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Coping Skills
1

Your mom gets a new job and you have to move to a new state. 

What CAN'T you control about this situation? 

What is where mom's new job is located/having to move  

1

You forgot to study for a test and you received a bad grade. 

What CAN you control about this situation?

What is studying for the test, your emotions, your attitude, and response.

1

Even though you've told them to stop, your friends keep bashing each other online. 

What CAN'T you control about this situation? 

What is your friends actions. 

1

Your favorite candy is sold out at the store.

What is a choice you can make that is in your control?

Go to a different store, ask a worker to check in the back, save my money for next time, choose a different candy

1

Name a coping skill that calms you

breathing, listening to music, etc.

2

It's a rainy day and your first game of the season gets cancelled! 

What CAN'T you control about this situation? 

What is the weather, or the game being cancelled

2

You don't really get along with your RTI teacher.

What CAN'T you control about this situation?

What is your RTI teacher.

2

Your friend borrows your iPad without asking and accidentally drops it. 

What CAN you control about this situation? 

 

What is your response, emotions, attitude, what you say to your friend, and actions. 

2

You have been looking forward to going to Roaring Springs all summer.  On the day you go, your favorite ride is closed.  

What is a choice in your control?

Ride the other rides more
2

Who are people you can talk to at home if you are having a difficult time with something outside of your control?

Parents, sibling, call another family member or friend

3

Your big brother/sister had a really bad day and they aren't being very kind to you.

What CAN you control about this situation? 

What is your attitude, actions, the way you treat her,  the choices you make, and things you say to her. 

3

A group of your classmates are planning on egging your teacher's house. 

What CAN you control about this situation? 

What is the choices you make, your actions, what you say to your peers, your effort, and your attitude. 

3

Your best friend moves over an hour away from you. 

What CAN'T you control about this situation?

What is your friend moving away.

3
You are out shopping with your mom, and the store is very loud and crowded.

What is a choice that is in your control?

Tell mom how you are feeling or what you need, ask for headphones, ask to go wait in the car, 
3

This is NOT a healthy coping skill NOR is it age appropriate

whining

4

Your dog chewed up your brand new pair of shoes and you are really mad!

What CAN you control about this situation? 

What is where you put your shoes, your emotions (anger), your thoughts, your dog, your attitude, and your actions. 

4

You call your teacher mom and the rest of the class laughs at you. You feel embarrassed. 

What CAN you control about this situation?

What is your emotions, your actions/choices, your attitude, and what you say to your peers. 

4

Two of your friends hang out without you and it hurts your feelings. 

What CAN'T you control about this situation?

What is your friends' choice to hang out just the two of them. 

4

You go to a movie theater.  The line is so long to get popcorn that mom says no popcorn.

What is a choice that is in your control?

Go sit down and ask mom to get popcorn later, enjoy the movie without the snack
4

This is a coping skill that includes writing down how you feel in a private book

journaling

5

Your family is going on a vacation this summer and wants you to go with. You will greatly miss your friends and you really want to stay at home with your grandparents.

What CAN'T you control about this situation?

What is your family's emotions/feelings

5

You study hard for a test and you don't pass. When you get the results back you feel like crying in class. 

What CAN you control about this situation?

What is your emotions (upset, crying) and attitude. 

5

One of your friends has recently started cheating on spelling tests. You've asked them to stop, but they still do it. 

What CAN'T you control about this situation? 

What is my friend's choice to cheat.  

5

Your family is going to McDonalds for dinner, but when you get there, it is closed.

What choice is is in your control?

Choose a different restaurant, ask to go home and make hamburgers there

5

Who are people you can talk to at school if you are having a difficult time with something outside of your control?

Teacher, counselor, friends