Help Your Children Resist Peer Pressure
Help Your Children Resist Peer Pressure
By Susan Obonyo Ngoya
GUIDELINES TO HELP CHILDREN RESIST PEER PRESSURE
Peer pressure is the influence that is either negative or positive that is usually installed to a person so that they can fit in with their peers. A person might be forced to acquire certain values choices or even decisions so that they fit in. Parents might feel powerless in some circumstances, but they are actually the best people to help their teens to resist troublesome peers. Here is some guidance to help your kids if they are under peer pressure;
� Intervene with love: A times a child might flatter either in decision-making or by being assertive, it’s usually the parents work to step in. It’s a parent’s work to instill some value which helps the child to make the right decision when they are in a difficult situation. Parents should take stiffer measure in instances where the person is engaging in negative behaviors regularly. A crisis should be avoided if the parent intervenes early enough by making their children feel valued and loved unconditionally. This can give them the ability to beat peer pressure easily.
� Appreciate positive peers: A friend can set an example which will be a turning point to a troubled teen. A child might get tired hearing a No from the parent but the same advice by a teen results into a great impact, and so through this a parent can turn to youth leaders so that they can counsel their peers against making bad choices and avoiding reckless behaviors.
� Face the fears: Explain to your child how you were able to withstand peer pressure, this will teach them an invaluable lesson. Help them face their fears for when they are about to get ridiculed or lose a friend. Explain to them how it’s difficult to go against some practices everyone else is doing, but how standing out can help in developing confidence, courage, and maturity.
� Have some practical sessions: Practicing for difficult sessions can help not only in building a child’s confidence and skills. This also helps a child to assertive and not being aggressive. An important lesson of saying no is usually taught and that way a peer will understand them and their reasons and not rejecting them. With practices, they find different tactics like leaving a scene or threatening to tell the authority for when of a difficult situation.
� Promote self-respect: Encourage your child to develop their talents and interests this will make them less vulnerable. Help them build their self-esteem by encouraging them to develop a hobby, do social work or a part-time job. These activities help in discouraging boredom and also introduces them to peers of the same interests. Always ask their opinions, consider what he does say or believe.
� Have an open honest relationship: To know about your child’s concerns one should always be a good listener. Invite open discussions about important issues and always show them that you care. It will make them have confidence and also make right decisions.
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