Peer Pressure - Does My Kid Have Good Friends

The old adage that you cannot pick your childís friends is partially true. Certainly you cannot handpick the people your kids are allowed to like, but you can help to guide them into choosing the right type of friends.

It is significant that children be taught from a young age that they do not always have to follow the pack and that they understand that a good friend will not push them into doing something that is wrong, or makes them feel uncomfortable. Peer pressure may be one of the most difficult situations that your child will ever be involved in; teaching them how to handle that right from the beginning will give them the tools necessary to make good decisions.

There are some ways in which you can detect if your child is running with the wrong crowd; if you child makes new friends and begins to displayed any of the following signs, it might be time to talk to them.

A sudden and drastic change in personality as apposed to what you would consider their normal behavior.

For no apparent reason your child becomes disagreeable and defiant.

Your kid suddenly begins to take on traits which are not in the way they normally behave; traits such as lying, stealing, sneaking out at night, drinking, drug use, cursing, etc.

Your child suddenly begins to have trouble with the law for shoplifting, or any other minor or major offences.

Involvement with the wrong people can begin at any age; if it starts while they are young it might not be easy to identify because you will not know if it is simply personality traits of your child, or outside influence. While your children are young it is important that you are strict about the kids your child plays with. This may seem harsh, but if you can nip this while they are young, your job of teaching your child good judgment as they grow older will be much easier.

If a kid that your child plays with frequently displays any behavior that you do not find acceptable, it may be time to guide your child to a new friend.

If your child is older and normally has acceptable behavior and good friends, but suddenly changes, it may be time to investigate the crowd they have been hanging out with. A new kid may have come to school or moved into the neighborhood, or your child may have simply started associating with the wrong group of people. Always get to know the kids your child is hanging out with, as well as their families. In this way it will be much easier to decide if your childís friends are contributing to their change in behavior or if there is another problem.

Information Source

American Psychology Association