Stressful times as schoolies kicks off

NO underage drinking, no overseas locations and watch out for toolies.

These are some of the rules parents are issuing ahead of the 2018 schoolies post-exam celebrations.

With more than 50,000 schoolies about to hit the Gold Coast, Byron Bay and Victorian beaches, parents are doing their best to keep their kids safe.

Julie Green, who runs the raisingchildren.net.au website, said parents often felt pressured to allow their children to attend schoolies, despite holding concerns for their safety.

“There’s not always positive coverage so most parents are keen to work out ways their children will be safe but still enjoy themselves,” Ms Green said.

“Access to underage alcohol is another issue for parents, given that not all children can drink legally.”

Ms Green said it was important to set boundaries and keep the lines of communication open as their children prepared to travel to the various schoolies hot spots.

“It’s also a good idea to make sure your child knows that if there is an emergency they can call you for help any time of the day or night.

She encouraged parents to follow five golden rules, listed on the raisingchildren.net.au website to help their children enjoy schoolies and return home safely. ENSURE your teen registers as a school-leaver with a schoolies’ organisation or local council; STRESS the importance to your child of staying with friends and looking out for each other; HAVE their accommodation details and the phone details of their friends; EDUCATE your kids on drink spiking and understanding that alcohol and substance use don’t mix with swimming, heights and arguments; and, TELL your teen to have a phone with them at all times.