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Being Assertive DOES NOT Mean Saying

"Shut up!" by Tom Letson

After you have asked kids several times to stop harassing you and they don’t stop, it’s time to be more assertive.  Being assertive means sticking up for yourself and telling someone to stop doing whatever mean thing they are saying or doing to you. Being assertive DOES NOT mean being aggressive and starting a fight.  Being assertive DOES NOT mean screaming "shut-up!" at the other kid - in fact, this may make the bully and teaser happy because they were successful in getting you upset!  Here are some examples of being assertive in these situations:

"I’ve given you enough chances to stop this. If you do it again I’m reporting it."

 "You are not getting it – I said enough already, OK!"

"That was kind of funny at first but now it's not - please stop it."

Tom Letson MA LPC Private Practice

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