Be considerate when your children visit relatives these holidays

Holiday time is family time.  We all look forward to seeing our long lost relatives. Uncles, aunties and a plethora of cousins, nephews and nieces. We all sit around the supper table and talk about the past – we laugh and enjoy each other’s company.

Well, that is not always the case especially when your cousin visits with her six children, the minute schools close.

I have experienced this first hand on several occasions and it does take the Merry out of Christmas.  Unfortunately it is especially prevalent among black families.

Said cousin moves her kids in, she leaves and her children live with you. Your cousin has not contributed to the grocery bill – and her kids have no pocket money either for the duration of the school holidays.

Is that fair though? Everyone knows that the food prices are so high – so how can someone expect you to not only babysit her children but to also feed them day and night? Children easily get bored these days – they want to go to shopping malls, watch movies etc. which in our case means trips and petrol money to Newcastle.

Where will all of this money come from, not from Father Christmas I can assure you…

So it is only civil that if you intend shipping your kids out to a relative over the holidays make sure they take with them groceries and pocket money.

This will not only ease your conscience as a parent while you are busy enjoying the festive season, but you will sleep better knowing that your children are fed and are enjoying their holidays wherever they might be.

Let us think ahead and not let our children be a burden at our relative’s homes. This way they will enjoy having them know that you are a responsible parent.

HAVE YOUR SAY:
Like our Facebook page, follow us on Twitter and Instagram or email us at dundee.courier@caxton.co.za.  Add us on WhatsApp 071 277 1394.