"I'm sorry."
It's one of the hardest phrases to mutter out. You really have to feel remorse for what you did wrong to finally apologize, which means you admit that you made a mistake. Across the Internet, are plenty of viral pictures and videos of kids trying to say sorry. Several of these went viral because everyone identifies with apologizing.
Sometimes when your kids are learning to say sorry, they might only halfway apologize. The Huffington Post recently posted a note from a little boy Tyler to his brother. After saying sorry for kicking him, he said, "Also don't forget about the time when you were a baby, a crying little devil, but I liked you and now you still are a crying little devil who gets away with everything."
Clearly Tyler had some motives behind kicking his little brother. Although hilarious, when he wrote this letter Tyler wasn't really learning the value of saying sorry. If you are ending your apology by justifying your mistake with how the other person wronged you in the past, it's not going to be a genuine apology.
A different viral photo on Reddit.com showed the perfect apology from an honest nature-lover. Evie, a Yosemite Junior Ranger, brought home two sticks from Yosemite National Park and felt guilty. She mailed the sticks back to the park rangers with the message "please put them back in nature."
The park ranger replied with a letter praising her as a great Junior Ranger.
Finally, in the video included with this article, an adorable Korean toddler hiding under a blanket says sorry for not finishing dinner and then asking to eat later that night. "I will be a good girl. I'm so sorry mommy," she says, wiping away tears.
No matter what language you speak, saying sorry isn't easy. These cute examples prove that even kids struggle with apologizing. However, when we teach our kids to genuinely say sorry, they will be better peacemakers in the home and in public. Here are some things to keep in mind when teaching your kids how to say sorry.
Be patient
If your kids sound slightly bitter in their apology note, help them realize the importance of being genuine. Learning to apologize can take years for some, so don't get upset if your kids make mistakes along the way.
Have a family night about apologizing and forgiving each other
Come up with fun skits to help your family practice in different situations.
Remember when you were a kid and it was frustrating to feel like your parents were always right?
Set the example for your family by sincerely apologizing to your kids, spouse, neighbors, or friends when you make a mistake, too.
After your child apologizes, give him a reward for being honest and courageous and then let the issue go
If he feels like he gets in more trouble for saying sorry, he will give up.
"Sorry" is one of the hardest words to say, but it rebuilds bridges after disagreements, bringing families and old friends back together. Don't be afraid to say sorry and teach your loved ones to apologize, too.
