As a parent one of the most fundamental responsibilities, you have is ensuring that your child is well looked after and is equipped with all the necessary tools and skills needed to make a success of his or her life.
There’s nothing that makes a parent prouder than to see them apply all the good habits and values you have instilled within them into their daily lives. For many parents, this is probably the best form of affirmation that indicates that you have done well as a parent.
The reality is that they won’t always be under your supervision, as they grow older, they may find themselves exposed to a bigger world filled with people from all sorts of backgrounds some of whom might become their friends.
But what happens when the friendships they form are with people who have a bad influence on their lives? For many, this is the ultimate horror story.
While your instincts may be to instruct the child not to interact with that specific group or person again. This is not always the correct approach.
Instead, they should come to a point of self-realisation that something should change.
Parenting information hub, Empowering Parents recommends the following:
Avoid repeated criticism of their friends
The is a reason why they might be friends and that is most likely because they share common interests and enjoy one another’s company. It is for this reason that the parent8ng hub explains that when you criticise their friends repeatedly, it feels like you are criticising a certain part of your child. Which will create a wedge and a form of alienation between you two.
Instead, a more subtle approach would be to point out certain things about the person you do not like which revolve around their behaviour.
Say things like: “ I don’t like the fact that … got arrested for shoplifting. I do not want anything like that happening to you.” This creates the feeling that you care.
Structure
The best way of reducing the amount of time your child will spend with bad company is by setting rules in place. For example, don’t let them out on a school night or keep track of where they will be and with whom.
Make time to communicate
While behavioural changes are an important part of teenage development, it would be best to set some time aside to interact. This is a good way to stay informed and be involved.
Also see: How overparenting can affect your child’s health
