Situation 

A friend says: “I felt hurt when you didn’t invite me.”

• ✅ “I hear you. I didn’t realize it made you feel left out. I’ll do better next time.”

• ❌ “You’re overreacting. It wasn’t a big deal.”

👉 Prompt: Which response feels more caring to you

Situation 

A teammate says: “I felt ignored when you didn’t respond to my message.”

• ✅ “I’m sorry I missed it. I’ll make sure to reply quicker next time.”

• ❌ “Well, you should’ve known I was busy. It’s not my fault.”

👉 Prompt: Which response feels more caring to you

Situation 

A sibling says: “It hurt when you made that joke about me.”

• ✅ “I didn’t realize it came across that way. Thanks for telling me—I’ll be more careful.”

• ❌ “You’re too sensitive. Everyone laughed, so it wasn’t a problem.”

👉 Prompt: Which response feels more caring to you

Situation 

A classmate says: “I felt left out when you didn’t ask me to join the group project.”

• ✅ “I see how that made you feel excluded. Next time, I’ll make sure to include you.”

• ❌ “You wouldn’t have helped anyway. That’s why we didn’t ask.”

👉 Prompt: Which response feels more kind to you?

Situation 

A partner says: “I felt upset when you canceled our plans last minute.”

• ✅ “I understand that was disappointing. I’ll try to give you more notice in the future.”

• ❌ “You’re making a big deal out of nothing. I had things to do.”

👉 Prompt: Which response feels more  supportive to you

Situation 

A friend says: “I felt embarrassed when you corrected me in front of everyone.”

• ✅ “I didn’t mean to embarrass you. I’ll be more mindful about how I say things.”

• ❌ “That’s just how I am. If you can’t handle it, that’s your problem.”

👉 Prompt: Which response feels more caring to you

Situation 

A friend says: “I felt hurt when you didn’t invite me.”

• ✅ Healthy Listening Response (Do): “I hear you. I didn’t realize it made you feel left out. I’ll do better next time.”

• ❌ Defensive Response (Don’t): “You’re overreacting. It wasn’t a big deal.”

👉 Prompt: Which response feels caring to you

Situation 

A teammate says: “I felt ignored when you didn’t respond to my message.”

• ✅ Healthy Listening Response (Do): “I’m sorry I missed it. I’ll make sure to reply quicker next time.”

• ❌ Defensive Response (Don’t): “Well, you should’ve known I was busy. It’s not my fault.”

👉 Prompt: Which response feelskind to you

Situation 

A friend says: “I felt hurt when you didn’t check in after my big game.”

• ✅ Healthy Listening Response (Do): “I’m sorry I missed it. I’ll make sure to celebrate your wins with you next time.”

• ❌ Defensive Response (Don’t): “It wasn’t that important. You’re overreacting.”

👉 Prompt: Which response feels more caring to you?

Situation 

A sibling says: “It hurt when you made that joke about me.”

• ✅ Healthy Listening Response (Do): “I didn’t realize it came across that way. Thanks for telling me—I’ll be more careful.”

• ❌ Defensive Response (Don’t): “You’re too sensitive. Everyone laughed, so it wasn’t a problem.”

👉 Prompt: Which response feels supportive to you

Situation 

A classmate says: “I felt frustrated when you didn’t share the notes.”

• ✅ Healthy Listening Response (Do): “I didn’t realize you needed them. I’ll send them over right away.”

• ❌ Defensive Response (Don’t): “You should’ve taken your own notes. It’s not my job.”

👉 Prompt: Which response feels more respectful to you

Situation 

A sibling says: “I felt sad when you didn’t come to my performance.”

• ✅ Healthy Listening Response (Do): “I understand that meant a lot to you. I’ll make sure to be there next time.”

• ❌ Defensive Response (Don’t): “It wasn’t a big deal. You’re being dramatic.”

👉 Prompt: Which response feels more supportive to you

Situation 

A teammate says: “I felt embarrassed when you laughed at my mistake.”

• ✅ Healthy Listening Response (Do): “I didn’t mean to make you feel that way. I’ll be more mindful.”

• ❌ Defensive Response (Don’t): “Relax, everyone makes mistakes. It’s not that serious.”

👉 Prompt: Which response feels more kind to you

Situation 

A partner says: “I felt ignored when you were on your phone the whole time.”

• ✅ Healthy Listening Response (Do): “I see how that made you feel. I’ll put my phone away next time.”

• ❌ Defensive Response (Don’t): “You’re too needy. I wasn’t ignoring you.”

👉 Prompt: Which response feels more understanding to you?

Situation 

A friend says: “I felt hurt when you didn’t defend me in that argument.”

• ✅ Healthy Listening Response (Do): “I should have spoken up. I’ll stand by you next time.”

• ❌ Defensive Response (Don’t): “It wasn’t my fight. You should handle your own problems.”

👉 Prompt: Which response feels more healing to you

Situation

A teammate says: “I felt discouraged when you didn’t pass me the ball.”

• ✅ Healthy Listening Response (Do): “I didn’t realize you felt left out. I’ll make sure to involve you more.”

• ❌ Defensive Response (Don’t): “You weren’t open. Stop complaining.”

👉 Prompt: Which response feels more respectful to you

Situation 

A friend says: “I felt sad when you forgot my birthday.”

• ✅ Healthy Listening Response (Do): “I’m sorry I missed it. Your day matters to me, and I’ll remember next time.”

• ❌ Defensive Response (Don’t): “It’s just a birthday. Why are you making it a big deal?”

👉 Prompt: Which response feels more kind to you

Situation 

A classmate says: “I felt frustrated when you didn’t let me share my ideas.”

• ✅ Healthy Listening Response (Do): “I should have given you space. I want to hear your thoughts next time.”

• ❌ Defensive Response (Don’t): “Your ideas aren’t that helpful anyway.”

👉 Prompt: Which response feels more supportive to you?

Situation 

A sibling says: “I felt embarrassed when you teased me in front of others.”

• ✅ Healthy Listening Response (Do): “I didn’t mean to embarrass you. I’ll be more thoughtful about my words.”

• ❌ Defensive Response (Don’t): “It was just a joke. You’re too sensitive.”

👉 Prompt: Which response feels more caring to you?

Situation 

A partner says: “I felt ignored when you didn’t look up from your phone.”

• ✅ Healthy Listening Response (Do): “I see how that made you feel. I’ll give you my full attention next time.”

• ❌ Defensive Response (Don’t): “You’re overreacting. I wasn’t ignoring you.”

👉 Prompt: Which response feels more understanding to you

Situation 18

A friend says: “I felt hurt when you didn’t stand up for me.”

• ✅ Healthy Listening Response (Do): “I should have spoken up. I’ll be there for you moving forward.”

• ❌ Defensive Response (Don’t): “It wasn’t my problem. You can handle it yourself.”

👉 Prompt: Which response feels more healing to you

Situation

A classmate says: “I felt upset when you didn’t save me a seat.”

• ✅ Healthy Listening Response (Do): “I didn’t realize you wanted to sit together. Next time, I’ll make sure to save you one.”

• ❌ Defensive Response (Don’t): “You should’ve gotten there earlier. It’s not my responsibility.”

👉 Prompt: Which response feels more caring to you

Situation 

A friend says: “I felt hurt when you didn’t congratulate me on my award.”

• ✅ Healthy Listening Response (Do): “I’m sorry I missed that moment. You deserve recognition, and I’ll celebrate with you now.”

• ❌ Defensive Response (Don’t): “It wasn’t a big award. You’re making too much of it.”

👉 Prompt: Which response feels more respectful to you

Situation 

A sibling says: “I felt ignored when you didn’t answer my question.”

• ✅ Healthy Listening Response (Do): “I wasn’t paying attention, and I’m sorry. I’ll listen more carefully next time.”

• ❌ Defensive Response (Don’t): “You ask too many questions. I don’t have time for that.”

👉 Prompt: Which response feels more supportive to you

Situation 

A partner says: “I felt embarrassed when you didn’t introduce me to your friends.”

• ✅ Healthy Listening Response (Do): “I should have introduced you. You’re important to me, and I’ll make sure to include you.”

• ❌ Defensive Response (Don’t): “It wasn’t necessary. You’re overthinking it.”

👉 Prompt: Which response feels more kind to you

Situation 

A friend says: “I felt disappointed when you didn’t show up to support me at the event.”

• ✅ Healthy Listening Response (Do): “I understand that mattered to you. I’m sorry I missed it, and I’ll be there next time.”

• ❌ Defensive Response (Don’t): “It wasn’t that important. You’re making too big a deal out of it.”

👉 Prompt: Which response feels more caring to you