Note to stressed parents: Instead of trying to be perfect, do this.

Experts at Harvard's T.H. Chan School of Public Health are urging stressed parents to abandon the pursuit of perfection in favor of honest communication. As the Harvard Gazette tells it, acknowledging distress and explaining emotions to children in concrete terms can actually help kids develop empathy and emotional competence. The panel suggests that when parents lose their temper, the act of apologizing and repairing the relationship provides a vital learning opportunity for the child. This approach shifts the focus from a hyper-fixation on achievement toward long-term emotional development and healthier relationships.

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