Parents have a reasonable amount of control over what their children learn and see, but as they go off into the real world, they’re confronted with a variety of influences. Friends make a strong impact, and peer pressure can lead to some negative choices. What do you do about it? How do you help your kids handle peer pressure?
US News proposes one solution in an article:
“Bank time with them,” says Patti Kelley Criswell, a clinical social worker, instructor of social work at Western Michigan University and author of numerous American Girl books about friendship and self-esteem. According to Criswell, “talking in paragraphs” is the benchmark for good communication. If you and your child are only exchanging one-liners, it’s important to deepen the connection.
What’s yours?
How to Help Your Kids Handle Peer Pressure [US News]
Picture: Tad Denson/Shutterstock
Comments
2 responses to “How Do You Help Your Kids Handle Peer Pressure?”
By not having kids.
Teach them early that wearing a hat backwards with two singlet tops on is NEVER acceptable – even if you are pressured into it. (@Article pic)
Ultimatly it will depend on the child and what they think is right . My best mate was on streight a’s but got in with the wrong crowd and now hes in jail.
Build up their self esteem, so that they feel superior to everyone at school and don’t feel the need to impress anyone. This also lets them tear off anything holding them back and excel at everything they attempt, just like me 🙂
My dad always told me: if everyone wanted to jump off a bridge, would you do it too?
And always emphasized WHY certain behavior was stupid, breaking it down entirely.
It was good advice that worked, it got me to grow up very quickly and not make the mistakes that others did.
But I’d be stumped on what to do if my hypothetical daughter turned into a little slut because of her slut friends, what would YOU do?