Teach your kids to have a safe matric holiday
Most matriculants, before entering their first steps to adulthood, will celebrate their freedom with a well-deserved seaside holiday with their friends after completing their final examinations.
According to iLiveSafe commercial director of the recently-launched identification, safety and rapid response solution, Pierre Spies, the matric holiday, or matric rage, is often a source of endless worrying for most parents – and with very good reason given the crime statistics of South Africa.
“It is daunting enough to send our children to go and buy a loaf of bread from the local corner café, let alone send them on a holiday with their friends where they will no doubt test the boundaries a little bit as they celebrate their new-found freedom and independence.
“Regards to the matric holidays, more often than not, unsavoury headlines will pop up on every streetpole as soon as the matrics hit popular locations such as Plettenberg Bay, Margate, Ballito, and Umhlanga.
“These reports are certainly not an accurate or necessarily a true representation of what really happens for the majority of young adults on a matric holiday, but where does that leave parents who are worried sick?
“My encouragement is for parents to talk to their children and together with their child, sit down and plan the holiday, leaving no room for misunderstandings, foreseeable accidents or tragedies,” says Pierre.
“First of all, research, research and research. Find out exactly where your child is going, where they will be staying, who he or she will be going with, how they will be travelling, what your child should do in case of an emergency, and familiarise yourself with the surroundings or popular attractions of their destination.
“Parents are also urged to talk to their children about the real dangers and responsibilities involved with going on holiday where there will be no adult supervision, and most probably zero curfews, rules or boundaries.
“It doesn’t have to be a heavy-hearted affair, as long as your child understands that there are some factors which are non-negotiable. Before your child sets foot out of the house:
* Agree upon certain times when you can contact your child, and respect those times.
* Make sure that your child has enough money to last him or her the duration of the holiday, and put some money aside for emergencies.
* Send enough food with your child to last the entire holiday. Should they lose their money or be robbed, at least you know they have food.
* Get the contact details of at least two other children who are going on holiday with your child, along with their parents’ contact details.
* Discuss important safety measures with your child before he or she leaves, and don’t pull punches when it comes to the consequences. Ensure that your child knows that you trust him or her.
Matters to raise include the responsible use of alcohol and never leaving a drink unattended; driving while under the influence; using drugs; smoking or using ‘soft drugs’ such as marijuana; never going somewhere alone or without telling anyone where you’re heading; having unprotected sex or heading off with strangers. -@NalediBoksburg
