Let's talk about standing up for ourselves.
We can stand up for ourselves by telling them how we feel and choosing how we respond in the future.
We can do this by:
Telling them to speak or act appropriately
Moving away from them if they keep making negative choices
Letting them know what words or actions are wrong or hurtful, and how it makes us feel.
Set a boundary.
It might sound like this: If you keep speaking to me like this, I am not going to spend time with you.
We all have a right to safety, and to make choices that support our learning and wellbeing.
Asking for what we need and standing up for ourselves are two ways we can help ourselves.
We have a right to help and support when we need it.
We can ask our mates and trusted adults.
I was chilling out one time, feeling very peaceful, until my friends kept bugging me to play.
I was tired and not in the mood, it was nap o’clock!
I told them politely, no thanks, we can play next time,
but they kept bugging me.
I had to set a boundary with them.
I said if they kept bothering me I will find another spot to hang out alone and be peaceful in
As a good mate does, they respected my boundaries and we all had a peaceful arvo.
When we are being treated unfairly or rudely,
it feels frustrating and upsetting.
Standing up for yourself can feel a bit tricky when you’re in a sticky situation, but it’s important you do because you have a right to feel safe and well.
Hey Brave 'Burra, can other people call out our unfair words and actions?
Well what do we do if someone tells us we have said or done something wrong or hurtful?
Good question Peaceful Platypus.
Because we have a right to be treated fairly,
we also have a responsibility to treat others fairly too.
Other people can stand up for themselves too and call out our words or actions that are hurtful.
When that happens, we need to take accountability.
We can do this by saying we are sorry for what we did, and showing them we are sorry by not repeating that behaviour.