It's Not Too Early to Talk About Spring Break- Part 2

Have a frank discussion about safety - Spring break should be fun, but that doesn't mean students can let their guards down.  Students may not respond well to parental lectures about safety, so instead you may ask them scenario specific questions such as "What is your plan if someone in your group drinks too much? What would you do if you are separated from your group or your money is lost or stolen?" Questions like these are not lectures, but are simply opportunities for students to consider problems before they occur. 

Discuss your communication expectations for spring break - Students may not return calls or texts while on break, but they will usually post to social media. If you expect your student to reply to your calls or messages within a certain period of time, say, 24 hours, be sure to tell them your expectations in advance. Otherwise, let them know that you'll be checking in with them through social media instead. 

It's Not Too Early to Talk About Spring Break - Part 1

Contrary to popular belief, many students just go home, stay on campus, or take a long weekend instead of a full-blown beach or ski vacation for spring break. If your child is travelling with friends however, it's vital that you have a detailed discussion about your expectations during spring break.

Spring Break Tips for students - Part 1

Be Prepared - Remember the Boy Scout motto and plan ahead for the unexpected. A stocked first aid kit and road emergency kit are always helpful to have and keeping them in one's vehicle is a good habit to establish. Kits can be assembled from items on hand or purchased complete. If traveling to remote locations, extra blankets, an emergency hammer, water and food are good to have in the vehicle as well.

Write an itinerary - Even with everyone carrying a cell phone these days, asking your student to send you an itinerary can help you know approximately where they will be and when. It can also help your student plan their trip. Most students have never planned a lengthy trip by themselves, so creating an itinerary for you can actually help them see where they may be short on time or need an extra stop. If they're hiking or camping remind them that it is sometimes required, but always a good idea, to sign in with park staff before they hit the trail.

Have a plan "B" - The itinerary will help your student plan for the obvious, but what about those hiccups that invariably happen along the way while on a trip? This is a good time to ask your student about their Plan B and offer some advice on how to handle emergencies. Is the spare tire inflated? Do they have extra cash or travelers checks? Do they know that they can still call collect from a land line phone? (Try 1-800-CALL-ATT or a similar service.) If you belong to a motor club or have access to roadside assistance, this is a great time to remind your student about the benefits of your plan.