If you have more than one child they probably hit a stage where telling on each other became their daily priority. If you have four like we do, the "tellings" can pile up and overlap so mercilessly that you finally start laughing or else just tell them they're all in trouble.

This can be an overwhelming experience, especially when you make the new rule, "No one may tell on any one" and then Josiah starts telling on Audrey for telling on him. Can you tell how crazy this can get?

So it was a light bulb moment when an earth-shaking idea found me: "The new rule is you may not tell on anyone but yourself." 

And it worked. Ejay actually took this seriously. After hitting his sister in anger he walked into my office and said, "Papa, I just hit Atalie." The moment was so novel I didn't know what to do. I stared at him, overjoyed for his humility, not sure if I should discipline him at all.

But the new rule is working and now our kids are coming forward confessing their sins regularly. It's sort of become the cool thing to do in the home. And it's exciting...as long as they don't start thinking I'm their priest. 

Therefore confess your sins to one another and pray for one another so that you may be healed (James 5:16a).