A 13-year-old skipped Model United Nations and competitions in 7th and 8th grade because her friends didn't do them. She needed their approval to feel included at school. Parents can help their teens feel secure enough to make their own choices instead of chasing peer acceptance.
So I had a session with a 13-year-old and what she said blew my mind away. I asked her, is there something that you've done or not done because of peer pressure or because of your friends? And she told me that in the 7th and in the 8th grade, I have not participated in MUN or other competitions or, um, you know, other classes because my friends have not done it. And honestly, I want to keep my friends 'Because if I don't keep them happy, then they won't include me in school or in their conversations.' This blew my mind because every teenager wants to fit in. More than the parents accepting them, they want their friends to accept them. Read the caption to know what you need to do to make your teenager feel more secure and actually not have regrets as they grow up.
