Surviving Spring Break
Almost a declaration of independence, this one- to two-week period in the months of March and April is a time when most young people feel free to do anything and everything they can't - or won't - do at home under your watchful eyes.
It's no secret that many Spring Break vacations involve promiscuous sex, excessive drinking, drugs, and in some cases, violence. In fact, that is why many teens want to go on Spring Break. The promise of wild abandon and a nonstop party is too hard to say no to.
If you feel uncomfortable allowing your teen to attend Spring Break, you are not alone. Each year, more and more teens are injured, raped, and hospitalized for alcohol poisoning. Young girls are given date rape drugs, and some even go missing. It's not much of a vacation when you end up in the hospital, a police station, or come home with a sexually transmitted disease instead of a suntan.
The sad truth is that many tour companies who specialize in Spring Break packages care little about the safety of your kids. Some companies even market "all you can drink" packages, turning a blind eye to underage drinking, safety concerns, and drug use.
If you would like to allow your teen to attend Spring break this year, do your homework. Popular destinations are more apt to be rampant with illegal activity and temptations your teen will find hard to avoid. Do some research about locations that are less likely to have thousands of kids for the break. Your teen may prefer a party town, but when faced with the alternative of not going at all, will probably be happy to just get away and have an adventure without you.
Consider getting together with the parents of your teen's closest pals and organizing an adventure break for them - whale watching in Australia or swimming with the dolphins in Florida, for example. Or, think way outside of the typical Spring Break box and send your kids on an educational week, where they can study something of great interest to them.
Another popular alternative to the conventional Spring Break experience is volunteer breaks. There are a number of organizations, some religious based and some not, that offer special volunteer Spring Break experiences for teens. The prospect of volunteering may or may not appeal to your child, but they may perk up when they hear they will be hanging with dozens of other kids their age, and will be far away from you!Even MTV, known for "inspiring" some of the debauchery of the modern-day Spring Break, has its own alternative volunteer vacation every year. In 2006, MTV partnered with the United Way to send teens to the Gulf Coast to help victims of Hurricane Katrina. See www.mtv.com/thinkmtv/asb for more information about MTV's Alternative Spring Break programs.
Even if your kids are reliable and responsible in their "real life", the mere proximity to drinking, drugs, sex, and violence is enough to turn them into Mr. Hyde for the week. Your best bet is to scout out alternative locations or experiences for your teen, and give them a choice of two or three. Even if they are determined not to, they will still have fun. More importantly, they will be safe - and you will be able to sleep at night.
Related Tags: break, spring, surviving
Karen Fusco is co-founder of www.SilkBow.com which supports Busy Moms with free gift ideas and helpful tips to meet the challenges of motherhood. She is also co-founder of www.WellnessArticles.net , a directory of articles covering many areas of wellness. Karen can be reached directly at: karen@SilkBow.com Your Article Search Directory : Find in Articles
Recent articles in this category:
- Important Things to Know About an Assisted Living Residence in Texas
n assisted living residence is a facility designed for senior citizens or persons with disabilities - Understanding How the Probate Process Works
The probate process is required within the U.S. to settle estates of deceased persons. The time requ - Fun Ideas for the Family During the Christmas Holiday
The Yuletide season is one of the most awaited holidays of the year because it is the time for joy a - How To Find The Right Composite Decking Deck Builders
Another rising home improvement project homeowners are starting to do a lot more of is the composite - Every Home Should Have A Radiant Barrier
The most easy and successful home improvement project you can do to your House, would be to install - The Different Types Of Rain Gutters
When purchasing a house or planning to do improvements to a home, there is always one project that s - How To Get The Best Replacement Windows For Your Home
Installing replacement windows can be the single most important home improvement project you can do - Holiday Accommodation Gold Coast: Pointers For Selecting The Best
With a multitude of holiday accommodations in Gold Coast, choosing the one for yourself can be quite - Want Holiday Accommodation In Gold Coast Queensland? Get Online To Find The Best Deal In A Quick, Co
There are several ways to find holiday accommodation in Gold Coast. You may refer to travel guides t - Celebrate The Ten-days Festival Of Navratri.
Dasara known as Dussehra, Navaratri, Vijaya Dashami is a festival of triumph of GOOD over Evil. The
Most viewed articles in this category:
- Adoptees Need Support When Voicing Feelings about Birth Parents
"I feel like a mistake.""I'm not like them.""Where's my family?""Why can't I find a suitable career? - Progressive Cooking: All About 'cuisine'
The French are known for their interest in art and all that is fine. It therefore comes as no surpri - Moroccan Decor - Oh My! Make Your Home Shine With Moroccan Rugs and Tapestries.
It is said in Morocco that he who enters Fez with a rug will leave with a moneybag. This saying o - Online Criminal Background Checks-Importance & Ease
Have you ever thought your new neighbor looks like one of the pictures on the post office bulletin b - Installing A Burglar Alarm
Want to protect your home? Ready to install a burglar alarm? The popularity of the home burglar ala - Lowe's Backyard Playground Sets
Lowe's is an excellent first place to look for anyone who is looking for the best swing sets on the - How Could Short Term Health Insurance Help Me?
Short-term health insurance plans allow people to have health insurance for a limited amount of time - Watch Out For Those Stinky Skunks!
There are various species of skunks found throughout the United States including the striped, spotte - Asthma In Kids: An Increasing Epidemic
Many believe that the majority of asthma cases are confined to adults, but this is definitely an inc - Stairlifts For Riders Of Above Average Weight
A stairlift is an affordable device that is used to give people with limited mobility access to the