We train our youngsters loads about the right way to apologize to others. However can we spend sufficient time teaching them the right way to settle for an apology when another person is within the incorrect? It’s a step in social and emotional improvement that always will get neglected—and, let’s face it, many adults don’t totally know the easiest way to provide or obtain apologies both.
Yasmina Elmerkaoui and Maggie Younan, hosts of the Hanging for More Podcast, lately tackled this subject in a manner that resonated with listeners. Of their regular candid and conversational type, the perfect pals dove into the nuances of accepting apologies. In a single standout second, Elmerkaoui shared the considerate strategy she’s teaching her kids.
“I’ve taught my children to say, ‘Thanks for apologizing,’ relatively than, ‘That’s OK,’ as a result of the conduct isn’t OK,” she defined. “The apology is welcomed, so it additionally attracts a line and reminds you, no no no, that isn’t OK.”
The knowledge of this easy shift is simple. It not solely empowers children to acknowledge and settle for an apology with out excusing dangerous conduct, but it surely additionally units a transparent boundary for the one that made the error.
Associated: 25 phrases to inspire confidence in your child
“It reminds everybody else of their life as properly that the apology is welcome, however the conduct isn’t OK and I received’t settle for it,” she added.
Elmerkaoui even holds her children to this response when she’s the one making the apology.
“They are saying the identical to me, like, ‘Thanks for apologizing,’” she shared. “I’ll even pull them up if they are saying, ‘That’s OK.’ Noah, particularly, he’s such a mama’s boy, he’s like, ‘Mother, that’s OK, you probably did nothing incorrect.’ And I’m like, ‘No, I did.’”
It’s a small however highly effective phrase: “Thanks for apologizing.” It acknowledges the apology whereas sustaining accountability for the actions. Easy, efficient, and clear.
A TikTok clip from the podcast, that includes this considerate dialogue, has gone viral with almost 865,000 views, sparking significant conversations within the feedback. Many mother and father shared how they’ve approached this with their very own children.
@hangingformorepodcast How to reply to “sorry” 🙏
One person, @caitlynhopkins_, shared, “I train mine to say, ‘Thanks for apologizing. I don’t forgive you but, however I’m engaged on it.’ It’s necessary for youths to know they don’t must rush forgiveness.”
One other viewer, @rachelbloomfield_, added, “I’ve mine say, ‘Apology accepted’ or ‘Apology not accepted’ in the event that they’re nonetheless upset. It’s about honesty.”
Others highlighted the worth of intentional forgiveness. @honest_mama wrote, “There’s energy in saying, ‘I forgive you,’ however solely when it’s real. We must always by no means say, ‘It’s wonderful’ simply to make the opposite particular person really feel higher.”
This strategy to apologies is especially necessary for women and girls, who are sometimes conditioned to say “It’s OK” to clean issues over. Educating children to reply extra thoughtfully, like Elmerkaoui’s strategy, can disrupt patterns of excusing dangerous conduct and encourage extra intentional communication.
As mother and father, we’re all the time searching for methods to mannequin healthy relationships and interactions for our youngsters. This considerate observe of accepting apologies may simply be a game-changer in elevating a technology that is aware of the right way to maintain others accountable whereas additionally exhibiting grace.
Associated: 5 expert-backed tips for creating emotionally healthy sibling relationships
