As a single parent it is not always easy to spot trouble with children. After all, you have a full plate. It has nothing to do with you not being a great parent or loving the child but with just 24 hours in a day, life can be very challenging. One of the most common problems has to do with peer pressure, even among kindergarten age children.
Unfortunately, the country has many children around the age of 10 who are now drinking, smoking, doing drugs, and even having sex, all because they feel pressure to “fit in”. If you have a child that struggles with making new friends or if you have recently gone through a divorced and moved into a new home, you might find this to be a real problem for your child.
Remember, dealing with peer pressure can certainly be tricky. Obviously, the last thing you want is to be preachy with your child, making him or her feel as if you do not trust. However, you also want to provide your child with support and know the things that he or she is faced with daily.
As your child grows, he or she will be trying to find his or her own identity yet still be in the safety of your arms. Never lose the line of communication and stay involved in your child’s life. Try to remember what you felt like at your child’s age and understand that today’s society is even more difficult.
You also want to make sure your child knows what the limits are, especially as a single parent. The best advice is to clearly, and honestly talk to your child about what you expect from them and what is and is not acceptable behavior. Once your child understands consequences of going against those rules and receives the love and encouragement needed from you, things will be easier to handle.