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I don't know, maybe you've read some of my other posts and are thinking, look to thine own eye.  If so, I apologize, I don't want to be a gossip. I know though, that it is a HARD habit to break. I used to be a world class gossip so I wouldn't be surprised if I sometimes slipped back into old habits.
The Bible warns us against it, reminding us that young women with time on their hands in particular can fall prey to this particular sin. I'm not going to quote the other scriptures that I've found on the subject, but I will give you a link. Suffice it to say, God does not care for the habit. Bible Gateway Keyword Search: Gossip
This post is probably not going to be popular. But then again, my blog's not that widely read- so maybe there won't be any readers to annoy. (In case you hadn't guessed, the "My View" category is the catch all for things I have to say that someone's probably not going to like.) The following is a harsh reproof. But I'm not addressing it to anyone, I include myself as someone in need of this reminder, and you are absolutely free to stop reading right now. Only continue reading if you are willing to accept that this is a reproof and that it is made in love to fellow believers from one who seeks to obey the Lord.
If you are still reading (don't way I didn't warn you) lets think for a moment about what we talk about with our friend "IRL" and online. When you are together with friends who share your beliefs, do you talk about others who do not? What do you say? Do you say, "I'd like us all to pray for Gladys, she is so burdened by the pressures of this world that she doesn't truly value her time with her children." Or do you say, "If I hear one more person say how they can't wait for their kids to go back to school..."
When you read a story about a high school in disarray, teachers who've commited crimes, students out of control, what do you do? Do you immediately post a link to the story so you can share with others this group in need of prayer? Or are you posting that link so that you can crow about how great it is to homeschool? Do you really believe that you are sharing this information because somehow, someone homeschooling miles away from where the incident took place needs to know about it? I understand, there is a time and a place for using such information. But I am not talking about well researched advocacy here- I'm talking about posts that start out with a title like "One More Reason Why I Homeschool" and "You Are Not Going To Believe This."
Homeschooling is a wonderful choice and our family has been blessed in every way since we made it. But we've not become superior beings because we made that choice. We still sin, our sins are just different. And that's what it comes down to. When you are tsk tsk'ing about someone else's choice you are really just seeing their sin rather than focussing on your own.
I am no mind reader, but God is. Think about your motivations because you can be assured that your Father is.
Speaking of fathers. When you read a post about someone, a neighbor, MIL, co-op member, etc. ask yourself as you read- would the person who is writing this post be willing to say all these things about the person in front of their father? Because dear friends, every word you write, everything you say about someone, is said in front of their Father. He loves them every bit as much as He loves you. He wants them saved and uplifted, not torn down or ridiculed.
So whether it be the family who doesn't raise their children the way you do, the principal who made a bad decision, the parent who speaks about their children in a way you would not remember this- There but for the grace of God go you. Your sinful nature is controlled only because God so chooses. Rather than being like the Pharisee who thanks God that he is not like those other sinners, remember who you are. You are forgiven, not perfect- just like me.  | 
