The Best Way to Raise Assertive Kids Who Stand Up For Themselves

Kids often need practice in how best to be assertive. Here’s how parents can help. 

speak up kids assertiveness

“No, Mom, I can’t do it.” my daughter said as tears streamed down her face.

Over the past few weeks, a girl in her class had been saying things that bothered her – not terribly mean stuff, just annoying, slightly critical things she was growing tired of.

For weeks we had talked about what my daughter could say to this girl to let her know she didn’t like her behavior, but my daughter didn’t feel comfortable being assertive and confrontational.

For some kids, standing up for oneself is intimidating. Sometimes there’s a fear they’ll offend the other person or be ostracized after speaking up.

On the flip side, some kids have no problem standing up for themselves but have trouble responding in a calm, non-confrontational way.

Being assertive – the right way – is a delicate balance many adults still have trouble finding.

But being assertive, as opposed to passive-aggressive, can be beneficial to both kids and adults in many ways, according to the Mayo clinic. It’s seen as a healthier form of communication when done correctly. The benefits of being assertive (which is defined as being honest, direct, and clear) include:

  • Increased self-confidence and self-esteem
  • Understanding and recognizing your feelings
  • Earning respect from others
  • Improved communication
  • Creating win-win situations
  • Improving your decision-making skills
  • Creating honest relationships
  • Gaining more job satisfaction

Encouraging Kids to Be More Assertive

Getting young kids to speak up can be challenging, and that’s OK. Being assertive takes practice and there are many ways parents can help.

But first – while it’s great to encourage kids to speak up for themselves, don’t push kids into doing something they aren’t comfortable with.

Let kids know you believe they’re capable of speaking up – both to friends and other adults – but just like you wouldn’t force your child to ride a bike or watch a scary movie until they’re ready, there’s no need to force young kids to be assertive if they aren’t comfortable.

Interested in getting your kids started on chores? My four-lesson course will teach you how to get started, avoid nagging & power struggles, and keep your kids motivated. Click here or the image below to learn more.

Get Your Kids Successfully Started Course

How parents can help:

Standback: Don’t interfere in your child’s disputes with other kids, even if they’re young toddlers. Getting involved sends the message that your child isn’t capable of handling the situation on their own. And letting kids handle disputes gives them the opportunity to practice negotiation and other social skills.

Listen: If your child comes to you with a dispute the first thing you should do is to show them you’re listening and acknowledge what they’re saying. But at this point try to resist giving advice. Often, if parents simply provide a listening ear and don’t intervene, the child will come up with solutions on their own.

Think of yourself as a coach: Once you’ve listened to your child’s concerns and it’s clear they’re still struggling for an answer, ask if they’d like your advice. Once you’ve been given the go-ahead, help your child think of polite ways to talk to another child or what might be the best way to approach a teacher with an issue.

Practice: If your child is feeling nervous about speaking up, take some time to practice the scenario with them. Help them think of different reactions the person they’ll be talking to will have. Hopefully, this will make your child feel more comfortable when the real situation arises.

Be an example: If we want to raise kids who are assertive, we’ve got to be a role model. If another adult is rude to you, act the way you would want your children to act.

Have a democratic household: A great place for kids to practice being assertive is at home. Let children know their opinion counts, even if you don’t agree with it. Parents can also instigate friendly family debates – discussions about issues outside the home such as world events. Family debates let kids see parents model respectful disagreement and also practice having a voice and opinion of their own on a topic.

See related: Why Every Kid Should Talk Back to Their Parents

Add your thoughts only when necessary: When kids need to speak up to adults, let them take the lead: “Like a junior good manager in the workplace, let the junior person in the room (your kid) speak first, then support what they’ve said, adding only what you feel is essential.” says Julie Lythcott-Haims in her book “How to Raise an Adult”.

For ideas of when kids and teens can practice speaking up for themselves, download my free cheat sheet by clicking on the image below. You’ll also be signed up for my weekly-ish newsletter that includes more parenting advice on raising independent kids:

Kids assertiveness

Learning Through Practice

For weeks my daughter continued to struggle with how to handle the situation with her classmate, often coming home from school anxious and in tears.

She had tried everything, she said, but was also very fearful of being labeled a “mean kid” if she pushed too far.

Eventually, the girls’ teacher had the two girls sit down one day and talk about what was going on. That open and frank discussion – with the teacher acting as a moderator, not a judge – cleared the air for the girls. And while they never became best friends, the other girl did seem to understand her remarks weren’t welcome and appropriate.

My daughter needed a lot of guidance and support during this time and it wasn’t always easy to spend nearly every evening mulling over this issue with her. It would have been a lot simpler to pick up the phone and call the other girl’s parents, letting them know how their daughter’s remarks were impacting my daughter.

But I knew this wouldn’t be the last time my easy-going kid would need to flex her assertive muscles. There would be other kids and other situations where open and honest feedback was needed.

Since this time the emotions and anxiety surrounding confrontations with other kids has decreased, even though being open and direct still isn’t my daughter’s forte.

But as with most skills, each opportunity to practice – and learn from mistakes – is one step closer to acquiring healthy communication skills that will open the door to better relationships with friends, coaches, teammates, and later, spouses and employers.

The more we parents step back while still be supportive, the more we let our kids bloom into the confident, assertive adults we hope they’ll become.

Help your child learn twelve important social skills with this 18-page ebook, Social Skills for Kids. Your child will learn how to be a gracious host, write informal and formal letters, address an envelope, set a table, demonstrate appropriate table manners, and more. Includes easy-to-read instructions written especially for kids. Click here to learn more.

social skills for kids printable ebook

See related:

Why Every Kid Should Talk Back to Their Parents

How to Get Kids to Listen

10 Life Lessons Kids Need Before They Leave Home

What to do next…

1. Subscribe to Self-Sufficient Kids’ email list.

Like what you read here and want to learn more? Every Thursday I’ll send you one parenting tip about raising self-sufficient kids and creating the peaceful relationship you yearn to have with your child. Click here to sign up.

2. Take one of my quizzes!

Find out if you’re raising a self-sufficient kid (click here) or if you’re doing too much for your kids (click here). At the end of each quiz, you’ll be asked to provide your email address to see the results.

3. Get your kids started on chores.

Learn how to get your child started on chores (& keep them motivated + avoid power struggles) by enrolling in my Get Your Kids Successfully Started on Chores course. Click here to learn more and sign up.

About Kerry Flatley

Hi! I’m Kerry, the mother of two girls and a certified parent educator. I believe it is possible for parents to have a supportive, loving, and warm relationship with their kids while raising them to be independent and ultimately self-sufficient. Over the years, I’ve read numerous books and articles that support this belief and I’ve put these ideas into practice with my own kids. Read more about me and Self-Sufficient Kids here.