Children may join a gang to gain a sense of belonging. To show your children they are loved and valued: 

• Spend time alone with each child. It doesn't matter what you do, as long as you get to know each other better. 
  
  
• Plan family time. Make time for your family to play, eat meals together, take trips, maintain or develop family traditions, and have family meetings to talk about plans, feelings, and complaints.
  
  
• Listen to your children and ask their opinions. Help your children talk with you without fear of punishment. Do not talk down to your children - even though adults are older, children's thoughts and feelings deserve respect.
  
  
• Talk to your children about ways to deal with pressure from friends. Help your children make up some simple ways to respond to peer pressure. For example, if your child is challenged by a peer who says, "If you are my friend, you would..." your child can respond, "If you were my friend, you wouldn't ask." Then, he/she should walk away.
  
  
• Set limits with your children and teens. Children and teenagers need to know clearly what is expected of them and the consequences for acting otherwise. Do not rescue children from the consequences of their decisions.