For those of you who are new to the term approval addiction here is a simple overview of what it really is. In laymen terms it is the need to please others in order to feel good about yourself. This common among millions of people but it is even worse in adolescents.

This is because in these tender years you’re trying to find your own path through life and the most important thing in the world to a kid on a journey is finding a shelter. This is where peer pressure comes into play.

You are housed in a secure community of other like minded teens who seem to want all the same things you do. When some of them start making moves then you find yourself being left behind so you feel the need to keep up.

You feel pressured by the taunts of your adolescent counterparts and you need to show them that you're still part of the "crew". To do this you knock off that liquor store, try cocaine or even pulled the trigger because you needed to be approved by your peers.

This may sound extreme but growing up today isn’t easy. You have way more negative influences surrounding you today compared to any other time in history. But what can parents do to stop this? They can’t possibly shield their kids from all the bad things in the world.

Talking to your kids is the only thing you can do to help them through this difficult time in their lives when they can easily loose their way. Watching the company that they keep is very important as well. They’re some rotten apples out there that will try their best to make your kids just like them.

Keep an open eye to what is going on with your children and definitely keep your ear to the ground. Your kid needs a friend but they need guidance even more. They may hate you for stepping in but they will love you when his/her friend is sitting in jail and they’re not.

Approval addiction is strong and mixing in peer pressure is a recipe for disaster. Showing your kids that you approve of them is a step towards creating the type of person that can say “no” to the outside world.

Start talking to your kids today and give them the necessary guidance they need to take on the long journey of life.