Teenager Peer Pressure is present in every teenager’s life. There are things we need to talk with our teens about when it comes to the peer pressure they face.
At the beginning of the school year, Colby announced to me that he no longer wanted to ride the bus. In previous years he had ridden the bus to school and home on occasion. With no real reason stated, I was a little annoyed because that would mean I would be having to plan my day around going and dropping him off and picking him up. But I agreed to do it.
Over time, I found out that not the best things were happening on our bus. I was grateful that my son removed himself from the situation and made a better choice by asking for a ride to and from school. Certainly, it would have been easier if he would have just told me the whole situation, but that is not important! The important thing is he recognized that he was uncomfortable and removed himself from a situation that he felt peer pressure in.
Does it seem like kids are being exposed to teenager peer pressure at younger ages these days? When I look back to my tween and teenage years I thought we had it hard, but I have come to realize that our kids have it so much harder than we did! It is important for us as parents to talk with our teens about peer pressure and how to handle it! That way when they are in a situation they don’t want to be in, they know just what to do!
Talk About Teenager Peer Pressure
Talk with your teenagers about peer pressure. Help them to understand what it is and how it can affect their lives now and in the future. Be open and honest with your teens as you have these conversations.
Talk About Consequences of their Choices
Talk with your teenagers about the consequences of their choices. This could include good and bad consequences. Use examples so they can understand. Teach them about how good choices influence their lives for the better. Or how poor choices lead down a path to misery and regret often times.
Brainstorm Together
Brainstorm together what are good choices and poor choices. Use the time to help them plan what to do if they are put in a situation they don’t want to be in. Teach them that now is the time to make the hard choices so they don’t have to when they are in the situation. Because remind them, when they are in the situation trying to decide it becomes so much harder!
Wholesome Activities
Let your kids be involved in good activities. Whether it be sports or music or theatre. Whatever they like, let them do. By being involved in good things they have less temptation to be involved in other things.
Stay Involved
Stay involved in your kids’ lives. Don’t turn your back on them now they are a teenager. Ask questions. Encourage conversation. Find out what challenges they are facing. Continue to connect with them! Remind them that you are always there for them.
Give Them An Out
Who cares if you are the bad person? Let them know that they can always use you as an out. “Oh, I can’t do that, my mom would kill me.” “Mom told me I have to babysit tonight.” “I have to go to this family thing I really don’t want to go to.” All these outs make it easier and take Teen Peer Pressure off of them.
The Value of Good Friends
Teach your teens the value of good friends. Encourage them to find friends that have their standards. Finding friends that make choices similar to the choices they make makes life easier. When you have good friends they won’t pressure you into doing things that you don’t want to do.
Have a Code
Have a codeword. If they need you they either say the word or text the word. At that moment, you know to drop everything and help them get out of whatever situation they are in. Let them know no matter what you will help them!
Trust
Have trust in your teen. They need to know that you think they will make the right choice. That way when they are in a situation they can think, “My mom and dad trust me.” They know that I will do the right thing!” Have the confidence in them that they can overcome teen peer pressure.
With these tips, you will help your teenager will handle all type of teenager peer pressure thrown their way!
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Michele is a Family Life Educator. She is a mom to 5 kids and loves helping others strengthen their families! When she is not blogging she is spending time with her family and running around drinking Diet Coke trying to get everything done!
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