Thanksgiving Self-Advocacy | Baamboozle - Baamboozle

You try a food you don’t like.

“It’s not my favorite, but thanks for offering.”

Someone says sarcastically, “Nice job dropping the fork.”

“Are you being serious or joking?”

You’re tired and don’t want to play a second game.

“I’m tired. I’m going to sit the next game out.”

A relative says, “You’re speaking really fast.”

“Thanks for telling me. I’ll slow down.”

You can’t find the napkins.

“Do you know where the napkins are?”

A cousin thinks you’re annoyed but you were just tired.

“I’m tired, not upset. Sorry if it sounded that way.”

Your grandmother keeps offering more food, but you’re full.

“No thank you, I’m full.”

You start talking and someone cuts you off.

“I’d like to finish what I was saying.”

Your cousins are playing a game without you.

“Can I join your game?”

Someone asks you a question quickly and you need time to think.

“Give me a moment to think.”

The food is hotter than you expected.

“This is spicy for me. Do you have something less spicy?”

Someone makes a “joke” about what you’re wearing.

“That joke doesn’t feel good to me. Please stop.”

Someone keeps calling you by the wrong nickname.

“Actually, I prefer to be called ___.”

Your uncle is explaining game rules super fast.

“Could you slow down a little? I want to make sure I understand.”

A cousin keeps hugging you and you’re uncomfortable.

“I’d like some space, please.”

Someone cuts in front of you in the food line.

“Excuse me, I was next. Could I grab my plate first?”

A family member gives you directions you don’t understand.

“Can you repeat that slowly?”

You’re stuck between two loud relatives.

“Is it okay if I switch seats? It’s a little loud for me here.”

Someone is talking a lot and you can’t concentrate.

“I’m having trouble focusing. Can we take a quick pause?”

You don’t know when dinner starts.

“What time are we eating?”

Someone teases you about eating slowly.

“I don’t like that joke. Please stop.”

You can’t open the cranberry sauce jar.

“Can you help me open this?”

A cousin thinks you said something rude but you didn’t.

“I think there was a misunderstanding. What I meant was…”

Your heart is racing and you need to calm down.

“I’m feeling overwhelmed. I need a break.”

You don’t want gravy on your turkey.

“Can I have mine without gravy, please?”

The room is loud and you feel overwhelmed. What do you say?

“I need a 2-minute break.”

Someone gives you feedback on your tone. Best self-advocacy response?

“Thanks, I’ll try again”

You want a turn to speak at the table. What should you do?

Wait for a pause and say, “Can I add something?”

You don’t understand a joke. What’s a helpful strategy?

Say, “Can you explain what that means?”

You feel overwhelmed by the noise. What is an expected self-advocacy strategy?

Say, “I need a quick break”