Say a minor (teenager of any age) confides in you about something he or she did or is doing that they should not be doing and then aks that you not tell their parents. What would you do........
1.) Agree not to tell parents, because you feel they should have someone to talk to in confidence?
2.) Call their parents immediately and expose them?
3.) Agree only to tell their parents if questioned about it?
Feel free to post your answers in the comments below as well as taking the poll. I would love to know what everyone's thoughts are on this.
I am asking because, even though I feel the right thing to do, would be to let their parents in on the secret, I can't help but feel torn on this one.
Love to hear your thoughts!
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This totally depends on the circumstance. Like if the person came to me in my "teacher" hat, I would have to tell because of professional ethics.
ReplyDeleteOverall, I'd be inclined to share with the parents. Though I do want minors to have someone to confide in, I'm not sure that should be me. I shouldn't be their friend; I should be their advocate. Sometimes kids want to grow up so fast that they aren't wise enough to make decisions and it is left to adults to fight like hell to keep them safe.
I guess in the long run I feel like I could handle a teen being mad at me. I couldn't handle know that something happened (suicide, drug addition, alcohol-related death, abuse, pregnancy, etc.) that could have been avoided if I would have had the guts to be a grown-up and not a "friend."
Glad to see you back today :)
It IS good to be back! :) I have felt very 'out of touch'. Just took some time to gather my thoughts.
ReplyDeleteI agree that teens don't have the decision-making skills they need to keep them safe from harm. This ones just tough for me, because I also know how many kids benefit from having someone just 'be there' for them.
But on the other hand, if I were the parent, I would definitely want to know what was going on with my kid. Thanks so much for your input!
I think, for me, it would really depend on exactly what the "secret" is. If it's something that endangers them, then YES I'm all for telling the parents immediately. But, if it's something like "I cheated on my math test" then I'd probably hold on to it.
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