Appropriate age group(s):
Elementary School
Middle School
High School & Beyond

Description of technique:
Just as children tend to underachieve due to peer pressure, peer pressure can also cause them to obsess or overachieve, particularly when it comes to weight loss, competitive sports, and academic success.
Weight loss and self-esteem issues are particularly important for girls and can sometimes be fatal. At home the focus should be on eating healthy and exercising regularly to keep fit and not on how thin we can all be.
Competition in sports is healthy. Obsessing over winning is not. As parents it's important to encourage a healthy attitude of striving to do your best but not to humiliate or degrade a less-than-winning outcome.
Academics are important, but we all have our own particular strengths and weaknesses. Try not to compare report cards between siblings or even to yourself and focus on the strengths of each individual child. Provide additional support such as tutoring when it comes to dealing with any weakness in the various subject areas.