keeping my son from bad influence friends

now that my son is in middle school almost all of his friends are in trouble some of them are in gangs and other starting to use drugs I'm really scared of seeing this happening. My son said that he won't due those things but he still wants to hang out with his friends, i don't want to be around them but
I don't know for how long I'm going to keep him away from them because i know that one way or another there going to see each other I really don't trust my son because he is very easy to convince by friends

Parent Answers to "keeping my son from bad influence friends"

View 2 answers: Newest-Oldest, Oldest-Newest
Display fewer answers

Ok first of all you really CAN NOT keep him away from his friends...in all honesty he sees them at school. I have to be frank here, most of the time PEER PRESSURE will RUIN your child. Do whatever you have to do to keep him AWAY from gangs and people in them, drugs and people that do them, anything that would harm him...try like heck to keep him away from them. I also have to ask HOW do you know they (his friends) are involved in gangs and do drugs? REPORT them to the POLICE and let your son sees what happens when someone does get involved in situations like this. I saw my nephew RUIN his life by smoking marijuana and getting caught with it in Catholic School. He was hanging out with the 'wrong' crowd (his friends) and he didn't even graduate because he wanted to be in their band and quit school. I agree to get him involved with some other kids. MOVE if you have to...seriously..if you can. However there are 'those' kinds of kids everywhere you go. Maybe you can help him 'see' (like rent movies or something) that actually SHOW him the effects of drugs/gangs. There's plenty on youtube.com that show kids it's not a way of life for anyone. This link is for you Mom www.youtube.com/watch?v=0czqQB7sRaM
watch it and then decide if you want your son to. I wish you the best of luck.

Try to get him involved in activities that he enjoys and where he might meet some friends who are a better influence. Maybe a sports team, if not at school then perhaps boys and girls club or something like that. Or if he doesn't like sports, maybe music, or art class. Also help him to see that he is worthwhile and special and if he feels good about himself, he'll be less likely to go along with friends who are doing things you don't want him to do. Continue to reinforce the rules in your house (no drugs, drinking, etc.) and make sure he's clear on what you expect. There is only so much you can do, though. You want your son to grow up and make decisions. Just help him make the right ones.

Any contributed content above is the subjective opinion of that member or external author, and not of GreatSchools. GreatSchools does not check for accuracy in community posts or verify the contributor’s identity. If you are searching for health-related advice we strongly suggest you seek professional medical support. View our Community Guidelines for more details.

Los Angeles
Local Q&A Change City

How to find a good middle school for a boy with NVLD

How did you choose a preschool in Los Angeles?

District Profile for LAUSD

Ask a question about Los Angeles >

Local Q&A is brand new! What do you think? Give us your feedback in our feedback forum.

keeping my son from bad influence friends

Parent Answers to "keeping my son from bad influence friends"

Change City

Los AngelesLocal Q&A Change City

Los Angeles
Local Q&A Change City