Posts tagged ‘decision-making’

PARENTING POWER – WHAT YOU NEED WHEN YOU NEED IT

This is the first in a series of articles dedicated to helping parents raise happy, confident and successful children.

5 tips to help tweens and teens resist peer pressure.

Talking to children about resisting peer pressure is crucial for helping them develop strong self-esteem and decision-making skills. Here are five tips that can guide parents in these important conversations:


1.Foster Open Communication:

Create an environment where your child feels comfortable sharing their feelings and experiences with you. Start conversations about their day, their friends, and any concerns they have. Encourage them to express themselves freely without fear of judgment. This open line of communication can make it easier for them to come to you when they’re facing peer pressure.



2.Role-Play Scenarios:

Help your child prepare for potential peer pressure situations through role-playing. Discuss different scenarios they might encounter, such as being offered drugs, being encouraged to skip class, or facing pressure to bully someone. Practice how they can respond assertively. For example, they can learn to say “No, thanks, I’m not interested” or “I’d rather not do that, let’s do something else instead.” This rehearsal can make them feel more confident in real situations.


3.Discuss the Importance of Individuality:

Emphasize the value of being true to oneself. Talk about the importance of having personal values and sticking to them, even when it’s hard. Share stories of people, possibly even from your own life, who stood up for what they believed in. Highlight how respecting their own feelings and thoughts above others’ expectations is a sign of strength and maturity.


4.Teach Critical Thinking Skills:

Encourage your child to think critically about the motives behind peer pressure and the potential consequences of giving in. Ask them questions like, “Why do you think they’re pressuring you to do this?” and “What could happen if you follow along?” This can help them assess situations more effectively and make decisions that are in their best interest.


5.Build Their Self-Esteem:

Children with high self-esteem are more likely to resist peer pressure because they value their own opinions over fitting in with the crowd. Celebrate their achievements, encourage their interests, and support them through challenges. Make sure they know they’re loved and valued for who they are, not for conforming to what others think they should be.

Remember, resisting peer pressure is a skill that needs to be nurtured over time. By using these tips, you can equip your child with the tools they need to stand up for themselves and make choices that are right for them.

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 December 31, 2024  bamauthor   Comments Off on PARENTING POWER – WHAT YOU NEED WHEN YOU NEED IT
Categories: adult, classroom resources, coaching, elementary grades, Home Environment, homeschooling, middle grades, Parenting, PARENTING POWER, PARENTING POWER - WHAT YOU NEED WHEN YOU NEED IT, teaching, young adult Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

OUT OF THIS WORLD

The Alien Mind

Written by Virginia Lori Jennings

TheAlienMind,pic

This is a sci-fi story that is family friendly. While the target audience is nine through twelve, the plot and characters are developed enough to be enjoyed by young adult and adult fans of science fiction. There is a nice mix of science, moral lessons, adventure and time travel. I read the black and white paperback version of this book that is also available in a Kindle version with color photographs. No doubt that would make the book even more appealing for middle grade readers.

An alien group known as the Aruk attacked a secret government agency on Earth. They captured and tortured one hundred fifty children. Later on these children were rescued by another race of aliens known as the Aunanet, who taught them the best knowledge of both civilizations. The Aunanet assisted the most gifted to become computer mind experts or healers. These people could travel through time dimensions and had the power to use parts of the brain that humans could only dream about. The Aruk had never given up in their attempt to find these children, and the beginning of the story finds the Aunanet civilization and the children they protected under attack.

Rivi, our protagonist, is the oldest of these children at age fourteen. After the attack she finds her way back to Earth. There she meets an orphan boy named Daniel, who becomes her protege. Her saga will include lessons on how to deal with bullying and teaching lessons of compassion in the process. She will meet the President of the United States, endure further torture by the aliens, and be forced to make life and death decisions in one crisis after another. All the while she is tormented by nightmares from her past, the desire to uncover her Earthly parents, and a fierce loyalty to her adopted parents and alien culture.

Will Riva succeed in ridding herself of her difficult childhood memories, and how will she adjust to whatever world she chooses to live in? This book is highly recommended for lovers of sci-fi, adventure and those who love plots filled with moral dilemmas. Recommended for tweens, teens and adults who like to think what if?

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 April 6, 2014  bamauthor   4 Comments
Categories: Book Reviews, children's books Tags: , , , , , , , , , ,