March 24, 2008
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Tattling or Reporting?
One thing I teach my children is the difference between tattling or reporting. Tattling is when it is to your own benefit to “tell on” another child. Children will tattle on other kids when their own feelings are hurt or when that child wants a greater position. Reporting on the other hand is to keep another child safe. Example: My children need to report to me if one of the smaller children are riding their bikes too close to the street or if they see another child stealing something.
The definition of Tattle: to utter or disclose in gossip or chatter.
This rule can be applied to adults as well. I see adults running to other adults in gossip when their feelings are hurt. (In the child’s world we call it tattling.) The Bible is clear that when someone else offends you, you are suppose to go to that person. (Not run to other people.) Then if that person doesn’t respond like you want, then you can go and ask another person to go with you. Reporting on the other hand is different. If you see someone breaking the law it needs to be reported to the authorities – not the local prayer club. Here’s an example of a religious way to gossip: “I have this prayer request …………………”
How do you handle it when someone offends you?
Comments (17)
Ha! SO TRUE. Your example of a religious way to gossip makes me giggle (with sarcasm), because it’s really true. Thanks for the reminder. I will really need to try to not be like that (tattling vs reporting). What a great lesson for the kids, too.
@FreeeVerse - The sad fact is that nothing is funny unless their is an element of truth in it. (I need the reminder also.) Have a great day.
If someone offends me… I stew on it and go through the questions in my head… Do I have right to be offended? Does it hurt me? Why? Does it matter? Would confronting them abut it change anything?
Then I might approach them in a non threatening manner and broach the subject…. after answering the questions myself I have only ever taken it to a person once and the case was that I completly misunderstood the person and their intentions… we boh left the conversation with a better understanding of each other and a better feeling. Have a reat day Randy!
yes, I agree I usually talk to the person and say something like ,”yes, mother,:” so they will realize that they sounded bosses and give them the chance to laugh
If someone offends me, I usually figure it’s a problem with me and try to figure out why the comment made me upset.
Great Post! I do the same thing that ”oceanstarr” does most of the time and when I can’t stand it anymore…. I get counsel, then I can go to the person. A little more difficult when the person is not a Christian, nor lives close. But then, it is only my responsibility to obey my Lord, leave the rest to Him and keep my own heart pure so I can see HIM…. because to see Him is to be like Him. Just talking about it, warms my heart terribly. I want to see you Lord! And thanks to you, buddy!
Were still trying to teach my 15 (Closer to 16) year old the difference between tattling and reporting!! Its nuts.
When someone offends me, I usually ignore it then complain to frankie later
“Oh it just drives me nuts!!!” 
<3Ashley
Like any good adult person…. I pout for a little bit.
My grandmother use to tat, but that is totally different from tattling and is not even in the ballpark of this di
that is true…I’ve had plenty of rounds with my daughter over whether something she ran to me with was justified, or simply being a tattle-tale
@AuntieKathy - Yes, keeping your heart pure – good word.
if it family member then i talk to them but if just acquaintence then forget it they aren’t worth my breath..lol
it takes a lot to offend me but when it happens i just try to forget about it
I wholeheartedly agree… my parents taught me to always approach the person before going to their superior unless it is urgent or extremely inappropriate. That little piece of advice has never failed me when addressing something important.
I never was a snitch in school, and that’s one reason I was liked, but hated by the snitches.
They would look at me to see if I was doing something bad, just to tattle, so at one point, I remember daring them to go do it, and that’s what stopped it. lol
so true, I doubt I’d handle it in a politically correct way
But I doooooooo have a prayer request!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I usually get all angry, offended and say things I don’t mean. Then I remember I am a Christian and then have to usually eat a lot of words. But I am working on it