Reflect on how you and your young person practice agency, make decisions and speak up for yourselves, and sort a challenge into what is and is not in your control. Then share your reflections together.
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This activity is all about exploring agency, both yours and your young person’s. You’ll reflect on how you practice agency in your own life, how you support your young person’s ability to make choices, and ways to affirm their decision-making. You’ll also think about advocacy, and use a locus of control exercise to sort through what’s in your power and what isn’t. The goal isn’t perfection. It’s about noticing, practicing, and encouraging agency as a foundation for well-being and mental health.
Inside of Your Locus of Control
Your attitude and mindset
How you respond (not react) to the situation
The way you communicate your feelings or needs
Whether you set boundaries
How you take care of your mental/physical health
Your daily habits (sleep, nutrition, movement, screen time)
Who you ask for support (friends, mentors, therapists)
Whether you seek solutions or alternative options
Your thoughts and beliefs about yourself
Your willingness to grow or learn from the experience
Outside of Your Locus of Control
Other people’s opinions, feelings, or actions
Whether someone else forgives or understands you
Past events or mistakes
The weather, global events, or emergencies
What others say behind your back
The pace of someone else’s healing or growth
Unfair decisions or systems outside your reach such as school rules and workplace policies
How long someone else takes to respond or change
Part 1: Caregiver
Agency
If this brings up something hard
Text STEVE to 741741 to connect with a trained counselor 24/7. We are in this together, and help is always available.
Decision Making
Advocacy
Locus of Control
Use the internal/external locus of control diagram to work through a challenge you've faced or are currently facing:
Item
Your answer
Inside of my locus of control:
Outside of my locus of control:
Part 2: Young Person
Agency
Decision Making
Advocacy
Locus of Control
Use the internal/external locus of control diagram to work through a challenge you've faced or are currently facing:
Item
Your answer
Inside of my locus of control:
Outside of my locus of control:
Part 3: Together
Share your reflections with each other and discuss:
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