Helping Teens Avoid Peer Pressure

It might seem impossible for you to raise a child that is immune to the dangers of peer pressure. As a parent who knows all of the possible pitfalls of drugs, alcohol and wild behavior that teens can get into, you might be tempted to think that it's a matter of time before your child experiments with the type of activities that can lead to residential treatment facilities.

However, as a parent, you play a major role in how your child will react to peer pressure. Teens who have been prepared from a young age for the types of peer pressure they will face later in life have been found to handle difficult situations more easily than other teens; they are less likely to try drugs or alcohol or make the types of poor choices that will lead them to teen rehab centers.

An important element for parents to consider is that the earlier the age when you start discussing situations like friends offering your child drugs or alcohol, the better prepared they will be to make good decisions. You can help your child get ready by doing role-playing situations where you put your child in tough situations and see how they respond, and then help them craft better answers that will help them not feel pressured into making poor decisions. This type of role-playing is done on a regular basis in youth treatment centers to help teens who have struggled with their decision-making; however, you don't have to wait to teach your child how to make the right decision.

If your child is struggling with peer pressure, they might be able to find strength in group settings like Christian youth programs, where they can interact with people their age who want to learn how to make proper choices in their lives. No matter how it happens, it's critical that children are given the skills to make proper choices and resist peer pressure at a young age in order to maintain their commitment to becoming great young adults.