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About Teenagers and Peer Pressure
By Staff Writer
Your children are influenced by the entire world around them and that influence can be good or bad.
Understandably, most parents will go to any lengths to make sure that their children do not get into any trouble. They have never-ending arguments with their children about what's right and what's wrong; what they should do and what they shouldn't
Knowing that they cannot follow their kids everywhere and knowing about teenager's vulnerability to unwholesome peer pressure, parents often worry about teenagers making the right choices and selecting the 'right people' to imitate.
This article is about teenagers that succumb to what parents might see as a negative influence and some practical tips for parents to stop them from coming to harm.
Dealing with teenagers and peer pressure
Kids are going to be influenced by many people for many different reasons - some positive and some negative. If you think your teenager is under a negative influence and you wish to get them back on track, here are a few things you can do.
Teach your teenager about skills that will help them get out of bad situations. Role play and act out various options if you have a pre-teen or early teen. But you will probably not get a 16 year old to role play with you!
Discuss with your teen that what they choose to do is entirely their responsibility. If they have chosen to not join a particular activity they must never let themselves be swayed by the rest of the group. Teach them the well known saying 'Just walk away'.
An important factor about teenagers and discipline is when you have cause to berate them make sure you tell them clearly why you are upset with their behavior and what they could try to do to improve it.
Avoid personal statements such as I hate you, you look scruffy. They must know it is their behavior you dislike - not them.
If your teen finds themselves in a situation that they cannot get out of, insist that they find a way to call you so you can bail them out of a tough spot. Just the thought of having a parent to call can cause the other person to stop right there in their tracks.
Being able to tell their peers they will get grounded, loose pocket money or allowance can give your child a credible 'out' to excuse themselves from something they know you would not approve of.
The Duty of a Caring Parent
Your child needs to be aware that you have no authority or control over what their friends do or don't do, but you certainly are in charge of your child and intend on exercising your authority to keep things in check. Remember you can be a friend to your teenager but your primary role is a parent, and as a parent you must guide and protect your child. They may not always like it and you will sometimes fall out over but you must endeavor to do what you think best.
Even if you have done your best, things can still go wrong. You will make mistakes but at least you have done the duty of a caring parent - which is sometimes is all you can do. Set the rules and make the effort to enforce them. To allow your teenager free range and to go unchecked is just being plain negligent.
Shane's Inspiration Playgrounds
By Felicia van Dyk
When my son, Vincent, was 13 months old, he was diagnosed with a rare medical condition. According to the prognosis, we were to expect Vincent to have "developmental disabilities of a variable degree throughout his lifetime."
Fortunately, thanks to Shane's Inspiration, our son has a wonderful place to play, learn and make friends. This organization builds dynamic playgrounds throughout the world, which provide unique support and therapeutic play spaces for children with special needs.
The Shane's Inspiration organization was founded in 1997 by Catherine Curry-Williams and Scott Williams after the tragic loss of their son, Shane Alexander. Had Shane lived beyond his first few weeks, he would have been confined to a wheelchair. He would have had difficulty accessing neighborhood playgrounds. This realization encouraged the Williams and their friend, Tiffany Harris, to establish Shane's Inspiration and give the gift of Universally Accessible Playgrounds..
The vision is to eliminate bias against children with disabilities by creating safe environments where kids of all abilities can play together.
The first Shane's Inspiration Playground, located in Griffith Park, opened in 1998. The playground provides children, ages 2-12, two acres of fully accessible, sensory-rich and physically challenging equipment. The playground has sturdy, yet soft, ground cover to protect children from falls and is wheelchair friendly. Swings on the playground include bucket-seats and even seat-belts which allow children with low muscle tone swing safely.
Since the opening at Griffith Park, Shane's Inspiration has helped raise millions of dollars to develop over 40 playground projects.
In February of 2008, the Los Angeles Orthopedic Hospital opened the Everychild Foundation Universally Accessible Playground on its downtown campus. The playground, designed with Shane's Inspiration, is open to the public and expected to serve over 125,000 children annually. This play area is nearly a half-acre and features colorful slides, tubes, bridges, swings, interactive puzzles, a quiet area, a misting dragon and lush landscaping.
Other nearby locations include: Aiden's Place in West Los Angeles, Hansen Dam Park in Lakeview Terrace, Brandon's Village in Calabasas and Lake Balboa Park in Van Nuys.
In addition to building playgrounds, Shane's Inspiration develops several programs that help foster relationships between children with disabilities and children without. One Saturday morning a month, Shane's Club and a sponsoring business, family or organization hosts a play date for kids to get together and enjoy the park. Typical kids partner as "Buddies" with children who have disabilities. The event features special activities, entertainment and snacks.
Throughout the school week, Shane's Inspiration also reaches approximately 3000 children each year through outreach programs which bring school groups to the playgrounds.
Ensure that Shane's Inspiration continues to achieve their mission. Visit their website at Shanes Inspiration.org .
P.S. Vincent is now five years old and loves playing at Shane's Inspiration playgrounds. He walks, talks and is the happiest kid I know.