rsquo;s actionable, eight bonus words: &ldquo;What can I do to make it right?&rdquo;&mdash;a powerful next step for restoration and collaboration with your child.
</li>
</ul>
Rooted in 1 Corinthians 13, Catherine reminds listeners that even &ldquo;if I speak with human eloquence and angelic ecstasy, but I don&rsquo;t love, I&rsquo;m nothing but the creaking of a rusty gate.&rdquo; She vulnerably shares her own journey toward quicker humility and confesses her husband models this with grace she&rsquo;s always striving to emulate.
Notable Quotes from This Episode:
<ul>
<li>
&ldquo;Parenting really isn&rsquo;t about perfection. It&rsquo;s about formation&mdash;ours and theirs.&rdquo;
</li>
<li>
&ldquo;Dictators last for a season. But at some point, there will be a citizens&rsquo; revolt.&rdquo;
</li>
<li>
&ldquo;Our kids need to see humility and repentance from us.&rdquo;
</li>
</ul>
If you want a legacy of trust, openness, and faith in your family, tune in to learn the eight essential words every parent should have in their relational toolbox.
Ask Yourself: When was the last time you told your child, &ldquo;I was wrong. Please forgive me&rdquo;? What might change in your home if humility and grace defined your relationship repairs?
Want more practical steps for rebuilding after mistakes? Don&rsquo;t miss next week&rsquo;s "best of" episode, where Catherine welcomes back Kirsten Vossler, host of the Rejoicing in Motherhood podcast, to share seven practical, grace-filled steps for resetting when you&rsquo;ve blown it with your kids.
<hr>
Subscribe and invite Catherine into your parenting journey at <a href="https://catherinesegars.com/">catherinesegars.com</a>&nbsp;for free resources, encouragement, and faith-filled insight. Parenting as a Christian may be crazy, but you don&rsquo;t have to do it alone.

The Christian Parent, Crazy World podcast with Catherine Segars equips moms and dads to be godly parents in a world that often opposes their faith. As a passionate apologist and seasoned communicator, Catherine unpacks the tough cultural issues facing families today, offering insightful, biblically grounded guidance. Each episode helps parents understand the challenges of our times and respond with wisdom, confidence, and grace.

Topics covered on this podcast include:
What to Do If Your Child Walks Away from the Faith
Can Our Words Change the Future?
Why Are So Many Kids Falling Away from The Faith?
13 Ways To Be a Better Parent This Year
5 Things Every Parent Needs to Know About Gen Z
What Critical Foundation Do Many Parents Miss When Discipling Their Kids?
How To Teach Your Kids the Christian Worldview 
Hope and Strategy for Parents of Prodigal Children

Want to read some of Catherine's most popular Christian parenting articles? Check them out here: https://www.crosswalk.com/author/catherine-segars/

The Christian Parent, Crazy World&nbsp;podcast with Catherine Segars equips moms and dads to be godly parents in a world that often opposes their faith. As a passionate apologist and seasoned communicator, Catherine unpacks the tough cultural issues facing families today, offering insightful, biblically grounded guidance. Each episode helps parents understand the challenges of our times and respond with wisdom, confidence, and grace.
Topics covered on this podcast include:
<ul>
<li>What to Do If Your Child Walks Away from the Faith</li>
<li>Can Our Words Change the Future?</li>
<li>Why Are So Many Kids Falling Away from The Faith?</li>
<li>13 Ways To Be a Better Parent This Year</li>
<li>5 Things Every Parent Needs to Know About Gen Z</li>
<li>What Critical Foundation Do Many Parents Miss When Discipling Their Kids?</li>
<li>How To Teach Your Kids the Christian Worldview&nbsp;</li>
<li>Hope and Strategy for Parents of Prodigal Children</li>
</ul>
Want to read some of Catherine's most popular Christian parenting articles? Check them out here: https://www.crosswalk.com/author/catherine-segars/

Christian Parent, Crazy World is a podcast dedicated to helping you be a godly parent in an ungodly world.

Christian Parent, Crazy World

Christian Parent Crazy World

8 Words That Can Transform Your Relationship with Your Child - "Best Of" Ep. 85

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/5e27a451-e6e6-4c51-aa03-a7370003783c/clips/9e068d84-37ca-47ed-b51d-b3f101215b70/transcript