Laugh at your bloopers.

We’re all going to have those moments — you trip in front of friends, spill your snack, miss a note in a performance, forget the punchline of a joke. From where we stand as parents, those little stumbles are not signs that something is wrong; they’re chances to grow and to laugh. When we teach kids to “laugh at their bloopers,” we’re not telling them to ignore feelings or pretend everything is fine. We’re helping them turn a tight, embarrassing moment into a soft place they can bounce off of and learn from. Saying something light and true in the moment can break the spell of shame and make it easier to try again.

Modeling matters more than lecturing. If we exaggerate our own tiny mistakes — dropping keys, saying the wrong word, flubbing a recipe — and then smile and say something simple, kids learn it’s safe to be imperfect. The goal is to give them short, powerful phrases they can use right after something goes wrong, and to give ourselves phrases we say to them that validate feelings while nudging toward humor and repair. Practice these as family, not as a performance: say them gently, with a laugh if it feels natural, and mean it. This helps children move from “I blew it” to “That was a blooper — what next?”

Here are short, ready-to-use phrases children can say to themselves or others when a mistake happens: - “Oops! Bloopers happen.” - “I’m okay. I can try again.” - “That was funny — I’ll remember it!” - “Everyone messes up sometimes.” - “What can I do next?” - “Take a deep breath. I’ve got this.” - “That was brave to try.” - “I’m learning, not failing.”

Knowing what to say is only part of it. We also teach kids how to respond to their feelings around a blooper. First, name the feeling: “You look embarrassed — that’s normal.” Then normalize: “Everyone has that happen.” Add perspective: “It’s a tiny part of your day, not the whole story.” Finally, give permission to laugh: “Want to make a silly sound together?” or “Let’s make a goofy bow.” These steps validate emotions rather than dismissing them, and they give children control over how the moment ends.

Older kids might want more privacy or a straightforward fix instead of playful banter; that’s okay. Offer a short phrase and then step back if they prefer. For younger children, playful rituals — a silly hat after a mistake, a family “bloopers cheer” — can turn anxiety into a shared joke. The point is to build a habit: notice the feeling, name it, choose a phrase, and move forward.

When we laugh with our children about everyday bloopers, we send a powerful message: mistakes are normal, feelings are okay, and trying is more important than being perfect. Practice these lines together, keep your own bloopers light, and watch kids learn that a small slip doesn’t define them — it teaches them.