	Teaching Children To Say "No"
	First-Time Mothers
	WORKSHOPS
	Don't Take It Personally

TEACHING CHILDREN TO SAY "NO"

As parents we are usually focused on "getting to yes". As children approach their teens, it is critical they know when and how to say "No". We want our teens to say "No" to drugs, smoking, alcohol, tobacco and sex. "No" is a critical word in enforcing our boundaries of what is acceptable behavior. Does your teen know how to say "No" and mean it?

Teens need to know how they will respond before they ever encounter a situation. Caught off guard a teen can acquiesce and be pulled into a potentially dangerous situation because they weren't prepared to say "No". The steps in teaching your teens to say "No" are:

Talk with your teen about the situations that they will face.

Discuss why saying "no" is important for their health and welfare. Use documented facts.

Give them examples of how to say "No" and ask them to contribute some of their own suggestions

Role play these situations to give your teen the opportunity to become comfortable saying "No"

Be a role model and demonstrate how you maintain your boundaries using the word "No".

A few examples of how to say "No":

No.

No, I just couldn't. If my mother/father/parents found out I would be grounded for life.

No thanks. I have other plans.

No. That's not for me.

Brainstorm with your teen to identify more ways to say "No".

Sharon Kratochvil, Ph.D.
Organization & Personal Development Coaching
(203) 359-9408
Sharon@CoachSharon.com

Home - Purpose-Filled Living - Family Dynamics - School Dynamics - About - Contact