Are you worried about your teenager who is hanging out with bad friends? It's a challenging thing for all parents. However, you need to address it with care, love, and support. If you force your teenager to stay away from their friends, they will not follow it. But they will be distant from you. Instead, you see you should focus on what kind of friends and fellows they have and how you can improve their skills and friendships. Dealing with this issue with proper knowledge and planning can give you the results you want. Here, in this article, I'll share with you the effective ways to deal with your teenager who has bad friends.
Learn More About Their Friends
Commonly, most of the parents think that their children have bad friends. It's because your and their perspectives don't match. You need to know about your teenager's friends. You should know who they are and what are their intentions and behaviors. When you get involved in your teenager's friendships, they avoid doing bad things. And their friends also become reluctant to you and don't practice the wrong ideas. But if you leave them free, the situation is going to be more critical.
Another thing is that not all bad friends are bad influencers. Most teens say that their friends don't force them to do bad things. You need to understand that the friends, of course, influence on each other. But it's not compulsory that if your teenager's friends are bad, then they will fully force him or her to do something bad. Don't be very strict in your teenager's relationships and allow him/her to make all types of friends. So, they explore all personalities and learn how they can judge and treat anyone in the future.
Friends Support Similar Thinking
It's a common phenomenon that common interests are the basis of friendships. Friends understand each other and validate each other's opinions. In the same way, if your teenager is spending time with bad friends, then it is also a sign that he/she likes such friends of this thinking. Otherwise, they cannot be his/her friends. Imagine, as you think that other teenagers are harming your teenager, other teenagers' parents will also be thinking the same about your teenager. It's not uncommon for teenagers to need the support and validation that they get from their friends. The friends can relate to each other's opinions and support each other. They think like each other. And so, friends are a true reflection of one's own personality.
Set Clear Expectations and Boundaries
Set clear limits, boundaries, and expectations from your teenager, so, they are aware of what they can do and what they can't do, and if they cross the limits, they will have to face the consequences. In this way, when they know that they are accountable to you and you're not leaving them free. Then, they will take care of the good and the bad and keep them within their limits and everything kept within its limits looks good. Friendships are also good if teenagers give a part of their time to friendships and enjoying with the friends.
Furthermore, if they are they are fulfilling the basics such as doing their school work, getting good grades in school, behaving respectfully, doing their duties well, and completing their home chores. And then going out with friends, it's not bad. These friendships let them learn a lot and are true experiences of life.
Give Them Space to Explore
You should not be strict enough not to tell them to do this and don't do this. Give them the freedom to explore, make mistakes, and learn from the mistakes. Staying with friends that you think are bad will also teach them things and these things will also enhance their experience and observation.
Another thing you can do is to be curious about them and let them open up what's running in their mind. Ask them their views about friend A or friend B or what is a good thing in their friends. And what are the skills their friends have? So, they will be open up and share things with you. From it, you can clearly guess about their friends and what thinking they have with their friends. It helps you easily judge whether they are going in the right direction or the wrong one.
Don't Criticize
If you are sure that they're keeping bad friends then you should not criticize them or their friends for this. It can't bring any betterment but make them aggressive and rebellious. They are likely to defend their friends at any cost and will be disheartened by you, and will not share anything with you. They will be distant from you and closer to their friends. And you will not be able to influence them to bring them back to the good things.
A Unique Idea: Make Them Busy
Truly, a parent applied this technique of keeping the kids busy and it bored fruit. In it, you get a teenager who is spending a lot of time with bad friends and getting their influence busy in the activities he/she likes. Find their interest, what makes them happy or what are their hobbies? And then get them involved in these hobbies or interests. For example, if they like playing music or sports, get them involved in practicing these areas of interest. In this way, they will give their time and energy to these activities. And the bad influence friends will automatically fade out from their lives. It is an applied and unique idea and it works well.
Say "We Trust You!"
Most parents don't trust their children. You should build a friendly relationship with your teens so that they feel safe and easy to share everything with you and get your pieces of advice. By stronger bonding with teens, you can influence them to adopt the things you want. Say to your teenager "We Trust You!" it raises their confidence and self-esteem and and brings them closer to you. In this way, they will listen to you and follow your guidelines. With time, you can change their social circle and ideas easily.
The Last Say (Conclusion)
In the last, you should teach your teenager to hate the bad things not people. When you talk with them about their friends, don't focus on their friend's bad things. It can't change the situation. Rather, talk about the bad things and tell them that you're not against their friends but the things that are not according to your standard. Be positive and give them the time to learn to live.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are some signs that my teenager is hanging out with bad friends?
Signs may include changes in behavior, grades, or attitude, as well as increased secrecy or withdrawal from family activities.
How can I know for sure if my teenager's friends are a bad influence?
Trust your instincts, monitor their behavior, and communicate openly with your teenager.
Should I forbid my teenager from seeing their bad friends?
Forbidding may lead to rebellion; instead, focus on guiding them towards positive relationships and setting clear boundaries.
Can bad friends lead to serious problems for my teenager?
Yes, bad influences can lead to substance abuse, poor academic performance, and even legal issues; stay vigilant and proactive.
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