Helping Your Child Choose the Right Friends: Parenting Strategies for Positive Peer Influence, Ep.26

UNrattled: A Podcast for Parents

Navigating friendships is a critical part of growing up, and as parents, it’s essential to guide our children toward positive, meaningful relationships. In this episode of UNrattled, we sit down with Joshua Jones, a seasoned expert in youth violence prevention and community engagement, to explore how friendships shape a child’s identity, mental health, and future.

Joshua shares his wealth of knowledge on why positive peer influence is vital, practical strategies for helping kids make the right friends, and how parents can foster open communication to support their children through social challenges. With a blend of personal stories, professional insights, and actionable advice, this episode equips you with the tools to help your child thrive socially while building a strong parent-child connection.

About Our Guest: Joshua Jones

Joshua, Director of Mobile’s first Hospital-Based Violence Intervention Program at USA Health, brings extensive experience in law enforcement and violence prevention. He previously served as the Youth Violence Prevention Coordinator for Mobile, a Special Agent with the Secret Service, and a Mobile Police Officer, while also serving 11 years in the Army National Guard.

A graduate of the University of South Alabama and Liberty University, Joshua is a passionate advocate for 21st Century Policing and community mobilization. Actively involved in the community, he serves as Treasurer for Mobile United, is a board member of the Helios Alliance, and a member of 100 Black Men of Greater Mobile. Recognized in Mobile Bay’s 40 Under 40 (2023) and for his work with Santa with a Badge, Joshua is committed to fostering positive change in Mobile.

Key Discussion Points:

• [00:01:05] The Role of Friendships in Identity Formation: Joshua explores why friendships are essential for shaping a child’s self-image and how they can serve as buffers against stress.
• [00:03:15] Peer Relationships and Youth Violence Prevention: Learn about risk and protective factors that influence youth behaviors and how the right friendships can steer kids toward positive outcomes.
• [00:06:35] Parental Influence on Friendships: Discover how parents can model healthy relationships and provide a safe space for their children to discuss challenges in their social circles.
• [00:19:04] Practical Steps for Parents to Encourage Positive Friendships: Joshua outlines strategies, such as open communication, positive reinforcement, and involvement in intentional activities, to help children build healthy friendships.

Memorable Moments:

• [00:13:39] The Power of Affirmations: Joshua shares a heartwarming story of how affirmations have shaped his daughters’ confidence and resilience in their friendships.
• [00:20:01] Parenting Humor and Humanity: A relatable and funny exchange about kids challenging their parents’ knowledge through technology, highlighting the unique dynamics of modern parenting.
• [00:33:02] Modeling Accountability: A candid discussion on the importance of parents owning their mistakes to teach children accountability and foster trust.
• [00:40:35] Encouraging Independence While Setting Boundaries: Learn how to give children the space to navigate friendships while gently guiding them toward positive decisions.

Practical Takeaways for Parents:

1. Celebrate Positive Friendships: Praise your child’s good choices in friends and encourage deeper connections with peers who reflect shared values.
2. Model Healthy Relationships: Children learn from observing how you interact with friends and family, so be intentional in demonstrating kindness and respect.
3. Keep Communication Open: Create a judgment-free environment where your child feels comfortable discussing their social struggles and triumphs.
4. Use Media as a Teaching Tool: Joshua suggests using TV shows and media to start conversations about friendships and values in a relatable way.
5. Focus on Your Child’s Strengths: Reinforce your child’s positive traits to help them make decisions aligned with their identity and values.

Resources Mentioned:

• Snoop Dogg’s Affirmation Song: A lighthearted recommendation to boost confidence in children (The Affirmations Song on YouTube).

Friendships are vital to your child’s mental health, identity formation, and overall development. Don’t miss this empowering episode of UNrattled as we explore how positive peer influence can shape your child’s future. Listen now and share this episode with a fellow parent who could use practical tips for navigating youth friendships.