How to Give Bad News Without Making Someone Want to Dropkick You: A Guide

If ever you have to break the news to someone, it can be super intimidating. It’s like breaking it to a little kid that Santa isn’t real, and then continuing to break it to him, “Oh, by the way, I’m the one who put the presents under the tree.” It’s awkward; nobody likes this. But sometimes we have to deliver bad news. It’s just the way it goes sometimes. So let’s learn how to do it nice, so nobody gets too upset, and maybe even can smile a little bit.

Step 1: Make a Bad News Sandwich

Here’s a little trick. It’s called the “Bad News Sandwich.” First you say something nice, then you say the bad news, then you say something nice again. It’s like stuffing veggies in the macaroni and cheese-except the macaroni and cheese are all the nice things you are saying, and the veggies are the bad news. Example: start off saying, “You are such a great helper! “ Yay, happy feelings! Then give the bad news, “But we can’t have you help today.” Ouch.

But end it on a good note: “I know you will be really helpful again soon!

END

Pro tip: Wrap enough nice things around the bad news, and it doesn’t feel so yucky. Just don’t overdo it — nobody likes a sandwich with way too much bread.