Tattle-Tale !

"Mom, Jimmy's bothering me!"

There's nothing more irritating to everyone than a tattle-tale!

There is a Biblical way for disagreements to be handled.

Matthew 18:15-17 Moreover, if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone; if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.
But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.
And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church...

This is speaking about disagreements between adults in a church, but they can also be taught to children.

There is a progression of action. Teach your child, that if someone is doing something that is bothering them to ask themselves these questions:

1. Is it an emergency?
* If "yes", they should immediately get help.
2. Is it hurting anyone?>
* If "no" and they are just being irritated by it, then they should show longsuffering and ignore it.
* If "yes", nicely ask the person to stop.
3. Is it breaking a rule?
* Calmly remind the person of the rule.
4. Is the person listening and stopping?
* If "yes", don't talk about it anymore. Forgive and forget it.
* If "no", go to one trusted friend to come with you, and then if that fails, go to a person of authority to handle it.

Teach them the dangers of gossip and talking behind a person's back. Whispering should only be done if it is neccessary to talk to someone in public, during a church service or class. When they must talk to someone in private, it should be done away from others. Whispering can tear apart friendships, and sometimes even churches.

He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that repeateth a matter separateth friends. Prov.17:9

Sometimes a person must reprimand a friend in love. It's not easy to face them with a hurtful message, but it demonstrates true compassion.

Faithful are the wounds of a friend... Prov.27: 6

If a child learns these truths when he is young, it will be easier as an adult and maybe prevent many other problems. He will learn how to lovingly confront someone and how to restore that person, creating a stronger friendship.

Brethren, if a brother be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness...
Galatians 6:1