Graduation 2014

Graduation! Big achievements and sometimes big parties. It’s important to take the time to talk about pressure and making good decisions before they celebrate. One way to do this is by empowering your teen with refusal skills.

Your teen is probably pretty good at coming up with excuses, especially when it pertains to homework or taking out the garbage. But even the most skilled excuse-maker needs ready-made comebacks to have in their pocket when your teen’s friends and peers start putting on the pressure. Here are some tips. Email them to your teen. Text them, especially when they’re out with friends. Practice at the dinner table or when they’re “trapped” in the car with you while you’re driving. Ask your teens what they would say. Have some good responses you want to share? We’re all ears. Email us at LetsDoThis@PowerToTheParent.org or talk with us on Facebook.

1.  Compliment the person.  "Thanks for offering."

2.  State the problem or the consequence.  "The problem is that I can’t right now."

3.  Offer an alternative that shows you value the person.  "Maybe we can just hang out instead."

4.  Leave in a way that doesn’t offend. "I have to go. See you another time."

For more tips on how to keep your teen safe visit www.powertotheparent.org