Parents often ask me if they should share their past with their teen. They say, “Won’t that just encourage them to repeat the mistakes I made?” In my experience, I’ve found just the opposite to be true.

More than ever, kids today are in desperate need of honest parents who are willing to be vulnerable in sharing their own failures. Teens have a lot to gain from hearing how their parents handled or mishandled decisions at 13, 15 or 17 years of age. And what they learned from those mistakes.

By revealing your brokenness, you demonstrate the end result of making bad decisions. Plus, hurting people are often drawn to the brokenness they sense in another. So sharing your own story gives your teen a safe place to admit their own shortcomings.

Mom and Dad, don’t be afraid to share your past with your teen!

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