The first part in changing your behaviour is recognizing that you have done something wrong, so I congratulate you on your realization. As for the regret and remorse, it isn't something that will ever really go away. You will probably always have to carry around that knowledge, but what you do from now on is what will really make the difference. The best way to illustrate this is through a real life example from my life. My grandfather was an abusive, drunken, recluse (he's now a recovering alcoholic and the best grandfather you could ask for) who verbally, emotionally, and occasionally physically abused him. Anyways, he began to repeat the behaviours (the reculsivity only) with his own children and wife, which caused incredible strain on his relationships with his wife and two small children. His daughter even called him "a border" in their house. After realizing what he was doing, he made efforts to change his behaviour and is now, no joke, father of the year, I envy my cousins for the father they have. He still feels guilty for his time spent "away" from the family, but is focusing on the present and making his kids the happiest kids in the world! Maybe we are meant to live with the guilt of the errors we have made in our past in order to create a better present.

I hope this helps you. Good Luck!

By being a better person now. Actions speak louder than any apology.

I take responsibility for my lack of knowing all the answers and not being perfect. If I'm honest about my actions and have asked for forgiveness all that is left is to be the best person I can be from now on.

Living in the past, carrying my guilt around like a trophy, willing to be beat down by remorse is just another way to act out on my insecurities and have my way again.

Give it up. Offer it up. Let it go. Move on. Your family wished you were never that way to begin with, it's likely they'll be much happier when it's a thing of the past with you too.

Or as the famous carpenter once said, "Go! I don't hold it against you. Just don't do it again!" (paraphrased)

You ask for forgiveness and forgive yourself as well. Guilt and remorse don't ever go away, I like to think it's there to remind us and keep us from making the same mistakes again.

But forgiving ourselves doesn't necessarily mean we're getting a free pass. It means that we know we'd do things differently if it were a possibility to change the past. It means realizing we can't change those things and not only making the decision to be better from here on, but also actually doing it.

I will apologize to my spouse and children. And I will do my best to be the best father that I can possibly be. I know it is hard to make up for what I have done because it is over and done with but I still have the present and the future. I will ask my family to give me a chance to make up to them. The guilt will not go away but I will use it as a reminder never to err again and hurt my family. We cannot avoid being guilty so I need to ask the Lord to help me forgive myself. I think this is the best way that I will be able to effectively carry on with making my life straight and be a good and responsible father. The guilt may not be totally forgotten but it is felt less if I have done my best to do good and forgive myself as my family forgave me.