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<\/a>During the pre-teen and teenage years, your child is asserting their independence and exploring their identity. Yet they still crave the approval of their peers and often worry about being rejected. Peer pressure makes them feel they are being pulled in two directions. When it comes to smoking cigarettes, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services noted the rate among teens that have three or more friends who smoke is 10 times higher than those that reported none of their friends smoke.<\/p>\nHowever, based on behavior recent research, teenagers who don\u2019t smoke say one of the main reasons is their parents. Your influence is real and as a parent, you can help your child as he struggles with peer pressure, examines their options, and becomes a mature independent thinker.<\/p>\n
Some helpful tips for your teen to avoid caving into peer pressure are:
\n\u2022 Set boundaries: Place smoking on the list of things they shouldn\u2019t do. Make sure they understand smoking\u2019s health risks, know the consequences for breaking the rules and enforce them.
\n\u2022 Know your child\u2019s friends: Pay attention to how your teen interacts and observe. Are the relationships equal and respectful? If not, make time to about them.
\n\u2022 Manage stress: Be on the look-out for signs of stress. Empathize with their feelings, and help them prioritize their activities.
\n\u2022 Encourage independent thinking: The more they trust themselves, the less vulnerable they will be to peer pressure.
\n\u2022 Show and teach empathy: By showing empathy for your child\u2019s feelings, you teach them how you value their thoughts and in turn will teach them to trust themselves.
\n\u2022 Get them involved: Try having them become involved in groups or clubs that fit their interest and reduce the chances of boredom while gaining a new set of strengths.<\/p>\n
All content of this newsletter is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult a medical professional before adopting any of the suggestions on this page. You must never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment based upon any content of this newsletter. PROMPTLY CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN OR CALL 911 IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY.<\/strong> <\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Adolescents feel social pressure in various ways, from wearing the latest clothing trends and styles to current music choices. Your child\u2019s friends are one of the strongest influences during this time in their lives, especially when it comes to risky … Continue reading