Teaching Teens to Say No

Sometimes it’s hard for teens (and adults!) to say “no” because it brings up what ifs: What if my friends reject me because I won’t go along with a plan? You can help your teen get in front of their fears by teaching them to offer alternatives. Instead of saying, “no,” have your teen say what they are going to do. It’s not “no to ditching class,” it’s “yes to meeting up after school.” When teens make a choice that is right for them and stick with it, they express their values. And that’s a good thing.

Click here for another 100-word parenting tip.