Is this protecting a child? Am I am tatle tail? Is what I am doing wrong. I am a 28 yr old female?

Question

HI! As a formerly sexually abused child, I try to protect children. My brother and sister had children very young, and although they don't regret it, they wish they waited till they will older. This 14 yr old girl confided in me, and told me she had sex, I, as a 28 year old female, was concerned and told her mom, a friend of mine, that I was concerned for her and didn't want her pregnant and that she was having sex. Also, this little girl, who I volunteer with, who confides in me, she has cancer now for 6 years,she is 13. She told me she did a lot of bad things, like weed, but I never told on her because I was worried how much time she had to live, since it is stage 4. However, she started doing more bad things-drinking, selling pills, taking pills and who knows what kind of pills, I was worried for her safety. So I told her mom, who approached her kindly, but her mom never said I told on her. I also call the cops if I see a parent driving drunk with a child in front seat-not protecte

p.s All the parents whom I told this too, agreed with me, and were happy I told them. However, my boyfriend, with a 13 old son disagrees and says keeping a word with a child is sacred, and to me, I think protecting a child is more important.

Answer 1

There's a time to keep a secret and a time to be a responsible adult. Fortunately, you know when to be a responsible adult.

Answer 2

I think you did the right thing. Especially if you volunteer with these kids, it your right and duty to protect the children. Your boyfriend was somewhat right, a trust relationship with a child is very important. But should never take priority over the child's safety.

Answer 3

If the children confide in you then I would have tried talking to them myself and if nothing changed then I would tell their parents...a lot of times teenagers need someone to confide in and a lot of those times they tell an adult they trust because they want the adult to notice them and feel concern but if you run to their parents they will not trust you and won't likely talk to you or their parents again about what they do.

As for parents putting their kids in harms way I would call the police too.

Answer 4

I had a child at 17 and now I wish someone would have told my parents I was having sex so they could have tried to stop me. I think its a good thing you told and I also think the kids will be grateful someday (if they change).

Answer 5

You have done the right thing. as a parent I would want to know. But know this. Usually a child who tells an adult about something they know is wrong its usually a cry for help and they want their parents to know.

Answer 6

i think that what you did was important, whoever the kid was will be mad at first, but later on, they'll be glad you did. You need to remeber that you were a kid too, and would you want your mother to know about these things, and think about it from that side, but by telling the parents, you may be saving that kid from carrying around a baby in high school.

Answer 7

I agree with you 100%. Protecting a child is more important!

Answer 8

well there is nothing wrong with keeping your word, but i think if it is potentially harmful to the child, you should definitely say something.. but just dont go too far with it.. some people would see you as nosy and poking around in other peoples business.. but so far, i dont think you did anything wrong.

Answer 9

you are in the right. These are all things i would want to know if I were the parents.

Answer 10

Well I think you are doing the right thing. Your boyfriend needs to think twice about that.