How to Say Sorry to Children

It's important to start with children, because it is usually in childhood that most of us learn to say sorry or not. It tends to be either modelled well or not at all. Adults expect us to say sorry, but they never do. Fear shame are the enemies of a confident apology to bloom. Apologies need safety and the prospect of being understood. Even something short like i'm sorry can be potent and calming for you. Some people say it is a sign of power to not so sorry, but this isn't true. We live in a culture of inquisition rather than inquiry. A genuine apology emanates from a place of wanting to validate them.