Conversation Script: Talking About Consent and Boundaries
Starting with Personal Boundaries
Parent: “Everyone has a body that belongs to them. That means you get to choose who touches you, when, and how. For example, if you don’t want a hug, you can say, ‘No thanks, I don’t want a hug right now.’”
Child: “Even from family?”
Parent: “Yes, even from family. It’s always your choice. And the same goes the other way—you need to ask before touching someone else. You could say, ‘Can I hug you?’ and if they say ‘No,’ you respect that.”
Explaining Consent Simply
Parent: “Consent means checking if the other person is comfortable and saying yes before something happens. A real ‘yes’ is happy, clear, and given freely. If someone says no, stays quiet, or looks uncomfortable, that means there is no consent.”
Child: “So if someone says nothing, that’s not a yes?”
Parent: “That’s right. Silence is not a yes. We only go ahead when there’s a clear yes.”
Practicing Scenarios
Parent: “Let’s practice. Imagine you want to sit close to a friend. What could you say?”
Child: “Can I sit here?”
Parent: “Perfect. And if your friend says, ‘I’d rather you didn’t,’ what do you do?”
Child: “Say okay and sit somewhere else.”
Parent: “Exactly. That’s respecting boundaries.”
Talking About Changing Your Mind
Parent: “It’s also important to know that people can change their mind. You might say yes to something at first, then decide you don’t want to anymore. That’s okay. You can say, ‘I don’t want to do this anymore.’ And others have the same right, too.”
Wrapping Up
Parent: “The most important things to remember are:
Your body belongs to you.
You always get to say yes or no.
Other people always get to say yes or no too.
A real yes is clear and happy, not pressured.”
Parent: “Thanks for talking with me about this. I’m always here if you have questions or if you’re unsure about a situation.”
👉 Tip for Parents: Keep the tone calm, open, and respectful. Use role-play and real-life examples your child can relate to. Repeat these conversations regularly, in short bursts, so the ideas become familiar and comfortable.