The good, the busy – and the bored

There’s a lot to be said for keeping children busy – whether they’re toddlers, tweens or teens.

Children’s activities become the basis on which they can develop habits for the future. But being busy doesn’t necessarily mean being forced into extra-mural activities.

Rather, coax them into an activity or encourage deeper exploration of a subject that interests your child.

Hobbies
Hobbies are healthy. No matter what your child’s fascinated by, most interests can be expanded upon – and it needn’t be expensive.

It’s the simple things that often offer opportunities for growth and development. Whether it’s sport or they start their own veggie, herb or desert (cacti) garden; collect shells, semi-precious stones or foreign coins – or explore creative pursuits, the idea is to follow their interests and keep children busy with something they enjoy.

Volunteer
Older children may wish to work or volunteer at a charity. This is an excellent way to learn new skills, participate in meaningful work and use free time constructively.

It can also highlight – for tweens and teens, especially - how fortunate they really are.

Technology enables us to communicate with people in different countries within seconds ... yet asking for help with a problem closer to home remains a stumbling block for many people.

In this age of information, the saying, ‘When in doubt, leave out’ should rather advise, ‘When in doubt, ask!’

Whether you’re a relative who’s concerned about a child –or a stressed teacher or parent – there are support centres, helplines and experts in the child-care field who offer advice at no charge.

Call on them to get help for your child – and yourself – today.

Towards solutions

Do you know where your child is?

The chilling facts about drugs, especially ‘tik’ – also called ‘speed’,‘ice’, ‘tjoef’, ‘crank’, ‘crystal straw’ – should be enough to convince anyone that this is a severe problem.

Four years ago, just 0.7% of patients seeking drug treatment in Cape Town were tik users. Figures soared to 46% in the first half of 2006.

‘Nowhere else in the world has there been such a massive increase in the use of a drug over such a short period of time,’ said the Cape Town Drug Counselling Centre’s director, Grant Jardine.

What is it?
Methamphetamine – tik’s proper name – looks like crushed ice and is usually smoked after being heated inside a light bulb. Tik is cheap, easy to manufacture and can sell for as little as R15.

Protection orders The Western Cape is hardest-hit by tik. Die Burger reported that an increasing number of parents were applying for protection orders against their addicted teenagers – mainly due to the violence associated with the drug.

Effects
The effects of tik include increased alertness and physical activity, rapid speech, irritability, dry mouth, tremors, dilated pupils, insomnia andover-confidence.

Long-term abuse also leads to skin eruptions, violent behaviour, lung and heart problems, weight loss – and< psychosis such as paranoia and delusions.

The risk of contracting HIV increases, too, since use of the drug often goes hand-in-hand with sexually risky behaviour.

Be proactive
There are many sources of information that parents can< access if they suspect drug use. Be proactive; educate yourself: check out websites, talk to others – and keep abreast of happenings in your community.

Girls & Boys Town’s policy
Girls & Boys Town is not a drug treatment centre, but recognises the reality of prior drug experimentation by youth who come into our care.

Every child admitted to the the organisation is taken through the first level of its Chemical Dependency Programme – regardless of whether drugs have been used before – after which each child’s individual needs are addressed.

Tips for Parents

Useful contacts

Considering that pets are part of many families’ lives – and that there are stray animals in most communities – children must be taught rules of safety around dogs. And the
younger they learn appropriate behaviour, the better.

Little children are often at the same height as the family pet – which is why many bites are to the face.

Bite prevention
Teach children these general rules of safety:

• Never tease pets or hurt them by pulling ears, tails, etc.
• Don’t scream around dogs.
• Don’t approach stray or other people’s dogs.
• Avoid making sudden movements near a dog’s face.
• Don’t maintain prolonged eye contact or stare at dogs.
• Leave dogs alone at meal times or when they’re asleep.

Rabies
Rabies is a contagious – and potentially fatal – viral disease spread by infected animals.

If your child’s bitten by a stray dog, wash the wound with soap or disinfectant and seek medical help immediately.

Life-saving
If the correct treatment (a course of injections) is started in time, rabies need not be fatal. Early precautions are life-saving.

It takes two to 10 weeks or more for people to show signs of the disease after being bitten by a rabid animal. By then, it’s too late for treatment.

If you have a new pup

• A dog’s environment and upbringing play a key role in behaviour.
• If you have a new puppy, socialise him. Let him meet other animals and people; go to ‘puppy class’, go for walks.
• If your puppy bites or growls, communicate in a firm tone that this is unacceptable. Biting/teasing games are no longer ‘cute’ when the dog grows up.If your dog snaps at or bites anyone, speak to your vet or see a behaviour specialist. Don’t ignore the problem.

Safety belts do save lives

How often have you cringed at the sight of a child sitting on an adult’s lap in the front of a car ... or seen a child standing between a car’s two front seats? And what about children on the back of bakkies?

All of these common practices on our roads can – and do – lead to serious injury, disability and death in the event of an accident.

Legally, we’re all required to wear safety belts – and it’s the driver’s responsibility to ensure that children are safely buckled up, too.

Specially adapted car seats are available for babies and
young children, while booster seats or booster cushions are preferable for older children.

Adults should set a good example by wearing seatbelts
themselves – and insisting that all passengers do the same.

Lives may count on it.