Learning to apologize to your parents as an adult is a sign the relationship is growing up too.

A child’s apology is usually extracted and about ending trouble. An adult one is harder because there is no punishment to escape, which means the only reason to say it is that you were in the wrong and you can see it. Being able to do that with your own parents is a sign the relationship has moved onto new footing.

Think of something you have been carrying from the last year and say the short version. I was wrong and I am sorry, with nothing attached to it. No explanation, no mention of what they did, no waiting for them to go first.