Teaching Kids the Value of Forgiveness
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[00:00:00] If you have children, then on any given day, there may be two inevitable sounds that fill your home. Joyful laughter and frustrated bickering. Whether the source of frustration is a toy for a toddler, a remote for a preteen, or just the latest drama for your teens, tempers may flare, tears may fall, and you will likely find yourself routinely taking on the role of peacemaker.
Referee, as you master this skill of conflict resolution, you guide them, not just to solve the issue at hand, but also to understand and practice forgiveness. Over time, the tears and accusations give way to ideas. And the ideas form into a plan that leads your family forward. This scene, which is common in so many homes, is about more than just keeping the peace.
It's about nurturing a forgiving heart and teaching your children that forgiveness can rebuild bridges, [00:01:00] sometimes even stronger than they were before. Forgiveness teaches resilience and empathy. It's an ongoing lesson that even if someone hurts us, whether on purpose or by accident, the relationship is still worth repairing.
Even in cases, usually later in life, where the relationship actually becomes unsalvageable, forgiveness is always worthwhile. Perhaps your child comes home, and they feel wronged by a friend. This presents you a teachable moment. By discussing these hurts openly and exploring solutions together, you help your child learn the art of forgiveness, which is crucial for maintaining and deepening relationships all throughout their lives.
For Christian families, these moments are about even more than resolving conflicts and maintaining relationships. They're also wonderful opportunities to embody the teachings of Christ. Forgiveness has the power to affect our emotional and spiritual growth. [00:02:00] It's a cornerstone of our faith and a fundamental aspect of creating a nurturing and loving environment at home.
So today we'll discuss why forgiveness is so important using biblical teachings and psychological insight. We'll also offer actionable tips for instilling this virtue in your children and discuss how to foster an atmosphere of forgiveness that radiates within your family life. So let's explore the beauty of incorporating forgiveness into our daily interactions and teaching our children to let go, mend and grow through the challenges that they face in a way that pleases and honors God.
Do you want to create peace in your home and be the best parent you possibly can be? Are you ready to feel confident and clear in your decisions? Do you wish you could navigate conflicts and challenges calmly and effectively? Well, there's a way to overcome the roadblocks that are standing between you and the family life you've prayed for, [00:03:00] so that you can create consistent routines, find fulfillment and balance, and thrive in your life and family.
Hi friends, I'm Katy Bordeaux, host of Raising Faithful Families, founder of Covenant Collections Christian Parenting Company, and a certified parenting and family coach. In this podcast, I'll guide you on how to find balance and fulfillment without adding stress or sacrificing precious time, create peace in your home, become the parent God has called you to be, strengthen your connection with God and with your family, navigate life using biblical wisdom and Christian values.
And experience growth spiritually, mentally, emotionally, and practically as a parent and as an individual. I'm here to help your family be its best for each other so that you can be your best for the kingdom of God. It's time to create a home filled with love, faith, and true joy. Let's thrive together with God at the center every step of the way.
I pray this [00:04:00] blesses you. Let's get started.
Forgiveness is a key theme featured in scripture. Colossians 3 verse 13 teaches us to bear with each other and forgive one another If any of you has a grievance against someone, forgive as the Lord forgave you. Just think about that for a moment, truly in the context of the way the Lord forgave us. We were entirely in the wrong.
We were entirely undeserving. We didn't even ask for it. We didn't even know what to ask for. And yet Jesus suffered on the cross for us to forgive us. Many times we try to give ourselves an out by saying that what someone has done is beyond forgiveness. Or maybe that they need to ask for your forgiveness before you will give it.
Understand that God didn't tell us to forgive when it's easy or convenient. He told us to forgive others as he forgave us. Spiritually, forgiveness is fundamental [00:05:00] because it frees you from the burden of resentment and bitterness that can weigh you down, and it allows you to experience God's grace fully.
This not only brings you peace, but also teaches your children an important lesson about understanding others and seeing them through the loving eyes of Jesus. Teaching children the importance of forgiveness is also very important for psychological reasons. Studies have shown that children who have learned to forgive are happier, have better relationships, and perform better academically.
They're also less likely to hold grudges, which contributes to lower levels of stress and anxiety. Forgiving helps children handle their emotions better. And it teaches them how to deal with conflicts in a healthy way. This prepares them to face life's challenges with resilience and empathy, and promotes a happier, more fulfilling life.
We all want that for our children, right? Teaching children [00:06:00] about forgiveness is so important for their spiritual, emotional, and social development. So here's a few ways that you can actually help your kids understand and practice forgiveness. Number one, we're going to model forgiveness. Because children are observant and they learn from watching how adults behave, primarily you.
Show your children how you forgive others and talk to them about why you chose to forgive. Explain the sense of peace and resolution that it brings. And let them see first hand the positive impact that forgiveness can have on relationships and overall well being. Number two, discuss the benefits with them.
Make it clear to your children how forgiving others can positively affect their own feelings and their own happiness. Use simple language to explain that holding on to anger can weigh them down, where forgiving can lighten their hearts and improve their relationships. Stress that forgiveness often leads to happier lives and better [00:07:00] interactions with friends and family.
Three, teach empathy. Encouraging empathy is a powerful step towards fostering forgiveness. Help your children to understand how others might feel in different situations, especially when someone is hurt. You can ask them, how would you feel if you were in their place? This helps them to appreciate the feelings of others and why forgiveness might be necessary.
One thing I learned many years ago was a quote that says hurt people hurt people and that has stuck in my mind anytime someone has done something to hurt me. Because it's just a way to recognize that even if they're coming across so mean or so angry, a lot of times, most of the time, almost all the time, hurting others comes from a place of being hurt themselves.
And that empathy for them really is helpful in forgiving them sometimes. By focusing on these areas, you not only teach your children why forgiveness is [00:08:00] important, but also how to incorporate it into their lives, promoting a more empathetic and understanding approach to all the people around them, and subsequently for themselves as well, creating an environment that encourages and models forgiveness daily.
is essential for instilling this value in children. So here are some practical strategies to help you build a forgiving atmosphere in your home. Number one, family forgiveness activities. Incorporate activities that promote forgiveness into your family routine and make it a regular topic of discussion.
Discussing the feelings involved in both forgiving and in being forgiven can help everyone understand and appreciate the process more deeply. These activities not only teach forgiveness, but also have the added bonus of strengthening family bonds. And you can't beat that. Share stories from the Bible or other inspiring narratives that highlight forgiveness.[00:09:00]
Such as Christian children's book, happy are the people that I'll link for you in the notes. And connect those lessons to situations that your family might encounter in daily life. This ongoing discussion will help normalize forgiveness as a natural and essential part of dealing with conflicts and misunderstandings.
Another one is creating a forgiveness ritual. This is where you establish a routine in your family where you can maybe have a forgiveness session. These are really helpful when you incorporate them into weekly family meetings, which I talk a lot about. Family members can share their small annoyances or misunderstandings or bigger things.
Over the past week when you have those weekly family meetings and you can practice forgiving one another during that time. Some people just call that an airing of grievances, but either way, family forgiveness session works as well. As a family, you can discuss and reiterate the importance of letting go of minor [00:10:00] issues.
in love. This ritual can turn forgiveness into a tangible and regular practice within your home. Another thing we can do is praising forgiving actions. So whenever you notice your child forgiving someone for something, even if it's you, make an effort to recognize them for that. Acknowledge them for the strength and maturity that it takes to forgive.
and emphasize that forgiveness is a sign of emotional intelligence and strength of their character. Positive reinforcement like this not only affirms their actions, but it also encourages them to continue behaving in a forgiving manner. These strategies will help to create a more forgiving home where children learn that forgiveness is not just an occasional practice, but is a natural, almost habitual response.
Teaching forgiveness will equip your children with essential life skills, like the ability to maintain peace within themselves and [00:11:00] foster healthier relationships with others. By teaching them the value of forgiveness, encouraging it in them and building a forgiving home, you're laying the groundwork for them to lead fulfilling and gracious lives.
These efforts will make sure that your children are well prepared to handle life's inevitable challenges and conflicts with grace. So as you guide them, focus on reinforcing these values through consistent examples and clear, actionable practices so that forgiveness isn't just viewed as a moral obligation, but as a practical approach to living a more balanced and faith aligned life.
I pray this was helpful for you and God bless you and your family as you work through this. If you want to find out how to get your own copy of children's book Happy Are the People for free, reach out to me at katy at covenantcollections. com. That's k a t y at covenantcollections. com.
