When it comes to the time where you will talk to your child about their confidence and being a good problem solver, the topic of peer pressure may creep up. It is a good idea to talk to your child about peer pressure once they are old enough to understand it as falling down that trap can be hard to get out of. Once you realise your child is old enough to make their own decisions, peer pressure can lead them to doing activities they would usually steer away from. This is usually because the approval of their friends become more valuable to them which can push them to take part in illegal or sexual activities. Peer pressure can actually end up looking quite attractive to them as the thought of being rebellious becomes ‘cool’ to them. Here are some top tips on teaching your child to resist peer pressure.
Reasons why peer pressure is bad
When you sit down with your child to talk to them about peer pressure, give them reasons as to why it is bad. The consequences are the best way for your child to understand why it is best to stay away from peer pressure. It is important to remind your child that not all forms of peer pressure can result in bad consequences such as your child being motivated to try a new hobby because of their friends. However, the opposite side would be someone pushing your child to take part in drugs, sexual activity or even skip a school lesson. Remind your child that to them it may seem small at first but it can lead them down a slippery slope which can be difficult to escape from.
Talk to your child’s teachers
Talk to your child’s teachers. A teacher is going to spend a lot more time with your child whilst they grow intellectually over the years. They will be able to understand if your child is falling behind or if there is a sudden change in their behaviour. They can also help you with your child’s development when it comes to navigating difficult situations. Remind your child that you were always there to listen to them and there are ways to stay away from things that they’re not comfortable with doing.
Know who your child’s friends are
Get to know who your child’s friends are. Knowing who your child spends time with at school is a really great way of knowing what your child may need help with in the future. If you find that your child’s friends are constantly pushing them to do things that they are not comfortable with, it is time to show them how to stand up for themselves. The more involved you get in your child’s decisions, the more they will gain the confidence when it comes to resisting peer pressure.
