ArreniteFriends and choices
Read together
Friends can help us do good things, and sometimes they ask us to do things we do not want to do. This is called peer pressure.
You can say no kindly and firmly: “No, thanks. I am not into that.” You can give a reason or not. A true friend will respect your no.
If you feel unsafe, leave and tell a trusted adult. It is always okay to ask for help.
Do it
- Write down three situations where friends might pressure someone: sharing a secret, skipping a rule, being mean to someone.
- For each, write a kind, firm way to say no, and something to do instead.
- Role-play with a partner. Practise tone of voice and body language. Swap roles.
- Make a list of the qualities of a good friend, such as kind, honest and loyal. How can you be one?
Talk about it
- How can you say no and stay kind?
- Who can you ask for help?
For the grown-up
Children are more able to resist pressure when they have practised what to say and know they can come to you without being punished. The Bible says, “Bad company ruins good character” (1 Corinthians 15:33, a paraphrase). Help your child choose friends who respect them, and be a friend too.
Where this comes from
- First Letter to the Corinthians 15:33
- Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL), Framework for social and emotional learning (2020 update), on responsible decision-making and relationship skills
- American Academy of Pediatrics, HealthyChildren.org, pages on peer pressure and friendships
Written with AI assistance and checked against the sources listed. Please read it before sharing it with a child.