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12:21 AM
I've never been amazing at the line between compassion and duty, or knowing when one should supersede the other, so I tend to choose duty, in most every case I know. But today, lately, I've had cause to wonder which is more important.
I have a new charge who has been through many many problems in his life , and lately, and he's taken up a stream of self destructive behavior that not only contradicts his father's expectations for him, but puts him in some very real danger, some of which has already caused him to be hurt, on more than one occasion. It is my duty to inform his father, isn't it, that the rules set out are being broken, especially the ones that were most meant to keep him safe.
But if I do, I do risk losing my charge's trust forever, and I know that his father will be furious anyway. The boy's already in trouble, and grounded for similar things, though he's still snuck out since then, more than once, to continue carrying on, regardless of any consequences he might face.
And given the household rules, I know that what he's doing falls into the category of especially deadly serious rule breaking and lying, with even more severe consequences now.
Do I tell his father and let the boy learn it for himself why it's a bad idea, or cover for him in an attempt to shield him and become his friend? I think I know what I WILL have to do, but can anyone convince me telling really IS the bad idea it feels like, even though I know it's better?
I have a new charge who has been through many many problems in his life , and lately, and he's taken up a stream of self destructive behavior that not only contradicts his father's expectations for him, but puts him in some very real danger, some of which has already caused him to be hurt, on more than one occasion. It is my duty to inform his father, isn't it, that the rules set out are being broken, especially the ones that were most meant to keep him safe.
But if I do, I do risk losing my charge's trust forever, and I know that his father will be furious anyway. The boy's already in trouble, and grounded for similar things, though he's still snuck out since then, more than once, to continue carrying on, regardless of any consequences he might face.
And given the household rules, I know that what he's doing falls into the category of especially deadly serious rule breaking and lying, with even more severe consequences now.
Do I tell his father and let the boy learn it for himself why it's a bad idea, or cover for him in an attempt to shield him and become his friend? I think I know what I WILL have to do, but can anyone convince me telling really IS the bad idea it feels like, even though I know it's better?