Read each made-up situation. Think (or write) which skill or skills you'd use and how you'd handle it — then reveal some ideas. There are no wrong answers.
Card 1
It's 10pm on a school night. The family rule is phones off at 9:30, but the teen is mid-game with friends online.
As the teen: Your parent walks in and says "Phone. Now." You feel a wave of anger — you can't just quit mid-match.
Card 2
The teen finds out friends made a new group chat and made weekend plans without them.
As the teen: Your stomach drops. Your mind says "Nobody actually likes me."
Card 3
At a busy, loud restaurant for a relative's birthday, the noise and lights become too much.
As the teen: Everything feels too bright and loud. You want to run out or shut down.
Card 4
The teen studied hard but got a much lower grade than expected.
As the teen: You think: "I'm stupid. What's the point in trying?"
Card 5
Everyone needs to leave in 10 minutes. The teen can't find their shoes and the parent is already late for work.
As the teen: You're panicking and your parent is shouting from downstairs. Your brain goes blank.
Card 6
The teen asks to go to a party where the parent doesn't know the family hosting it.
As the teen: Everyone's going. You feel it's unfair and want to argue.
Card 7
A younger sibling borrowed the teen's headphones without asking and broke them.
As the teen: You're furious — you want to yell or break something of theirs.
Card 8
The teen signed up for a new club but wants to skip the first session.
As the teen: You feel sick with nerves and want to stay home.
Card 9
The parent comes home stressed after work and snaps at the teen over a small thing.
As the teen: You feel hurt and blamed for something that wasn't a big deal.
Card 10
A friend keeps asking the teen to do their homework for them.
As the teen: You don't want to, but you're scared they'll be upset and stop being your friend.