The
Difference Between Tattling and Reporting
Adrian H. Cline,
Superintendent
Kids who tattle always get a bad rap, as they should. However, there is a difference between
tattling and reporting.
Tattling is telling an adult about another student’s actions with the
sole purpose of getting attention and getting that student in trouble.
Reporting is telling an adult about another student’s actions for the
purpose of getting help with a difficult situation—one that may be threatening
or harmful.
Explain clearly to children the difference between tattling
and reporting. Brainstorm with them
various situations that illustrate the difference, or role-play situations to
demonstrate it.
Reporting violence, bullying, and sexual harassment is not
tattling. It can often make the
difference in a child’s safety, mental well-being, and self-esteem.
Helping
Your Child Feel Loved
As busy parents, it is not always easy to
show our children the unconditional love they deserve. We often forget that they need constant
affirmation and support.
Here are some ways to let your children
know they are loved:
·
Play with
them. Whether you play “cars” with your
five-year-old, Monopoly with an older child, or baseball with your teen,
nothing says love like a little one-on-one time.
·
Listen to
your children, and validate their ideas.
·
Modify your
schedule to allow more time with your children.
Kids need a routine to give them a sense of security and control, but
the schedule should not be too rigid.
·
Appreciate
the time you spend with your children.
Try to spend special time with each of them.
·
Hug your
children. Teenagers might shrug you off,
but hug them anyway. If you do not, they
will never forget it!
·
Apologize
when you are wrong. We all make mistakes
from time to time. A sincere apology
shows that you respect your child.
When
Children Lie
Children lie for many reasons. They lie to get things they want, to keep
themselves out of trouble, to cover embarrassment, and sometimes because they
do not make a clear distinction between fact and fiction.
Here are some tips to
help you stop this behavior before it escalates:
·
Tell your
child that it is wrong to tell lies and that lies can hurt people.
·
Tell him or
her that it makes you sad when he or she says things that are not true.
·
Explain
that he or she will feel better if he or she tells the truth.
·
If your
child comes to you with the truth, do not lecture. Thank him or her for telling you, and then
focus on finding a solution or imposing a necessary consequence, without
anger.
·
Set a clear
example of truth and honesty. Children
have difficulty making the distinction between “lies” and “little white
lies.” When your child hears you telling
“little white lies,” you are teaching your child to be dishonest.
Teaching your child the value of telling
the truth takes time and patience. As a
parent, you must model a clear example of truth and honesty.
The Office
of Adrian H. Cline, Superintendent of Schools, is open from