4 Ways Parents Help Their Kids
Peer pressure and the desire to fit in is part of life for our kids and can be a good thing — like students who encourage their peers to study more, try a new school activity, or show kindness toward others. Peers can also influence each other in negative or harmful ways, like engaging in risky behaviors of drug or alcohol use, skipping class, or cheating on a test.
Here are 4 ways a parent helps their child build their own resistance against negative peer pressure:
- Accept them unconditionally — and let them know you do.
- Affirm their worth — to remind them they are valued.
- Impart wisdom — when they are open to hearing it.
- Share lessons learned — to help them navigate unfamiliar or uncomfortable situations.
All four of the above are based on TIME with your child. Quality time that is spent together will look differently for every family. Some ideas include: walking the dog, hiking, getting ice cream, playing miniature golf, grabbing a coffee, thrift shopping, canoeing, sledding, etc. Ask your child what they would like to do, be flexible in saying yes, and make your time together as uninterrupted and as device free as possible!
A strong family relationship builds resiliency in your child and improves their ability to resist negative peer pressure — both of which are lifelong skills necessary in finding the balance between being true to themselves and fitting in with a group.
So when your child is in an unfamiliar, uncomfortable or unsafe social situation and asks themselves “Is this the right thing to do?” they will hopefully know the answer and act on it.
Source: The Pressure to Fit In
Here are additional tips on helping your child manage peer pressure.
Conversation starters in CTAD’s Family Resource Guide (English) and en español can help parents navigate many topics.