What to Say When Your Child Must Have That Dress
What if you're unable or unwilling to drop fifty bucks on a single outfit? If you just say no to the long list of must haves, will your child, and/or your relationship with your child suffer? Patricia Adler, co-author of a new book, Peer Power: Preadolescent Culture and Identity, advises parents to convey a sense of respect when dealing with their preteen's obsession with clothes and appearance.
When kids say they have to have it or they'll die, there's a certain validity to that, says Adler, referring to peer pressure. Cliques are no longer just a high school phenomenon the way they were when today's parents were kids. They start in third grade, and gel in fourth. It's certainly reflected in the different clothes they wear.
Rather than deliver an autocratic, "You're not wearing that," Adler suggests:
Be Media Conscious
Other ideas from The Center for a New American Dream:
More on: Instilling Values
8 Printable Thank-You Cards for Teachers
