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Teaching Kids to say, “I’m Sorry”

5 Comments As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

They need to learn how to make relationships right again. I have done another brief post about apologies, but I feel like a follow-up is needed. I also did a post about being willing to model apologies with your children. That is essential in teaching. Our earthly relationships with our kids, friends, spouse and family are supposed to model the gospel message of reconciliation, grace, change and forgiveness. Therefore, teaching these concepts to our kids is crucial.

We have had some real issues with one of our children lately. This child has shown some real defiance and demonstrated a lack of self control in areas. We are in some intense time of training through it right now, and as we find successes I’ll be sharing more. This child has had a need to apologize a lot lately, which is why I write this post today.

Like I said, we are in an intense time of training. There are some times in my parenting where I can’t seem to think clear enough to come up with my own solutions. It is those times I turn to friends and trusted parents for advice. Part of me seeking out counsel of others was a stimulus for writing my blog. I am surrounded by good examples and people I can ask for advice. I have often considered, “What would I do if I didn’t have that?” I seriously would feel so lost in the journey. As I have been given tools, I have wanted to equip others to be more effective in their parenting. It’s a journey, and I am learning. When I do learn, I want to pass it on to you.

Teaching Kids to say, “I’m Sorry”

So, as we are dealing with the heart issues I see in in my child, I reached out the Pritchard’s for some advice. I talked through a particular incidence I had experienced recently. Then, I explained how I handled the situation. One of the take-aways from that conversation is that I never had my child make it right with me. I gave a consequence, but when that was done, I rubbed her back and talked to her about my concerns. We then went downstairs and got on with life. What Kelli reminded me of was that we never made our relationship right again. I approached her. I rubbed her back and talked. She never said she was sorry. I wasn’t taking the time to teach her this important life skill. I was advised to let her know her consequence was over and then be done with it. Eventually, Abby is going to want something from me. She may ask me for a snack, a game, or a certain positive interaction. At this point I can remind Abby, “You know, I would really like to help you, but I don’t think our relationship has been set right yet. You weren’t treating me with respect, and you haven’t apologized yet. I think we need some reconciliation.” Let her then set it right if that is her heart attitude.

The other day, my child was brought home from school by a friend of mine. My friend was rewarded by my child trying to take something from her son, running down our walk away from her, turning and making a face while slamming the door behind her and dead bolting it. Fun times. So humbling. So, after Abby’s consequence, it was time to make it right. I had her call up my friend on the phone and apologize. A similar incident happened with this child not showing self control a couple weeks earlier. I hadn’t talked to Kelli about apologies yet, so the apology to my friend never happened…at least not from my child. I was apologizing profusely. I am glad to have friends who love my kids well. When my child apologized this time it was met with grace-filled love. These responses from the people in her life will hopefully draw her into the loving arms of a grace-filled Savior.

I have always been decent at having the kids set things right with each other. I also have done an OK job after consequences with my younger kids. I am realizing that as the consequences become more drawn out and involved, I haven’t taken the time in the end to make the relationship whole again. Time for a change there.

I hope you will join me in re-enacting the gospel message of reconciliation as you raise up your kids as well.

How to Teach Kids to Apologize

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Filed Under: Parenting Tagged With: apologies, I'm sorry, kids, parenting, teaching

Previous Post: « Teaching Kids About Forgiveness
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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Siham

    December 11, 2013 at 12:20 pm

    Thank you for such useful posts

    Reply
    • jodidurr

      December 11, 2013 at 9:25 pm

      No problem. Glad you enjoyed it.

      Reply
  2. Mary Lynn

    May 23, 2017 at 4:26 pm

    Thank you, my sweet girl has suddenly become defiant & I am hurt. Such a good advice that I need to teach her to restore our relationship. I don’t know how to find if you wrote more posts about this, but I am wondering what ended up working for you in your intense time of training. I could use advice! Also, do you mind me asking how old she is (or was at this time)?
    ~Desperate

    Reply
    • jodidurr

      September 12, 2017 at 9:37 am

      First – I am so sorry it has taken me so long to respond. Life got away from me, and now that the kids are back in school I can get on top of some things that have alluded me. I feel awful that I haven’t seen this or responded to it more quickly. I feel your pain and sense your desperation. When you have a child that likes to challenge, it makes it so hard to know where to turn next. I would definitely check out my parenting tab https://meaningfulmama.com/category/parenting-tips to explore topics that might relate to your situation. Please write me if you want to explain your situation more, and I’ll see if I can help – jodi@meaningfulmama.com. There are a few posts that come to mind, but I’m wondering if I can know more specifics to try and point you in the right direction for resources. Here are a few concepts that really help me: https://meaningfulmama.com/day-1-tip-of-day-happy-heart.html, https://meaningfulmama.com/day-4-tip-of-day-yes-mommy.html, https://meaningfulmama.com/one-parenting-phrase-helps-get-response-want.html and https://meaningfulmama.com/is-obey-the-new-four-letter-word.html. Hope that helps. Please write if I can help more. I have posts on kids that deal with anger and sensory processing too if that is an issue. Just use the search bar and type in those key words.

      Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Consequences that Make Sense - Meaningfulmama.com says:
    November 18, 2014 at 10:58 pm

    […] child misbehaving for other adults? This has happened to us, and sometimes the best consequence is helping kids learn to say sorry. I have had my children not only say sorry in person but also write notes to apologize for […]

    Reply

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Parenting is not easy, but it is so important. My goal is to help inspire and equip parents in a more intentional, creative and enjoyable parenting experience.

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Jodi has a degree in education and is now a stay-at-home mom of three. She has used her experiences as a teacher, private tutor, camp counselor and youth worker and applied it to her parenting experiences. The classes she has taken in psychology, teaching kids, parenting, art and marriage all contribute to her parenting style and philosophy. She is a constant student of this thing called motherhood. Meaningful Mama embraces her passions for Jesus, motherhood, entertaining, creativity, and the culinary arts.

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