Sometimes, that means going along with teasing on the playground. Other times, it means watching a movie at a friend’s house that she would never be allowed to watch at home.
Now is the time to teach your child how to handle peer pressure—and how to say no to things that don’t fit with your family’s rules or values. Encourage your child to say and remember these statements:
- I can say no to things that would put me in danger.
- I can make good choices for myself.
- I can say, “You’re my friend, but I don’t choose to do that.”
- It’s OK if I make choices that are not the same as the choices my friends make.
Source: D. Bloch, The Power of Positive Talk: Words to Help Every Child Succeed, FreeSpirit Publishers.
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