When I was younger, I thought correcting my dad was just part of how we talked. If he said something wrong or outdated, I felt it was my job to fix it. I thought I was helping, making sure things were accurate or better understood. But over time, I realized that constantly correcting him wasn’t really helping our relationship—it was pushing him away.
At first, it was hard to stop. I had this urge to jump in and set things straight, especially when I knew he was wrong. But I noticed that every time I did, he’d get quiet or change the subject. It felt like he was shutting down, and I didn’t want that. So I started to listen more and correct less. Instead of focusing on what he said wrong, I tried to understand why he said it that way. Sometimes, it was just his way of telling a story or sharing a memory, not a fact to be debated.
Listening without interrupting opened up a new kind of conversation. My dad started sharing more, and I felt closer to him. I learned that it wasn’t about being right or wrong but about connection. When I stopped correcting, I showed respect for his experience and feelings. That made him more willing to listen to me too.
I also realized that some things don’t need fixing. Minor mistakes or old-fashioned ideas aren’t worth the tension they cause. Choosing when to speak up and when to let things go made our talks smoother. It’s like picking the right battles—sometimes love means overlooking small errors and focusing on the bigger picture.
This change didn’t happen overnight. It took patience and practice to hold back my corrections and really listen. But the reward was worth it. Our relationship grew stronger because I stopped trying to be the teacher and started being the listener. Now, when we talk, it feels like we’re on the same team, not opponents in a debate.
