There are so many different things that you must navigate as a parent of growing teens, and one of the hardest ones is peer pressure. Indeed, peer pressure can be one of the hardest things in the world for your child to adapt to, and as a parent, it can often make you feel helpless. But fret not, because as confusing as it can be, here are a few ways to help your child and educate them about peer pressure.
Changing Times
We all remember what it was like to struggle to fit into our respective social circles growing up, but that doesn’t mean we can completely relate to our kids. Every generation is different, and therefore your kids will have their own specific “brand” of peer pressure. The culture is different, the slang is different, the style is different, along with so many other things. As much as you want to impart your wisdom, try as hard as you can to listen to what your child about the unique pressure they feel in their circles.
Empower Them
Ultimately, you need to empower your child as much as you possibly can and explain to them that they don’t need to feel pressured by other kids. Challenge them to be the “bigger person” and set their own trends. Show them why it’s a lot cooler to be an authentic individual who doesn’t follow the pack. But more than anything, give them unconditional love and support when you see that they’re going through a rough time.