10.17.2007

Sorry Seems to be the Hardest Word

Background: Little cutie has stepped on Gracie (the dog.) Gracie yelps and runs away.

Chrissie: Cutie, don't you think you should say sorry to Gracie?

Cutie: I'm too busy.

Chrissie: You're not too busy, and it will make Gracie feel better.

Cutie: Maybe next time.

Chrissie: It's important to apologize each time you wrong someone, even if it was an accident. It's good to say you're sorry. It helps you to be friends again.

Cutie: I don't want to.

Chrissie: Well, let's just stand here and wait until you're ready to say sorry.

:::::::waiting::::::::::::staring at eachother:::::::::::::::waiting:::::::::::::::::::::

................................three to seven minute time lapse...............................................

Cutie: {almost inaudibly} sorry.

Chrissie: That was very good. I'm so proud of you. Great job.

Replay this scenario five times a day for the last two weeks.
I do think we are making progress!

4 comments:

Lisa Leonard said...

way to be consistent. hang in there. all of the sudden it will click.

Rachel said...

It is hard. I had to do a similar thing with one of the families I nannied for. It took about a month but they were much older and VERY stuck in their ways!

michele said...

Good for you, Chrissie! 7 minutes is a looooong time!!!

(P.S. Sorry for the 25 times that Natty stepped on/sat on/pushed Gracie)

Ellen said...

Sorry is a powerful word. Even preschoolers know that. It's the reason so many adults avoid conflict. We would rather brush it under the carpet and live with tension than talk with someone about our hurt feelings. A lesson to be learned...