The society of today in filled with pressure. There are
different kinds of pressure which cut across the society. Pressure to belong to
a particular social clan, for marriage or dating, fashion, drugs, alcohol etc.
These days, teenagers are exposed to all kinds of pressure no
thanks to the society we are living in! Everybody is in a hurry to get the
latest car, gadget, or electronic. It is now regarded as a form of social
status that you belong to this ‘group’ of people because you can afford ‘this’.
We have seen the
impact and the effect on us especially on our children .In some cases, this
have actually led to emotional distress, fights and more serious cases like
death.
So how do we manage and protect our children (especially teenagers)
from this problem. As a mother of teenage children (16 and 14 respectively), this
is challenging. As each child have different personalities and different ways
of reacting to pressure.
Teenage pressure cuts across boundaries. This is why it is
important as parents; we should understand our children, get close to know them
more, communicate all the time (whether she is quiet or loud). Keep up the
conversation and allow your child to open up, this will give an insight on how she
reacts to any kind of situation she is exposed to.
Here are a few tips
Be the Example
If you follow and listen a lot to what people tell you or
talk about you, then, you have indirectly exposed your child to also care about
what they say about her. Be a good example. Learn to filter whatever information that comes your
way and pick
the one that
actually works for you.
Spend Wisely
Do not buy anything for them just because it’s the latest in
town. They don’t need the latest blackberry handset, lace wig, car or shoes and
bags! Rather, spend on things that would add value to their lives!, Get them a
laptop and become computer literate, enroll them for cooking, baking classes.
Let them go language classes, let them learn how to play musical instruments!
Something that would improve their lives.
You Cannot Please
Everybody
Do your best and leave the rest. How? As long as you make it clear to your children, that there is no competition between them and anybody. They should understand that “there is time for everything under the sun “. Even if their peers are buying or using expensive gadgets like mobile phones, iPods, laptops , designers stuffs, make it clear to them, they don’t need those things to be WHO they are. Those things should not be used as basis for their identities rather; they should go for more lasting impressions like academic excellence, sound character, good sport records and other wonderful extra-curricular activities which can be related to their persons!
Do your best and leave the rest. How? As long as you make it clear to your children, that there is no competition between them and anybody. They should understand that “there is time for everything under the sun “. Even if their peers are buying or using expensive gadgets like mobile phones, iPods, laptops , designers stuffs, make it clear to them, they don’t need those things to be WHO they are. Those things should not be used as basis for their identities rather; they should go for more lasting impressions like academic excellence, sound character, good sport records and other wonderful extra-curricular activities which can be related to their persons!
Make your children understand
when the RIGHT
time comes, they
would get even
more things than what they are exposed to.
Expressing Themselves
They should learn to speak up for themselves. However if the
pressure is so much, make them to understand they can leave the place and get
associated with people who have similar interests like they do!
Life is all about making the right choices, make them to understand this.
Life is all about making the right choices, make them to understand this.
Love to hear more tips.
“Be not deceived; evil communications corrupt
good manners -1 Cor. 15:33”
“The stress of unresisting unhealthy peer
pressure can be buffered by good family relationship and high self esteem, and
it’s often those adolescents with neither who succumb to unhealthy pressure
from their peers – L. G. Arnold”
Linda Aliogo
No comments:
Post a Comment
Post Your Comment Here