Health & Fitness
PEER PRESSURE DEFENSE
When your teen faces negative peer pressure, what will stop him from saying "yes" to his friends? Here are a few tips for parents to help their kids say no.
Peer Pressure -- two words that make a parent’s heart beat just a little bit faster. Every child will experience negative peer pressure as they grow up, but it doesn’t have to be such a bad thing. Prepare your teens to deal with it correctly by recognizing their own value system and being prepared to uphold those values. Beginning at a young age, parents can help to create a defense shield against negative peer pressures and shape it into a learning experience. As with every life skill, the younger you start the better.
Starting at a young age, take the time to guide your child’s behaviors so that they reflect your family values. For example, explain to your kids that you want them to stop hitting their friends because it is not kind. Make them share a toy because you believe in generosity. You are teaching them the connection between their actions and their values. This may seem like a small connection, but it makes a huge difference when they begin to make more important decisions.
In elementary school, kids are still pretty talkative about their everyday lives so make sure you LISTEN, LISTEN, LISTEN. You are being given the opportunity to learn about their personalities, their coping skills, and their friendships. You can casually mention values, give suggestions on how to handle situations, and even tell some of your own life anecdotes. Again, you are showing a connection between behaviors and values.
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As they grow older and begin making bigger decisions, their own personal values will be considered. Middle School is the time when parents really start to panic in regards to peer pressure because the stakes are getting higher. Take the time to get to know their friends. Role play certain situations and give them realistic scenarios. Give them specific words to use other than just "no". And last but not least, lecture less and listen more. You'll be surprised what you find out by listening.
To find out more about middle schoolers and peer pressure, join me on December 7th at 2pm for Parent Primer: What Every Parent Should Know About Middle School. CLICK HERE to register and more information.
