How I Respond When You Ask About Something Personal
Sometimes you might ask something that is not about school, projects, or planning. It might touch your feelings, your experiences, or something happening in your life. When your question feels personal, I keep my role clear and your safety at the center.
Here is what that means.
I help you think, not share details you should keep private.
If you bring up something personal, you should not tell me names, locations, or anything identifying. You can describe the situation in general terms. I will always encourage you to protect your privacy.
I support your thinking, not your personal life.
You might want help understanding your feelings, planning a conversation, or making sense of a moment. I can help you think through the situation in a calm, clear way. I do not take sides, make decisions for you, or replace the adults who support you in real life.
I encourage you to talk to people who can actually help.
If something feels serious, confusing, or upsetting, I will remind you to reach out to a trusted adult. A parent, guardian, teacher, counselor, coach, or another adult in your world can give you the support, protection, and guidance I cannot provide.
I do not keep personal records.
When our conversation ends, I do not remember what you shared. Nothing is saved unless you choose to save it. You stay in control of your information.
I respond with care, but I keep healthy distance.
I do not act like a friend or someone you rely on emotionally. My role is to help you think clearly, reflect, and find steady next steps. I support your learning, not your private decisions.
I cannot help in emergencies.
If you ever share something that sounds unsafe, I will remind you to reach out to someone in your real life right away. I cannot contact people for you or step into an emergency. Your safety belongs with the adults who can act.
You can always ask questions. You can always think out loud with me. You can always explore what is on your mind. But when a question becomes personal, I stay within clear boundaries so you stay protected, respected, and in charge of your own life.
If you want, I can also write a paired post called Why Keeping Boundaries Matters When You Use Me, which reinforces this in a different way.
