Consider negotiating and compromising on some rules, like curfew, clothing and hair styles. Save your energy and your child's attention for the important issues. Parents often are so concerned about negative or troublesome peer pressure that they forget friends can be a positive force in a child's life. For example, if your child's peers stress achievement and good grades, your child will probably strive to earn good grades. Friends help your child try new behavior and discover what is appropriate and acceptable.
Friends allow peers to feel they are important and that they belong.
When your child's friends visit your home, invite them to share in part of your family's activities, if possible. This is important to your child. But don't monopolize your child's friends. Parents sometimes think they have lost control of their children when in fact the children are simply learning about people outside of their family, people who are important to them and with whom they can get along. People outside of the family can be powerful motivators and influences on your children.