BOTH CAN BE TRUE
You can like someone AND be annoyed with them. True or false? Explain.
TRUE. You can care about or like someone and still feel annoyed with them at the same time.
You studied for a test and still got a bad grade. What could you feel AND what can still be true about you?
You might feel disappointed, frustrated, or upset AND still be a good student / someone who worked hard.
A friend doesn’t answer your text for hours. What could you do instead of immediately deciding why?
Wait, check in later, or remind yourself you don’t know why yet instead of reacting to an assumption.
Two friends watch the same movie. One loves it and one hates it. Can both reactions make sense?
Yes. Two people can experience the same thing differently without either person being wrong.
Finish this sentence: “Just because something went badly once doesn’t mean _____.”
something went badly once doesn’t mean _____.”…it will always go badly / I’m bad at it / everything went wrong. Accept any reasonable flexible answer.
You can be independent AND need help sometimes. How can both be true?
Being independent means doing many things yourself, not never needing help. Everyone needs help sometimes.
Mom says “not right now” when you want to do something together. What might you feel? What else can also be true?
You can feel disappointed AND Mom may be busy, tired, or want to do it later. Her saying “not right now” does not automatically mean she doesn’t want to spend time with you.
You make a mistake on an assignment. What could you do next?
Acknowledge the mistake and figure out what happened or what you need next. One mistake does not mean giving up.
A teacher thinks you weren’t paying attention. You think you were. Can both of you have a perspective that makes sense?
Yes. You may have been listening while doing something the teacher interpreted as not paying attention. Both people can notice different parts of the situation.
Someone is usually nice but snaps at you. Name TWO things that could both be true about them.
They can be a generally nice person AND have been upset, stressed, or behaved badly in that moment.
You can be a good student AND struggle with one class or assignment. Explain.
One difficult class, assignment, or mistake does not erase the bigger picture of being a good student.
Someone gives you feedback you don’t agree with. Can you feel annoyed AND still think about whether part of it is useful?
Yes. You can disagree or feel annoyed AND still consider whether any part of the feedback is helpful or true.
You’re annoyed with Mom but still want to hang out later. What could you do?
Take some space or tell her you’re annoyed, then reconnect later. Being upset doesn’t mean you have to avoid her completely.
You clean most of the kitchen. Someone notices the one thing you missed. What are the two sides?
“I cleaned up most of it” AND “there was still something left to finish.” Both can be accurate.
Which is more flexible: “I messed up, so I’m bad at this” OR “I messed this one up and I can still be good at it”? Why?
The second one. It acknowledges the mistake without using one event to define the whole person or situation.
You can be responsible AND forget something important. Give a real-life example.
Yes. A responsible person can still forget something sometimes. Example: forgetting the dishes does not automatically mean you are irresponsible.
You were trying to do something yourself and realize you need Mom’s help. What might you feel? What can still be true about your independence?
You might feel frustrated, embarrassed, or annoyed AND still be independent. Asking for help with one part does not erase independence.
Mom reminds you about something you were already planning to do. You immediately feel annoyed. What are some possible moves?
You could tell her you were already planning to do it, ask for a minute, acknowledge the reminder and still do it, or pause before reacting. More than one response could work.
Mason says, “I cook AND I clean up.” Mom says, “Sometimes things are still left out.” How can both be true?
Mason can genuinely clean up after cooking AND sometimes miss part of the cleanup, like leaving something out or not wiping the counter.
Your first thought is: “She thinks I never do anything.” What could you ask yourself before treating that like a fact?
“Do I know that for sure?” “What else could she mean?” “Is there another part of the story?” or “What else could also be true?”
You’re really mad at someone you love. Does being angry cancel out loving them?
No. “I’m really angry with this person AND I still love/care about them.” Both feelings can exist together.
You wanted more time with Mom, but you DID spend some time together. Can you be disappointed AND acknowledge the time you did have?
Yes. “We did spend some time together AND I wish we had spent more.” Not enough and none are not the same thing.
Something feels unfair and you’re already really upset. What could you do BEFORE deciding what the other person meant?
Pause, get more information, ask what happened or what they meant, and give yourself time before reacting to the first interpretation.
Mom thinks, “If I don’t remind him, it won’t happen.” Mason thinks, “She doesn’t trust me to do anything myself.” What could be true on BOTH sides?
Mom may remind because she worries something will be forgotten AND Mason may experience repeated reminders as a lack of trust or independence. Neither perspective has to erase the other.
Give an example from your own life where your first reaction made sense, but later you realized there was another part of the story too.