Long holidays are meant to be a time of rest, fun, and family bonding. Yet for many children and young adults, they can become a period of mischief, rebellion, and conflict. After months of exams and structured school routines, sudden freedom can turn even the most disciplined learners into unruly individuals, testing the patience of parents and guardians. From roaming unsupervised in villages to indulging in risky activities in urban centers, children often exploit the gap left by busy parents or overly lenient relatives. Understanding why this happens—and how to curb it—is essential if families want holidays to be a time of growth rather than chaos.
The Role of Structure and Supervision
A major reason for holiday misbehaviour is the sudden loss of structure. During the school term, students follow strict timetables and rules that guide their daily lives. When holidays begin, this structure disappears, leaving them with too much free time and little supervision. Boredom sets in, and idle minds may turn to mischief or rebellion. Excessive exposure to social media and peer pressure can further encourage undesirable habits, such as rudeness, laziness, and disregard for authority.
As learners complete their examinations, the responsibility for supervision shifts from schools to homes. While schools provide structure, disciplines, and engagement during term time, holidays often leave children unsupervised. Without careful parental guidance, the structured environment disappears, increasing the likelihood of misbehaviour.
While teachers are often blamed for holiday tuition or remedial teaching, it is important to recognize that parents are usually the ones requesting it. The underlying reason is clear: learners need to be engaged, especially during long breaks when the absence of structured school routines can lead to boredom or mischief. Such parental initiatives reflect a desire to keep children academically active, mentally stimulated, and positively occupied, reducing the chances of unruly behaviour.
Some children, having been supported by parents or guardians throughout their education, may misuse the freedom that comes after exams. Instead of showing gratitude and responsibility, they may engage in reckless behaviour, forgetting the sacrifices made on their behalf.
Influence of Extended Family
Children often find comfort in environments where they enjoy complete freedom, such as grandparents’ or relatives’ homes. Parents may believe that leaving children in trusted care ensures safety and comfort, but excessive leniency can backfire. In these settings, children may ignore rules, stay up late, or act without consequences. While intended as a gesture of trust, such freedom can reinforce bad habits, making children harder to manage when they return home.
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Even college students, who are expected to be more mature, sometimes misuse holiday freedom. Away from strict schedules, assignments, and lecturer supervision, they may engage in late nights, irresponsible social activities, or disregard family rules.
Risky and Destructive Behaviours
Many young people escalate misbehaviour into risky or destructive activities. Some may steal parents’ property, drive without licenses, swim recklessly, or engage in early sexual relationships, leading to teenage pregnancies. Others may participate in drinking sprees, casual sexual encounters, and other forms of reckless merrymaking. These behaviours can result in poor decision-making, health risks, conflicts, and legal problems, bringing emotional, social, and financial strain to families.
Rural and Urban Challenges
Rural Areas: Parents often spend long hours farming or doing casual work, leaving children unattended. Limited recreational facilities, negative peer influence, and lack of guidance on skill development increase the likelihood of misbehaviour.
Urban Areas: Many urban parents work long hours, leaving children in the care of older siblings, nannies, or neighbors. Exposure to technology, social media, and unsupervised peers may promote rebellion, unsafe activities, and academic neglect. Emotional support may be lacking, and reliance on paid caregivers can result in inconsistent discipline.
In both contexts, unsupervised children face boredom, misbehaviour, risky behaviour, academic decline, and emotional neglect, highlighting the importance of parental guidance, structured counselling, and consistent engagement.
Structured Counselling and Modern Discipline
Structured counselling provides a systematic approach to correcting behaviour. It involves building trust, identifying problems, gathering information, setting achievable goals, exploring solutions, implementing action plans, and evaluating progress. Regular follow-ups help ensure lasting behavioural change.
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Parents should recognize that authoritarian methods may no longer work. Excessive strictness can provoke rebellion, while overindulgence encourages irresponsibility. Today’s children respond better to reasoning, guidance, and structured dialogue. Balanced discipline, emotional support, and role modelling are more effective in promoting cooperation and respect.
Collaborative intervention is essential. Parents, guardians, teachers, counsellors, extended family, and community mentors must work together to provide consistent supervision, moral guidance, and constructive engagement. Religious institutions such as churches, mosques, and temples often have robust youth engagement programs, which should complement family guidance.
Long holidays do not have to be a breeding ground for misbehaviour. With structured counselling, consistent supervision, and empathetic parenting, even the most wayward children and college students can learn responsibility and self-discipline. Families and communities must provide guidance, boundaries, and constructive engagement. When freedom is balanced with care and understanding, holidays can transform from periods of chaos into opportunities for reflection, growth, and stronger family bonds—turning moments of mischief into lessons for life.
By Hillary Muhalya
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