As children grow older, peer pressure becomes more common. This is due to their attention being diverting from themselves to the likes of what other people think instead. This is something to keep an eye on as children will care less about the opinions of adults and lean towards doing things that they would never want to do purely because it may impress their friends. This can be a means for approval and can sometimes make children take part in things like drugs, alcohol, shoplifting and even sexual activity. Here is some advice from an independent school on the upper east side on teaching your child to resist peer pressure.
When your child talks to you about what they or their friends are getting up to, it’s easy to overreact when you hear things you may not agree with. Lecturing your child in these situations won’t make them want to listen to you and will in fact do the opposite. Instead, learn to stay calm and collected and just listen to them. Figure out the right approach to giving your opinion and ensure your tone stays calm and non-judgemental. This is one of the best ways to ensure your child still comes to you with issues.
Get to know who your child’s friends are. This is a great way to know who your child is spending their time with and what influence they could have on them. Encourage your child to bring them home so they can be in a comfortable environment and can be watched over by an adult too. If you come to the decision that their friend’s may not be a good influence, talk to your child about what a real friend is and what they should expect from them.
Given that most children want independence at this age, help them understand that independence means to reply on one themselves and not what their friends and what they do or think. If they are put in a position where they feel they are uncomfortable or feel pressured into doing something they don’t know, teach them how to say no with confidence. This is a big thing that a lot of children struggle with so try your best.
