Peer pressure is a normal and natural part of growing up. It can be difficult to deal with, but with the right tools, your kid can learn how to handle it confidently. Check out these tips by Cardiologist Brian C Jensen for helping your child handle peer pressure.
Brian C Jensen’s Tips For Helping Your Kid Handle Peer Pressure
1. Talk about peer pressure with your kids early and often
Many kids feel pressure to conform to what their friends are doing, according to Brian C Jensen, and this can start at a very young age. It’s important to talk to your kids about peer pressure before they encounter it, so they know how to deal with it when it does come up. Explain what peer pressure is, why it happens, and how it can make people do things they wouldn’t normally do. Let them know that it’s okay to say no to friends if they don’t want to do something, and help them practice saying no in different situations.
2. Encourage your kids to be themselves
One of the best ways to help your kids handle peer pressure is to encourage them to be themselves. Help them understand that there’s nothing wrong with being different and that they don’t have to do what everyone else is doing to fit in. Encourage them to pursue their own interests and hobbies, and praise them when they stand up for themselves or take a different path than their friends.
3. Teach your kids how to make good decisions
Part of helping your kids handle peer pressure is teaching them how to make good decisions. This includes teaching them how to weigh the pros and cons of different choices, how to consider the consequences of their actions, and how to stand up for what they believe in. Help them practice making tough decisions so they’ll be better equipped to handle peer pressure when it does come up.
4. Help your kids find a supportive group of friends
One way to help your kids deal with peer pressure is to make sure they have a supportive group of friends. Encourage them to spend time with kids who share their values and who will support them when they’re feeling pressured to do something they don’t want to do. These friends can provide a listening ear and a shoulder to lean on when needed, and they can help your child stay true to themselves.
5. Model good decision-making for your kids
As a parent, you’re one of the biggest influences in your child’s life, says Brian C Jensen. So, it’s important to model good decision-making for your kids. If you’re faced with a situation where you have to make a tough choice, talk to your child about it and explain why you made the decision you did. This will help them see that it’s possible to make good choices even when faced with pressure from others.
Concluding Thoughts
These are just a few tips for helping your kids handle peer pressure. According to Brian C Jensen, by teaching your kids about peer pressure, encouraging them to be themselves, and helping them find a supportive group of friends, you can give them the tools they need to deal with this issue in a healthy way.