Parents Whose Children Are Grown Up, Tell Us The Biggest Mistakes You Made With Your Kids

Parents, if your kids have entered adulthood, you've probably been able to reflect over the years and acknowledge the things you're grateful for that you did as a parent — as well as your regrets.

A mother and daughter sit closely on a couch, arms around each other in a comforting embrace, facing away from the camera
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So, if your kids are grown up now, we want to know: What are the biggest parenting mistakes you think you made?

Two men, one older and one younger, stand by a window looking outside. The older man has his hands on the younger man's shoulders. Both appear thoughtful
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Maybe you realize you prioritized your career and other responsibilities over your family and weren't involved in their lives. And now, you have a distant relationship with them — or no relationship at all — and you don't know how to improve it.

Man in an office working late, rubbing his eyes in stress or fatigue, with a computer, notepad, and coffee cup on the desk
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Perhaps you've realized you were too overprotective or sheltered your kids in unhealthy ways, and now that they're adults, you see how this has negatively impacted their lives.

An adult holds a baby with outstretched arms while seated on a sofa in a cozy living room
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Maybe you feel like you put too much pressure on your kids to live up to certain expectations regarding school and their careers, and you wish you could completely change how you parented.

Children in a classroom, with one student raising their hand and a teacher in the background standing near the whiteboard
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Or perhaps there were more subtle mistakes you made — in your marriage or overall life decisions — that your kids had to witness, and you wish you could have done something different looking back.

Two adults and a child holding hands and walking on grass, seen from behind
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In the comments below, parents with grown-up kids, tell us your biggest parenting mistake — and be sure to explain what you'd do differently. Or, if you prefer to remain anonymous, feel free to use this Google form. Your response could be featured in an upcoming BuzzFeed Community post.