10 Tips to teach your children not to be negatively influenced by friends

Social pressure can be considered the feeling that coerces the individual to do the same things as his peers, in order to be accepted and loved by a group. While it is possible to be under the negative influence of others from a very young age, it is more common for this situation to occur during adolescence, as young people want to fit in and are afraid of being rejected or criticized. This could make them more vulnerable and make them follow the behavior of others, even if it is wrong or risky.

At the awesome.club We’ve put together 10 pieces of advice that can help parents guide their children to better deal with social pressure. Before continuing, we remind you that this is an informative article and that you should consult experts, such as educators and psychologists, to receive more adequate guidance.

Maintaining good communication and strengthening the relationship with the children is essential to overcome difficult times together. It is advisable for parents to show themselves and say that they are always willing to listen to them and talk about any topic. That way, they’ll be building a foundation of trust, knowing they can talk about uncomfortable situations, like peer pressure.

To achieve good communication, you need to listen to what each person has to say. At all times, avoid being aggressive, stern, not listening, and blaming. It is wise to ask questions and share concerns about an issue rather than just guessing and criticizing.

It is important to know your children’s friends. And this is possible by inviting them to your home, offering a safe and pleasant space where they can be, with appetizing food and a good mood. This allows host parents to establish rules of conduct and thus better understand what young people talk about, what interests and concerns them.

Another tip is to approach the parents in the group of friends to get an idea of ​​family values ​​and if they share a similar way of raising children. Furthermore, having a good relationship with them can help to obtain relevant information when the children are spending time in other homes, or when they are being supervised at different events by other adults, for example: who they will be with, who will take care of them, the what time will they arrive?

Some of the reasons why children can give in to social pressure are: the desire to have friends, to be accepted and to belong to a group that gives them security. If parents encourage and support their children to engage in various activities where they can meet new peers, they will have the opportunity to cultivate friendships in different environments and avoid the desire to fit into just one.

To help them make decisions with more confidence, in addition to teaching which behaviors are wrong or risky, it is advisable to encourage them to reflect on the consequences, or what their actions may cause in themselves and others. These ideas can help:

If you participate in a plan to harm another child, he may be hurt and sad. You might ask something like, “Can you think of how you would feel in her shoes?” your grades. ask yourself: will this make me proud of myself?

It’s a practice that can get young people out of trouble when they feel uncomfortable or afraid of a situation. The special coded words or phrases will allow them to make a call or text to tell their parents to pick them up, without telling their friends the real reason, as they might feel embarrassed or embarrassed.

For example, if a teenager is at a party and feels uncomfortable, they can call their parents or send a message with the phrase they have previously agreed on for these situations, such as: “Mom, my head hurts a lot, can you pick me up? ” That way, without asking any more questions, the mother will know that he needs her help.

Even for adults, sometimes it can be difficult to say “no”. That’s why it’s important for parents to notice how their children set limits or refuse to do certain things. Setting an example is fundamental, as, in addition to ensuring that saying “no” is okay, it is very good that they can also see how their family members respectfully set limits, clearly saying: “No, that is not good for me ” or “I can’t now”.

Being alone in front of a group and having to say no can sometimes be bad for them, but if they have friends with similar values ​​maybe they can find that support so that together they refuse to do wrong without fear of provocation.

Sometimes they don’t want to say ‘no’ directly, so parents can teach their children other strategies. They may speak up to blame the parents for refusing to do something they feel is wrong or dangerous. A possible argument would be this, or something similar: “Are you kidding? My parents will ground me for a month if I do this.”

Another alternative is to propose to your colleagues another activity that is more fun or interesting than the wrong behavior that your friends proposed at that time.

In addition to giving ideas to be able to respond to a situation in which they are pressured, parents can propose role-playing games (as if it were the rehearsal of a play, or a scene from their favorite series). This practice can help parents teach their children how to be respectful and firm when they disagree.

For example, if you are a child exposed to teasing at school, parents can ask you to play the friend who is making fun of her and, in this way, she will expose a situation similar to the one she is experiencing. In this way, the adult has the opportunity to say an appropriate, respectful and witty sentence, playing the role of the child.

Currently, the digital environment is a medium in which children and adolescents can be exposed to social pressures, so it is advisable for parents and guardians to set limits, considering the age of their children. Here are some tips that might be helpful:

Limit the time they spend on the Internet, balancing it with other activities such as homework, family time, extracurricular activities. Monitor consumed content as well as check ratings for television or streaming shows, movies and video games. You can also check your child’s Internet search history and even find out what applications he has on his cell phone. your children see and reinforce family values. Ask which celebrities or influencers they admire and what aspects they value in these people, to see if there is anything specific that should be explained about the difference between what someone shows on their networks and the other side that isn’t posting. Educate yourself about topics such as cyberbullying or cyberbullying, and explain to your teens the practices that can harm them when they are online.

It is very important for parents to help their children to have good self-esteem and healthy self-confidence, because this makes them less likely to give in to pressure from others. Respecting their preferences, praising their achievements and good behavior, as well as demonstrating your confidence in them and that they can make good decisions, are some aspects that can contribute in this regard.

Which of these tips would you like to start implementing? Can you share any other helpful advice, for parents reading this, about how to teach your kids to deal with peer pressure?