A different sort of article to what I usually post, but interesting reading.
Nice to consider. The attempt at conveying sorrow counts little unless a child also proceeds to follow through with action. Glad to see this post.
IJust a half hour ago I asked my fiver year-old son to apologize to Grandpa for being silly at the start of dinner. I stopped and decided what to have him say and do to make sure it was a sincere apology. I think it worked well. He first said he was sorry for number one "acting silly when it was not appropriate." and number two informed Grandpa, "I will be serious for the rest of the dinner." Grandpa was happy and my son did great. Definitely better than having him say sorry alone.
This is totally fucking stupid. You teach kids manners so that they can operate smoothly in polite society.
If an insincere sorry makes your road smoother you say it.
If you feel real remorse you say it. If you are dumb as a stump you wonder weather you are doing your kid a disservice by teaching them to use manners.