Protecting children during school break

As schools close their gates across Eswatini today, thousands of children will return to homes that, for many, are not the safest places to be. While school holidays should be a time of joy, rest and family bonding, the unfortunate reality is that this six-week break often becomes a period of increased vulnerability for children, especially those living in abusive or neglectful environments.

For some children, school is more than a place of learning; it is a safe haven from emotional, physical or sexual abuse.

With schools closed, children are forced to spend prolonged hours in homes where they may be exposed to harm, often from those who are supposed to protect them. Whether it’s a step-parent, an older sibling, a neighbour or even a parent, abusers thrive in isolation and silence. Nonetheless, the holiday season, with its long days and absent supervision, creates the perfect storm.

Many parents, especially those working long hours or jobs that don’t allow them to take time off, might not realise just how much danger their children face in their absence. We need to stop pretending that abuse is something that only happens in other households. The truth is, abuse can happen anywhere and the silence around it only empowers perpetrators.

The burden of protecting children often falls unfairly on mothers. Yet the safety and well-being of a child is a shared responsibility. Fathers, whether present in the home or not, must become more than just providers, they must become protectors, nurturers and active participants in their children’s lives.

Both parents must have clear conversations about safety in the home: ‘‘Who is watching the children? Is the environment child-friendly and free from toxic or violent behaviour? Are older siblings or relatives displaying troubling behaviours that must be addressed?’’

Let’s also be honest about how generational trauma plays out in the home. If a child is misbehaving, acting out or becoming withdrawn, it’s a sign, not a reason to beat them into silence.

So what can parents and caregivers do to ensure children are safe, loved and engaged during the school break? I have a few ideas. First is to create a holiday routine. Children thrive on routine, even during holidays. Without the structure of school, days can quickly become chaotic.

Create a basic daily plan that includes wake-up times, chores, playtime, screen time and bedtime. This helps children know what to expect and keeps their behaviour more manageable. You can also engage them in age appropriate activities. Idle hands can lead to trouble. Keep your child stimulated with activities such as arts and crafts using recyclables, reading time, simple cooking and baking lessons, gardening or light home chores. Not everything needs to cost money. What children value most is time and attention.

It is important to encourage your child to speak up if something makes them uncomfortable. Let them know that their body is theirs, and no one has the right to touch it without permission. Teach them that their ‘safe people’ are adults they can trust if they need help. These might include a neighbour, teacher, church member, or aunt.

If you live in a multigenerational or shared home, make sure there are boundaries. Children should not be left under the supervision of people who have previously displayed inappropriate behaviour. Where possible, sign children up for holiday camps, church holiday programmes or community-based activities. These offer both engagement and supervised environments, where children can learn and play safely.

Also, if you suspect abuse in your community, report it. Don’t turn a blind eye just because it’s ‘not your business’. Protecting children is everyone’s business.

A child’s safety should never be a gamble. As schools close, let’s commit to doing better as parents. To asking the hard questions. To being more present. To setting up safe routines and monitoring the environments we allow our children to exist in. This long school break doesn’t have to become a danger zone. With love, intention, and accountability, we can make it a time of laughter, growth and healing.