I grew up with a mother who never said "I'm sorry". She never apologized to anyone about anything. As a child I always thought it was because she was a mom and moms were always right. Moms knew everything; they didn't need to say things like "I'm sorry" even when they hurt your feelings or spoke mean things to you. But as I've grown up and felt those hurtful days of childhood I've learned how wrong my mother was. How a simple "I'm sorry" would have helped me through those tough times.
As my children grow I see the mistakes I've made and sometimes I see the pain and hurt in their eyes. Seeing the look in the eyes of my five year old as I scold him for tracking mud into the house from the backyard or the sad look in my daughter's eyes as I refuse to listen to her side of the argument breaks my heart. I learn I have to listen. I have to put aside my adult attitude of being right about everything and put myself on my children's level. I have to say I'm sorry for not understanding them as I want to. I have to tell them I'll try harder if they'll in turn help me to learn. The look of sad eyes and tears can turn to hugs and smiles with a simple "I'm sorry." Hug them and kiss them. But best of all, help them learn that "love is being able to say you're sorry".
Go To Page: 1
| Here's the follow-up discussion on this article: | View all related messages |
For a complete listing of article comments, questions, and other discussions related to Cindy Ovard's Family Activities topic, please visit the Discussions page.