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Wednesday 13 November 2019

Helping Your Child Resist Peer Pressure

[Collaborative Post]

Peer pressure is something that all children, and even many adults, are faced with from time to time. It’s important for parents to teach their children that it’s ok to say no. Here are some tips from a co-educational school in the Cotswolds to help you explore peer pressure with your child and teach them to avoid it.


Parent and child holding hands as the sunsets over flowers behind them


It’s important to start by exploring with your child what peer pressure actually is and how bad the consequences can often be. Share some examples and tell your child to always be careful with their decisions. Your child will carry these lessons from you throughout their lives.

Saying no to one’s peers requires confidence, so it’s important to help your child become more self-assured, as best you can. You should praise them on a regular basis. Meaningful compliments and praise will help them believe in themselves and help grow their confidence. Another way to help your child become more confident is by helping them set and achieve goals so that they can experience a sense of achievement. What’s more, it’s good to encourage them to meet new people and experience new things on a regular basis as this can often help them to build their confidence.

Try not to say things like “that kid is going to get you in trouble” because they may want you to actually play with them more!! It could also make them think that you don’t have faith in them. Instead, praise them for being sensible and let them know that you are proud of them for making the right choices and doing the right thing.

If you are worried about peer pressure when your child's at school reach out to their teachers, as they may spot things that you aren't aware of. For example, they may be good in the classroom and sit quietly but the moment they're in the playground they might climb to the highest point and jump off backwards on the encouragement and pressure of a friend. Alternatively, they might play beautifully but sit talking and being silly when they should be listening. You and the teachers can work together to help ensure your child stays on the straight and narrow.

Kids will always encourage each other to be a little silly but as long as they have the confidence to say no to situations that could lead them into trouble or danger, they can stand tall in resisting peer pressure. 

Mummy Snowy Owl
xx

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