When my 13-year-old son repeatedly called a girl ugly, I worried I failed as a parent. I needed to teach him the power of words.

The author (not pictured) was horrified to learn her son called a girl ugly.

Ivan Pantic/Getty Images

• My son's principal told me he called a girl ugly on several occasions.
• As a mother and leadership coach, I worried I failed my son.
• Instead of judging him and myself, I taught him the power of words.

"Your son has been calling a girl ugly — repeatedly."

I froze. My stomach dropped. The words from the school principal felt surreal. My 13-year-old had called someone ugly.