Page 24 - Tanya the Tattling Rattler
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A way to learn if Tattling is o ay or not okay is for you to ask yourself the following questions
Is this situation important enough for me to be concerned No Drop it. about? Yes
Is this situation something that will cause someone injury or to get in trouble? No Yes
If I talk to them about my concern, will they ignore my advice? No Talk to them. Yes
Am I sure that I am not trying to get back at them? No Check your thinking. Yes
Drop it.
EXERCISE
Am I sure there is no other way to handle this other than telling someone? No Try it. Yes
If you are sure that this situation is important or possibly dangerous and that they will not listen to you and that your thinking is not Stinky, (which means that you are not just trying to get them into trouble) and you can think of no other way to deal with the situation: Tell someone. Make sure that you are honest with your answers to these questions
A. If the situation is not important, like your brother gives the dog a cookie, then drop it.
B. If the situation will not cause injury to anyone or get anyone in trouble, for example, your sister is playing with your favorite toy, then drop it.
C. If you think that they will listen to you and it does not need to go any further, then talk to them about why they should not do it rather than telling someone.
D. If you think that your thinking might be Stinky and you may just want to get them in trouble, challenge your Stinky Thinking and then go back through the evaluation process.
E. If you think that there might be something else you could do, like have someone else talk to them, then try that before you tattle
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