In this GoodKind Podcast episode, Clayton, Amy, and Chris dive into the confusing world of apologies — especially how kids (and adults) use the words “I’m sorry” to mean very different things. What starts as a lighthearted moment with an accidental speaking-over-one-another jab, quickly moves into a surprisingly rich discussion about forgiveness, empathy, conflict, and how families can model healthy emotional habits.

The team identifies three distinct categories of apology:

1. Forgiveness Apologies — “I did something wrong. Will you forgive me?”

2. Empathy Apologies — “I’m sorry that happened to you.”

3. Excuse-Me Apologies — small, accidental, social-grace moments that don’t require forgiveness.

They explore why kids mix these up, why parents often do too, and how to narrate the difference for your family. They also get honest about patterns in marriage (“Do I need forgiveness or is this a small misstep?”), sibling conflict without true repentance, and how to respond when someone apologizes in a different category than you expect.

If you’ve ever wondered why your child apologizes for bumping into a cabinet… or why you bristle when your spouse says “I forgive you” for something you didn’t think was a big deal… this episode will give you a simple, practical framework for navigating daily conflict with more clarity, grace, and emotional honesty.

Takeaways

• You learn that there are three kinds of “sorry”—forgiveness, empathy, and “excuse me”—and naming the difference brings clarity to family conversations.
• Kids often confuse empathy with apology, and simple, clear language helps them separate the two.
• Real repair happens when someone can say, “Will you forgive me?” and take ownership for actual harm.Not everything needs forgiveness; some moments only need a brief acknowledgment of a small mistake.
• Conflict gets easier when you recognize which apology category you’re in—and when someone else is in a different one.
• Empathy becomes a tool for deciding what kind of repair a situation really needs.
• Modeling healthy, honest apologies as parents helps shape the emotional habits of the whole home.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Apologies and Forgiveness

02:32 Understanding Different Types of Apologies

05:15 The Complexity of Apologies in Parenting

07:43 Navigating Apologies with Children

10:50 The Role of Empathy in Apologies

13:31 Clarifying Misunderstandings in Apologies

16:22 Teaching Children About Apologies

19:19 Conclusion and Key Takeaways

apology types, family communication, Christian parenting, teaching kids forgiveness, sibling conflict resolution, emotional literacy for kids, Christian family habits, how to apologize well, empathy vs forgiveness