People gossip and although a lot of people mean no harm, it often can get out of hand and become a part of your daily life.
For kids, they don’t mean any harm either but if they start to gossip it can get to the point that their friends or loved ones may distrust them, causing damage to their relationships.
Here are some tips on stopping your kids from gossiping:
Look at your own habits
If you are the type of person who gossips, then trying to get your kids to stop isn’t going to be easy. This is the time when you should stop gossiping about others and if you are in the mood to gossip, don’t do it in front of your child. Remember they’ll mirror your behaviour and if they see you judging people or talking about them behind their back, they’ll do the same.
Furthermore, your child needs to learn themselves how people behave and to not be influenced by your gossiping. Plus, if you’re gossiping about their pal’s mum or dad, chances are that’ll go back to them.
Encourage your child to not be judgemental
A lot of gossiping starts with people thinking they know better instead of understanding that everyone has their own way of doing things. Raise your child to welcome friends from all backgrounds and teach your child to judge people on their personal values and morals.
Teach your child to avoid gossiping
Your child may find that their friends gossip. In this case, it is almost inevitable that they will follow suit. Remind your child not to spread rumours or get involved in gossiping in groups as it can be damaging to the people being gossiped about.
Tell your child to put themselves in the person’s shoes and remind them that they wouldn’t like it if it were them. Your child should learn how to ignore gossip and not take part in it. They should also know how to be honest with others instead of chatting behind people’s backs, causing damage to friendships in the long run.
If your child likes to gossip, the chances are others are going to gossip about your child, but they can stop it before it gets out of control.
Stop the repetition
Your child has control over what gets spread around and it can end with them if they come across gossip and rumours. They can stop repeating it and spreading it by refusing to do so. The truth is a story can go from a nothing to a whole lot more after a few people have added their own sense of direction into it.
Tell your child this isn’t fair, it shouldn’t happen and that they should have the strength to tell people that it is none of anyone’s business anyway.
Work on it
When your child gets in from school, take an interest in their day. However, if they start gossiping, stop them in their tracks. Teach them the difference between reality and fiction as gossip is usually built on fiction and not reality.