Tricky situations 💪
What do I do if this happens to me? · 10 min
Hard situations
What do I do if this happens to me? · 15 min
Hard situations
What do I do if this happens to me? · 20 min
Each age has its own progress. People of the same age share this space and its logbook in this browser.
Little teams show up in everyday moments. Let's practice, so when it really happens you'll know what to do.
Thanks for sharing. You're not the only one.
How to play
There are five situations. In each one, choose what you'd do and see what happens. You can do some today and others tomorrow.
The reds and the blues
Choose what to answer. There's no score: it's a rehearsal.
What do you do?
Not lending the ball to the other color.
If you choose this one
Tension goes up. 🙈 They argue.
«Let's all play together!»
If you choose this one
Tension goes down. 🤝 The game is more fun!
The trick: colors are just shirts.
The kid who talks differently
Choose what to answer. There's no score: it's a rehearsal.
What do you do?
Imitate his accent.
If you choose this one
Tension goes up. 🙈 He gets sad.
Ask him where he's from and what words he uses.
If you choose this one
Tension goes down. 🤝 You learn new words!
The trick: different isn't weird.
The game against another school
Choose what to answer. There's no score: it's a rehearsal.
What do you do?
Boo the other team.
If you choose this one
Tension goes up. 🙈 A kid starts crying.
Cheer for your team and clap for a great goal by the other team too.
If you choose this one
Tension goes down. 🤝 Everyone enjoys the game!
The trick: we want to win, not for the other team to feel bad.
Different food
Choose what to answer. There's no score: it's a rehearsal.
What do you do?
Say «gross!».
If you choose this one
Tension goes up. 🙈 Your classmate hides his food.
«Can I have a little?»
If you choose this one
Tension goes down. 🤝 You discover something delicious!
The trick: trying is better than teasing.
«My dad says the people from over there are bad»
Choose what to answer. There's no score: it's a rehearsal.
What do you do?
Repeat it at school.
If you choose this one
Tension goes up. 🙈 A kid from over there gets sad.
Tell your dad about your friend from over there: «Dad, my friend Martín is from there, and he's really nice».
If you choose this one
Tension goes down. 🤝 Your dad thinks about it.
The trick: sometimes grown-ups get it wrong too. You can tell them about your friends, kindly.
Act it out
Act out together the situation that happens to the child the most.
Notice if one of these situations happens to you today.
Which situation seems hardest to you?
Your superhero plan!
Finish and go to lesson 9 →Knowing you shouldn't hate is easy. Not joining in when your whole group has already decided who the enemy is, that's something else. This lesson is a rehearsal.
Thanks for sharing. You're not the only one.
How to use this lesson
There are six situations. You can do them in order or go to the one you need most, and you can do the lesson in two parts.
The meme against a group
Inside: it's funny. Everyone's laughing. If you don't laugh, you're left out.
Choose what to answer. There's no score: it's a rehearsal.
A meme mocking people from another country is going around the group.
You forward it.
If you choose this one
Tension goes up. It reaches the whole school.
You say nothing.
If you choose this one
Stays the same. It keeps going around.
«This one isn't funny. We have classmates from that country.»
If you choose this one
Tension goes down. Someone writes: «True». The meme stops.
Step by step: don't forward it. If you can, say something short. If someone from that group is in your class, message them: «I saw the meme. I don't think that way».
The fan club chat
Inside: you feel part of something big. You don't want to look like a coward.
Choose what to answer. There's no score: it's a rehearsal.
In the chat they write: «On Sunday we have to go find them».
You send a fire emoji.
If you choose this one
Tension goes up. The plan grows.
You say nothing.
If you choose this one
Stays the same. It looks like everyone agrees.
«I'm going to cheer, not to fight.»
If you choose this one
Tension goes down. Someone else writes: «Me neither». A few others join in.
Step by step: being a fan doesn't mean hitting anyone. If someone is planning to hurt others, tell an adult you trust. It's not betrayal: it's looking out for people.
The classmate who came from another country
Inside: he's different. You don't know how to approach him, and you're embarrassed to be seen with him.
Choose what to answer. There's no score: it's a rehearsal.
In class, they imitate a new classmate's accent.
You laugh with everyone.
If you choose this one
Tension goes up. He turns red and never speaks in class again.
You don't laugh, but you don't say anything.
If you choose this one
Stays the same. He's still alone.
At recess, you sit with him: «Where are you from? What do you miss?».
If you choose this one
Tension goes down. He tells you about his country. You find out he's amazing at soccer.
Step by step: one real question is worth more than a month of jokes.
The uncle who repeats hatred at the table
Inside: he's your uncle. You don't want to fight. But what he's saying isn't okay.
Choose what to answer. There's no score: it's a rehearsal.
At lunch, your uncle says: «People from that neighborhood are all criminals».
You laugh.
If you choose this one
Tension goes up. Your uncle keeps going.
You say nothing.
If you choose this one
Stays the same. The comment hangs in the air.
«Uncle, my best friend is from that neighborhood. And he's one of the best people I know.»
If you choose this one
Tension goes down. Your uncle goes quiet, thinking. Your mom looks at you and smiles.
Step by step: one calm sentence, with a name. It's not about winning: it's so another voice gets heard.
Someone insults you for your origin or your neighborhood
Inside: anger, embarrassment, wanting to hit back the same way.
Choose what to answer. There's no score: it's a rehearsal.
Someone shouts at you: «Go back to your neighborhood».
You answer with a worse insult.
If you choose this one
Tension goes up. You end up fighting, and the insult sticks.
You say nothing and keep it to yourself.
If you choose this one
Stays the same. It hurts, and nobody knows.
You walk away and tell an adult you trust, or a friend.
If you choose this one
Tension goes down. You're not carrying it with no one anymore, and someone helps you figure out what to do.
Step by step: what they say about your group doesn't say who you are. You don't have to prove anything to anyone. If it keeps happening, it's harassment: ask for help.
A friend gets into an online hate group
Inside: he's your friend. But he talks about a group with more and more hatred, and shares stuff that's scary.
Choose what to answer. There's no score: it's a rehearsal.
Your friend sends you a video from a group saying certain people «have to be thrown out».
«Haha, awesome.»
If you choose this one
Tension goes up. Your friend gets in deeper.
You don't answer.
If you choose this one
Stays the same. He stays alone in that group.
«Hey, that group gives me a bad feeling. What's your problem with those people? Do you know anyone from there?»
If you choose this one
Tension goes down. Your friend thinks about it. He tells you he's been feeling lonely.
Step by step: don't leave him alone. Ask him what's going on. Hatred often fills an empty space. And if he talks about hurting someone, tell an adult you trust today.
Your situation
Write about a situation you're living right now.
Go over the steps of one situation before you go to sleep.
Which option would you have chosen before this route?
Your plan.
Finish and go to lesson 9 →Knowing you shouldn't hate is easy.
Not joining in when your whole family, neighborhood or fan club has already decided who the enemy is, that's something else.
This lesson is a rehearsal.
Thanks for sharing. You're not the only one.
How to use this lesson
There are six situations. You can do them in order or go straight to the one you need most, and you can do the lesson in two parts.
Each one has five parts: the scene, what happens inside, the simulator, step by step and if it goes wrong.
The chat fills up with messages against a group
The scene. In the neighborhood chat, someone shares news of a robbery and writes: «It was the outsiders, as usual». Applause and more messages pour in. Nobody knows who did it.
Inside. Fear that people will think you're defending criminals. Wanting to stay out of it.
Choose what to answer. There's no score: it's a rehearsal.
You applaud too.
If you choose this one
Tension goes up. The chat heats up. Someone suggests «not buying from those people».
You say nothing.
If you choose this one
Stays the same. The message stays as «what the neighborhood thinks».
«Let it be investigated and let whoever did it pay. But let's not lump everyone together: there are neighbors from outside who've helped us a lot.»
If you choose this one
Tension goes down. Someone replies: «True, the woman from the corner shop helped me when I was sick». The tone changes.
Step by step
- In the moment: separate the fact (a robbery) from the group (all outsiders). You can ask for justice without condemning anyone else.
- Afterwards: if someone from that group is in the chat, message them privately: «I saw the chat. I don't think that way».
- Later on: don't forward messages about crimes that say which group someone was from, unless it matters for finding them.
If it goes wrong. If you already applauded, you can go back: «I was too quick. Whoever did it should pay, but not everyone».
A relative says something contemptuous at dinner
The scene. At a family lunch, an uncle says: «People from that neighborhood are all lazy». Your kids are at the table.
Inside. You don't want to ruin lunch. But you know your kids are learning.
Choose what to answer. There's no score: it's a rehearsal.
You laugh to avoid trouble.
If you choose this one
Tension goes up. Your kids learn that it's okay to say that, and that it's funny.
You say nothing.
If you choose this one
Stays the same. The comment hangs in the air. Your kids don't know what you think.
Calmly: «Uncle, I know people from that neighborhood who work harder than anyone. They're not all the same».
If you choose this one
Tension goes down. Your uncle goes quiet, thinking. Your kids look at you. They learned something.
Step by step
- In the moment: one calm sentence, without attacking your uncle. It's not about winning: it's so your kids hear another voice.
- Afterwards: talk with your kids: «Did you hear what your uncle said? What do you think?».
- Later on: if it keeps happening, talk to your uncle privately, with no audience.
If it goes wrong. If you laughed, you can talk about it later with your kids: «I laughed, but it wasn't okay. They're not all like that».
Your child repeats an insult against a group
The scene. Your 8-year-old tells you a classmate «talks funny because he's from outside», and repeats an insult he heard at recess.
Inside. Embarrassment. Wanting to scold him hard. Or thinking it's no big deal.
Choose what to answer. There's no score: it's a rehearsal.
«Don't say that! You're grounded!»
If you choose this one
Tension goes up. Your child stops telling you things, but keeps thinking the same way.
You laugh a little.
If you choose this one
Stays the same. Your child learns it's funny.
«Do you know what that word means? How do you think your classmate feels when they call him that?»
If you choose this one
Tension goes down. Your child thinks about it. Then he tells you his classmate plays alone at recess.
Step by step
- In the moment: ask before scolding. Explain what the word means and why it hurts.
- Afterwards: ask about his classmate: what's his name, what does he like, where is his family from.
- Later on: remember that prejudice is strongest around ages 5 to 7, and that it eases when children get to know each other. Look for chances for him to play with different kids.
If it goes wrong. If you already scolded him hard, go back: «Yesterday I got very angry. I want to explain why that word hurts».
At the game, the chants call for the rivals to die
The scene. You're at the stadium with your son. The whole stand is chanting that the other team's fans «have to die». Your son looks at you to see if you'll sing.
Inside. It's your team, your people, your party. You don't want to spoil it. But your son is watching.
Choose what to answer. There's no score: it's a rehearsal.
You sing loudly with everyone.
If you choose this one
Tension goes up. Your son sings too. He thinks that's what being a fan means.
You don't sing, but you don't say anything.
If you choose this one
Stays the same. Your son doesn't understand why you said nothing.
You sing the cheering chants and, when that one comes, you tell your son: «Not this one. We want to beat them, not for them to die».
If you choose this one
Tension goes down. Your son laughs. You sing the next one together.
Step by step
- In the moment: you can be a fan with all your heart without wishing death on the rivals.
- Afterwards: talk with your son about the difference between competing and hating.
- Later on: if one day you see someone from the other side in danger, help them. They're people first; fans second.
If it goes wrong. If you already sang it, you can talk about it on the way out: «That chant wasn't okay. I got carried away».
Someone from a group really hurt you
The scene. Some time ago, a person from another group robbed you, attacked you or cheated you. Since then, you distrust their whole group.
Inside. Fear, anger, wanting to protect yourself. And the feeling that you have good reasons.
Choose what to answer. There's no score: it's a rehearsal.
«I've learned my lesson: they're all the same. I don't trust any of them.»
If you choose this one
Tension goes up. The fear grows. You pull away from people who never did anything to you.
You force yourself to think nothing happened.
If you choose this one
Stays the same. The wound is still there, uncared for.
«Something terrible happened to me with one person. I'll protect myself from that person, and I'll try not to load my wound onto everyone else.»
If you choose this one
Tension goes down. You stay careful. But you don't lose your neighbor.
Step by step
- In the moment: your wound is real and deserves care. You have the right to protect yourself and to seek justice.
- Afterwards: separate the person who hurt you from their group. That person did something. Their group didn't.
- Later on: if the fear doesn't go away and it's changing your life, talking to a psychologist helps. A big wound needs care, not just willpower.
If it goes wrong. If you already generalized, don't punish yourself. Noticing that a wound became a verdict is already a step.
An argument with someone who thinks very differently
The scene. You're arguing about politics with a friend of many years. He thinks very differently from you. The conversation starts well and ends with «you lot are ignorant» and «you lot are fanatics».
Inside. Anger. Wanting to win. And some sadness, because he's your friend.
Choose what to answer. There's no score: it's a rehearsal.
«There's no talking to people like you.»
If you choose this one
Tension goes up. You stop speaking. You lose a friend over an election.
You change the subject, annoyed, and leave early.
If you choose this one
Stays the same. Next time you avoid each other.
«Stop. We think differently about this, and that's fine. But you're not a fanatic and I'm not ignorant. Why does this matter so much to you?»
If you choose this one
Tension goes down. Your friend laughs. He tells you something from his life that explains why he thinks that way. You still disagree, but you're still friends.
Step by step
- In the moment: go back to the idea, not the person. Ask why it matters to him, not just what he thinks.
- Afterwards: remember that he most likely hates you less than you think.
- Later on: look for what you have in common. It's almost always more than what separates you.
If it goes wrong. If there were already insults, you can write to him: «We both went too far yesterday. We think differently, but I still care about you».
Your situation
Step 1 · Choose the situation most like something you're living today, or write your own.
Step 2 · Write what's happening, with whom, and what you've done so far.
Step 3 · Your next step. With the tools from lessons 6 and 7, what will you do this week?
Take the next step you wrote. Even if it's small.
Which situation is most like your life? Which simulator option would you have chosen before this route?
You have the tools now, and you've tried them in hard situations.
In the next lesson you'll build your plan: what you'll do when «them» shows up, with whom, which bridge you'll build and what you'll do the day you slip again.
Finish and go to lesson 9 →Lesson 8 of 10.
Almost there.
To take with youNotice if one of these situations happens to you today.
To take with youGo over the steps of one situation before you go to sleep.
To take with youTake the next step you wrote. Even if it's small.
What you write and your progress are saved only on this device. When you finish the lesson we add 1 to the total, without knowing who you are.