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🌱 Conflict Happens: Helping Kids Repair 🌱
Hello Sproutly Families,
Conflict Is a Normal Part of Growing Up
Even the most kind-hearted kids will experience conflict — with siblings, friends, classmates, or caregivers. That’s not a sign of failure. It’s a sign they’re learning how to be in relationships. This week, we’ll focus on what comes after a disagreement: helping children understand how to repair and reconnect with others when conflict happens.
In this newsletter, you will get....
Parenting Tips
Photo by Kate Gundareva on Pexels
Guiding Kids Through Repair
Normalize Conflict
Teach your child that arguments and misunderstandings are part of every relationship. The goal isn’t to avoid all conflict, but to learn how to respond with care and responsibility.Model Repair Language
Phrases like “I’m sorry I hurt your feelings,” “Can we try again?” or “What can I do to make it right?” teach kids that repair is about connection, not blame.Focus on Impact, Not Just Intent
Help your child understand that even if they didn’t mean to hurt someone, it’s still important to make things right.Coach, Don’t Command
Instead of forcing an apology, guide your child through the process: “What do you think happened?” “How do you think they felt?” “What could we do now?”Reinforce the Reconnection
Celebrate the courage it takes to make amends. Acknowledge their effort to repair and praise progress, not perfection.
Activity of the Week
Photo by Chevanon Photography on Pexels
Repair Bingo
Materials Needed:
A blank bingo board (5x5 grid is standard, but 3x3 works great for younger kids)
Markers, stickers, or crayons
Printed or handwritten repair actions (you can also draw small pictures for non-readers)
Sample Repair Actions for the Bingo Board:
Say "I'm sorry" | Offer a hug | Ask how they feel | Draw them a picture | Share a toy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Invite them to play | Say, “Can we try again?” | Take a calming breath | Clean up together | Write a kind note |
Say, “I didn’t mean to hurt you” | Help them with something | Make them laugh | Offer a redo | Give them space if they need it |
Say, “That wasn’t okay. I’ll try better.” | Use a repair card from toolbox | Say, “What can I do to make it better?” | Sit with them quietly | Say, “I understand you felt hurt.” |
You can mix and match or personalize the squares with your child based on their experiences and age.
How to Play:
1. Set the stage
Explain: "Sometimes we hurt people’s feelings or make mistakes. But we can always try to make it better. This bingo game helps us practice how."
2. Use real-life moments
Each time your child uses a repair action in real life, they mark off that square.
Example: If they say “Can we try again?” after a sibling argument, they get to color or sticker that square.
3. Celebrate progress
When they get a row, column, or even a full board, offer praise or a simple reward (like a high five, extra story time, or choosing a family activity).
4. Keep it visible
Hang it on the fridge, bedroom door, or family bulletin board as a reminder and ongoing challenge.
Conflict isn’t just a challenge — it’s a chance to grow empathy, communication, and responsibility. When we teach kids how to repair after conflict, we’re building emotional strength and lifelong relationship skills. Keep practicing, keep modeling, and trust that repair is one of the most powerful tools in your parenting toolkit.
Warm regards,
Millie & Melissa
The Sproutly Team
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