Size of my problem
A friend stole your favorite pencil
Small problem (take a deep breath, talk to peer calmly, ignore it)
Big reaction to a small problem. Just go to the bathroom and change your shoes!
You forgot to study for your math test you are taking this afternoon. The girl sitting next to you in math always does really well. Her desk is really close to you, too. You could probably see some of her answers.... What do you do?
Try to study with your free time and do not look at her work, you will get the grade oyu earn. Next time, you will study and be more prepared
I am having depressive thoughts and have trouble getting out of bed in the morning. What should I do?
This is a big problem and should be taken seriously. Reach out to a trusted adult, seek help. Counselors are great people to reach out too as well as parents. Seeing a doctor would be a good step as well to get the help you need.
I'm at the gas station and my mom sent me in to get her an orange juice. I really want the gum at the counter as well but don't have enough money for her item. What do I do?
Don't steal it! Buy your moms item and when you get back to the car, ask nicely if she has any extra money to go back in and buy the gum you wanted. If she does, great! If not, ask for next time if you could get the gum. Stay calm and understanding in your response! Nobody ever got what they wanted by yelling and screaming.
You had your hand up in class but a teacher kept calling on another student instead...
Small problem (have a private conversation with the teacher at the end of class, take deep breaths)
Angelica got grounded for 10 minutes. When her dad left the room, she tore her room up into shreds. She earned another 30 minutes of grounded time.
Reaction did not match her problem (give explanation).
I get more and more classwork every day in science. It is piling up and I am getting behind. How can I begin to do it? Its too hard, I feel anxious... What do I do?
Approach my teacher and explain how the work is making me feel. Set up a work plan to help in time management and stick with it. This will help me get all of my work caught up in time.
My mom works 2 jobs. Otherwise, I am at home by myself. It is getting lonely. What do I do?
Reach out to friends and set up gaming times, sleep overs, activities. Join a club so you don't have to be home alone so long! A friend would be willing to drive you home if your mom can't pick you up. It is important when you are feeling down to seek out activities to keep you energized.
I'm waiting after chess club for a ride and my mom is 30 minutes late. I get in the car and start screaming at her, she begins to cry. What did I do? Did I make the right decision?
No! Mistakes and accidents happen. We can only control how we respond to them. Showing someone kindness and understanding is the right thing to do, even though its hard sometimes.
You and your friend can't decide which movie to watch
Small problem (talk it out calmly, make a deal, take deep breaths)
Fishboi underreacted... They didn't bring him his soda! He should have attacked him worse.
Fishboi overreacted to a small problem. If he would have explained calmly the problem would have been solved a lot easier with a lot less frustration.
A new boy in class asked you to play basketball with him in gym. You love basketball, but your friends don't like the new boy. You are afraid of what your friends would think if they saw you playing with him.
Play with him anyway, maybe your friends will join and get to know him and end up liking him too! It always is the right decision to help a lonely person.
I have tons of homework but do not have the time to do it afterschool. I have basketball practice then I have choir practice. I won't have time for anything after that! What do I do?
Admit that I had homework and try to complete it during school. If I do not finish, stay up a bit longer to try to complete it. Time management is important, right?
I'm playing football with my neighbors and they are picking teams. I am picked last and this makes me really sad. Should I just quit the game and not play? Seems easier than being last pick.
No! Don't quit! Show everyone why you should have been chosen 1st. And, if you shouldn't have been and you know it, show them its just a game by being a good sport and playing whether picked first or last.
The person sitting next to you is tapping her pencil on her desk and it is annoying you
Small problem (take deep breaths, talk to peer calmly... She isn't intentionally hurting anyone)
A friend is talking about self-harm and you just sit and listen. They asked you not to tell anyone, so you don't.
Small reaction to a big problem. Self-harm and mental illness is a serious condition and should always be taken seriously. Even if you aren't sure if they are telling the truth, always share this information with a trusted adult so your friend can be supported.
You are working on a group science project with 2 other kids. One of your partners isn't doing any work. When you ask the boy to help, he says, "I don't feel like it," and starts reading his comic book... What do you do?
You explain the importance of the project and that we are all relying on him and offer to help him out a bit to get him started. If he still does not help, you email the teacher and explain the situation.
It is getting more and more difficult to get out of bed in the morning. My bed is warm, outside is cold, and school is boring. What do you do?
Nobody can help me get out of my funk if I don't make the first step to get up and get moving! Take baby steps, they will pay off. When you get to school, talk to a trusted adult or peer for advice as well to make it easier to get up moving forward.
All of my friends are going to the movies but they do not invite me. I know what time the movie is... Should I just show up?
No! You should reach out to your friends to see why they did not invite you and if there was something you did or that happened that you can fix. Friendships are always worth fighting for if they are good ones.
You see that someone wrote something inappropriate about your friend in the bathroom stall.
Medium problem (although they aren't placing physical harm on the person, it is a threat and it is inappropriate- could lead to more damaging issues (self harm, bullying). Tell a teacher
You trip and scrape your knee, so you throw yourself to the floor and call 911.
Big overreaction to a medium size problem (give explanation).
Your teacher sets up weekly rewards for all of the kids in your class. You usually ALWAYS earn the reward and by now are so used to it. However, you had an off week and did not do what you were supposed to. You did not earn the reward. How do you respond?
Take a breath and take some time to myself. Reflect on my choices and improve for the following week so I can earn the reward back. It is now the other kids time to earn the reward.
I am feeling like I am gaining weight and I don't like the way I look. I'm thinking about cutting my calories but then I don't have energy. What do I do?
I should join a sport or activity. Also, if it is not in season for the sport I want, I can set a goal to take a walk after school every day. Try not to eat when I'm bored, only eat when I'm hungry. You'll see the difference.
I'm grocery shopping with my family and this 2 year old is having a tantrum. The screams and cries are really annoying me. What do I do?
You can't control the boys tantrum, you can only control how to respond to it. By ignoring it, you aren't giving it life and you will end up forgetting about it. If you react to it, you are losing control. This is hard to do and takes practice but will help.