This happens all the time, where a child does something wrong and parents make their child apologize. Of course we want our children to feel remorse when they've done something wrong, but asking our child to apologize actually doesn't achieve that. In fact, when we ask our child to apologize, most of the time we're asking her to lie. That's because she's probably not feeling sorry at that moment. She's still angry about whatever caused her to hit. So it's actually best not to ask her to apologize at that moment. If you feel like an apology is necessary because you're feeling embarrassed about the behavior, then you can do it, and that will set a good example.
The best way to teach empathy is with the consequence we call an 'action replay'. Wait until she's calmed down and then have her do the scenario over again, where she practices responding in a more positive way. The more you have her practice doing it right instead of making her apologize, the sooner she'll be willing to apologize because she actually feels sorry!
Laura Runnels Fleming (see profile below)
Pasadena, CA
Always appreciate your articles. Thanks so much for all of the tips.
ReplyDeleteThat's a good idea, thank you! I started with making my children say sorry but now I'm going to try your technique.
ReplyDeleteI bought a perfect pack'n'play I chose on Sophie van der Linden's blog, but when our second child came in, we decided not to buy the second one.
Now the older kid is constantly fighting the young one for a place to play toys (it's way too big for him anyway), and I'm desperately trying to make him at least feel sorry :)