Parent Resource Center
Talking with your child about peer pressure and making good decisions is an important step–but not the final step. Your child needs to feel able to make good decisions in real life. That takes planning and practice.
Here are some examples of everyday situations your child may face that will challenge his logical thinking and social skills. Use these scenarios to help your child practice realistic responses that also help your child "save face" and preserve friendships.
When reviewing these scenarios, ask your child:
Now help your child think about what he might say that would suit his personal style and the kind of friendship he has with the other child. Have your child focus on developing responses that show respect for his friend but let it be known that he is not going to do something that he has decided he doesn't want to do.
Each time you walk your child through a scenario, review the "3 Possible Responses" in the activity below for additional responses that he could use based on his preferred communication style.
Text in this section from: Peer pressure & smoking (2005)
