Do you ever wondering if you are making right decisions for your child, curious if the choices you make influence how others see you? Do you feel at times you are excluded because of an opinion or direction you have chosen for your family? Do you wonder at times how these choices may reflect on you? Of course you have! This is Parental Peer Pressure…..
Peer pressure is the influence exerted by a peer group encouraging a person to change his or her attitudes, values, or behavior in order to conform to a group norm. So how does this relate to being a parent? When you fall into the trap as a parent where you feel your success as a parent is associated with your child’s achievements, involvement in certain sports or clubs, clothes you dress them in or even how you choose to discipline – you have felt the pressure.
I can remember a time when I was a new parent and I often questioned every move I made because of how other’s looked at me or even comments made in front of me! I was nervous to stand firm on what I felt was right for my child and also concerned on how others would view me. It was easy to know in my heart that decisions I made were right, but when I was questioned or received a raised eye-brow I would feel the sting in the pit of my stomach and wonder if I was truly making the right decision. This took time, soul searching, prayer and a realization that I had inner wisdom as a mom. This is a gift each of us as moms have. We need to acknowledge it, tap into it and believe in ourselves. I began to truly realize my role as a parent and how I could best help each of my children to be authentically their own once I started listening.
Today, I have grown to be a mom who listens to my inner wisdom. I acknowledge each of my children’ strengths, weaknesses and use my inner wisdom to authentically parent each of my children. Being authentic is key to not succumbing to this parental peer pressure and standing firm on who I am and who I know my children are. If you haven’t found that inner wisdom or have been afraid of listening to that voice, slow down, be quiet and listen. Don’t let others pressure you in taking a different road than what you know is right for you and your family. Be authentic – you won’t regret it!
