Healthy Boundaries and Refusal Skills: Part 2

Should I eat this entire batch of brownies? Should I stay up late watching the basketball game? Should I help Johnny cheat on his math test?

Teens are faced with tough decisions every day and sometimes more than once per day. Some will be much easier to navigate than others. It’s pretty obvious that eating an entire batch of brownies is not a smart idea; it could likely give you a belly ache. And if you stay up late watching the basketball game, you will probably be tired the next day. But what about helping Johnny? He has been your friend since kindergarten, and you don’t want him to be mad at you. You might feel as if you are being tugged in multiple directions. Your friend could really use some help, but you know it is the wrong thing to do. By developing ways for saying "no" and strong refusal skills, you will be better armed to stand up and do the right thing.

Today’s lesson objective is: Students will explain why refusal and negotiation skills are an important part of effective communication and determine how they can help to reduce health-risk behaviors.

* All images with this lesson are in the public domain.