As a child grows older, he or she faces some challenging decisions. Some don’t have a right or wrong answer like choosing between football or basketball; But other decisions include major moral questions like whether to try drugs or alcohol or lie to parents.
People of the same age are called peers. When they try to impact how a person acts or to pressure him in a particular direction, it is called peer pressure. Peer pressure motivates children to engage in inappropriate or even dangerous behaviour because of the desire to ‘fit in’ and be accepted.
Resisting negative peer pressure does not happen naturally. It is a vital quality that must be learned. Parents can teach children how to deal with peer pressure before it develops into a problem. Take the assistance of teachers from schools in Beirut.
The following tips can help the child deal with peer pressure:
- Ready to handle potential situations
Parents and children must work together to discuss all possible situations for peer pressure to manifest. For small kids, it might be to teasing a classmate while, for older kids, it may be to skip class ortry cigarettes. Discuss the consequences of such actions, so that they may seem undesirable. Allow your child to understand the downsides of giving in to peer pressure.Create specific examples of typical situations through role play so the child is prepared to handle such situations in the future.
- Do not overreact and explain friendship
Although it is painful to hear about the negative behaviour of children and their friends,the parent must not overreact negatively. The parent should not get into lecture mode and be over critical about the friends of the child. Instead you should help your child understand that a friend who is pressurizing him or her to do something they don’t like or anything that is clearly wrong is not a true friend.
- Set family rules
Your family needs to have some definite rules in the household, so your child will find it easier not to break them. For instance, if there is a ground rule that “we will be kind to others,” this kindness rule will warn children not to tease a classmate, even if others are doing it.
- Discuss potential responses
If a child is unfamiliar with peer pressure, she or he will not hesitate to give in and will not react affirmatively. Teach your child ways to respond thoughtfully in situations in which they feel uneasy about. Teachyour child that it’s perfectly alright to simply say, No.
- Select right friends
Inspire your child to spend time with the right friends, ones who share similar values and ethics and have qualities that are admirable. In case, one group of friends start exhibiting wrong behaviour, it is time to seek out other friends.
The parent must get acquainted with the child’s friends. Make your home a place where your child likes to bring her or his friends to. This will allow you to see who your child is befriending and to see whether they are a good or bad influence on your child.
- Discuss dangerous behaviour
Getting to know the facts about alcohol, cigarettes and drugs will help children make informed decisions when faced with peer pressure. Discuss the hazards of such behaviour openly instead of waiting for children to discover such risks by themselves.
Taking steps to help your child deal with negative peer pressure may prevent risky behaviour in the future. Good communication between parents and child is vital and always remember that the best way to keep an eye on your child is to love them dearly and be involved in their everyday lives.
