| Today I found myself apologizing, genuinely, to my 4 | | | | how she felt. We hugged tight and I could just tell that |
| year old daughter. We were out shopping for materials | | | | my apology made her so happy. It was a special |
| to create a "good choices jar" (whole other story - | | | | mommy-daughter moment and I'll never forget it. |
| trying a new discipline technique!) and out of the blue | | | | Apologizing to your child teaches them that saying |
| she says to me "I don't like it when you call me little." I | | | | sorry isn't just for kids. It can strengthen your |
| asked her what she meant and she said "You always | | | | relationship and make it easier to talk about feelings |
| tell people that I am little for my age and I don't like that | | | | and regrets. |
| because I'm big." | | | | Many kids find it difficult to say "I'm sorry", even when |
| To explain, she is 4 and has always been around the | | | | they are. Kids aren't always sorry for the things we |
| 25th percentile for height and weight on the growth | | | | think are worth an apology. Some kids will blurt out "I'm |
| charts. My 2 ½ year old is just about 4 inches | | | | sorry" too easily, thinking that just saying the words will |
| shorter and only 2 pounds less (she's always been | | | | satisfy grown-ups, and they can get back to their |
| around the 75th percentile) - she's not fat, but she's | | | | playing. That's not a real apology. Children need to |
| dense - the older is skin and bones and always has | | | | understand what the meaning of apologizing is. It's a |
| been. EVERY time we go out people ask if they're | | | | process that involves a lot of patience in order to |
| twins and I usually say "No, they're 18 months apart, so | | | | teach a child when to apologize and how to make |
| they're close!" If the conversation continues I say | | | | amends for hurting someone. You must, of course, |
| "Yeah, she's little for her age, pointing to the 4 year old, | | | | take the child's age into consideration. I think my four |
| and she's big for her age, pointing to the 2 year old, so | | | | year old is starting to get it, but my two-year old still |
| they are very close in size and everyone thinks they're | | | | doesn't quite get it. |
| twins." | | | | When a child learns how to apologize, they are gaining |
| Little did I know that she hears EVERYTHING (I'm | | | | more social skills. Around age 4 to 6, a child begins to |
| starting to catch on to that lately!) and my poor baby | | | | understand the concept of what is behind an apology - |
| was feeling hurt and I had no idea. I started to tear up. I | | | | realizing that they did something wrong. Before a |
| stopped, got down on her level and told her I was so | | | | genuine apology can be obtained, this concept has to |
| very sorry. I told her that she is just perfect and is | | | | sink in. Preschoolers are not yet really thinking about |
| growing more and more every day. I told her that I | | | | what's right and wrong. This is the reason parents and |
| never meant to hurt her feelings by saying what I did, | | | | teachers need to step in and point out to a child when |
| and I will not say it any more now that I know how it | | | | an apology is in order. |
| made her feel. I also told her how proud for telling me | | | | |