How A Child Maintains Individuality In The Presence Of Another Child

My cousin sister Lata’s daughter is a quiet child when left to herself but the moment her friend visits her she changes from being an adorable kid to a monster. The house is full of toys thrown around, the girls enjoy watching their favorite cartoon show on TV and the channels are surfed so fast in the process that it could affect their eyes in the process, but they’re not one bit bothered. Eventually the children throw popcorn that Lata made in her pressure cooker at each other. Anything that is given to them is torn apart. The Barbie doll, which Lata’s cousin Jacob presented was in shreds when the two girls tried combing the doll’s hair. Lata managed to read an article on good parenting one day. It said this behavior begins in childhood mostly with peer pressure. At times a child’s behavior can get so severe that it can force the child to exhibit a behavior quite contrary to the child’s values which the family has instilled and also against their own nature. In such cases it becomes important for parents and people in the family to pay close attention to whether the child is able to maintain its individuality in the presence of another child. When everybody in their age group follows something it’s difficult to control children in such circumstances and children are easily provoked. The best thing to do inorder to check whether your child is independent in the presence of your friend's child is to enact real life situations at home to see how your child would react to situations. If your child continues to follow the habits instilled at home, your child will be safe to an extent. This tiny exercise will also help you determine whether the child will be able to put up with sound reasoning even if the closest company or friends circle of the child is not behaving in an acceptable manner. The best thing to do is to use positive reinforcements and communicate with your child as much as possible to strengthen the child’s moral fabric on the kind of social behavior appreciated. Many times children are ridiculed for sticking to what their parents teach them. Infact it is this aspect that makes them choose the path of the majority and at times go astray through peer pressure. The child must be taught that in doing wrong, the punishment will be accordingly.