We all want our children to let us know if something bad is happening, but when does it move into tattling/whining territory? Is it the tone of voice? The number of times? The age of the child?
I would think it becomes tattling when they start doing it for themselves and not because they are legitimately concerned about the situation they are tattling for. Example, if a younger sibling tells the parent about every little thing their older sibling does, for the sole purpose of getting the older sibling in trouble, that's tattling. Now if say the older sibling is doing something dangerous that could get them or others hurt or killed, and the younger sibling informs the parents for that reason, then I wouldn't consider that tattling.
Tattling is a fine line. Some things we want to know about. Others are too petty. When it's too petty, that's when it's tattling.
There is. Bitching is complaining about something; usually done with a bit of anger/disdain/aggravation towards the thing they are complaining about. Whining is also complaining about something; but it's usually more of a 'feel sorry for myself', 'no one cares', type of complaining. I would associate whining with crying and pouting.
so what are people who start threads about an infraction they got so that everyone can read it? Whiners? or people who go on and on about a PM they got? tattlers? Are they equal or is one worse than the other?
They are who they are and that's how they react. Trying to put a name on them doesn't really matter because they still will do it no matter what you say or do. It's in their makeup and only time will make them realize they aren't accomplishing anything but trying to get attention.
