July 22, 2024
The practice of long-term holiday visits of relatives by school children has hit the rock.
Long term holiday visits are being looked forward to by children in primary and secondary schools. Some spend their holidays in other states while some visit relatives in nearby cities.
Sometimes, these children are made to write about these holiday experiences in narrative essays or informal letters.
Those who can’t afford the expenses for such long trips end up in summer coaching.
Economy&Lifestyle discovered that most of these children would end up in summer coachings due to the inability of parents to sponsor their long trips and the relatives unable to fend for the children’s needs at the receiving end.
Many parents and relatives have blamed on the effect of the poor economy on the prices of foodstuffs, water, fuel, services and rent.
Mr. Kelvin Edafe, a trader, said his three children used to visit his mother in Delta State during the long holidays.
He said: “My three children used to visit their grandmother in Delta State during long holidays. Their mother takes them there from Lagos.
“I pleaded with my mother and children last year promising them that this year will be different. But things are getting worse everyday and we are surviving by the grace of God.
“When they embark on such a visit I make sure I send my mother a large sum of money to take care of their feeding and other needs during their stay.
“Now, the prices of food items are increasing every day. The transport fare to Delta State will cost nothing less than N100,000. Where do I get such money from?
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“Their feeding expenses are there. When they return, school fees and books are there too. I had to promise them an outing to a very good eatery and sent my mother a little money to spoil herself. I can’t bite more than I can chew.”
Mrs. Seun Daniels, an accountant and mother of two, said her brothers’ four children wanted to visit them for this long holiday but she declined.
She said: “My brother who lives in the same state but different city called to inform me that his four children are coming to spend their long term holiday at my house. I told him I will give him feedback on the issue.
“On getting home, I informed my husband, and he reminded me of our struggle to take care of our kids and other expenses.
“He advised that I decline the offer and send the kids a small amount to soothe their disappointment. I was not happy at first but I thought deeply about it and had to succumb to my husband’s advice. The children were very hurt but my brother understood the situation.”
On his part, Mr. Jude Ejiofor, a commercial bus driver and a father of three, said his cousin declined his request that his two kids spend the holidays with her.
According to Ejiofor, “When my cousin declined my request for my two children to spend the holidays with her and her family, she instantly refused on the pretense that her children will be in the East then and there will be no one to play with them and take care of them.
“I knew she was lying but never wanted to push harder. I was very angry. But when I related the incident to my colleagues, they laughed at me.
“One even said I was heartless that if she had told me she is not capable of taking care of them, as a typical traditional man, I would have responded that my sister cannot take care of my children if I am dead.
The practice of long-term holiday visits of relatives by school children has hit the rock.
Long term holiday visits are being looked forward to by children in primary and secondary schools. Some spend their holidays in other states while some visit relatives in nearby cities.
Sometimes, these children are made to write about these holiday experiences in narrative essays or informal letters.
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Those who can’t afford the expenses for such long trips end up in summer coaching.
Economy&Lifestyle discovered that most of these children would end up in summer coachings due to the inability of parents to sponsor their long trips and the relatives unable to fend for the children’s needs at the receiving end.
Many parents and relatives have blamed on the effect of the poor economy on the prices of foodstuffs, water, fuel, services and rent.
Mr. Kelvin Edafe, a trader, said his three children used to visit his mother in Delta State during the long holidays.
He said: “My three children used to visit their grandmother in Delta State during long holidays. Their mother takes them there from Lagos.
“I pleaded with my mother and children last year promising them that this year will be different. But things are getting worse everyday and we are surviving by the grace of God.
“When they embark on such a visit I make sure I send my mother a large sum of money to take care of their feeding and other needs during their stay.
“Now, the prices of food items are increasing every day. The transport fare to Delta State will cost nothing less than N100,000. Where do I get such money from?
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- NDLEA busts syndicates’ attempt to import consignments of cocaine, loud in Lagos
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“Their feeding expenses are there. When they return, school fees and books are there too. I had to promise them an outing to a very good eatery and sent my mother a little money to spoil herself. I can’t bite more than I can chew.”
Mrs. Seun Daniels, an accountant and mother of two, said her brothers’ four children wanted to visit them for this long holiday but she declined.
She said: “My brother who lives in the same state but different city called to inform me that his four children are coming to spend their long term holiday at my house. I told him I will give him feedback on the issue.
“On getting home, I informed my husband and he reminded me of our struggle to take care of our kids and other expenses.
“He advised that I decline the offer and send the kids a small amount to soothe their disappointment. I was not happy at first but I thought deeply about it and had to succumb to my husband’s advice. The children were very hurt but my brother understood the situation.”
On his part, Mr. Jude Ejiofor, a commercial bus driver and a father of three, said his cousin declined his request that his two kids spend the holidays with her.
According to Ejiofor, “When my cousin declined my request for my two children to spend the holidays with her and her family, she instantly refused on the pretense that her children will be in the East then and there will be no one to play with them and take care of them.
“I knew she was lying but never wanted to push harder. I was very angry. But when I related the incident to my colleagues, they laughed at me.
“One even said I was heartless that if she had told me she is not capable of taking care of them, as a typical traditional man, I would have responded that my sister cannot take care of my children if I am dead.
“They gave me instances where some of them rejected their relatives’ children visits, giving several excuses.
“Then it dawned on me that the economy is gradually wiping off a long holiday practice.”(VANGUARD)
