As children become more aware of more challenging decisions and overcoming obstacles, peer pressure can take centre stage. Some elements of peer pressure are for the most part harmless, like trying out a new sport with a friend or meeting new friends, but others are much riskier.
The most extreme examples of these are when your child is asked to take part in drinking alcohol, cigarettes, or stealing, but there are others that affect a child’s learning like cheating on a test or avoiding a class altogether.
To keep your child in check and to allow them to handle peer pressure in their own way, parents should take heed of the advice in this guide from an Independent School in Kingston upon Thames.
Show them how to choose their friends wisely
Sometimes it’s purely down to what friends your child has and who they choose to spend their time with. You can help them make educated decisions by studying their friends’ actions and seeing what activities they enjoy.
Ensure your child tries to engage with more than one friendship circle; if you’re finding that peer pressure is coming from one source then speak with your child about who they hang out with and what they can do to avoid peer pressure in the future.
Teach your child to say no
Part of how children grow up is by being assertive and confident in front of others. Teach your child to know when they need to say no and how they should go about doing it. For some, it can come more naturally than others, but it’s still a good way of showing your child that they can overcome complicated conversations.
Give your child praise and the confidence that they can stand up to others if they’re feeling uncomfortable and they’ll be able to confidently say no to others. Remind of the potential consequences that come if your child gives in to peer pressure and they’ll become more aware of their actions.
