When School Closes, Parenting Must Not Take a Vacation.
Hi guys, accept warm Steem greetings from the motherland of Cameroon, and welcome to my blog as I share another interesting write-up about “When School Closes, Parenting Must Not Take a Vacation”
In Cameroon, the longest school vacation period gives our children three full months away from the classroom. While many see it as a time for relaxation and fun, it is also a period that can shape a child's future for better or for worse.
The truth is that during these three months, children will either become more productive or more vulnerable. Much of that depends on their parents' and guardians' involvement.
If you are an absentee parent or guardian, this is the time to pay closer attention. Children need guidance, supervision, and meaningful engagement, especially when they have so much free time. Leaving them unattended for long periods can expose them to dangers that many families never imagine until it is too late.
Being busy with work, business, or personal responsibilities is understandable. However, no amount of busyness should prevent us from playing an active role in our children's lives. Our children need more than food, clothing, and school fees. They need our presence, our attention, and our protection.
If your schedule does not allow you to be with them as often as you would like, find ways to keep them positively engaged at home. Create activities that stimulate their minds and keep them occupied. Provide educational materials, games, books, creative projects, and opportunities to learn new skills. Encourage healthy hobbies that will help them grow intellectually and emotionally.
Personally, I always make sure my children have activities that keep them busy and entertained. They enjoy games that challenge their thinking, and they watch their favourite cartoons and educational programs under my guidance. This allows them to have fun while staying within a safe environment.
Why am I emphasizing this so strongly? This is because we live in a world where danger does not always come with a warning sign. Sadly, there are individuals whose actions are more frightening than any monster we see in movies. Every day, stories emerge that leave communities shocked and heartbroken.
Imagine a three-year-old child being sexually assaulted after school. It is a painful reality that has happened in many places. Now imagine what can happen during three long months of vacation when children spend more time outside without proper supervision and protection.
The people who wish to harm children do not always look suspicious. They may be neighbours, acquaintances, or individuals the family knows and trusts. This is why parents and guardians must remain vigilant. We cannot afford to assume that our children are safe simply because they are close to home.
These holidays should be a time for growth, discovery, family bonding, and positive memories. Let us teach our children valuable life skills, spend quality time with them, monitor their movements, know their friends, and create safe spaces where they can thrive.
The responsibility of raising and protecting children belongs to all of us, but it starts at home. A child who is engaged, supervised, and supported is far less likely to fall into bad company or become a victim of harmful influences.
As the long vacation begins, let us not only think about how our children will spend their time but also about who will influence them during these three months. Our children are our greatest investment. Let us protect them, guide them, and make this holiday season a period of growth rather than regret.