Parenting in Real Life: The Fails

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Parenting in real life: The Fails

- Thursday, February `12, 2026
We're back with part two of the Parenting in Real Life episodes with, The Fails. Back in episode 3, we talked about The Wins (Parenting in Real Life: The Wins). As we look back, these are the moments that make us smile. But for every win there is a fail, moments when looking back we wish we would have handled differently. In this episode we're sharing stories and the lessons learned from our parenting fails.

Listen to episode 9

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What We learned

Point 1: We’re Not Perfect — Parenting Is On-the-Job Training
God never asked us to be perfect parents—He asks us to be faithful and teachable ones.

• Parenting often feels like learning after the test. 
• We expect perfection from ourselves in a role God designed to grow us.
• Our kids don’t need flawless parents; they need parents who model humility, repentance, and dependence on God.
• God uses our limitations to show His sufficiency.

Scripture
“Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own.” — Philippians 3:12

“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” — 2 Corinthians 12:9

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​parenting in real life
the wins

Click to listen to episode 3,
Parenting in Real Life: The Wins

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Point 2: Be Quick to Ask for Forgiveness So You Can Be Quick to Give Forgiveness
One of the greatest gifts we give our kids is showing them how to repair what’s broken.

• Apologizing to your kids doesn’t weaken your authority—it builds trust.
• When we confess quickly, we model emotional and spiritual maturity.
• Our kids learn how to forgive by watching how we handle our own failures.
• A simple “I was wrong—will you forgive me?” can be deeply healing.

Scripture
“Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed.” — James 5:16

“Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” — Ephesians 4:32

“Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.” — Proverbs 28:13

Point 3: Let Go of Guilt, Shame, and Regret — Embrace God’s Grace and Forgiveness
Shame keeps us stuck in the past, but grace invites us forward.

• Guilt says, “I did something wrong.” Shame says, “I am something wrong.”
• God addresses conviction, not condemnation.
• Carrying shame doesn’t make us better parents—it makes us fearful ones.
• God’s grace is not dependent on how well we parented yesterday.​

Scripture
“There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” — Romans 8:1

“As far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us.” — Psalm 103:12

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” — 1 John 1:9

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Discussion questions

Take the podcast to the next step and download out discussion questions. Use these questions to talk with your spouse. Download the questions here: DISCUSSION QUESTIONS.

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