I could not agree more. I have experienced the same, growing up. And I think that even worse is not accepting your kid's apology. My parents would not apologise, they would want me to do so, but not even accept it, because "it is just words, you probably don't even mean it." It drove me nuts, it made me cry and scream in frustration, because what the hell did they want me to do? Go back in time? They would let me cry and apologise and refuse it again. And I never did anything an honest "sorry" couldn't fix, my biggest "misbehaviour" would be avoided chore or a cheeky reply, but they would NOT forgive without an apology and NOT accept it. In my teens, THIS was what made me talk back rude, because if they will not accept that I am really sorry, then I am NOT and I would give them a real reason to be mad. Sorry for the rant, I did not even know that this was still somewhere deep within me until I started typing :-D. I also over-apologise all the time, worried people will not accept it...

Anna - my father wouldn't accept my apologies if I didn't seem sincere enough by some strange standard that he never explained and I couldn't work out as it varied. So I know something of how you feel, although not as bad as I did get it right sometimes (probably if he just happened to be in a better mood). But yours - that's awful and really wrong. What else can a child do, particularly when that's what they are being asked for? Not surprised you needed to rant! Yes, I'm worried that people won't believe that I really am sorry... how parents can screw up their children! I know raising kids isn't easy but some of this stuff is obviously wrong.

Laugh Fan - thank you for your kind reply to my rant. Yeah, it was like being a hamster in a wheel... And yes, it is strange that many people can do the same seemingly evidently wrong thing when raising children. I am sure it is not possible to do everything right, but hope to get it better. I wish you all the best in life, you are such a nice person :-)

Right back at ya Anna. 😊 All the best.