Another end of school year is here again – the long vacation,
the children are on holidays after going through so many ‘stressful’ weeks and the
examination period, the holidays is
going to last for two months or more.
This is quite a long time and we can not afford to leave these
pre-adults idle because of the saying that “an idle mind is a devil’s
workshop. The question now is how we are
going to manage them this period so that they will not fall into trouble.
Some parents will rather quickly enroll their children in lesson
classes – either privately organized or school lessons. While this practice may seem good to some
extent, it however contradicts the purpose of vacations. School vacations are periods children need to
relax their brains, recover from stress and learn new things aside classroom
works.
Engaging your teens in extra curricular activities during the
long vacations will help them mature into serious minded adults, prepare them
for the future and open avenues that they can explore, but to allow them play
away the time may lead them into troubles.
Let
Them Learn a Skill: Turn the vacation into a
period of learning a skill. There are different
skills they can learn – bead making, hair making, carpentry, house painting,
catering, computer etc. Who knows they
may be earning money from these skills to argument your efforts.
Engage
Them in Vacation Jobs:
It is time to talk to friends, family members and colleagues who have
companies, shops, supermarkets to engage them in vacation jobs. This will serve as training grounds and give
them an idea of the working world.
Let
Them Display Their Creativity: This can be the best period for them to
explore the creative sides of their lives.
They can write books, make drawings and paintings, do music, act dramas
etc. They may end up becoming reputable
celebrities and stars even before finishing their education.
Allow
Them Serve God: The reason they have not
been fully engaged in Church activities has been that of going to school, now
is the time to make up for such periods.
They should engage in religious activities that will allow them serve
God, this will enable them receive God’s blessings to have a better and brighter
future.
And
lastly, Let Them Socialize:
Let them visit their friends and family members. They will learn one thing or more that will
better their lives. Let me give you an
example:
My eight year old boy called me after the break and said he
wants to go on holidays to my Elder Sister’s house. I did not take him serious because: I had it in mind that he cannot stay there
without me as he had never stayed away from me before; secondly I was afraid
because he bed wets whenever he was not waken at night at least twice. I knew only me can manage him.
To my greatest surprise he insisted on going for the holidays and
when I reminded him that he cannot stay in someone else’s house because he bed
wets, he replied that he will manage himself.
So I decided to give him the chance.
Everyday, I will call my sister to enquire about my son,
expecting to hear some ugly news but to my greatest surprise I will be told
that he is doing fine and has never bed wet and that no one wakes him at night.
My son has changed and at the same time
proved me wrong.
I am happy for him even though I miss him a lot.