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10 Step To Helping Your Teen Deal With Peer Pressure |
By:
Catherine Ann |
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10 Step To Helping Your Teen Deal With Peer Pressure
Catherine Ann
As mothers of younger children, we think we have seen everything. We have dealt with skinned knees, messy houses, and sibling squabbles. Some day I may write a book on each of these. As you go through these problems, they seem so difficult, so trying. As my kids move towards their teenage years, I now realize that those problems were easy to deal with compared to what lies ahead.
When your child is young, almost any problem can be whisked away with a hug and a kiss. The issues facing teens are much more difficult
Teenagers face problems like teen pregnancy, drug and alcohol abuse, and smoking.
Prior to their teenage years, we spend a lot of time teaching our kids right from wrong. As your kids, figuring out what is right and what is wrong isn't so easy. It takes a lot of preparation and a lot of coaching from you. Teen peer pressures can distorte the viewpoint of even the best kid. Here are several strategies you can use to address teen peer pressure.
1. I want to know who I am?: Your teens friends are really important to him or her because they help your teen figure out who they are and what they stand for. That's not always a bad thing, but you want to be big influence in this area also. Spend time talking to your teen about what they believe in. Get them to say it out loud. Once they can verbalize what they stand for, it gets easier to make the right decision. When faced with an unclear decision, they should ask themselves, how does this compare to what I want to be?
2. What am I getting into?: Anytime your teen leaves the house make sure that both of you know what they are getting into. Make sure that you are both comfortable with what will be going on where they will be. If either of you aren't comfortable with the situation, make an excuse for your teen not to go.
3. Can I ask you something?: Practice having your kids ask questions of their friends. What will we be doing? Will your parents be there? Who else will be there? They might be embarrassed the first time, but it could help them avoid a situation they would be uncomfortable in.
4. I need help: No matter what your teen may have gotten into, they need to know that you will come get them no matter where or when it is. You need to also give them a list of several other adults who will rescue them also, with no questions asked.
5. Can you say "No!": Telling their friends "no" can be very difficult for your teen. Practice role playing where you are your teen's friend who is trying to get them to do something they shouldn't. Try everything a teen would like "Come on, everyone is doing it", "Don't be a baby", "Are you scared?". Teach your child how to respond to each of these situations
6. Make me the bad guy: Your teen is most likely afraid of looking like a "goody two shoes", even though they may want to do the right thing. Tell your teen it's ok to blame you. Have them try "No way, my dad would kill me if I did that. It's not worth it". It's likely that their friends will be able accept that excuse.
7. What is a "real friend": Ask your teen why a good friend would ask them to do something that they were uncomfortable with. Your teen should examine the motives of that "friend". Maybe they really aren't a friend.
8. What is cool?: Ask your teen to make a list of 5 people from the real world that they think are cool. Chances are that they will choose someone from the music or entertainment industry (If the choose you, this is going to be easy). Find out from your teen what about this person is cool. Point out to your teen that these characteristics that your teen thinks are so cool weren't developed by doing what everyone else is doing. Being cool is about doing what you want to do, not following the crowd.
9. My confidence is growing: As parents, we have to work hard at staying positive. Sometimes we get so focused on getting things done, and what isn't getting done, that we forget about spending quality time with our kids. It is incredibly important to let all of our kids, but especially our teens, to know how important they are to us. Our teens are feeling very unsure about themselves and they are looking to us to build their confidence. Let them know how you feel about them. If there is another adult around, let your teen "overhear" you bragging about them. It will really give them a boost!
10. Make plenty of family time: At the end of the day, the best defense against peer pressure that you can give your teen is a strong family bond. When it is all said and done, your teen will lean on you for support if they know they can count on you.
Raising a teen is tough. They are facing some really difficult issues as are you. You will both make mistakes. Make the mistakes out of love, not pride or stubbornness and always be willing to forgive each other.
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Article Source: http://www.PopularArticles.com/article152076.html |
Article: 10 Step To Helping Your Teen Deal With Peer Pressure
Author: Catherine Ann
Total Views: 33
Word Count: 962
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