“If you have been doing things wrong—shaming and blaming, using unkind words and short-tempered responses, or simply letting behavior (theirs and yours) go unchecked for far too long—it’s time to make a better plan. When you are ready to apply some new plans and speak your new scripts, we suggest you start with this one: “Hey kids, I want to take a moment to apologize. I’m sorry for some of the things I’ve been saying and doing in our home. I’m going to be doing and saying a few things differently from here on out. I might forget sometimes and make mistakes, and I know you’ll make some mistakes too, but I want to talk with you the way God talks with me. God is gentle with me and longsuffering too, He builds me up and doesn’t tear me down. Would you forgive me for the mistakes I’ve made? I’m so happy God gave you to me. And I’m so grateful for forgiveness.”