This was a gut punch.
Yesterday, I allowed someone to take my daughter and me out of the place we both wanted to be. When we got home, she cried and asked, “Why is that person’s feelings more important than ours?”
Uggghhhhhh. Punch in the gut.
A sincere apology was needed. In no way do I ever want my family to feel anyone comes before them. And the apology did a world of good for both her and me.
The Importance of a Sincere Apology
The power of an apology can heal your relationships and deepen your peace of mind.
Here’s why that is…
FOR YOU: Extending an apology helps you take responsibility for your actions and hold yourself accountable. In this way, you free yourself from the guilt that may follow lapses in judgment. By reflecting on your actions and sharing your experience with another person, you make a deep impression in your mind.
FOR THE PERSON YOU WRONGED: Just by hearing an apology, this person is likely to start feeling better. Studies show that receiving an apology helps people feel less threatened. And — we develop more compassion and find mistakes easier to forgive.
Tips for Delivering a Sincere Apology
- Reflect on your actions and how they affected the other person.
- Calm down in a neutral setting if the situation is emotionally charged, take time to
- State clearly that you take full responsibility for your conduct.
- Acknowledge the impact you had on the other person.
- Share what you’re willing to do better!
Parents, we have the power to produce children with anger and resentment who turn to drugs or friends or lying or whatever…RATHER THAN turning to us!
Respect is a two-way street!! You want to empower your kids, and you do this by navigating YOUR EMOTIONS. Show them how to clearly communicate HARD THINGS like apologies.
Open and clear communication is EVERYTHING — with your spouse, friends, colleagues, and your children.
You can restore your family through clear communication!
And if you could use some support with communication, we’re here to support you.
Do it for your family.
Side note: after I apologized, my daughter said, “Mom, I think you were just trying to be a good friend and I know how to be a good friend. I love you. Thank you for listening to me.” My children teach me so much! 💕
Photo by Steve DiMatteo on Unsplash