Preparing for Peer Pressure

Don't just hope your kids will know what to do in a peer pressure situation. Talk to them and prepare them to make the right choices with these four strategies:

Instill Confidence and Values Early. Encourage your child and make sure he is confident in who he is, and that he knows what he stands for. It's never to early to talk to your child about your values.

Find Teachable Moments.   Use playground or sibling conflicts, or even situations you read about in books and see on TV.  Talk about what happened and what the best response is in these situations

Be Open and Involved. Ask your child how her day was and be on the lookout for mood swings. Establishing an open relationship with your child will help her confide in you.

Know Your Child's Friends. Observe playtime interactions and watch for signs that your child may be pressured.  Be proactive about encouraging your child to pick good friends.

It's impossible to protect your child from peer pressure, but by being active, involved, and intentional, you can help your child navigate these sticky situations.