When your peers try to make you do something that you don't want to do, how can you get out of it without feeling embarrassed? If you can't; just remember that being embarrassed is better than being in trouble with the police or your parents. Meanwhile, here are a few tips that other kids find helps them.

The simplest thing is to just say no. Keep on saying it and walk away so you can't be persuaded.

Laugh and say...

"Sorry, but I belong to the No Club. We are not into that stuff."

"Oh, I gave that up last year."

"I'm not into that - my aunt just died of lung cancer."
(Make the disease appropriate to the temptation. E.g. if it's alcohol you are being offered, make it cirrhosis of the liver).

"Isn't that idea rather childish?"

"Would you like it if someone said/did that to you?"

"My parents would kill me."

"I'm already grounded, thanks."

"Thanks for thinking of me, but I've got a hot date for that night."

Plan with your parents before you go out, that you will ring them to come and get you if you are feeling too pressured. To alert them to what is going on, you can plan to say you have a bad earache or headache.


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