Hey friends, we have all made mistakes! Saying sorry can be really hard to do, but it’s important in our relationships.

1. Take responsibility. 

2. Share your regret.

3. Acknowledge the other person’s hurt.

4. You can explain what happened, but don’t make it sound like an excuse.

5. Offer a way to improve the situation.

6. Ask if the person is ready to forgive you.

Here’s an example: I’m sorry I’ve been excluding you. Becoming a Big Shot and all the new friends felt overwhelming. But, I know I hurt you, and I’m truly sorry. It would be fun to spend more time together because I miss you. Can you forgive me?  

Introduction:

Intro Music Tasha – Welcome to the Little Shot Podcast where big dreams begin with little shots like you. I’m your host, Tasha Eizinger, author of The Little Shot picture book series, and I will be interviewing the main characters in The Little Shot books. They are all excited to share their stories with you, my friend! I have loved doing these interviews because you will get to hear some of the back stories that couldn’t be shared in the books.

This is the place where we talk about big dreams, character values, and what it takes to shine bright in this world. Whether you’re a kid or a caregiver, this podcast is for you. So, bring us along on your car ride, snuggle up with your favorite blanket, or get comfy in your classroom as we dive in to today’s episode.

SOUND Tasha – This episode is brought to you by… SOUND

Tasha – Today’s episode is based on the second book in The Little Shot series called The Little Shot: Humility. Humility is staying grounded by remembering what it took to become successful. To learn more about living with humility, we have a special guest who knows our friend Little Shot the best. She’s loving, wise, and full of encouragement. Please welcome… Little Shot’s Friend!

Little Shot’s Friend – Hi, friends! I’m happy to be back!

Tasha – TIt’s so good to hear that you’re happy. This phase of your friendship with Little Shot was a challenging one, so it’s great to know you’re doing well.

Little Shot’s Friend – Thank you! Every relationship can have some tough times and this time period was ours.

Tasha – Can you share with our friends listening what happened?

Little Shot’s Friend – Sure. Little Shot had just become a Big Shot, also known as a shooting star. I was so happy for her! It was magical watching her soar across the night sky! I even saw someone look up at her while making a wish!

Tasha – How incredible! This all sounds great. So what happened?

Little Shot’s Friend – All of a sudden, everyone… and I mean everyone wanted to Little Shot’s friend.

Tasha – That sounds like a good thing. The more friends the merrier, right?

Little Shot’s Friend – Well, kind of. I want Little Shot to have other friends, too, but I started getting left out.

Tasha – That had to have been so hard especially since you have been good friends with Little Shot for so long.

• SOUND Tasha interactive – Hey, friends, that’s you… the one listening to this podcast. I want you to think about other kids you know or think about a time that you were in a group of kids. Did you remember to include other people? Do you ever see a kid at recess by themselves? How about at lunch? Nobody wants to feel left out so remember to include them. If you are someone who feels left out, find a safe adult who can teach you how to make friends and get more involved. * SOUND

Tasha –  Friend, how did you feel when this happened?

Little Shot’s Friend – Oh… I was so sad. Little Shot wasn’t trying to hurt my feelings, but that doesn’t mean they weren’t hurt. 

Tasha – Yeah, Little Shot is kind and everyone makes mistakes. So, I know it wasn’t on purpose. It had to have been hard though. I’m curious – What did you think of Little Shot’s new friends?

Little Shot’s Friend – Well, like I said earlier, I was fine with her having more friends! True friends can share each other with other friends. But, some of her new friends… hmmm… how do I say this? They don’t make the best choices. I could see how they were getting Little Shot to change who she was. 

Tasha – What do you mean?

Little Shot’s Friend – Little Shot was always encouraging, respectful, kind, and considerate of others. But, she was becoming arrogant and started acting like she was better than everyone else. She had an edginess. She barely even said hi to me.

Tasha – Yikes. That doesn’t sound like the Little Shot we know.

• SOUND Tasha interactive – Hey friends, it’s important to be kind to everyone, and it’s important to choose our friends wisely. Whoever we are around the most is who we talk like, dress like, act like… we start resembling our friends. Do your friends make good choices? I’m not asking if they are perfect. Nobody is perfect. But, if they hurt someone, do they feel badly about it? Do they apologize? Are they encouraging to you and others? How do you feel when you’re around them? Choose your friends wisely and make sure you’re the type of friend who is encouraging, respectful, kind, and considerate of others. * SOUND

Tasha –  Friend, how did you and Little Shot become better friends again?

Little Shot’s Friend – Little Shot had a long talk with her grandma, and her grandma taught her about humility.

Tasha – Humility. That’s a big word! What does humility mean to you?

Little Shot’s Friend – Humility is staying grounded by remembering what it took to become successful. It means you remember why you’re doing what you’re doing, all of your hard work, and you understand your success didn’t happen only because of you… others helped you get here.

Tasha – That is great advice and is probably easier said than done. 

• SOUND Tasha interactive –  Hey, friends! Have you done something really well? Maybe you are a great reader or writer. Maybe you can jump rope for a long time. Maybe you’ve won an award. Think about something you have done really well. It’s okay to feel good about it! How did you make it happen? Did it take time to get better? Did it take someone teaching you? We stay humble by thinking about the hard work, mistakes we learned from, and people who helped us. * SOUND

Tasha – Friend, after that conversation, were you both back to the way things were before you felt excluded?

Little Shot’s Friend – Not exactly. Little Shot realized she was leaving me out and wasn’t acting like herself. She apologized to me. 

Tasha – So, she just said, I’m sorry, and that was it?

Little Shot’s Friend – No. She took full responsibility and told me why she got off track, said sorry in a way that I knew she meant it, showed she understood how I felt, and wanted to know if we could spend more time together again. She even asked if I was ready to forgive her.

Tasha – Were you?

Little Shot’s Friend – I really wanted my friend back, and I knew she meant what she was saying. She truly felt badly about her actions. So, of course, I forgave her. It has taken awhile for me to feel like it’s not going to happen again though. But, she keeps remembering to include me when she’s surrounded by other friends, so my trust in our friendship is growing.

• SOUND Tasha interactive –  Hey friends, we have all made mistakes. Saying sorry can be really hard to do, but it’s important in our relationships. 1. Take responsibility. 2. Share your regret. 3. Acknowledge the other person’s hurt. 4. You can explain what happened, but don’t make it sound like an excuse. 5. Offer a way to improve the situation. 6. Ask if the person is ready to forgive you. Here’s an example: I’m sorry I’ve been excluding you. Becoming a Big Shot and all the new friends felt overwhelming. But, I know I hurt you, and I’m truly sorry. It would be fun to spend more time together because I miss you. Can you forgive me? If this is too much to remember, no worries. You can find this information at thelittleshot.com/kids.* SOUND

Tasha – Friend, it sounds like once trust is broken, it takes time to rebuild it.

Little Shot’s Friend – Yes, it does. I’m not reminding her of how she hurt me or bringing it up to make her feel badly though. My heart was hurt, and it takes time to repair a hurt heart.

Tasha – That’s fair! I’m glad you are close friends again!

Little Shot’s Friend – Me, too! AND! Some of Little Shot’s new friends have become genuine friends, so we all like to do things together sometimes. 

Tasha – How special! I have one question for you because I think some of our friends listening will want to know. When you felt excluded, what did you do?

Little Shot’s Friend – I talked to my parents about it. I cried sometimes, and I wrote in my journal.

Tasha – Those are all important ways to deal with how you felt, but I’m wondering what you did when you were around the other kids.

Little Shot’s Friend –  I started paying closer attention to kids who didn’t have a friend. Honestly, when I had Little Shot, I didn’t really notice them the same way. So, I asked if they wanted to play and do things together. 

Tasha – That’s a great idea. It sounds like even though this was really hard, you were able to make some new friends, too.

Little Shot’s Friend –  Yep! Little Shot, her new friends, me, and my new friends have created a supergroup of friends! It’s been a lot of fun!

Tasha – How wonderful! I know you also still make time just for you and Little Shot which is special, too. 

• SOUND Tasha interactive –  Hey, friends! This week pay closer attention to those around you. Remember to include others. Nobody like * SOUND

Tasha – Friend, are you still writing in your journal?

Little Shot’s Friend –  I sure am, and I hope our friends are adding to their Big Shot journal after our episodes so they can see what they are learning. Little Shot writes down 5 key things she learns in each book. In book 2, it’s about living with humility. 

Tasha – Yes, Little Shot’s journal is at the back of each book. If our friends listening don’t have a book, that’s okay. They can get the journal page at www.thelittleshot.com/kids to print it off and color it.

Little Shot’s Friend – They can also create their own page with a blank piece of paper and whatever they want to write with.  There will be journal ideas at the end of this episode.

Tasha – Great idea! I’m sure our friends are creative. Thank you so much for being here today, Little Shot’s Friend! I am certain you have inspired whoever is listening wherever they are.

Little Shot’s Friend – Thank you for having me! Bye friends!

Tasha – I enjoyed learning from you today, Little Shot’s Friend, thank you, again, for being here.  

Closing:

Tasha –

SOUND And thank you, friends, for joining us today! Remember, every Big Shot started out as a Little Shot. Keep believing, keep practicing, and keep shining your light. Stay tuned after the brief ad to get your Big Shot journal questions and to hear tips for caregivers. 

SOUND Tasha – This episode is brought to you by…SOUND

Did you know at the back of every Little Shot book there is a Big Shot journal page? It’s a coloring page for the copy you have at home. Please don’t color the one at your local library! If you can’t write down the Journal questions right now, you can access them at thelittleshot.com/kids. If you’re not able to write answers, that’s okay! Draw a picture instead.

What is one thing you learned today that you want to try this week? You could journal about one or all 3 of these things: 

1. Pay attention to the people around you. How can you be a friend who includes others? List as many ways as you can in your journal.
2. Is there someone you need to apologize to? You can write it in your journal before telling them. Remember: 1. Take responsibility. 2. Share your regret. 3. Acknowledge the other person’s hurt. 4. You can explain what happened, but don’t make it sound like an excuse. 5. Offer a way to improve the situation. 6. Ask if the person is ready to forgive you.
3. Consider your friends. How do you feel around them? How are you similar and different from each other? Are the friends you have wise choices?

You can answer 1 or all of 3 of those in your journal by writing about it or drawing a picture. Don’t want to put it on paper? You can talk about it with someone you trust. Every small step takes you closer to becoming a Big Shot!

SOUND Tasha – Hey, grown-ups! Here are 2 quick thoughts for you whether you are a parent, grandparent, or educator: 

Number 1: One of the things I do with my own kids is apologize to them when I mess up. I want them to know it’s okay to make mistakes, nobody is perfect, and how to make a sincere apology. What is amazing to me, my older one, on her own, will apologize to me if she has messed up. My younger one’s not quite there yet. Because I have seen how it works with my older one, I know as my younger one gets older she will do the same. Our kids replicate what we do, how we talk, and how we treat them. 

Number 2: The influence of friendships is powerful on our kids and on us, too. Guiding our kids to make quality friend choices can be challenging, especially depending on their age. When I was teaching and even now as a parent, I tell my kids,  you don’t have to be friends with everyone. It’s important to be kind, but true friendships are really special. We work a lot on what it means to be kind with boundaries which can mean standing up for yourself and others and how to understand where someone else is coming from. My goal is that they will gain awareness of themselves and the people around them.

SOUND Tasha – This episode is brought to you by… SOUND

Tasha – Thank you for listening to today’s episode! To access more free resources, please go to thelittleshot.com/kids. If you liked this episode, please share it with a friend, family member, teacher, or someone who needs some hope. 

Until next time, I’m Tasha Eizinger, author of The Little Shot series, keep your chin up, your heart open, and your dreams soaring. 3… 2… 1… WISHHHH   Outro Music