Healthy vs. Unhealthy
A friend listens when you say you don’t want to share your homework.
Healthy — respects your choice.
You don’t want someone touching your backpack without permission.
Physical Boundary
A classmate keeps borrowing your pencil even after you said no. What do you do?
Assert your boundary: “Please don’t borrow my pencil. I need it.”
You are annoyed your friend took your snack.
“I feel upset when my snack is taken without asking.”
A peer teases you about your clothes every day
Unhealthy — disrespectful and repetitive.
You prefer not to answer a personal question from a peer.
Emotional Boundary
A friend keeps texting you late at night, but you need sleep. What’s a solution?
Set a boundary: “I can’t text after 9 PM. I’ll reply in the morning.”
A peer is talking loudly while you are trying to focus.
“I feel distracted when people talk loudly during work.”
Someone congratulates you when you do well, even if they didn’t win.
Healthy — supportive behavior.
You limit how much time you spend on a group chat.
Time Boundary
Someone keeps hugging you when you’ve said you don’t like hugs.
Stand firm: “I don’t like hugs. Please respect that.”
Your friend borrowed your game without asking.
“I feel frustrated when my things are used without permission.”
A friend pressures you to do something you don’t want to do.
Unhealthy — controlling behavior.
You choose not to share your password with anyone.
Emotional Boundary (privacy)
A peer wants to borrow money, but you aren’t comfortable.
Say no politely: “I’m not able to lend money, but we can do something else.”
A classmate makes jokes that hurt your feelings.
“I feel hurt when jokes are made about me.”
A friend respects your need for personal space and checks in later.
Healthy — acknowledges your boundaries.
You tell a friend that you can only hang out on weekends.
Time Boundary
A friend keeps interrupting you while talking.
“I need to finish my thought first. Then you can talk.”
Your friend repeatedly interrupts your story.
“I feel annoyed when I can’t finish my story. Please let me finish first.”