Most people try to teach kids to say they’re sorry when it’s appropriate. Little Johnny steals Connor’s toy and won’t give it back. We patiently explain to Johnny that it is wrong to take things that don’t belong to us. We tell him he should apologize. Half the time I think kids say they are sorry just because they’ve been told to not because they understand that what they did was wrong and definitely not because they feel remorse. So how can you get kids to understand what an apology is really all about and how to deliver one appropriately?

Apologize to them. Have you? Do you?

Some parents have the attitude that being the adult, in the position of authority, with many more years of experience and wisdom on their side, exempts them from ever being wrong when it comes to kids. They seem to think that apologizing to a child, somehow belittles them. Other people are just incapable of saying they are sorry to anyone, even when they know their actions were wrong. Still others can’t even admit to themsleves (much less another) when they have hurt someone or done something they shouldn’t have done.   

 The best way to teach a child the power of an apology is to put them on the receiving end of a sincere one. Need help? Check out www.perfectapology.com. This site is a great resource for understanding and crafting, what else, the perfect apology. Next time you do or say something you regret to your child,  make sure they know how badly you feel about it. Say you’re sorry. 

What’s your personal score on this one?  

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