I have used this same analogy with my son because when he was younger he would sometimes say things that were hurtful and then of course say he was sorry. He really didn't understand that it hurt and honestly thought that "sorry" made it all better. I told him that saying the hurtful thing was like driving a nail in a piece of wood and the "I'm sorry" was like pulling the nail out. Even though the nail was gone there was still a hole in the wood. I followed this all up with more info on how even though someone said "I forgive you" after you say I'm sorry they had still been hurt by the words initially leaving a scar on their heart. It really did help him to understand and made him think a little more before he opened his mouth. |