A Call for Parents to Protect and Guide Our Children

 

As secondary school students stream back home for the mid-term break, a familiar rhythm resumes in households across the country. But beyond the laughter and relief from school routines lies a serious responsibility that parents and guardians cannot afford to overlook.

                                                When schools close, supervision does not end it simply shifts home.

Mid-term breaks, though short, can become vulnerable periods for teenagers. Without structured schedules and institutional oversight, some adolescents are exposed to risky peer influence, substance abuse, unsafe sexual behaviour, crime, and the growing threat of online exploitation. Social media, in particular, continues to expose young people to cyberbullying, harmful content, and digital predators  often within the privacy of their bedrooms.

                                             Equally concerning is the silent burden many teenagers carry: mental health struggles.

Across the country, increasing numbers of adolescents are battling anxiety, depression, academic pressure, identity challenges, and emotional distress. Yet many suffer quietly, fearing stigma or misunderstanding. A change in mood, withdrawal from family, excessive sleep, irritability, loss of appetite, or sudden behavioural shifts should not be dismissed as “normal teenage behaviour.”

Parents must use this break as a deliberate moment to reconnect.Engage your children in honest conversations. Listen more than you speak. Create a safe environment where they can express fears, frustrations, and personal struggles without judgment. Emotional availability is as critical as physical supervision.

Health, too, must remain a priority. Proper nutrition, adequate rest, physical activity, and routine medical care are essential. Breaks should not translate into unhealthy habits, erratic sleep patterns, or unchecked freedom.

This period also offers an opportunity for mentorship  reinforcing values, discipline, and life skills that extend beyond the classroom.The safety and wellbeing of our children cannot be outsourced to schools alone. Parenting is not seasonal. It is continuous, intentional, and active.

As students enjoy their time away from school, let this mid-term break be marked not by regret or risk, but by guidance, protection, and strengthened family bonds.Our teenagers are navigating a complex and demanding world. Now more than ever, they need present, attentive, and responsible parents.The responsibility is ours. Let us rise to meet it.