About Teenagers and Peer Pressure

Understandably, most parents will go to any lengths to make sure that their children do not get into any trouble. They have never-ending arguments with their children about what’s right and what’s wrong; what they should do and what they shouldn’t.nnKnowing that they cannot follow their kids everywhere and knowing about teenager’s vulnerability to unwholesome peer pressure, parent will worry about teenagers making the right choices and selecting the ‘right people’ to imitate.nnThis article is about teenagers that succumb to what parents might see as a negative influence and some practical tips for parents to stop the teenager from coming to harm. nnnDealing with TeenagersnnKids are going to be influenced by many people for many different reasons some positive and some negative. If you think your teenager is under a negative influence and you wish to get them back on track, here are a few things you can do.nnTeaching your teenager about skills that will help them get out of bad situations is time well spent. Role play and acting out various options available may be useful pre-teen or early teen. But I am sure you will not get a 16 year old to role play with you!nnDiscuss with them that what they choose to do is entirely their responsibility. If they have chosen not to join in a particular activity they must never let themselves be swayed by the rest of the group. Teach them the well known saying ‘Just walk away’.nnAn important factor about teenagers and discipline is when you have cause to berate them make sure you tell them clearly why you where upset with their behaviour and what they could try to do to improve it.nnAvoid personal statements such as I hate you, you look scruffy. They must know it is their behaviour you dislike not them. nnIf they find themselves in a situation that they cannot get out of, insist that they find a way to call you so you can bail them out of a tuff tough spot. Just the thought of having a friend call a parent can cause the other person to stop right there in their tracks.nnBeing able to tell their peers they will get grounded, loose pocket money or allowance can give your child a credible ‘out’ to excuse themselves from something they know you would not approve of. nnnThe Duty of a Caring ParentnnYour child needs to be aware that you have no authority or control over what their friends do or don’t do, but you certainly are in charge of your child and intend exercising your authority to keep things in check. Remember you can be a friend to your teenager but your primary role is a parent, and as a patent you must guide and protect your child. They may not always like it and you will sometimes fall out over but you must endeavour to do what you think best. n nEven if you have done your best, things can still go wrong. You will make mistakes but at least you tried and done the duty of a caring parent which sometimes is all you can do. Set the rules and make the effort to enforce them. To allow your teenager free range and to go unchecked is just being plain negligent. n