15+   — Make Time to Listen; Take Time to Talk
March (K-6)

May, 2009 7-12 Make Time to Talk; Take Time to Listen About Spring Safety for Teens K-6 Make Time to Listen…Take Time to Talk about Having a Fun and Safe Summer! April, 2009 7-12 Make Time to Listen…Take Time to Talk about Marijuana K-6 Make Time to Listen…Take Time to Talk about Cyber Bullying March, 2009 7-12 Make Time to Listen…Take Time to Talk about Inhalants K-6 Make Time to Listen...Take Time to Talk about Inhalants February, 2009 7-12 Make Time to Listen…Take Time to Talk about Prescription Drug Abuse K-6 Make Time to Listen...Take Time to Talk about Prescription Drug Abuse January, 2009 7-12 Make Time to Listen…Take Time to Talk about Facebook and MySpace K-6 Make Time to Listen...Take Time to Talk about Underage Drinking December, 2008 K-12 Make Time to Listen...Take Time to Talk about Advertisements November, 2008 K-12 Make Time to Listen...Take Time to Talk about the dangers of Secondhand smoke May, 2008 K-12 Make Time to Listen...Take Time to Talk about the Effects of Drugs on Your Health April, 2008 K-6 | 7-12 Make Time to Listen ...Take Time to Talk about "It's the Law"...Take Time to Talk about Goal Setting March, 2008 K-6 | 7-12 Make Time to Listen...Take Time to Talk about Peer Pressure February, 2008 K-6 | 7-12 Make Time to Listen...Take Time to Talk about Feelings January, 2008 K-6 | 7-12 Make Time to Listen...Take Time to Talk about Goal Setting

Make Time to Listen…Take Time to Talk about Peer Pressure

Some children children choose one or two companions who are a negative influence. Children choose bad companions for a number of different reasons. Some choose them for the attention they get (both from parents and other children) while other choose them for companionship. Children may also choose bad companions for the excitement that accompanies getting into trouble, to rebel against parents, or because they suffer from low self-esteem or little self confidence.

What can parents do to minimize the effect that bad companions can have on their children?

• Develop a close relationship with your child
• Help children understand peer pressure
• Plan regular and frequent family activities
• Encourage friendships with positive role models
• Get to know your children's friends and their parents
• Know where your children are and what they are doing.
• Don't criticize your children's friends
• Try to figure out the reason, and then address it.
• Encourage a wide variety of friends.
• Encourage individuality and independence.
• Teach assertiveness.
• Praise assertiveness
• Provide discipline