Every dad wants to do all they can to secure their kids’ future and ensure they grow up healthy and happy. But, you can’t look after them forever, and there may even be times when they are away from home and call you with bad news. 

You don’t know what’s happened yet, but you know it’s bad. They might be crying, they might be apologizing, they might seem scared. Maybe they've messed up, and they know it, so what can you do? It’s tempting to blow your lid, but what they really need is support. 

Don’t Jump to Conclusions

It’s easy to assume the wrong thing when your kid tells you something has gone terribly wrong, and parents can avoid reacting the wrong way by not jumping to conclusions. As long as you don’t start throwing blame around, whether to them or their friends, you can hear them out and find out what’s happened. This will also give you the chance to think about the next step calmly and keep your emotions in check so that you don’t make any rash decisions. 

Look For Ways to Fix It Before Getting Mad 

You may already be mad, but you can’t show it. Your child is in trouble, so your only priority should be getting them out of trouble as quickly as possible. This often depends on the nature of their issue. If they're stranded in a sketchy part of the city after telling you they went somewhere else, you can arrange transport or pick them up. If they have gotten in trouble with the law, you can research how does a surety bond work to find out what you can do to assist. It is also a good idea to contact the parents of any friends they are with. 

Encourage Them to Be Honest 

Honesty is an important policy for parents to establish, yet kids will often lie to avoid getting in trouble. As they grow up, they should be less concerned with you overreacting, so encouraging them to be honest is the best approach. They might not be ready to be honest immediately, and, understandably, they may want to cool down. You should let them know you’re ready to discuss it when they are. 

Make It A Learning Opportunity 

Kids will always worry when they mess up. One of your most crucial tools as a parent is your ability to teach them, and showing them that mistakes and failure can be a chance to learn will help them avoid the same mistakes in the future. Offering this support will make them feel safer, and it will also help them grow and mature, meaning they are less likely to run into trouble again. 

Mistakes 

Every kid will make mistakes as they grow up. Hopefully, they never mess up too badly, and any problems they encounter can be overcome easily. Still, there may be some situations where your child is in too deep with something dangerous. As long as you're there to support them and help them avoid making the same mistake again, you can continue to trust them.