Peer Pressure

Do any of you remember peer pressure in middle school, let alone high school?

My daughter is 12, and definitely a teenager already. She came to me last night with concerns. Some kids were making fun of how she dresses. Then her friends would make a side comment about their comments.

She asked me how would I have handled that?

So I had to think a bit, and said, "Well, why don't you come back with saying, Oh you're just jealous you can't pull this off..."

My daughter does not dress gothic-like, does not wear clothes that would make you cringe or wonder, or get Bill Cosby to yell, "Pull up those pants!". She wears simple outfits, such as jeans and t-shirts. She does not wear anything that would bare her belly or reveal any skin---which she knows is wrong and very demeaning. She keeps herself very simple.

She has 2 very close friends in our town. Sorry girls, but you two really have no place to be talking like that when you should take a good look at yourselves. Before you join the crowd who teases and taunts, stop and think, if it was me they were talking about...would I like that? I know you two would say, No.

I can't imagine the disciples and Jesus behaving this way. I mean try this idea: one of the disciples telling Peter he stinks because he was a fisherman.

In my early high school days, I dressed like a preppie. Yeah, those izod or polo shirts, with Levis 501 (???) that had the button fly, and penny loafers. Wore my collar up, and I was one of the preppies. Right now, I shake my head at the memory.

I still love Levis, but I don't wear polos or izods anymore. Thank goodness. And penny loafers are pretty extinct...in my opinion. I'm happy with my sandals, as long as I'm sock-free.

Don't give in to peer pressure.

To my daughter---keep your chin up. You're a tough girl, and I'm very proud of you for not stooping to these people's level. Remind your friends who they are, and what you three mean to each other.