Stand your ground with adults — without blowing things up
Teachers, coaches, counselors, bosses, parents — they don't always get it right. Sometimes you need to push back, ask for what you need, or challenge something unfair. The question is how.
Self-AdvocacyAuthorityCommunicationDo This On Your Own
Scenarios
6
Time
15-20 min
Ages
12-18
Speak Up
1 / 6
points out of 18
24h ChallengeTry It IRL
You practiced standing your ground with adults on screen. Now try it for real — in the next 24 hours.
Challenge 1
The next time an adult makes a decision about you without asking — what to eat, what to wear, a schedule change — practice this: "I appreciate that, but I'd prefer [specific alternative]. Can we try that?"
Why this matters: Self-advocacy starts with small moments. Practicing on low-stakes decisions (like dinner plans) builds the muscle for high-stakes ones (like grades or playing time).
Challenge 2
Ask one adult a genuine question today about something that affects you — your schedule, a rule, an assignment. Use this opener: "Can you help me understand why [the thing] works that way?" Listen to their full answer before responding.
Why this matters: Asking "why" isn't challenging authority — it's engaging with it. Adults respect students who ask thoughtful questions way more than students who just comply silently or push back angrily.
Challenge 3
If you're at a doctor's appointment, restaurant, or store today, practice speaking directly to the employee or professional yourself — don't let a parent answer for you. Even ordering your own food counts.
Why this matters: Every time you let someone else speak for you, you're training yourself to be passive. Every time you speak for yourself, you're building confidence for the moments that actually matter.