The Advice
Beauty went straight to her mum's room to talk about what they discussed earlier in the day.
Mrs. Patience seemed tired, as if she had been crying and gotten tired of crying.
"Excuse me" Beauty said as she slowly opened the curtain to the room
"You are quite excused" mum said as she quickly put herself in order, "What's wrong baby?"
"I wanted us to continue what we were talking about earlier today, are you OK mum?" Beauty asked
"I am, ohh about the pressure right?" mum added
"Yes ma, Jessica was asking me why I don't have a boyfriend when I went to see her"
"Why would she ask you that, what did you say?" mum asked
"I told her that I wasn't ready for a relationship now" Beauty said
"That's a very good reply, I am really proud of you, waiting to date when you are ready to get married is the best way to avoid unnecessary burden. Peer pressure is a phenomenon everybody has to deal with – even adults. But the effects of peer pressure is more pronounced in kids, who are still at the formative stage of development and are therefore more impressionable. Ordinarily, peers – age mates, classmates and friends – will influence you, even without realising it, just by spending time with them. It is only human nature to listen to, and learn from other people in one's age group. Although such influence could be positive, most times peers influence one another in negative ways. For example, a few kids in school might try to get you to stay out of class with them, a kid in the neighbourhood might want Victor to shoplift with him, or some 'bad boys' might try to get you or Victor to join a secret cult.
Beauty nodded her head in agreement
Mum continued "Your ability to handle peer pressure goes a long way to determine your future. Kids who give into peer pressure are more likely to indulge in social vices, and such kids are most likely to make mistakes along the way. On the other hand, the kids that are able to handle peer pressure have greater chances of turning out to be well-rounded individuals, and as a result, will have better chances of succeeding in life."
" But mum they seem happy" Beauty said with a sigh
"Trust me, they don't, they cry at night then pretend to be happy around people like you, I made a big mistake when I was younger but anytime I come out, you would never know" mum said
"What was that mum" Beauty said that as she raised her eyebrow and squeezed a smile
"I dated a guy before I got married to your dad, I wish I had waited but I was a little stubborn back there" mum stopped to check who just came into the house without knocking "oh dad it's you" she said with a relief.
Mr. Eze was feeling very tired, he needed to rest.
While Mrs. Patience went in to continue her discussion with her daughter, Victor went out to play football with his friends.
"Mum, another thing disturbing me, in fact it's my priority, is the hairdressing"
"And your dad said he would pay but he hasn't, I have a rapper someone is interested in buying, she is coming over to get it, when she pays I would give you the money ok sweetheart, how much?" mum asked
"10ZWL, that's what I need before I can start learning," Beauty replied.
"And that's exactly what she is buying the rapper for" she smiled "go get yourself ready because you would start tomorrow" mum told beauty.
Beauty was very happy. She thanked her mum a million times and gave her a million kisses. That was her dream. She felt it would give her a stepping stone to a brighter future starting from her external exam.
.......
It is often said that being a teenager is hard. However, if we talk about only parents, then being a parent of a teenager is even harder. It takes a lot for parents to raise their children, especially when they enter their teen years.
When they step outside their adolescent years and become teenagers, life takes a toll on them – it drastically changes. Their physical bodies go through various hormonal changes, their friends change, their priorities change. This is the time when their need to impress others becomes more common. They get highly influenced by peer pressure – both in positive and negative ways.
Issues like peer pressure are often ignored by the parents as they are more evidently seen in younger kids. Teenagers go through a myriad of other complex issues like alcohol, sex, drugs, pornography, and bullying. Along with them, they also tend to face peer pressure as they constantly want to make a personality of their own and feel independent. As a result, they might miserably fail and face severe consequences. If parents do not intervene at the right time these issues can cause negative and life-altering consequences for the teenagers.
Though parents need to address such issues with their teenagers, tell them how to avoid such circumstances and also offer them advice for dealing with peer pressure in the real as well as online world.
The night came in very quick, everyone was ready for the journey of the night, they ate, it wasn't to their satisfaction but it was all they had.
"How was your first day at work" Mrs. Patience asked her husband in a sweet voice
"It wasn't the best but it was fine, you need to see his shop now.."
"I know babe, I go to the supermarket all the time, it's bigger than before" She interrupted with a loving smile
"Ohh, we made sales today" Mr. Eze replied
"We?"
"The old worker, Samuel, a very young handsome and respectful guy, how are you feeling now, did you go to the clinic?" he asked
"Yes I went to the clinic, and I also did a test" she said
"What was the result?".