tonight my kids and I had a very interesting and enlightening discussion about peer pressure. to give a little background, we live in a big city and my kids go to a private school but have friends from all walks of life. we are not rich by ANY stretch of the imagination (can you say coupons?) Anyway, there are several kids in the neighborhood who are 13 and 14 years old, who don't go to school with my children, who have gotten a reputation for drinking and smoking pot. Yes 13 and 14 yrs old. They are friends with some of my son's classmates, but not him. They glorify the drinking and smoking and of course are the "popular" kids, because they are dangerous.
My 17 year old made the observation that you don't have to drink and smoke to be popular;but you do have to be social and not spend your time bashing those kids. Why waste your time on losers? she questioned. My son,, just listened and took it all in. It will be a new experience for him as a high school freshman dealing with upperclass students at parties,and just goig to these types of parties in general.
How have all of you dealt with the situation of peer pressure with young teens?
When my daughter was in elementary school she was very friendly with the kids who are now the "popular kids" in their high school. In middle school, when these kids started experimenting, she drifted toward another group of friends. She still maintains her friendships with the "popular" kids (who are nice kids!), but that is not who she hangs out with. I think our children are smarter than we give them credit for sometimes. Oh, wait - that must be the result of our outstanding parenting skills and guidance! Take a bow mom!
ReplyDeleteSage advice from the elder sister! Going to pass that on to my just about to enter high schooler too. If she doesn't listen to me I will just send her around the corner to you.
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