Children face many challenges in the world today. Some of these challenges have been around throughout the ages and others are newer, technology related issues.
One of the challenges that has been around for ages and ages is that of peer pressure. Even though it has been around for a long time, it is no easier for children to say 'no' to their friends when they feel that is not what their friends want them to do.
As a parent, it is very important that you help your child learn how to say 'no' so that they will be able to avoid the consequences of giving in when they grow to be teenagers or adults. While the consequences of giving in as a child may not be very serious, these consequences grow to have a much more lasting impact as the child grows older and the dares become more dangerous.
Children are inherently good and will typically not do many things unless they are urge to do them by their friends. In some cases of peer pressure, the friends do not even dare to do the activity that they are urging your child to do.
One of the most important things you can teach your child in relation to this subject is refusal skills. When they know these skills they will have a much easier time resisting peer pressure, not matter how old they are.
The first thing you should do as you are teaching refusal skills is discuss with your child the kinds of things that his or her friends may try to get her to do which are against the value or belief system within your home. This discussion probably cannot happen all in one sitting as children have very short attention spans.
In addition, you will probably need to reemphasize various points and what decision should be made if his or her friends tried to get her to make the wrong decision. If it helps, you may try to make a game out of it.
Make cards of various situations and role play each card as it is drawn. Then, award points to the correct child when the right decision is made.
The second thing you will need to do is discuss how peer pressure may be applied. It is not always a direct jeer that moves children to make poor decisions, but also the unspoken threats of fewer friends.
Some children may outright say that they will not be friends anymore if they do not do it. Others may resort to name calling or say that you are not cool if you do not do it.
Another challenge that many children face is when their friends keep urging them to do it, even after they have resolutely said no multiple times. These various situations can also be included in the game.
There are often several ways that children can respond to peer pressure in a positive manner. Be sure to discuss these various ways because different reactions may get better results in different circumstances.
The first thing that a child could do is resolutely say 'no' multiple times. If that does not work, he or she may say 'no' and then leave or change the subject.
Children may also simply ignore the person and walk away, suggest an alternative to the poor activity, suggest that the other child does it alone, blame the fact that they cannot do the activity on their parents, give a reason why they cannot do it or why it is a bad idea, and choose to go play with someone else. As you talk about these things, be sure to review many different types of scenarios.
You may want to cover instances of cheating, ignoring the rules of your parents, drugs, skipping school, stealing, or vandalism. There are many different situations that your child may run into and you cannot cover them all.
It is also a good idea to discuss the fact that you will not be able to define each situation that they come across before they meet it. However, they still know what they should and should not do.
They can still make the right decision, even when there is not a parent there to help them. Talk about what they should do if they are unsure of what they should do in a situation as well.
This discussion can really help children make wise decisions in their lives. As a result, they will tend to have a much more successful life.
Author Resource:-
Terry Daniels has been working with children's confidence programs for the past 10 years. He has written hundreds of articles about confidence and real-life fairy tales. He recommends this Princess Party for the ultimate magical experience.
Contact Info:
Terry Daniels
TerryDaniels09@gmail.com
www.princessfestival.com
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