"Say you're sorry!"

As we try to teach Lucy the difference between acceptable behavior and unacceptable, it gets kind of tough. We recently found ourselves saying, "Lucy - say you are sorry!" a lot. I mean a lot.

Lucy hits Chico. "Lucy - say you are sorry!"

Lucy throws food on the floor and I have to pick it up, "Lucy - say you are sorry!"

Lucy steals a toy from another child. We make her give it back. "Lucy - say you are sorry!"

It goes on and on. Then, I recently read in a BabyCenter.com article that we shouldn't be doing that. She isn't really learning or understanding the point behind saying you're sorry. They recommended that we apologize for her.

Lucy hits Chico. "Lucy is very sorry for hitting you, Chico."

Lucy throws food on the floor and I have to pick it up, Heath will say, "Mommy - Lucy is very sorry that she threw that."

Lucy steals a toy from another child. "Lucy is very sorry for stealing your toy."

At first, she gave us weird looks when we would do it. Then, she started to echo us. As soon as we would apologize for her, she would apologize too.

Now, after only 1 1/2 weeks of trying this, she is apologizing on her own! :)  I realize the smiley face is bittersweet. Yes - she is apologizing on her own. But, she is doing bad things to have to apologize for. Oh well, it's the little victories!

I just had to share our little victory with you all too. It certainly made a difference and I think she is starting to understand the meaning more.