Setting a Boundary and Holding It · seed 1 · A4, ink-friendly. The answer key prints on its own page for grown-ups.

Saying no and meaning it

Personal & Social Development · Friendship & Cooperation · ages 14-15
Name ______________________   Date ____________

  1. After push-back, you should repeat the same limit without adding new excuses.

    Circle one:   True   False

  2. Which of these is a complete boundary sentence?

    • I do not lend money, because I am saving, but I can help you plan instead
    • Maybe, if nobody else can help
    • Stop asking me things

  3. Which of these is yours to set?

    • How your friend feels about your answer
    • Whether you answer messages after eleven
    • Whether your friend stays upset

  4. A friend begs a second time after your no. What is the best reply?

    • A longer reason they have not heard yet
    • Silence and walking away
    • The same sentence again, calmly and word for word

  5. Tom gets volunteered for someone else shift. Which line follows the recipe?

    • I would, but my bus, my back, and my boss all say no
    • I cannot cover Friday, because I promised my sister, but I can swap Thursday
    • No, I never help anyone

  6. Whose job is it to carry how your friend feels about your limit?

    • Yours, so you must keep explaining
    • Nobody, feelings do not matter
    • Theirs to carry, not yours to fix

  7. A cousin demands your savings for a party and says family shares everything. Which answer holds a boundary?

    • Hand it over, since family comes first
    • Promise to decide after the party
    • Mine stays saved for my deposit fund, and I can chip in snacks instead

  8. A learner says no, then debates every excuse when pushed, and caves. Where did it break down?

    • New excuses invited debate instead of a calm repeat
    • The opening sentence was too short
    • The alternative was too generous
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Answer key

For grown-ups. Fold this page away before handing over the rest.

Saying no and meaning it W1-mt_JpJ4qi-SP8-s1

  1. True · The broken record repeat shows you mean it.
  2. I do not lend money, because I am saving, but I can help you plan instead · It names the limit, gives one reason, and offers an alternative.
  3. Whether you answer messages after eleven · Your inbox at night is yours; their feelings are theirs.
  4. The same sentence again, calmly and word for word · A calm repeat gives them nothing new to negotiate.
  5. I cannot cover Friday, because I promised my sister, but I can swap Thursday · One limit, one reason, one alternative: the Friday line.
  6. Theirs to carry, not yours to fix · You own the limit; they own their reaction to it.
  7. Mine stays saved for my deposit fund, and I can chip in snacks instead · Your money is yours to set, with warmth toward the person.
  8. New excuses invited debate instead of a calm repeat · Each new excuse became a fresh thread to pull.
Worksheet · LightMySky