Friendships are important to teenagers. They shape their beliefs, their behavior and even their confidence. A good friend can inspire them to grow but the wrong friend can lead them into harmful choices and insecurity.
As parents, we cannot choose their friends for them but we can prepare them to choose wisely.
Explain friendship qualities that matter.
Kindness. Honesty. Loyalty. Mutual respect.
Ask questions like “How do you feel after hanging out with this friend?”
If the answer is always drained, pressured or sad, that is a red flag.
Talk openly about poor influences.
Ask your teen:
“Who encourages you to be your best?”
“Who pressures you to do things that do not align with your values?”
Self-awareness protects them from manipulation.
Teenagers sometimes follow the crowd to feel accepted.
Help them practice responses that express their values.
Teach them it is okay to stand alone if a group pushes wrong behavior.
When teens know who they are, they do not bend easily.
Give them scriptures that speak identity:
“You are chosen.”
“You are God’s workmanship.”
“You are set apart.”
Confidence protects purity.
Connect them with youth groups, mentorship programs and peers who uplift their spirit. Good company strengthens their values.
You cannot protect your teen from every bad influence but you can help them recognize real friendships that sharpen their character. A teenager with strong faith and confidence becomes a leader, not a follower.
Our Self Paced Life Skills Course teaches teens emotional resilience, confidence and values-based decision making. Help them choose wisely. Enroll today in Empower Kidz and Teenz Academy.
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