6 April 2007
Tattling Motivation
Posted by Michelle under: Getting Along; Using Questions; .
Lee and I were discussing tattling the other night. He mentioned that there are other motivations besides anger for tattling. For example, some children tattle simply because they have a sense of justice (i.e., I cannot allow anyone else to do anything wrong). If you know a child who has Asperger’s Syndrome, you have probably seen this motivation in action. 
I’m not dispensing advice here. But Lee’s observation underscores how important it is to discern the motivation behind the action. Is it anger? Pride? A request for help solving a problem? Until I know why a child is tattling, I cannot respond appropriately. And sometimes, dealing with the motivation takes care of the end problem anyway.
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- “I’m going to tell on you!”
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- What’s Causing the Behavior?
- Toddler Bed Attempt #2
