Helping children avoid peer pressure

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Helping children avoid peer pressure

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How can you prevent your child from being influenced by peer pressure? Children have this enormous drive for attachment. It is fundamental to their survival really. And when we have a strong and reliable attachment with our kids, then that need is met. If we don´t have a strong connection or attachment, then there is a void and they will fill it with attachment to their peers. That is the problem. And a lot of parents abdicate their role. Their kid becomes 10, 14 and they don´t seem interested in spending time with mom and day. They want to be with their friends, and many parents think that is just normal and I guess I have to say bye, bye. But in fact you have to be interested in your kids all the way through. You have to show them that you want to have a connection with them. And you have to do it on their terms to some degree. So with some kids, you cannot get them to come and play monopoly or go for a walk with the dog if it is not something they enjoy doing. You have to meet them where they are, think about what they are passionate about, what they are interested in and join them there and say you know so much about this one band. I want you to tell me about them. In fact, just yesterday I was doing that with my own son and we have just really been enjoying conversation about a particular band. And it has brought us closer. So look for ways, things they are interested in and meet them there. Don´t give up.

Watch Susan Stiffelman, MFT's video on Helping children avoid peer pressure...

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Susan Stiffelman, MFT

Author & Therapist

Susan Stiffelman is the author of Parenting Without Power Struggles: Raising Joyful, Resilient Kids While Staying Cool, Calm and Connected and the weekly parenting advice columnist at the Huffington Post. You can sign up for Susan's free parenting newsletter. 

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