1. Communicate Openly
Find out as much as you can about your teen's friends. Use your active-listening skills when your teen tells you about his day-to-day life. Let him know he can come to you with any concern he has involving his friends. He may be reluctant, but encourage him to open up anyway. Always insist on knowing where he'll be and who he'll be with when he goes out, and don't be afraid to check in on him or communicate with his friend's parents. Help prevent peers from pressuring one another by reminding your teen and his friends that you are paying attention.
2. Role Play Scenarios to Help Teens Handle Peer Pressure
Help your teens practice standing up to peer pressure. One effective way to do this is to role play with your teens. Run through common scenarios teens face, such as pressure to smoke, drink or use drugs. Also, set up scenarios involving bullying, cheating and gossiping. Encourage your kids to be respectful but firm in their beliefs. Your teen will develop confidence from this play acting and find it easier to deal with future pressures. Remind him that his friends may actually appreciate his firm stance and may rely on him as a role model.
3. Make Friends With Peers Who Share Similar Values
Often, peers try to persuade a friend to act outside his general character. Encourage your child to form friendships with those who have similar values, since they will be less likely to pressure her. Remind her that seeking out others with like values does not mean limiting her friendships to a particular group. It's about character, not about cliques.
